1/12 scale Suzuki Katana - Modified

OK. Here is my next project. A Tamiya 1/12 scale Suzuki Katana.
Plans are to modify it up to todays standards.

The first step was to fix the wheels and tyres. I had an old Honda NR in the parts box so I ripped the wheels and tyres off and started the modifications.
Originally I was just going to use the Honda's rims as they are, however, I thought it would look pretty cool if I could retain the Katana's unique look. So, I machined the centre out of the Honda's rims and then machined the Katana rims down until they fit snug.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/Rearrim.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearrims.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearrimold.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/Rearwheel.jpg

The front wheel received the same treatment
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontwheel.jpg

Next I started on the bodywork. I wanted to get rid of the pillion seat so I cut a piece of plastic to the contour I wanted and glued it in place to use as a guide for the putty. I plan on adding machined rear lights. I also modified the front guard to fit the wider front wheel and tyre.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearcowling.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearcowling1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearcowling2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontgaurd.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearcowling3.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearcowling4.jpg

What do you all think?

So this is the offspring from Joel's bike then? Looking good as always and a very exciting project.

Niclas

mmmmm this is going to be cool, thought you may be going to mill some new rims with the new milling machine, ;-)

Keep us pinned to the screen again mate, Rod.

Next up I started on the engine:
I wanted the bike to have lots of black, so I stripped all the chrome plating and painted those parts in flat black. All the bolts were removed and replaced with either Sakatsu or Wave parts. I also dumped the airbox in favour of machined trumpets for some nice induction noise!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/engine.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/engine1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/engine2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/engine3.jpg

I also removed the kit muffler and machined a replacement. Once done I covered it with SMS high definition CF decal and coated it in flat clear
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/muffler.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/muffler1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/muffler2.jpg

I also finished painting and polishing the tank!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/tank.jpg

More to come soon!

mmmmm this is going to be cool, thought you may be going to mill some new rims with the new milling machine, ;-)

Keep us pinned to the screen again mate, Rod.

Sorry Rod, I still haven't got that milling machine! My fingers are crossed though!

hello Rob, hot damn this is just stunning, your black looks so deep when polished. more, more, please

Didn't know after market exhaust makers made them that small:naughty:
What is that colour of the tank and seat? looks cool.
Oh yeah heard on them news tonight something had their Katana stolen last week,they reckon it may of been stripped down to be used as parts :lol:
Shayne

Brilliant Rob. I just finished this kit a few weeks ago modernizing it a tad, but it’s a far cry from the customizing that you’ve done here. I love the new wheels, nice and wide, more inline with today’s standards.

another masterpiece in the making, it looks great Rob!!!

And about the bolts, where did you get these Wave bolts and can you take a close up pic of one?

another masterpiece in the making, it looks great Rob!!!

And about the bolts, where did you get these Wave bolts and can you take a close up pic of one them?

Woops! I couldn't find them on HLJ and just realised they are made by a company called Kotobukiya not Wave (the packaging is similar)
Anyway, here's the link
http://www.hlj.com/product/KBYP-117

Sorry about the confusion!

Fantastic start. After seeing your last build, this one will be interesting to follow.

What an awesome parts... it seems a 1/1 bike... If I never try to practise with the lathe or some thing like this i never will be at the same level as you.

Keep your awesome work Rob!!

Roca.

This will definitely be an interesting project to follow...

Awesome! I love the machined muffler. How did you do the angled tip? All the modifications are coming along splendidly. Keep it up!

Amazing!!!:sunglasse

Well we're used by your turning capabilities, but this finishing... I'd to look several times before understand that's a reflex game: at a first look seem translucent resin... awesome.

Definitely I've to make me a turning tool like your, but I found only very expencive cutting tools.

Hi Rob ;
Awesome Work so far ....
I have an eye on this thread ,
so I can spy a lot of things from you :evillol:

Regards Lutz

wow, great progress!

Hi,

another fantastic robrex project - amazing skills.

I´ll follow this

More progress
Here I have installed the engine into the frame
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frame1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frame.jpg

I also finished the muffler by fixing the rivets
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/muffler3.jpg

The rear lights were turned on the lathe and then I glued in Sakatsu 4mm lenses and painted them clear red
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearlights.jpg

Now here's a shock for you all. I was challenged to try a military kit so here's my first effort. What do you think? It isn't finished yet but I'm pretty satisfied so far!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/DSCF0508.jpg

Don't worry I'm still not tempted by the Dark Side :loser:

And about the bolts, where did you get these Wave bolts and can you take a close up pic of one?

Sorry Dennis, I forgot to post the close up pic?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/nutbolt.jpg

The Katana is looking brilliant!

Not really a fan of military models, but that truck looks great as well....

