cruz Posted December 6, 2020 Posted December 6, 2020 Decided to do something a little different and give myself a little break from the cars. Picked up this model at a model car show last November and thought it was a good idea to build it. First thing I did was to replace the ugly and way out of scale spokes on this thing. I used guitar string for this. I also decided not to use the ugly and also way out of scale brake, transmission and tachometer lines. Didn't have any orange color in my stash of paints so I just went ahead and mixed my own. Kind of a finicky kit but with a little patience, I think it turns out pretty decent....
Khils Posted December 6, 2020 Posted December 6, 2020 That looks awesome Cruz!! Very close paint match to my original '68 1:1. Now that you've set the standard...gonna have to upgrade my rims & cables when I get to recreating mine. Beautiful Sir! ....absolutely Beautiful! !
Dragline Posted December 7, 2020 Posted December 7, 2020 Very well done Cruzer. That seat is very convincing and good call on the cables. I've been looking for something suitable for my build so it sit without them until I find something.
peteski Posted December 8, 2020 Posted December 8, 2020 Wow! That is impressive. Mike Fifer on the forum also built that kit recently. He built it box stock, but you sure took it to the next level! Could you explain in more detail how you replaced the spokes? Also, what did you use for the spoke nipples?
TonyK Posted December 8, 2020 Posted December 8, 2020 That model looks like a real bike! You did a great job! Thanks for sharing.
cruz Posted December 8, 2020 Author Posted December 8, 2020 2 hours ago, peteski said: Wow! That is impressive. Mike Fifer on the forum also built that kit recently. He built it box stock, but you sure took it to the next level! Could you explain in more detail how you replaced the spokes? Also, what did you use for the spoke nipples? Thank you, I used guitar string for the spokes, cut a pair at a time and replaced them with the string. I used hypodermic needles cut to lenght for the nipples. A little tedious but the results are pretty unique.....
cobraman Posted December 8, 2020 Posted December 8, 2020 Looks a darn sight better than the one I built.
the goon Posted December 8, 2020 Posted December 8, 2020 Ok, can I have the next ride ?. That looks perfect. Mark
peteski Posted December 8, 2020 Posted December 8, 2020 10 hours ago, cruz said: Thank you, I used guitar string for the spokes, cut a pair at a time and replaced them with the string. I used hypodermic needles cut to lenght for the nipples. A little tedious but the results are pretty unique..... That's what I suspected - thanks for the confirmation. I broke down and just ordered this kit. I really like to build it just like you did, but going by my past history, it will just be added to the pile of hundreds of unbuilt kits in their boxes waiting their turn on my workbench. It's an addiction! After cutting off the plastic spokes what did you touch up the chrome rim and hubs? Molotow chrome pen? Whatever you uses, it looks perfect in the photos. And if you ever look for a good source of hypodermic tubing, I recommend http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/
cruz Posted December 9, 2020 Author Posted December 9, 2020 14 hours ago, peteski said: That's what I suspected - thanks for the confirmation. I broke down and just ordered this kit. I really like to build it just like you did, but going by my past history, it will just be added to the pile of hundreds of unbuilt kits in their boxes waiting their turn on my workbench. It's an addiction! After cutting off the plastic spokes what did you touch up the chrome rim and hubs? Molotow chrome pen? Whatever you uses, it looks perfect in the photos. And if you ever look for a good source of hypodermic tubing, I recommend http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/ Thank you my friend, yes, I just touched up the bare plastic with the Molotow marker. Thank you for the link, I use hypodermic needles for a lot of things, these are always very useful...
peteski Posted December 9, 2020 Posted December 9, 2020 6 hours ago, cruz said: Thank you my friend, yes, I just touched up the bare plastic with the Molotow marker. Thank you for the link, I use hypodermic needles for a lot of things, these are always very useful... Thanks Marcos, and you're welcome.
RancheroSteve Posted December 14, 2020 Posted December 14, 2020 Best looking one I've seen yet! I'm hoping to make some similar improvements when I build mine. How do you cut the hypodermic needles without crushing them?
cruz Posted December 14, 2020 Author Posted December 14, 2020 2 hours ago, RancheroSteve said: Best looking one I've seen yet! I'm hoping to make some similar improvements when I build mine. How do you cut the hypodermic needles without crushing them? Thanks, I use a Dremel disc, cut it at a certain depth and just twist it off. I will smooth out the end with the flat area of the disc itself.....
RancheroSteve Posted December 14, 2020 Posted December 14, 2020 13 hours ago, cruz said: Thanks, I use a Dremel disc, cut it at a certain depth and just twist it off. I will smooth out the end with the flat area of the disc itself..... Ahh, good tip - thanks!
dimaxion Posted December 18, 2020 Posted December 18, 2020 On 12/6/2020 at 1:46 PM, Khils said: That looks awesome Cruz!! Very close paint match to my original '68 1:1. Now that you've set the standard...gonna have to upgrade my rims & cables when I get to recreating mine. Beautiful Sir! ....absolutely Beautiful! ! Wowser ! TY for sharing . Outstanding !
Vettegasser Posted December 18, 2020 Posted December 18, 2020 Got one of these started Very cool bike excellent work
PappyD340 Posted December 20, 2020 Posted December 20, 2020 Very nice Marcos, I had one just like it with the high rise sissy bar, always thought it was the coolest bike!!
NitroMarty Posted December 23, 2020 Posted December 23, 2020 Outstanding!!! What diameter wire and hypodermic needles did you use for the spokes and nipples?
Doug 1061 Posted December 23, 2020 Posted December 23, 2020 This is the best build of this kit I have seen so far. I have one of these in the pile, have to find something suitable for cable housings. I remember when these bikes came out in the late 60s. I wanted the white Cotton Picker, but couldn't swing the $110 price tag. There was an Orange Krate at a local bike shop a month or so ago, minus the front fender, they wanted $3500 for it. Crazy.
Mr mopar Posted December 25, 2020 Posted December 25, 2020 Sweet Bike ....Love the way you did the spokes . seen that on FB
Venom Posted December 30, 2020 Posted December 30, 2020 As a lifelong cyclist, I’ll just say....AWESOME!!!
Faust Posted December 31, 2020 Posted December 31, 2020 Nice! I'm really pumped, because I got this one for Christmas myself! I remember friend of mine riding his much older brother's old Krate when I was younger, back in the early '80s. I love the spokes... I don't have the guts to tackle that, but you, sir, have done a marvellous job! Good on you!
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