Community Build #13 "Motorcycles"

Dittobfrom me as well ... Looks good

Thanks fellows.

I feel a bit stupid over this, but also, I feel I should share my experience. As previously posted, the decal for the front fairing wrinkled up quite a bit. Today, I was sanding the wrinkles down prior to touching up the white areas. A clear film came up. I then pulled it off the entire decal! There is a highly visible protective film over the entire decal sheet. It would seem there is an additional clear film over the decal itself. This completely caught me off guard.
If there are other companies making decals in a similar manner, I would really like to know about it.

In the meantime, the chrome has been stripped from the frame and swing arm. I'm thinking of painting them Alclad Polished Aluminum. It seems the swing arm can't be pre-assembled in order to remove the seams. The frame is no problem. Onward and upward.

Interesting discovery Cole.

Good luck with the rest of the build, it sure looks great so far.

Interesting indeed. I will have to check for that in the future.

The swingarm looks as though you'd be able to drag a scalpel over the seams to scrape the excess and level them off ... much more delicate and accurate than sandpaper, and you get a flat surface to when you follow the blade edge.

Just a thought that may be of assistance

Working this now that the Merc is done.


So far this kit isn't much to write home about. The tail lights don't fit properly, a ton of space surrounding them, and the upper cowl mounting points extend too far from the frame. This causes a misalignment between the lower cowl and upper cowl matting lines.

Adding some material to the tail light openings and trimmed the mounting points.

Snake wrote:

The swingarm looks as though you'd be able to drag a scalpel over the seams to scrape the excess and level them off ... much more delicate and accurate than sandpaper, and you get a flat surface to when you follow the blade edge.

Just a thought that may be of assistance

Cheers for that Colin.

Some small progress, but progress just the same.

Last night turned into AB cleaning night. Complete tear down of my work horse ab (model HP-CH) and my back up ab that hardly ever get used (HP-TR2), that thing was a gummy mess.



Thinking I might do my build something like this. Half cowled half un cowled.

That would look great Curt.

Another step completed; the swing arm. I thought the metal finish on the kit looked good, but I can't bear the color mismatch when touching up. Next is the frame, then I can start making some serious progress.

That does look tidy Cole... love the weld seams ....

That's a neat idea Curt!

Nice work Cole, I know what you mean about mis matches!!

Looking good Cole, nice work on the chain.

Thanks gents.

To better illustrate the "clear coat decals" from Museum Collection. Believe it or not, this clear coat/film was neither visible nor noticeable when applying them. That is, until applying the decal for the front fairing. The clear coat has no give, so it caused big problems for me.
It seems like a good idea if they are being applied to a flat surface. I have no idea how they did it, but I'm sure it could have useful applications.

For my use and experience, they hindered the decals conforming to compound curves. Perhaps, just perhaps, you can remove the clear coat prior to applying the decals. It would have been nice for them to provide instructions in English, not Japanese only. I will spend some time to translate the instruction sheet to English and post in an appropriate section.

Interesting Cole, almost like dry transfers!!

Never saw that one before, Cole.

The frame and swing arm are done. The pace should start to pick up now.

The detail is looking awesome, Cole.

What can make any engine better is painting different parts slightly different shades of a color, say, varying shades of silver or gold. Excellent, crisp parts on that cycle. Dunno nothing about the clear coat decals. Is the intent to press on the decals then remove the clear part, or does it stay in place? I can imagine nightmares on tight compound curves.

Great work Cole, really enjoying this.
Very interesting issue with the clear.

Gents: I tried my hand at translating the instructions for the Museum Collection decals. Basically, the decals are made with a veneer(Museum Collection uses the word varnish) which can later be removed if desired. Unfortunately, the decal must first be applied to the surface. That is where the problem with compound curves comes into play. Only after the decal has been applied and has completely dried, can the veneer be removed.

On the plus side, the white portions of the decal are non see-through, so the underlying color doesn't show through the white. Also they advertise the decals as UV resistant and non-fading.

The veneer can be left on the decals. There is virtually no excess. It matches the outline of the decals perfectly. If you choose to, it is removed easily without damaging the decal underneath. Without the veneer, you can spray on a clear coat to seal the decals and paint. The maker recommends using a decal softener prior to spraying on a clear coat.

My apologies for carrying on so, but this has been a unique experience. It is my first time seeing and using a product like this. I wanted to share my experience in case fellow modelers should ever use this product.

I may have a go at contacting the company to get more information and recommendations regarding this product.

Thanks for the info. Very unusual decal method. I'm glad that system isn't predominant. Seems risky trying to pull off the clear film and application around curves can be maddening. Congrats on your success so far. Best of luck on the completion!

Thanks Harron.

A final word on Museum Collection decals. The protective film, which is easy to see and remove, and the "varnish", barely visible upon close inspection.





I've made good progress, but am still not sure about the look of the expansion chambers. Too shiny? Also, my attempt at touching up the "number plate" on the front of the fairing. At any rate, some externals to be added to the frame, the mufflers, and then I can finish up the display case.

Looking smart

Thanks for the HU on the decals Cole.

The decals and bike are looking good.