OK, I've done a bit more
The original plans were to replace the kit forks with some modern upside down ones. I had a set from the NR ready to go but after painting the cowling I realised that they are just too wide to fit !:nono:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontforkswide.jpg

So I have decided the use the kit forks with modifications such as machined stanchions. I cut of the kit leg and sanded the correct diameter hole ready for the machined leg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontforkskit.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontforks1.jpg

After getting these all ready I then realised that I had widened the front guard for the new wheel and the NR's forks. I didn't want to cut it apart again! So I opted for the cover-up method :naughty:
I sanded the inside of the fork leg so the guard would fit snug. Hopefully when painted it will hardly be noticeable?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontforks2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontforks3.jpg

Next I moved onto the bars. Having decided to use the original forks I then had to use the original bars. I cut the grips off and machined new ones and also drilled the holes ready for the fork legs
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/handlebars.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/handlebars1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/grips.jpg

Now I'm undecided about the exhaust pipes. I have given them a quick first coat of Allclad chrome which has a black chrome look. Should I leave them this colour and add the heat staining OR should I finish the chrome look?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/exhaust.jpg

Thanks for the feedback!

Very nice!!! those tail lights are sweet!!!:sunglasse

i would make the pipes flat black..

i would make the pipes flat black..
Thanks James. I think I will paint them flat black!

Doesn't seem like too many people are interested?

Anyway, here is another update
I was told a real problem with these old Katana's is the flex in the rear swing arm, so I added some reinforcements. Here's the original and the modified item
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearswingarm-1.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/swingarm.jpg

The disc brakes needed some attention so I machined replacement disc's and removed the plastic kit pieces. To get a nice fit I had to machine the plastic so that my replacement parts would simply slide on for a snug fit
Front
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontbrakes.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontbrake.jpg

Rear (for comparison the old plastic disc vs. mine)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearbrake1.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearbrake.jpg

Joel, I wasn't going anywhere for my holidays that's why I can get so much building done!

That swingarm reinforcement looks neat!

Regarding the pipes, not sure but maybe I'd also go with flat-black.

One question:
what did you use for the exhaust rivets? They look very nice.

That swingarm reinforcement looks neat!

Regarding the pipes, not sure but maybe I'd also go with flat-black.

One question:
what did you use for the exhaust rivets? They look very nice.

Thanks. The rivets were made using a product called "the nutter". It's available from the Small Shop. Here's the link:
http://thesmallshopeu.com/Main/Nutter/nuttermain.html

Hi Rob,
did you try the aluminium blackener yet? would darken up the parts you make all naturally matt black, would look trick on disc to make look carbon

Rod. we are interested, BTW you never told me what happened about Beatie/YZR500 ?

I think this bike build is really going great. I have a couple of those old Katana's and I think they are ugly ducklings but, your bike is definitely going to look nice!

I would have posted my opinion earlier but, I lose my place in the messages about everytime I post.



Keep it up,
Mark

I'm enjoying this :)

Fantastic work on the bike... and also on the halftrack. Just add some chips in the paint and it will look a bit more used.

Excellent job!, the swing arm is great!

I see you're back King Rob!
This is so great from the tail lights, the swing arm and what about those handle bars??? How did you make them? I realize I have no clue on how a lathe works...
Inspriring as always. keep it coming.
Joel

I see you're back King Rob!
This is so great from the tail lights, the swing arm and what about those handle bars??? How did you make them? I realize I have no clue on how a lathe works...
Inspriring as always. keep it coming.
Joel

Joel, I didn't make the bars I just cut off the grips and drilled the holes for the forks stanchions. The grips were machined because when you have a lathe making round parts is sometimes easier than trying the get the mold lines off the plastic part!

Thanks, and I'll have more updates very soon!

looks good so far, I agree the grips look better and the front end is getting better n better. Any c/f on this one Rob ?

also whats the scoop on rear shock, twin or single

looks good so far, I agree the grips look better and the front end is getting better n better. Any c/f on this one Rob ?

also whats the scoop on rear shock, twin or single

Rod,
I've used CF on the original semi-gloss area's of the cowling. The front gaurd has some at the back and also the front just above the light. I'll take some pictures tomorrow of the parts.
I had planned to use the NR rear end but opted for the original swing arm with the strengthening added. That way I can machine up some replacement shock and reservoirs! So twin shocks are it!

Thanks

Of coarse I ment the grips...(my knowledge in english isn't good enough...)
/Joel

Just for the record, I am BLOODY interested!!

Sorry I didn't post earlier. Truth to tell, I've run out of compliments in my
vocabluary and I don't want to bore you ;)

BTW, did you ever post your 250 California? I'm dying to see the Robrex treatment of this.

BTW, did you ever post your 250 California? I'm dying to see the Robrex treatment of this.

I will take completed photo's next week of the 250 GT. I also need to do completed pictures of the Williams FW24, Ferrari 312T3 and Barros' West RC211V!

I promise! BTW thanks for the comments!
Speaking of finished pictures, I know that Barry's bike is in Tamiya Modeling Magazine but can anyone tell me what kind of write up and how many pages it was? The magazine doesn't get over to Australia until next month :banghead:

Just for the record, I am BLOODY interested!!

Sorry I didn't post earlier. Truth to tell, I've run out of compliments in my
vocabluary and I don't want to bore you ;)


+1 for me too.

