Chopper 300

[joelwideqvist]

Boys and girls, do test fit! After an hour of sanding and priming the fromt rim I picked out the tyre from the Revell box to see how it looked on the Minitunning rim. The rim is a good 3-4 mm to narrow wich gives the tyre a bump. I've mailed Flavio to see what to do. I guess the RM kits uses the same tyres don't they?

Last way out would be to cut the tyre off and shorten it a bit. Or see if some of my other street bike kits offer a smaller diameter tyre. But I wonder how it will look with a high speed Hayabusa tyre on a shopper...
/Joel

[joelwideqvist]

I guess it's best to show some images to get the comments flowing.

I've struggled to even out the rear rim. Got closer and closer to a state that is good enough. Rear tyre is, as mentioned above, painted with Zero "Rubber black". Pattern has to be touched up with some flat black.





I need some opinions on the choice of color. My intention is to paint the tank, oil tank and fender Lamborghini color Arancio Borealis and add some black details to that. So, what color/s would be nice on the rims?? I'm leaning towards metallic grey on the outer parts and silver on the spokes... What do You say?

Another thing that's setting this build back is that a 300 mm rear tyre means the drive train has to go on the right. I was thinking of making a second belt drive as I see these on most ref pics when it comes to wide tyre bikes. But there is a lot of work to be invested in such a project and I'm therefor thinking of using the kit chain. As I'm modifying the swing there is a chance that it won't fit but I'll give it a go.

I so far modyfied it by drilling out the hollow parts.

In my teens I was amazed with the Honda NR bikes, using oval pistons. Have a look at Revell taking engineering a step further trying an oval....front sprocket...?!





I think finishing the swing is next.

/Joel

[Seventyseven]

Maybe the oval sprocket is how they get that distinct sound?! haha. I like choppers with 'old-skool' primer/bare metal look, although with those rims, maybe something super bright candy.

[Roca46]

Coming really nice Joel,

The work on that tyre/rim is worth it. You have done a great job.

As for the colors schemes.. I always have a headaches when I try to make a combination of colours.. first I like one scheme.. then I like other.. very hard to decide but in my oppinion checking in google images would help to get a few references and then put them together to the chopper.

Keep working!

Roca.

[Twowheelsrule]

If I may suggest about the rims, I think that if you gloss black enamel, then paint them with Alclad chrome it they may come out better and make them look smoother than they really are.


As far as paint job for the body, the wilder the better. Nearly everyone likes flames, second choice would be scallops. You could use a the colors found in Repsol Honda paint jobs as those look bright and can really grab the eye. Or like like the other guy said start doing Google searches until you find something you like.


Thanks for the detailed reports on the wheels,
TW

[joelwideqvist]

Thanks for your comments and input guys. I guess most bikes just have aluminum or chrome wheels but I think I want a rather heavy impression to sort of lower the bike. I was planning on lowering the ride height but the softail puts a stop to that.

I will sketch on a few options and tell you what I decide.

Yesterday I bent the tubes for the softail swing. Will be troublesome to fix them at the right angle...

/Joel

[joelwideqvist]

Told you earlier that I got the matching fender to go with the wide tyre. This is how it looks,





I'll have to try my luck and see if the resin stands some sawing but this is what I want to do with it,



Did some mock ups to see what I'm facing. Never mind the original front rim... A lot of stuff is missing and I have some re-building plans for the forks, seat, belt drive housing and some other minor stuff. My vision is also to wire it up as much as possible



Softail cradle got company by the arms made out of 3 mm Tamiya styrene rod. Heated over a candle and bent after a sketch. I have worked with Plastruct rod before but must say that the Tamiya rod stayed flexible for a longer period after heating.





Hope you are enjoying half as much as I do...
/Joel

[ketje]

Hi Joel,

looking good so far.

About the colours, I like the old school colours like the harley green (kaki) with some black. Maybe some pin striping also.

http://image.baggersmag.com/f/969191..._left_side.jpg


Looking at the pictures, I find the gastank sitting a bit to low. I would place it a bit more to the neck but that's my opinion.


So that's my input.

Have fun building.

[joelwideqvist]

You are right Ketje, it's sitting too low but it is because I haven't drilled holes in the tank to fit the mounting pins on the frame. It will go further up the neck when installed properly.

/Joel

[cinqster]

Joel, there is an answer to the chain and rear wheel issue!

[joelwideqvist]

Only trouble is it requires three sets of P/E chain

/Joel

[cinqster]

Originally Posted by joelwideqvist

Only trouble is it requires three sets of P/E chain

/Joel

LOL! You could belt drive it! I think Plastruct (possibly K&S) make a ribbed plastic sheet that could do it - failing that I've seen some good notched belts in old printers ect.

Maybe one for another project?

What would be really cool is the old leather drive belt idea made from sections of leather riveted together. You could make the belt pieces from 1.5mmx1.5mmx5mm plastic sheet and rivet them with pin heads! Now I've never seen that on a modern chop!

[joelwideqvist]

Now my juices are flowing! haha. I haven't really put the belt drive aside yet. First of all the chain might be too short as the rear wheel is moved a few mm back. Second, it would be cool, wouldn't it?? I've never heard of the ribbed plastic sheet that you mention but I think the belt itself would be pretty easy to create. My toughest question, and what's actually stopping me is how to get the belt installed as it has to go through the swing. I could glue it on the clutch pulley wich will later be covered. But I'm not shure it will hold. Always hard to glue something that has to be tightened at the same time to hold its shape.

Any ideas are welcome
/Joel

[cinqster]

This may have been the stuff I was thinking off:

http://tinyurl.com/n8n39q

but I think it's too big for 1/12th scale. However, if you made up something similar with the correct spaced/sized notches you could cast a rubber belt form it using molding latex. I've been told you can dye it black for tyres etc.

Just a thought!

[Roca46]

Taking shape Joel, you done a nice job on the frame. I should try something different apart from the Motogp bikes...

Roca.