1/9 Italeri Harley WLA 750

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri May 28, 2021 5:59 pm

I have a small paint chip on the frame from the tank, I need to brush a little black in to stop it getting worst.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri May 28, 2021 6:03 pm

I found the Harley bike manual online, its a pocket owners guide with some great info
https://archive.org/details/TM9-879/mode/2up

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Fri May 28, 2021 11:20 pm

Love your work the head light is exquisite.

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Sat May 29, 2021 1:54 am

There's just not words! Very nice!

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Mon May 31, 2021 10:30 am

Thank s guys

Not much done due to the good weather and gardening chores but the ignition circuit breaker is in place along with the coil.
Gently rubbing the seat leather with your clean greasy fingers adds detail to the areas most likely to have wear, the more you do it the better it looks.
I'm going to have a bash at making the paint mask for the tank again later, its my third attempt

really want to get it painted along with the rear wheel guard.
The engine is glued in place now with a good bond to the frame and in the correct position but the clutch cover assembly is proving difficult to fix flat to the engine, I think it has a slight twist somewhere so careful adjustment is needed, hope I don't break anything or damage the paint

I also need to take off the forward bench support fixed to the frame so I can attach the right foot peddle assembly. The supports I'm using are old black PETG prototypes, I now have a full set of PLA supports in pastel orange

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Mon May 31, 2021 10:47 am

Wow for seating......marvelous leather and that pic really shows it off to best advantage.......well done it couldn't have been done any better.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Mon May 31, 2021 4:10 pm

digger303 wrote: ↑Mon May 31, 2021 10:47 am Wow for seating......marvelous leather and that pic really shows it off to best advantage.......well done it couldn't have been done any better.

thank you so much digger, amazing what a bit of skin oil can do

ok

had a swap around of supports so I can progress with the foot peddle assembly on both sides of the bike. I need the engine area free to work now as things get fiddley from here on in and the less you touch the better

I'm forever dropping parts and trying to catch them only to snap something so this is perfect for me.
The front fork support fits into the channel like the others and can move left and right before securing with the thumb screw, this allows 1/12th and 1/9th scale bikes to fit but the Harley wheels would kick over the edge when fitted. I have some rubber grommets on order to go on the brass rod above and bellow the fork to secure it in place. so much room under and around the bike now it makes it so much easier to do some simple wiring and weathering.
mark

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Mon May 31, 2021 9:13 pm

This bike is looking exceptional!

Very nicely and brilliantly designed work bench. It makes me want to build bikes.

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 12:55 am

Oops the camera's gone wonky....the stand has changed colour

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:47 am

More lovely detail work there mate

the maglite bulb is a stroke of genius mate

MrBowcat · Post by **MrBowcat** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:53 am

The light & seat look awesome mate.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:46 am

BigWall wrote: ↑Mon May 31, 2021 9:13 pm This bike is looking exceptional!

Very nicely and brilliantly designed work bench. It makes me want to build bikes.

Thank you matey

it really helps

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:51 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 12:55 am Oops the camera's gone wonky....the stand has changed colour

this is the final design now and chosen colours. hope you like it

Been waiting on Patent confirmation

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:53 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:47 am More lovely detail work there mate the maglite bulb is a stroke of genius mate

Hi Kev, thanks mate

It looked terrible before with nothing inside and the maglite bulb was the perfect size luckily

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:54 am

MrBowcat wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:53 am The light & seat look awesome mate.

Hi MrB

Thanks matey, amazing what a bit of skin oil can do

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:32 am

After buying six or seven sets of sleeves in the wrong sizes I decided to use some for the Harley with 0.8mm piano wire for the spokes.
I ordered what was supposed to be 0.5mm sleeves for the Bentley wheels but they all measure 1mm. I like the look of the piano wire, not shinny like pins or brass but much harder to bend and cut. You could leave them unpainted and get a good effect but I will be painting them when finished all going well.

MrBowcat · Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:43 am

That is a thing of beauty.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:19 am

MrBowcat wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:43 am That is a thing of beauty.

cheers buddy

really appreciate your input mate. I was trying to drill holes in near darkness last night but I gave up after four spokes till I can get a new daylight bulb for my desk lamp. I have to wear two pairs of glasses when drilling or marking out so I can see what I'm doing

It does send me a little dizzy when I have a break and take a pair off but what a difference it makes, my eyes are not the best these days.
The piano wire is much harder than the brass to work with and can be tricky to place over and under previous spokes as it doesn't bend very well but when in place the wheel is so much stronger. Only 40 spokes per wheel on the bike compared to the Bentley wheels. I wanted to leave the spokes unpainted and just do the rims but it would be a nightmare to mask it all off.
I have some Tamiya lacquer paint but haven't used it before and I'm unsure if it can be sprayed on top without reactions, do I need a special primer for lacquer

MrBowcat · Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:43 pm

I use Mr Surfacer under all acrylic and laquer paint, I've had no issues. Saying that, maybe a metal primer would be better over brass??

Mumbly · Post by **Mumbly** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:44 pm

I can only imagine how hard .8 piano wire is. I know how stiff .5mm is, but the effort is worth it.

Where do you get the sleeves from?

I agree with @MrBowcat on the metal primer for the spokes, I use Mr Metal Primer-R as a key, then any other primer over the top to get an even pigment to top coat over.

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:00 pm

Mumbly wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:44 pm I can only imagine how hard .8 piano wire is. I know how stiff .5mm is, but the effort is worth it.

