Yad'

Ok guy's............. Following on from Bob' here's mine at just the next stage along, lengthy clean-up and much messing around with the Bonnet [hood] in order to get a neat fit. Those awful mould lines along the body were as bad as Bob' suggests and far worse than it would appear Harry's were? Anyhoo, a few pic's - more to follow as this cyber build unfolds. I'll upload some more areas later - I'm trying to find pic's where it's obvious extra work or subtle differences are apparent. Later ...................... Andi

Here's a quick pic' of a completed styrene version [RoG]. I'll have to post any further details later as it's the early hours here and I really shouldn't be messing about online right now!! Suffice to say I found the kit a real bear of a build - it took me weeks of filing filling, re-building, making good then more filing and filling just to get that bonnet [hood] to fit properly, and the rest of the kit didn't seem much better. Having said that given the time you spend - it will reward you with a very handsome model. I have a very extensive build album showing most of the areas that I worked on if you'd care to see it? Anyway here's the finished build for now............... Give us a shout if you want more pic's?....................... Andi

Chris.............. I've sent a direct mail to the address you gave to dragonrods - sorry to appear such a numpty, hopefully this will establish contact. Ettore............ I know you of old --- DON'T get too excited!!!! This is a series of projects that have been slowly revolving around in my head for quite some years now and as such are definately not on the fast track to anywhere. The whole thing is based on the Model T, and at the minute I'm scratching ancillery parts for the TT commercial version. The axle, chassis and associated hardware. This I then want to extend with differing body and bed styles. I have realised this is all applicable to the standard model T in all it's guises too - most of which [as you know] are not available off the shelf. One thing I have come to realise during my research is that the Model T is in no way definative and almost evolved on a weekly basis, and even major changes are difficult to determine.......... this has not helped. Anyway I really wanted to keep a rather low profile with this project in case it came to nought! It just so happens I need as much help as possible getting through the process of understanding the moulding and casting side of things. If I do get the hang of it? - Who knows what may happen! [ smiling now]. Thanks both for your interest...................... Andi.

Thanks Chris.............. E-mail and address on it's way. Andi

Hi Chris ..................... Is your reply too involved to post here? - I only ask because I really could use that information as well. I'm at the moment working on a project to bring some vintage type bodies to fruition. If indeed your reply may be a bit to involved to post may I ask that I too could be a recipient of the explanation? Cheers.................. Andi.

Hi all............. Sorry the progress has been a little slow, especially if you've been waiting for an update? Anyhoo............ here's a pic' of one completed side, I've left a few of the spokes visible as they protrude out of the rim to clarify the assembly. It's all pretty simple as you can see. Even the jig is simply an old jar top that's been pressed into service. It was only needed for the initial set of spokes in order to establish the offset of the hub within the rim, this once complete is enough [so long as you have a reasonably delicate grip] to complete the spoking in "the hand". The pic' should make things pretty clear though........................ As ever should anyone need further details just sing out!! All the best.................... Andi

Here you go then, a further dribble into the Triumph wheel spoking update. As you can see minor progress with the component parts displayed and ready for assembly. The style of build is becoming evident here with the emphasis not on a super restoration look but rather a machine that's used regularly but kept in tip-top condition as a well loved tool. Ergo we have paint finished parts that you would normally expect to see chromed such as the hub in this instance - it should view better once complete. Something that is becoming very evident to myself is the lack of finesse. This I'm no longer able to bring to my builds since the unavailability of the Yadster, this also being the reason I'm now happy to sign myself as Andi, and try and bring the "Fun" element back nto my building; in fact can anybody tell me whether it's possible to change my old sign-in handle from Yad' to Andi? - it's a bit embarassing working under the name of Yad' now. Anyhoo........... this is where we are at the mo' - I'll dribble in the assembly pic's as they happen. The spoke ferrules are a little clunky I know but I can live with this nowadays. All the best for now lads............... Andi