Some really great progress there rob. This bike will be another stunner, I go away for a week and a half and miss all this action. I love seeing all the different pieces you machine, they add so much realism. The paint work is fantastic as well. Not my forte, so I definitely admire it.

If you haven't done the exhaust yet, I would finish the alclad and then go the heat staining. you can always tone done the finish with a coat of smoke, exhaust, black etc.

I'm also really looking forward to the finished pics of your other projects.

OK, I've been pretty busy during my holidays
Here's a set I made for a friend of mine for his 1/12 scale Lotus 33. Parts include the wheels, hubs and working wheel nuts, shock absorbers, 5 gauges and clear lenses and the exhaust outlets.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/DSCF0522.jpg
I'm actually thinking of machining 2 sets when I make my super detailed F1 kits and selling the second set of parts on eBay? Would anyone be interested?


I managed to start working on the rear shocks. The kit shocks look OK but with a lathe it's easier machining new parts compared to the time spent cleaning the mold lines off kit parts so.. I cut the kit shocks apart and painted the ends titanium silver. Then I machined new shocks and the cartridge and replaced them.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearshocks2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearshocks.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearshocks1.jpg

I also kept working on the rear of the bike
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rear-1.jpg

More progress tomorrow
Thanks

Would anyone be interested?



Probably ;-)

Looking good Rob. You are very skilled with the lathe. Sometime I would appreciate a how-to on the lathe just to see how it works and what you have to tune. Have no idea other than that you do wonders with it.
/Joel

Hi Rob,
I would be interested in some but 1/12 or 1/20. Let me know what you have planned.
I keep wanting to buy the C3 lathe but then spend my profit on new stock, lol. Like feeding a Tiger, never gets full. ;-)

Rod

Would anyone be interested?

Yes for sure, especially the parts from your FW-24 build :grinyes:

The shocks look great. Oh... and the lotus bits look great too... i'd be interested.. depending on the cost...

I will take completed photo's next week of the 250 GT. I also need to do completed pictures of the Williams FW24, Ferrari 312T3 and Barros' West RC211V!

I promise! BTW thanks for the comments!
Speaking of finished pictures, I know that Barry's bike is in Tamiya Modeling Magazine but can anyone tell me what kind of write up and how many pages it was? The magazine doesn't get over to Australia until next month :banghead:

Hi Rob - loving this biuld at the moment. Your Sheene article is 5 pages, starting page 20. Photography looks great - two large photos on the opening pages and some nice detail pics on the rest. Text is shorter than I would have imagined - but it's to the point and informative. Overall, if it were mine i would be very proud. I don't recall another Sheene article in TMMI - so you're the first!! Congrats!! :smokin:
I'm surprised TMMI don't send out a free issue to you seeing as you have contributed??!!

You are very skilled with the lathe. Sometime I would appreciate a how-to on the lathe just to see how it works and what you have to tune. Have no idea other than that you do wonders with it.
/Joel
:iagree:

Any updates Rob? Looking forward to seeing what insane ideas you have next for this kit.

yeah yeah me too...

I've been slowly working on the Katana. Here's a quick update of the progress to date
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/overall.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearwheel2.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/rearwheel3.jpg

The wheels have been installed along with the tank. The rear cowling and seat are just resting in place. I'm still deciding if I should have the front light working or not? I'm sort of in a 'get it finished' state of mind at the moment which in the past has caused me to mess up kits so I may put it aside for a while?

Once again, thanks for all the comments!

darn thats nice work Rob, may as well have the lights working, rest of the bike looks real. ou sure have mastered the art of painting the black colour, sweet.

Absolutly brilliant mate. This is how they should have come from the factory.

Hi Rob;

Very nice work ,the Katana is on my Will do List,too.

Keep up great work
Greets Lutz

Great job on this bike,looking forward to your next project.

Oh lord...i'm speechless...rob i really suggest put it aside for a while,don't "mess up"(i think even your "mess up" is far away better than my intensive cultivation...)this masterpiece should have a perfect ending to you,so patience mate~~~

Great progress the pieces are high quality

I hope to see it finished soon

Bye!!

Thanks for all the comments!
In modeling we all struggle for motivation sometimes and all the feedback really helps provide me with the enthusiasm to keep building! As a result, I have some more updates!

I completed the front cowling, added machined turn indicators, machined fuel cap and started on the side mirrors. I should be able to finish this off after work this week?

Does anyone have a suggestion for the windscreen?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/front.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/side.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/indicator.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/fuelcap.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/sidemirrors.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Suzuki%20Katana/frontside.jpg

Thanks

Looking good Rob. Love the turned aluminum stuff. As for windscreen I cannot help you, usually when I build I just do what you do. :lol: I guess you could try vacuforming one. I think it look like you only need a small windscreen so as not to take away from the sleek look.

Mike.

Brilliant Rob...

With the windscreen, go small and sleeked back a little more than standard. When I built this kit, I leaned back the screen more than the standard one so it looked a little more stream lined. oh and I tinted it as well.