1/9 Italeri Harley WLA 750

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 10:31 am

Thanks guys
first week out of the way without any issues, apparently on days for a couple of weeks so weekends off

kpisnuts · Post by **kpisnuts** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:46 pm

Thats looking really great

cor · Post by **cor** » Tue Aug 10, 2021 6:51 am

Nice. It's a professional looking build. Very clean. I like the tank paint job.

Mpfiend · Post by **Mpfiend** » Wed Aug 11, 2021 9:50 am

Looking really nice. I like the classic custom look you have achieved

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:42 pm

Finally got my MFH chain set from in 1/9 scale.
Its a little different to the Top Studio chain and much easier to assemble as the Pins (rivets) are all held in a line as you can see from the photos. You do have to check each pin rail to make sure the pins are all straight and evenly spaced before you sit one side in the small jig. Once you have the first row of inner plates (links) done the outer plates are easier because the pins are in the correct alignment. Once one side was complete I turned it over to do the other. I didn't squash the rivet heads until I completed both sides, this was done with some flat pliers.
The hardest part for me was trying to join two lengths together.

in the set you get two plates of links, two jigs, and six sets of rivets. I'm hoping to get two chains from one set but its going to be close

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:43 pm

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:43 pm

close up

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:45 pm

I glued one jig to a aluminium bar to keep it still

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:49 pm

The inner links correctly aligned the pins making it easier to add the outer links.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:52 pm

sorry, I didn't get a photo of the first side finished before turning it over in the jig

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:53 pm

start of the inner links on the other side

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:56 pm

Do you squish the pins on the first side before turning it over? I don't know if my big fat fingers could handle building that even in 1/9 scale

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:03 pm

Both sides complete and cut from the jig (bar) and the rivets on both sides squeezed with a pair of long nose flat pliers. Its a great looking chain and easy to build having the rivets on a bar that fits into a small jig but cutting each rivet can leave a tiny shiny tab

The Top Studio chain sets are much better but harder to assemble as each rivet is loose

after assembling three separate chains and joining them together I can figure out how much longer it needs to be and hopefully have enough left for a second.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:06 pm

As expected the chain does not fit the Harley sprocket. You also get some nice sprockets with the Top Studio sets

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:20 pm

I like this a lot
Would love to be able to print out the parts in resin and make chains 'til the cows come home
and sprockets too

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:34 pm

BigWall wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:56 pm Do you squish the pins on the first side before turning it over? I don't know if my big fat fingers could handle building that even in 1/9 scale

Hi matey
Your told in the instructions to squish the first side but I used the second spare jig on top before turning it over to transfer it to the second jig. After carefully removing the first jig from what is now the top I could carry on with the other side then when complete squish both sides at the same time with some pliers. You need a good pair of tweezers to pick the links up

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:37 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:20 pm I like this a lot
Would love to be able to print out the parts in resin and make chains 'til the cows come home
and sprockets too

Hi scott
Its a nice looking chain but I need a new sprocket

not sure if my sidewinder printer would do it so small

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:51 am

damn that's a shame they got the pitch on the sprockets or the chain wrong.

MrBowcat · Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:21 am

The chain looks great.

I bought the Studio 27 set for my next bike build and I'm not looking forward to putting the chain together.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:17 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:51 am damn that's a shame they got the pitch on the sprockets or the chain wrong.

I had a feeling I would end up with sprocket issues

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:18 am

MrBowcat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:21 am The chain looks great.

I bought the Studio 27 set for my next bike build and I'm not looking forward to putting the chain together.

Thanks mrB

wish I got the studio set now

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:54 pm

Casper wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:17 am
digger303 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:51 am damn that's a shame they got the pitch on the sprockets or the chain wrong.

I had a feeling I would end up with sprocket issues

I always worry about that when buying aftermarket tracks for my tanks....same issue.

WordenB · Post by **WordenB** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:29 pm

That's a real shame the chain is a different pitch, can you swap the sprocket without too much trouble?

DRUMS01 · Post by **DRUMS01** » Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:19 am

This build always brings a smile every time I see an update. Nice work on the motorcycle chain drive. I saw a lamp that had a cheesy toy looking cruiser as its base. The base is what I am excited about, not the rest of the lamp. The lamp used the base rim as a night light, or a switch to use the regular light. Now this is where is gets neat, another option was to light up the bikes lights with a switch, and another option was to flip a switch which had a very realistic sound of starting the bike, revving, and then going through the gears.

For a Harley build this nice, it sure would be neat to find something like that used. That would allow you to incorporate some of those audio / video features into your display. I've seen some used ones on eBay for less that $40 USD. Its just an idea as you bike is beautiful without that fancy stuff.

Ben

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:23 am

DRUMS01 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:19 am This build always brings a smile every time I see an update. Nice work on the motorcycle chain drive. I saw a lamp that had a cheesy toy looking cruiser as its base. The base is what I am excited about, not the rest of the lamp. The lamp used the base rim as a night light, or a switch to use the regular light. Now this is where is gets neat, another option was to light up the bikes lights with a switch, and another option was to flip a switch which had a very realistic sound of starting the bike, revving, and then going through the gears.

Ben

That's a really neat idea Ben.

