Hasegawa 1/10 Yamaha 650

This kit was one my father in law started quite a while back. Since my return to the hobby I've been on him to finish it. Sadly his eyes and hands aren't up to it. He bought the kit to remake his pride and joy from his younger years. He was disappointed that the kit wasn't the correct model. So I've offered to build it and get it as close to the photos that he has. As I started poking at it, it started to fall apart. Glue didn't hold on the plated finish, which is an honest mistake. so I've started the rebuild.

G'day there Stuart... I'll be keeping a very interested eye on this one mate...

Bikes - my thing !. The original XS1 about 1971 - 1972. First of the Yamaha 650 twins. Pretty cool looking bike in their day. A shame it is big 1/10 scale as if it had been 1/12 you may have been able to find a donor kit for the cast wheels and disc brake front end. XS1 was the only one to have drum brake front. The model that followed, XS2 was disc front.
Your father in laws is a 650 Special. Probably early 80s. The wheels and brakes are the only huge changes.
Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

Thanks for the interest guy's. From memory I've only built one other bike, 1/12 tamiya. I'm really enjoying the build, have to make another. Thanks for the input kiwi. I bought a cheap 3d resin printer couple of months ago. Still fighting with the program but I'm determined to print mags and disc brake.
I filled the brace for the front guard. Also made the piping for the seat by using a razor saw.
The front guard looks a bit weak so I added wings same as reference pic

off to a good start.

3 D printing the wheels and front disc. Wow how times are changing. Really interested to see how things go with this. I have thought about buying a 3D printer a couple of times but felt I would not get much use out of it.

Hi Kiwi. If your interested in 3d printing, the hardest part is making the piece you need in a 3d program. The programs I use are free online one's. Tinkercad is the first one I used, I made the tyres on a lamborghini miura in the showroom with it. Also made some air cleaners and distributors with it. I suggest to try tinkercad even if you don't decide to buy a printer. There are heaps of tutorials on youtube. The printer is a anycubic photon zero, which I see is even cheaper now. I've switched from tinkercad to blender for more complex models like the mags I want to make. But it's a complex program.

Hi Stuart. I have watched a few you tube tutorials on 3D printing. Will see what you produce with this build and give it some more thought. Thanks for the info.

Tried my first print of the front wheel. Has some imperfections, that's my 3d modeling inexperience. Wheel isn't in proportion, but I'm happy with the result. The next print should be spot on.

Looks pretty darn good to me mate!...
... Um might be a silly question but what do you use the aircraft engine oil for?...

Hey Jezza. A while back I came across the AK paint range while looking for a good chrome paint. I bought a few metallic paints and washs. The engine is painted AK white aluminum. aircraft engine oil was used as a wash. I lightly brushed the wash then swabbed it off. To give a used aluminum finish.

Notice side cover hasn't been weathered yet.

AK metallics need to be airbrushed.

Wow - That wheel is amazing. Even the tyre tread and lettering on the side wall. So you can just down load that to print ? . Can you pick an item like this and change size / scale ?. Or did you have to find it in 1/10.

Sorry Kiwi. Tyre is from the kit, I printed the rim. I made the rim in blender which is a 3d program. The software for the printer setup does let you change scale. You can download objects it's just a matter of finding them, they aren't always printer friendly.

I suggest looking at the 3d programs first. I'm familiar with them, and it's still hard work. Get on tinkercad first. Make a air cleaner.

That took a bit of head scratching but I think I've got it sorted. Now to design a hub to hold the disc brake.

You're going great guns so far Stuart... you got a few of us interested here mate!....

P.s. Don't forget to post your "Mugshot" in "General Chit Chat" Mate.   Have a Happy Christmas.

I've had another go of the front wheel. It ended up a bit too thick. I made a basic hub in two pieces so I can juggle distances for the disc brake, which will glue to side of the hub.
The front forks had been broken and glued, I figured the best way to straighten them was to remake the lower section. I used sprue with automotive heat shrink to create the shape. Hope the paint sticks.
I also have been trying to get a better results with the AK chrome. I found a really glossy black as a base works best. I used automotive paint which I polished before spraying the chrome on.

When I say polish I used a cutting compound. It's an abrasive paste. It can't have any wax or silicone on it if you're painting over it.

G'day there Stuart... Veerrry impressive workmanship so far my young friend. I'm gonna keep watching

Thanks Jezza. It's a lot more involved than I'd thought it would be. I just realized most of the foot pegs are broken off and missing. That's going to take a while if I decide the printer option. If it was my own kit I would of given up by now.

The chrome is looking pretty good. Still really impressed with your wheel.

No you wouldn't Stuart, you don't look the type that would give up so easily mate. If things get too
much, put it aside for a while and carry on with something else. Refresh the mind, then continue.
If it still gives you grief,.... then you can chuck it against the wall!....Just kidding!, read the blue text below.