Jody............... I've made a start on those wheels, and I thought I'd dribble my progress into the thread as it happens. If it all comes to a grinding halt you'll know I've buggered it up somewhere along the line!! Now I'm not claiming this to be the definative method, but it's the one I've worked out - and best seems to suit my means and ideals for this build. I have a little experience in spoking my previous "CartoonTriumph" but this needs to be a little more prototypical in its look, and has required a touch more advance thinking. This first pic' then is simply drilling out the spokes ready for replacement. There has already been some work carried out though - in as much as the chrome has been coated with polyurethane which has been in turn tinted with a smidge of black gloss enamel. Several reasons - firstly protection during the heavy handling stages, secondly the addition of black negates the age old problem of yellowing, and finally it imparts a very "Hard chrome" look to the surface, removing the plastic "white chrome", which I utilise for a polished alloy look - see the crank case cover earlier. Here you go then..................... You can easily see I've drilled with the spokes in place enabling me to place the holes accurately, the hub is drilled to my wire size [0.45mm] but the rim has been drilled much larger. This was a tweak I worked into my previous spoking. Using the sleeve off of telephone wire, I place a short length over my new spoke and once it's located within the rim - I slide the sleeve down and into the hole, this centres and locates the spoke, and by leaving a little proud it becomes the spoke ferrule - to be touched in with brass once complete. Here's the idea on my old Triumph build - it's a bit crude on this one because I was after a theatrical look to the whole build, but should serve to give you the jist of what it is I'm after?? Here's hoping this piques your interest?......................... Andi.

Thanks all for your interest................ I'm moving on to the wheels next and this is the only area where I'll push the boat out a bit, seeing as they're such a visual part of the bike I'm going to have a go at re-spoking them. Dennis............ The kit comes with the twin carb' head etc. The T100 was the basic 500cc engine specification and spawned many types. The twin carb' model came in many guises including the "Tiger, Thunderbird, Speed Twin and many more over the years, all collectively known as the T100. But, to be quite honest I've backed down on the desperate search for reference and slavish attention to minutia. This has in the past led to my building becoming less than enjoyable and I'm needing to have a bit of fun with it lately, so apart from the obvious I'm not going to get terribly upset over not researching the build to the enth degree - experience dictates that 99% of folk only give my builds a cursory look anyway. All the best for now guys............ Andi

Hi all....................... Finally made some meaningful progress on the latest project - Triumph T100. This as many will know being the 1/8 Revell kit. I'm building it pretty much as it comes, concentrating on simple basic modelling techniques and detail painting for the effect - trying to keep the build as light and enjoyable as possible. Here then is a few pic's of the basic engine, as ever excrutiatingly enlarged..............it reads much better in the flesh. The polished cover has just been pressed on with Blu-tac to take the pic's with and will be secured later when most of the heavy handling is done with. As mentioned mainly down to detail painting and a few judicious additions. Here you go ....................... Thanks for looking............comments and questions welcome. More as it happens...................Andi

Not that it helps you at all............ but our local hardware store stocks it, and it's very cheap compared to the brands I've been using. My question is? - What is the base of the primer....... Laquer - Acrylic - Enamel?? I tend to use Acrylic touch-up paints [Halfords] for all my spraying purposes and wondered whether this might be a compatible and cheaper alternative? Thanks................. Andi

Hello Kunal.............. That Roller's good to see anywhere, and it still looks a million dollars. I'm sure it'll be very poular on this board - they all appreciate a darned good build. Cheers................... Andi

An excellent and very sympathetic rendition. Incredibly well observed and a whole host of very practiced and hard won skill went into this build I'm more then sure. The build does your talent and craftsmanship very proud indeed. Andi

