W.I.P. - Customer's Kawasaki KZ1000D Z1-R

[tigeraid]

My first bike...

Guess we'll see how this goes. I have to admit, it's a great looking kit and is going together quite well... Only real problem with it is the excess of chrome parts, but nothing some Castrol SuperClean can't fix. The customer's real-life Z1-R is essentially stock, and I think I got the colour fairly close (and so did he.)

Suggestions are VERY welcome, especially any ideas for detailing it. I intend to wire the engine, among other things, but have no idea where to start as far as little details on a bike. I've never had any experience with them in real life either!

Body is Dupli-colour Light Sapphire Blue... Wheels were detailed with silver trim (still need to clean it up a bit, ignore the rough lines...)

[joelwideqvist]

Hi, and good luck with the project. Will be interesting to follow your first bike build as I've seen you handling the cars really well!
Detailing the bike isn't that hard as the scale are the double size from most car kits. And in this case you have a live reference. Why don't you visit your costumer and take some photos of the real bike. From that you pick out what can be realisticly represented in the 1/12 scale. I use fishing line in .6, .4 and .2 mm for brake, clutch, throttle and electrical wiring. Pick out the visible details on the block and other larger parts with some contrasting colors and you've come a long way.

I've gathered a lot of tips on motorcycle modeling on my web site. Check it out and see if there is something of use. www.onetwelvth.com

Best regards
Joel

[tigeraid]

Thanks, I'll check out the side today Joel!

The customer actually gave me a TON of reference pics, so I'm in good hands--my concern was trying to detail the engine, since a lot of it is tucked way out of site--I don't suppose you have any detailed pics of this engine (or a similar kawasaki one I guess) sitting out of the bike?

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by joelwideqvist

Will be interesting to follow your first bike build as I've seen you handling the cars really well!

I am sure that John will do as good a job as with his other builds.

I am always impressed with the fearless way you take on commissions for subjects new to you

What is that effect on the brake rotor BTW?

P.S. Maybe you want to resize the photos down a bit? They are blowing the margins on the page

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by tigeraid

The customer actually gave me a TON of reference pics, so I'm in good hands--my concern was trying to detail the engine, since a lot of it is tucked way out of site--I don't suppose you have any detailed pics of this engine (or a similar kawasaki one I guess) sitting out of the bike?

Am I missing something?

Your customer has the actual bike. If you want detail pics of the engine, tell him to take the cowling off and take you some! If he really want's the engine wired and detailed to match his, he should be happy to oblige. And if he doesn't care, don't bother.

[tigeraid]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

I am sure that John will do as good a job as with his other builds.

I am always impressed with the fearless way you take on commissions for subjects new to you

What is that effect on the brake rotor BTW?

P.S. Maybe you want to resize the photos down a bit? They are blowing the margins on the page

I stick with 1024x768 since they fit so well on MY screen at 1280x1024 resolution... If you think it's better, I can go to 800x600, but you're the first to mention it...

Which do you mean by effect? The lines? It came that way in the kit, which is pretty odd...

MPWR: fair enough sir, I suppose I could do just that. Guess I just didn't want to inconvenience the customer if I could find the pics online...

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by tigeraid

IWhich do you mean by effect? The lines? It came that way in the kit, which is pretty odd...

err.. no, I didn't mean the lines (which I imagine are supposed to give the impression of a "used" rotor?) I meant those grey dots.

It's quite subtle so maybe this re-cropped picture can make my question clearer....

[tigeraid]

holes... I guess they look grey because of the lighting. The rotors on the real life bike are cross-drilled.

[klutz_100]

Oh. Oops. Now I see it.

I originally discounted them being holes as rotor vents usually have a more regular distribution pattern.

[gpz900ra7]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

Oh. Oops. Now I see it.

I originally discounted them being holes as rotor vents usually have a more regular distribution pattern.

The majority of Kawasaki's have an irregular pattern, this is to stop brake squeal.
Here is a picture of the front brakes that are on my bike.



Hope that this helps.

Shaun.

[tigeraid]

Originally Posted by gpz900ra7

The majority of Kawasaki's have an irregular pattern, this is to stop brake squeal.
Here is a picture of the front brakes that are on my bike.



Hope that this helps.

Shaun.

That was my understanding as well.

[klutz_100]

Great attention to detail on your part, Tiger.

[tigeraid]

Some sub-assemblies going together now... Engine mostly complete, front wheel/hub/forks assembly and the rear chain drive/hub... The header pipes are at Chrometech right now so I really can't go much further until they come back...

[tigeraid]

Was waiting for the pipes to come back from Chrometech.

[tigeraid]

starting to come together... Fitting the tank in place was a pain in the ass.