Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. 1/6 Testors.

[Dr Dave]

It’s been over 30 years since I last built anything straight from the box, and being used to the quality of Tamiya bikes where everything goes together pretty good, I half expected this to be similar. I inspected all the parts and went through the instruction book to see what was involved. It all looked straight forward enough, so I set up my little work area and got stuck into it. My first challenge was following the instructions. I’m used to scratch building and that requires no instruction book.

Step 1: The 2 halves of the engine are chromed styrene , so I proceeded to scrape off the plating, as you do before you glue, but found it a bit too hard to scrape so used the sharp edge of the blade to slice it off. As the plating started to chip away I found a layer of copper between the plastic and the chrome, and started to wonder if the copper was a base for electro-plating. I ended up using a file.

The engine and gearbox came together alright in the end and looked quite good.

[Don Garrett]

You're right Dave....that chrome plating is a heck of a lot more durable than the quickie stuff they use in most kits.
It's pretty much the same process that's used to chrome metal parts. You'll run into it on some of the 1/6th metal kits.
About the only way to remove it is either by scraping /sanding or media blasting. Don't even bother trying to use chemical strippers...most have no effect on it.

I've sprayed "anodized look" paint over it & a coat of clear with some good results. Rocker covers, side cases etc.....for that show bike "bling".

[Dr Dave]

That's very interesting information Don, thanks mate. That "anodized look" sounds great, I never thought of that before. This is the first time I've had anything to do with die-cast parts and during this build I said "I'll never do one of these again!". But after it was all over and I saw the result, I thought now that I know what's involved I could be tempted to try another but I'm in no hurry to do so.

Man, is it heavy. The fuel tank alone weighs in at over a pound. I don't have scales big enough to weigh the whole bike so when I get the chance I'll take it to fruit & vege shop and put it on their digital scales.

[camwader]

Dave, I think you'll be pleased with the end result. I've built four 1/6 Testors Harleys now, and they make an impressive group. I don't know how they think anyone could make a decent job of one in three hours. It would be a very shoddy model if you did get it together in that time.

[Dr Dave]

Jon, I remember checking out your Harleys, and that was partly an influence on my decision to give this one a go. I'd say the 3 hour thing was probably an advertising con. Doesn't matter, I built it anyway, and yes it does look very nice.

Die-cast frame, swing arm & rear mudguard are screwed together after the engine is screwed into place and the rear wheel added. But I kept forgetting to follow the instructions, which I found to be misleading and incomplete . A number of parts were not shown and I had to sort out a few problems of trying to attach them after it was too late.

Now it's all starting to come together and look alright. And, just like the real thing, it needs lots of polishing to keep the dust and fingerprints off.

[Dr Dave]

Now I'm up to day 4 and step 27 in the instruction book, which tells me to start on the front end. The model has working suspension, so springs are placed inside the die-cast fork tubes. I think the springs are a bit too heavy for the job as it requires more force than I am comfortable with to work the suspension.

There are a lot of screws used in this model, and every one of them that goes into a die-cast part was very difficult to get all the way in. It appears that the holes are all tapered, and after a short time my hand was sore from struggling with the screw driver. It was time to get the dremel and a small bur to open up the holes just a little. That made it so much easier.

Building this kit at the model shows/displays was a popular attraction for all the visitors, and I was surprised at the number of people who kept coming back at different times over the 2 weekends to see how the bike was progressing.

[Brizio]

Beautiful!

[Don Garrett]

Lookin' good Dave......

[hot ford coupe]

Very well done.

[Dr Dave]

Thanks guys

The show's over now, and by the end of day 4 I've just done step 31 in the code book (there's 47 in total). I've got the front bit attached to the frame and it's not too far from being finished. Just a little bit more time and I could have completed it. No worries, next weekend at home will see it done.

I managed to waist a bit of time trying to figure out where the tubing was supposed to go, as some of the diagrams were totally wrong.

[Brizio]

Nice progress on it! Its getting close to be completed!

More

[Dr Dave]

Thanks Brisio. Now it's time to finish this beast.

This fuel tank is almost as big as the palm of my hand and feels like the lead weight from a divers weight belt (about 1/2 a kilo or just over a pound) and is screwed to the frame, then the seat goes on.

The panniers and top box go on next with all the rear lights. That just about has the whole thing completely finished. The only thing missing, and is not supplied in the kit, are a couple of radio antennas. I cut and straightened 2 pieces of .5mm stainless dental wire which worked a treat. I didn't glue them in so that they can be removed for transport to and from shows.

[Dr Dave]

Here it is, all bright and shiny, finished at last. It sure does make an impressive sight on the display shelf, and lucky it's a strong shelf. I've just taken the model to the local fruit & vege shop and put it on their scales to find that the bike weighs in at 2.2 kilos or 4.85 pounds What a beast!

Thanks to all for having a look at my "straight out of the box" Harley build.

[camwader]

Very nice Dave. So what's next? I think my favorite is the silver Road King.