Hi Bill.................. Your memory of the kit is quite good. This is in fact an RoG version and it's offical titles are HONDA CB72, kit# 07926. You're also right in assuming it's a vintage kit, although it is a good one. It's definately a product of its time but it was pretty cutting edge at that time too. It has a good parts count meaning good detail, the moulding and engraving is excellent - in total you could make a very good shelf model OOB, you could make a fantastic model just applying some basics of modelling technique. And it goes further, it would lend itself easily to a balls out super detailing project. The kit as marketed is titled the "Super Sports" [250cc] but it would convert fairly easily to the "Super Hawk" [350cc]. The details are minor and fairly cosmetic. Check out this excellent build, unusually not as a restoration but as a working commuter ride. http://kimshouse7015.com/HondaCB72Files/HondaCB72.html Finally the price...................... at one time these were dirt cheap and plentyful on ebay UK, they still appear quite regularly and usually get knocked down for well below retail - I got mine for about $15 a couple of years ago, so it may pay to shop around - they're not that rare. They make a real change of pace [large scale motorcycles] and I'm enjoying myself immensely with them at the moment. The truth is I've just finished a Ducati and - honestly! Stood only last week with this Honda in one hand and a Triumph Tiger [another excellent kit] in the other - I'm building the Triumph as it happens. Hope this of some help?.................... Andi

Gregg'................ Thank you for your applause, it's nice to have ones efforts appreciated. Regards the pic's most of this selection were taken with the web in mind so they're all pretty low res'. I think even the originals are only about 300kb. I'm not sure what's in your mind but it would be easy enough to take a new selection at a greater value and at an appropriate size, with effect the finished shots that you see here are my normal style with a white background. I could possibly accommodate different effects within reason, that is if you have something particular that you're thinking of? Thanks once again.................... Andi

Paul............... It's the plastic bodied issue, and you're right too - it is the Monogram kit not Revell as I titled it. My mistake, yet another grey moment! Thanks all for your more than generous comments. Andi

Hi guys.................... Here'a a walk round of an old build that's never been fully seen here, I did post a short "pictorial how to" on the wire wheels not too long ago and seeing as I'd recently posted this walk round elsewhere - and I don't think there's much of a cross over in viewers?............. So after the efforts of composing the post, I thought I'd give it a week or so and see if you guys fancied a look-see? There are several more shots of various in-progress sequences and assemblies but most of it is pretty much covered here. If you have the kit or built it in the past you'll be aware of just how tiny the completed model is? - So, when viewing these mercilessly enlarged pic's - please be gentle, [smiling]. Here you go then....................... Apologies about the amount of pic's, I do try and make sure that all are under 100k for any dial-up guys, but I thought it best to get this all over and done this one time!! Thanks for looking guys............. as ever thoughts or comments welcome. Cheers all............... Andi

Hi Bill............... I'm being a bit lazy, but here's the answer I provided for pretty much the same question I was asked elsewhere. And yes, I've played with the technique and it does lend itself to quite a few applications. This particular lacing is prototypical to the MG so the pegs are spaced as-per, simply wrap around the peg - through the lacing - out and around the peg - back in to automatically line up with the next point of entry for the spacing. But the idea doesn't take much altering to fit any number of differing formats. Having said that nowadays I tend to build on a purely recreational level and so long as it carries the look - I can live with it. Here you go with the quote............. shout up if you have any further queries? You won't find anything too hi-tech amongst my techniques so don't worry. I seem to have this "thing" for working out the simplist means of achieving the maximum effect!! The wires themselves are made from a monofilimant as you suspect, in this instance its a haberdashery product called "invisble thread", I found it in the sewing box - she who must be obeyed was pretty good about it!!? Regards the fixing of the "wires" if you check out pic #4, you'll see that a groove has been turned into it on the face of the brake drum and before the axle housing. The rear [flat] inner wires sit in this groove and are not fixed so the Drum is able to "float". The outer rim is then cyano'd over the top of the wires, and then the "floating drum can be centred within it - fixing with a drop of cyano' when you're happy. The outer [dished] wires are threaded under the rim and over the top of the axle housing [the two pieces of ally' tube] as it cranks around the axle tubes the tension holds it on top ,the next peice trapping it. I had a couple of almighty failures initially by using too much tension but then slacked it back a touch and cyano'd the assembly periodically to stop it all unravelling. Once you're happy with it all I flooded the face of the rear rim with liquid cement till the face softened, this was then placed against its front counterpart and clamped causing the wires to sink into the rear face negating any gaps [in fact filling a few] at the mating point. Again once happy I cyan'd around the outside of the rim where the surplus wire protruded, then clipped them flush once dry. The whole procedure is much easier than it sounds and results in a very strong assembly. Hope this helps rather than hinders? ..............Andi

