Gary Chastain

I have been into motorcycles most of my life. This is my 1980 Kawasaki Z1R, motor is an 1175cc, mostly fiberglass body, magnesium wheels and a heavily machined transmission shifted by air. Raced this from 1980 thru 1983. My recent bikes KTM EXC 300, Kawasaki KX 500, and last sold , my Honda CRF 450 with street legal kit.

???fingers crossed, right

Back on the fuel tanks

Old repaired tools on the bench, ready to go.

I think when you add the weight of the tires/wheels and the complete cad, it will level right out. The frame rails are pretty flexible.

Looks really good

Today I spent time modifying a Dremel scroll saw and a small drill press that I inherited from my dad when he passed a year ago. The snap out center section of the scroll saw had way to much clearance for the small work in modeling, so I bought some 1/8 inch sheet aluminum and made a minimal clearance plate and it works well. The drill press had a wood working plate with a huge hole, so I used the left over aluminum and made a new work plate for small parts.

The moisture effect is over time (every thermoplastic has a different absorption rate), so the time lapse of building is really in-material, it’s long time storage or in a really high humidity area. Ever start a build, set it aside for a year or two, then start the build again and wonder why the parts don’t seem to fit now, they did at one time? But this does bring value to keeping a dehumidifier in your modeling room. And again, big parts demonstrate the warping because of size, small parts less.

I spent the last 30 years teaching plastics, so , some interesting details that many of you already know. Plastic is hydroscopic ( draws moisture from the environment). This absorption causes the plastic to move or find a state of less stress from the injection molding process, hence, warping. This is noticed for us truck builders as our parts are larger, frame rails(length) and large cab/sleeper bodies. Heat can also create a similar response to the plastic. Putting your built kits in an area where they are exposed to sun can also create problems as well, there are no additives to prevent degradation from sun/atmosphere in our plastic. Keeping your parts in sealed bags is actually a bonus in protecting the integrity of your parts. I have read where some builders actually open the original packaging, separate the parts then install the parts in a lunch ziplock bag. This effect on small parts is less noticeable. Polystyrene is a very low cost material with very little molecular structure, hence way we can scratch a line in sheet Polystyrene and snap it at the line. Nylon plastic will not snap at the line as the molecular structure crosses that line and it just bends. Buying an open kit off the internet can raise the risk of warped parts if the bags have been opened and parts are laying loosely, not that this is a deterrent, just got to work out the issues.

Yes sir, a lot of work, not sure I would do this again. Besides the cost at about 25 bucks per package. Yes they have a texture and yes based on size or diameter/scale you can vary the finish. My rear door will have the smaller rivets, the sides of the trailer has larger ones and also the spacing between rivets changes based on the construction.

Got the fuel tanks made up today and some goodies finally came in the mail. Got some “G”scale rivets coming yet.

Modeling at the highest level.

Great looking build, well done

I really enjoy seeing a build like this, well done.

Another built from scratch beauty, well done.

Just seen this, I know you like the unusual trucks.

What a cool project

Glad to see it back on the bench

Thanks, I may stretch those fuel tanks out another 1/4 or 1/2 in length and use three tank straps on each.

And…..what Museum is this going too?❤️?❤️?❤️?

Not sure if this helps, some garage experiments with these paints. I have used all three for different look for my builds. Oh, and these will not finger print when dry, so you can work with them. the Krylon is a flatter finish ( looks like dull aluminum), the Rustoleum is a similar color but a bit more gloss ( works good for an aluminum wheel or detail). Then the Revell chrome.

Door frame built, doors cut and fitted. Next up hinges and final fit of door frame to the box. And USPS did not deliver any parts? today, even if the web says delivery Friday quick mock-up to check the fit of the box to see if height works.

Well done sir.

Thanks guys, might be stealing some ideas from you guys. Gonna try the mud guards that Steve built (the half round fenders in front of the rear drive wheels). The more accurate I build the structure, the easier it is to finish.

Jeff, I stated the size wrong it’s “G” scale, which is 1:22.5 model scale.