Where do you get the sleeves from?

I agree with @MrBowcat on the metal primer for the spokes, I use Mr Metal Primer-R as a key, then any other primer over the top to get an even pigment to top coat over.

Yep me too.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:08 pm

Spectacular
Love that leather seat

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:08 am

Yet more superb detailing work mate

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:04 pm

Thanks for the advice guys, always greatly received
the sleeves were from ebay, I have had five sets the same size (1mm) delivered instead of 0.5mm so thought I would use some on the Harley. They are .2mm bigger than needed and not perfect but they look ok. The wire is strong and hard to cut and bend and I find if the sleeves are placed along the same line feeding the wire up and over the last is tricky, I should have drilled the sleeve holes for the top spokes a tad higher to stop it wanting to spring out under tension, hope that makes sense.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:26 pm

I know what I've done wrong, schoolboy error
On the wheel bike as in the photo bellow the spokes go either side of the central hub and I put them on the same side

Need your advice and guidance scott

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:28 pm

Thankfully only one spoke was on the wrong side Doh!

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:30 pm

Looks great and the chrome is superb.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:15 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:30 pm Looks great and the chrome is superb.

digger but sadly that's not my wheel, that's a photo of the real one showing how the spokes are placed. If I could make a 1/9th scale wheel look that good I would make them all day long

The chrome looks amazing

I'm going to paint mine and hopefully cover a multitude of sins

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:34 am

Casper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 12:15 am
digger303 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:30 pm Looks great and the chrome is superb.

digger but sadly that's not my wheel, that's a photo of the real one showing how the spokes are placed. If I could make a 1/9th scale wheel look that good I would make them all day long The chrome looks amazing
I'm going to paint mine and hopefully cover a multitude of sins

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:53 am

Oh that is a real tough spoke pattern

I can see the outside/inside alternation. Then on the inside there are two more spokes that Go ??

hell I have no idea
Have you got a photo of the other side of that rim??

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:44 pm

great video

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:40 pm

One side done

I used too much glue and a couple of drill errors but doesn't look too bad for the first side.
its amazing how strong it is

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:40 pm

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:41 pm

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:50 pm

Looks good

I like the chunky spokes, very befitting this Harley
Nice work

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 12:16 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:50 pm Looks good
I like the chunky spokes, very befitting this Harley
Nice work

thanks scott

they do look chunky and the large hub doesn't help. looking at the other side of the wheel the hubs are very small so you have very little to play with for drilling 20 holes

the rear wheel has both small hubs

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:20 am

Appropriately chunky for a Harley

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:43 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:20 am Appropriately chunky for a Harley

hopefully not too chunky that I cant get all 20 around the smaller rim

the Bentley ones are easier for me funnily enough

I'm waiting on more Albion .8 piano wire so it gives me time to get something else started

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:24 pm

That's one done. not much room on the rim

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:54 pm

Fantastico!!!!

RangerNeil · Post by **RangerNeil** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:45 pm

Those wheels do look the business - I know they've been a pain for you but I think they are well worth it.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:59 pm

Thanks guys
Not sure if I would go with piano wire again, its very stiff and springy.
I rushed a bit with this rim and left the sleeve ends loose to get the gap about right between the rims for gluing and the whole thing fell apart in my hands so it was down tools and have a cup of Yorkshire Tea

Its now in a simple jig and closed up to the rear wheel rim for centring.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:03 pm

few choice words later and I got it back together.
I flooded the inner rim with superglue about half way for strength

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 2:14 am

Sad to hear about those sorts of problems cause there is a big level of frustration usually attached. Glad you have managed the problem though and is all back together.

BigWall · Post by **BigWall** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:52 am

Ouch! I hear a similar problem caused the Khan to leave Mongolia and conquer the world.

They really look spectacular!

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:00 am

BigWall wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:52 am Ouch! I hear a similar problem caused the Khan to leave Mongolia and conquer the world.

They really look spectacular!

too many wives did that.....

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:38 pm

These wheels look fantastic

Going to make a HUGE difference in the appearance of the bike

I don’t think I would go into piano wire and such. For me, the stiffness gained is not worth the PITA
Just don’t need that much strength for a small static model
I am a big fan of brass and aluminum: Reasonably strong, can be bent easy, relatively easily cut and brass can be soldered.
Aluminum polishes up to look like chrome.

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:21 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:38 pm These wheels look fantastic
Going to make a HUGE difference in the appearance of the bike

I don’t think I would go into piano wire and such. For me, the stiffness gained is not worth the PITA
Just don’t need that much strength for a small static model
I am a big fan of brass and aluminum: Reasonably strong, can be bent easy, relatively easily cut and brass can be soldered.
Aluminum polishes up to look like chrome.

Ps... I've got some small pieces of nickel foil coming which I bought out of curiosity to see how malleable it actually is. Nothing like seeing for yourself.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:34 pm

Well am I so glad that's done

Your absolutely right scott the piano wire is unforgiving, way too springy and hard so you get very little space for error. Don't think I will be using it again in a hurry.
I will be glad to get back to the 0.5 brass.
Dry fit
Overall they came out ok, the last rim being the better of the four. The wire ends left around the wheels (couldn't get any closer with the pliers) helps grip the tyre and helps hold them in place.
Both rims close up ok so hopefully get them lined up with a good bond. I haven't tried putting the tyre on a full wheel yet but it would be better to add the tyres after painting them.

mark

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:57 am

Superb respoking work there mate just top draw