Does anyone remember the Revell & Kawasaki sponsored model contests?

[ScottE]

Back in '72 and '73, Revell and Kawasaki sponsored motorcycle model contests. The model had to be based on one of Revell's motorcycle kits, and that was about it for rules. Kawasaki provided the big prizes - real motorcycles! Can you imagine giving away motorcycles as prizes now? I was in high school still, and fascinated by bikes (choppers in particular). Didn't finish in time for 1972, there was a due date for sending in pictures and entry forms that I think I missed by a day or two. Got my entry in on time for '73, though. Inspired by the movie "Easy Rider", I used the engine, transmission and rear wheel from Revell's 1/12 scale LA Chopper. The frame, front forks, and sissy bar are soldered together from brass sheet, rod and tubing. The seat and gas tank are balsa wood, and my sister helped me stitch the naugahyde seat cover. I turned the spiked nut covers on the front end out of aluminum in shop class. Our next-door neighbor owned a plating shop and was kind enough to triple plate the brass parts for me. The front wheel and tire are from a Pyro kit (some kind of beach trike, if I remember). I won first in Street/Custom and was awarded a Kawasaki KX175, what we called back then a dual-purpose bike, my first motorcycle. Here's some pics of the model as it is today, one of me on my prize, and an article written by Cycle Magazine's Joe Parkhurst. Most of the plating has held up well, but there's some bubbly spots on the frame, probably from not cleaning off the soldering flux well enough. Any surviving entries from back then?

[Flynlo]

That is awesome, thamks for sharing!

The model has held up extremely well.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Scott!

Very well designed and executed, no surprise it won! And going to the extreme of having a REAL chrome shop chip in... quite impressive. Bravo!

CT

[Street Rod]

That’s a super cool bike, love the custom work! Definitely deserved the win and great to see it’s survived all these years.

[ScottE]

Thanks everyone for the kudos and for letting me share.

[iamsuperdan]

That's pretty awesome! 

 

I was 1 month old when you had your pic taken.

 

[ea0863]

Scott, what an awesome build for such a young person. But the story behind it is the really fantastic part. You, family, friends, neighbors - so many nice people pitching in. I love it!

[ybsluos]

Great story as EMRE said and one mean looking chop!  Thanks for sharing Scott

[LDO]

That’s a really good looking model. It’s cool that you still have it after so long. 

[slusher]

Beautiful Chopper!!