Gunze Hi-Tech BMW R69

[360spider]

Even though I usually don't build motorcycles, I've been wanting to build a bike for some time now, and not one of those Tamiya crotch-rockets, but rather an older bike, and this BMW looked like a perfect project. The kit is an older Gunze Sangyo Hi-Tech kit, most of it is white metal (very crude castings, worse than MFH), but relatively highly detailed, with various materials used.

I started with cleaning all the white metal to make it look decent and prepare it for primer.





Plastic parts were also cleaned. They are much better molded than white metal, makes me think why Gunze decided on white metal after all. I also assembled the engine and filled all imperfections - ready for paint.




Finally, wheels were stripped of chrome, and assembled. Each individual spoke was glued into the rim. the fit is quite bad, so it took a while to get every spoke right, and rims to fit together. Then rim halves wouldn't fit to each other, and to the tire.... spent couple of hours before I could get them to fit and match...bad design for sure. So far this kit is a fit "disaster"! Finally, a mock up:

[klutz_100]

Stop moaning!

It looks great of course Nice to see you playing with other subjects and I am sure this will be as cool as ever

I am totally enamored with the Gunze Indian Scout kit that was recently shown here on AF and have been trying to find one at a (fairly) reasonable price.

[jano11]

Wow, nice project.
It already looks great, with the cleaned WM parts and those spoke wheels!

PS: I might try to find one of this beautiful boxer engined BMW's too, but as Steven I'm already chasing one of those Indian Scouts first.

[CrateCruncher]

Great choice and a wonderful start! I love this bike's Earl's forks. They're wild.

I'm sure you've noticed the seat. When they did the rubber parts tree they configured the seat upside down and there are three HUGE ejecter pin scars right in the middle of the seats exposed surface. Milliput?

I'll be glued to this one. I can't wait to see where you go with it!

[360spider]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

Great choice and a wonderful start! I love this bike's Earl's forks. They're wild.

I'm sure you've noticed the seat. When they did the rubber parts tree they configured the seat upside down and there are three HUGE ejecter pin scars right in the middle of the seats exposed surface. Milliput?

I'll be glued to this one. I can't wait to see where you go with it!

Actually, the seat is going to be replaced with two scratchbuilt Denfeld seats.

Thanks!

[joelwideqvist]

Hi, and welcome to this sub part of AF, you won't regret it and I bet there will be more bikes in your collection further on.
Looks like a fun kit. Any ref pics of what we can expect? May I also ask how much you have to pay for one of Gunze's "high tech"-kits?
/Joel

[360spider]

Originally Posted by joelwideqvist

Hi, and welcome to this sub part of AF, you won't regret it and I bet there will be more bikes in your collection further on.
Looks like a fun kit. Any ref pics of what we can expect? May I also ask how much you have to pay for one of Gunze's "high tech"-kits?
/Joel

Hi Joel,

I've built few bikes before, some are even on my web-page. I like building bikes, they are a great change of pace, and let me learn different modeling techniques. I've got a few pics of the original, since I'm building this for a guy as replica of his bike. he supplied the kit, so I have no idea how much it is worth right now. Here is couple pics of the original:

[360spider]

Ok, an update. Got most of the parts painted - chrome pieces were covered with Alclad II Chrome, wheels chromed and assembled.




Engine was painted with MM Steel metalizer and buffed. All body and frame pieces were painted with Tamiya racing white and clearcoated with 2K clear.





Now I need to put this all together and wire/plumb the thing. It is going real well actually.

[davesans]

Awesome stuff keep the updates coming

[joelwideqvist]

Thanks for the input. The original looks great in that creamy white color. Nice to have a 1:1 reference to work with!
/Joel

[360spider]

Got more done today - engine is in, and mostly wired and plumbed. I also started assembling the rest of frame components, and rear wheels is in.

[The Sheene Machine]

Clinically clean as always Alex. It's lovely to see something different being built..I do love these old bikes. They have such character.

[joelwideqvist]

Does the kit come with those seats from the 1:1 bike? Or, are we looking forward to some scratch building?
/Joel

[360spider]

Originally Posted by joelwideqvist

Does the kit come with those seats from the 1:1 bike? Or, are we looking forward to some scratch building?
/Joel

Yeah, the seats will be scratchbuilt :-)

[joelwideqvist]

Oh lord, where's my bag of popcorn...
/Joel