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:26 am

Casper wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:06 pm As expected the chain does not fit the Harley sprocket. You also get some nice sprockets with the Top Studio sets

My first thought when I saw that the sprocket didn't fit the chain was "can the teeth that are covered by the chain be modified enough to let the chain sit where it belongs." That seems like a bit of a cop out for a build this nice though.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 10:45 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:54 pm
Casper wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:17 am
digger303 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 12:51 am damn that's a shame they got the pitch on the sprockets or the chain wrong.

I had a feeling I would end up with sprocket issues
I always worry about that when buying aftermarket tracks for my tanks....same issue.

and many more cogs to deal with

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 10:51 am

WordenB wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:29 pm That's a real shame the chain is a different pitch, can you swap the sprocket without too much trouble?

The MFH 1/9 chain sets fit the MFH bikes like the 1/9 Brough Superior and don't come with the sprockets in this set unfortunately so I will have to try and make my own with the correct pitch, not an easy thing to do but I have an Idea and hopefully it will work out.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 10:57 am

DRUMS01 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:19 am This build always brings a smile every time I see an update. Nice work on the motorcycle chain drive. I saw a lamp that had a cheesy toy looking cruiser as its base. The base is what I am excited about, not the rest of the lamp. The lamp used the base rim as a night light, or a switch to use the regular light. Now this is where is gets neat, another option was to light up the bikes lights with a switch, and another option was to flip a switch which had a very realistic sound of starting the bike, revving, and then going through the gears.

For a Harley build this nice, it sure would be neat to find something like that used. That would allow you to incorporate some of those audio / video features into your display. I've seen some used ones on eBay for less that $40 USD. Its just an idea as you bike is beautiful without that fancy stuff.

Ben

Hi Ben
I did think about some lighting early on in the build but decided not to add them on this occasion but its a great idea

and some sound from a diorama base would add to the overall effect. I'm still thinking about a small base for it to sit on

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:00 am

BigWall wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:26 am
Casper wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:06 pm As expected the chain does not fit the Harley sprocket. You also get some nice sprockets with the Top Studio sets

My first thought when I saw that the sprocket didn't fit the chain was "can the teeth that are covered by the chain be modified enough to let the chain sit where it belongs." That seems like a bit of a cop out for a build this nice though.

I could cut off the teeth where the chain fits around the cog but it just doesn't sit right, as you go round the cog the pitch gets worst.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:09 am

The pins/rivets are held on a small jig that keeps the pins at the correct pitch until the chain is complete then cut close to the pins to release the chain, what you have left is the perfect pitch bar for a cog but they are not long enough so two have to be bent around the chain guard and cut to size as shown in the following photos. I need some flux so soldering will have to wait

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:10 am

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:12 am

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:13 am

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:19 am

mark

WordenB · Post by **WordenB** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 1:31 pm

Ingenious!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 2:25 pm

That is going to look amazing on the bike
Genius solution for the sprocket

WOW!

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:39 pm

Casper wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:00 am
BigWall wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:26 am
Casper wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:06 pm As expected the chain does not fit the Harley sprocket. You also get some nice sprockets with the Top Studio sets

My first thought when I saw that the sprocket didn't fit the chain was "can the teeth that are covered by the chain be modified enough to let the chain sit where it belongs." That seems like a bit of a cop out for a build this nice though.

I could cut off the teeth where the chain fits around the cog but it just doesn't sit right, as you go round the cog the pitch gets worst.

That's what I thought might happen. Good luck making your own sprocket.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:17 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 2:25 pm That is going to look amazing on the bike
Genius solution for the sprocket
WOW!

I didn't know what else to do scott, to find a cog to fit a MFH chain is difficult. I didn't think it would work at first with the white metal being bent around the chain guard throwing the pitch out but it fits almost perfectly so very happy

the only problem is the two joints showing

I didn't really want to paint the cog but some filler/paint and then clean the teeth back to metal, not sure yet. I ended up gluing the two half's together and to the chain guard so all one piece now. some touch ups to do then paint black I think

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:27 am

view from the other side

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 12:52 pm

Casper wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:17 am
Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 2:25 pm That is going to look amazing on the bike
Genius solution for the sprocket
WOW!
I didn't know what else to do scott, to find a cog to fit a MFH chain is difficult. I didn't think it would work at first with the white metal being bent around the chain guard throwing the pitch out but it fits almost perfectly so very happy the only problem is the two joints showing I didn't really want to paint the cog but some filler/paint and then clean the teeth back to metal, not sure yet. I ended up gluing the two half's together and to the chain guard so all one piece now. some touch ups to do then paint black I think

Not sure if it would work and it maybe too late now.But there is a product in a tube called liquid metal ( good for hole filling ) and another 2 part epoxy called quick steel that would definitely work expect it dries into a very dark grey and is as hard as rock. Not too much heat is generated so not a issue.

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:19 pm

Oh, I guess I should check to see if there is another page before replying.

Absolutely brilliant idea to fix the problem!

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:15 am

Superb work on the chain and sprockets

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:01 pm

almost finished, just need the stand and some weathering around the engine then it can come off the bench. The chain was a nightmare, it snapped six times trying to get it to fit so i decided to use the kits sprocket in the end.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:02 pm

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:23 pm

God that is nice
Slow down and finish her well, there is no race.
I always get sick of a build at the end and 'just want it done'

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 12:17 am

Really good build, paint and not forgetting the detail work.

MrBowcat · Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 12:38 pm

Stunning!

ForeverPlasticKits · Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:37 pm

Wonderful!

WordenB · Post by **WordenB** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:41 pm

Beautiful work!