Hello all................ Here's a post I made on another board - it was suggested that I might post it here too, so here you go.................... I built a little MG-TC some while ago now and an interest has been shown in the reproduction of the wire wheels. rather than a long and involved tutorial what I've done is to put together a more concise "Pictorial". The pic's are in a seqence and should make a readable instruction of sorts - at least it should point you in a direction at which to aim? Here you go then...................... 9 pic's.............. Any questions or clarification - please sing out. I'd be happy to answer if I possibly can. all the best for now.................... Andi

Daryl................. Please find enclosed a link to a terrific build thread of this very kit, I found it posted elsewhere and the re-awakening of this thread reminded me to post it. The thread is unfortunately in German I believe but the pic's tell most of the tale. I certainly found a lot of useful ideas and tips within it - it now resides in my favourites and I vieww it often to keep the juices flowing. Big Bentley build album. Hope you find this useful and enjoyable?................... Andi

Harry............. just what can I say?? Except - Absolutely ruddy marvelous. And believe me, I would believe the amount of hours that's gone into that build. Isn't it frustrating that the more you put into a build - and the more correct it looks. The more folk frustratingly think it was that way to begin with!!! I'm certainly one that's able to look beyond the visible and appreciate the hours of painstaking work and diligent application in order to produce a project like that. I applaud also the non-red livery you've used, this alone causes one to look deeper and really begin to see not only the work, but the thinking also. Again....................... "Ruddy marvelous. Andi

Phew..............I finally remembered where I'd started this thread. In a previous life I used to do lots of in-progress and build pic's, they never really seemed that popular and did take a lot of time out of the build so I have very few in this instance - what I have done though is to finally finish this beast. It should of been a fairly lightweight project but as ever turned into something that needed wrestling to the ground, all up though it's done and finished. Apologies to anyone that may have seen it elsewhere, I have kind of carpet bombed the boards that I currently frequent. Here you go then for those that may not have..................... Thanks for looking................ Thoughts and comments welcome. Andi.

Hi Gregg............... An update - This morning the board has "remembered me". This is a departure from it's recent norm' as mentioned earlier. Potentially your adjustment of the "cookie" settings could have been the remedy, but it's definately now aware of me. The problem surfaced soon after the Board update and had been consistant until this morning........... I'll let you know if it plays up again........... btw I'm using XP Home, I/E-7. Many thanks for your prompt attention................ Yad'

Just a quick post to see if I'm the only one that's suffering from a "remember me" issue? I may be missing something despite checking out the various control portions of the site, but the board regardless of checking the "remember me" option continually logs me out after 24 hours it seems? I actually read the board by logging into the "most recent posts" option and purusing from there. This is negated by being logged out and I'm constantly having to relog in, or work through the Active posts list. Not the end of the world but my visits are always of the flying type and to be honest I'm starting to skip the board as with my limited time the constant necessary logging in each day is becoming wearisome. Am I missing some vital tick option. Or is anyone else experiencing this anomolly? Yad'

Nice build Izzy, I've a couple of those "campus people" kits and have often been drawn to just building those "Veppies". You may find them a bit of a joke over there? - but in most congested European cities they're considered an excellent tool. They also have quite some cult following and are often looked upon with much affection. Here's a larger scale version I built some time ago now............ Later .................... Andi