Tamiya, Kawasaki KZ1300 B Touring bike, 1/6th scale.
I built the sister bike about a year ago and have been watching this one, Finally found one that had decency tires, most had deteriorated tires in the kit.
I was excited to have it did a perfect (for me) paint job on it using Tamiya Maroon. Next step was to apply the decals, this was a terrible process as most of them disintegrated on application. I was heart broken.
So here it is weathered. This is my first attempt at weathering and it was fairly easy although it looks a bit over done in spots.
I lost the Instrument lens so I made another one and sprayed them with clear orange and smoke. I was happy with the results.
I added a coolant leak at the radiator and a battery acid leak at the battery 🙂
And of course i had to flatten the tires…ironically 🙂
The rest is done using a chopped up paint brush and Testors acrylic rust, I used stabbing motions all over the bike to simulate rust, mud, etc etc. After that all dried I took out my pastels (had them for years, never used them) moistened a fine toothbrush and flicked a variety of colors all over from reds to browns to greys to black.
I broke some of the parts, bent the handle bars although you really cant see it
Here is the sister bike
All in all I'm happy with it but was a pity it couldn't be all shiny and nice! Oh way too many photos….sorry….SIGH
Thanks for visiting and remember, sometimes your the bug, sometimes your the windshield ; )
You can see more of my bikes on the Motorcycle group….. Cricket AKA @bikequeen
@bikequeen - Absolutely stunning work Cricket!
@brithebuilder 🙃
Pretty incredible, Cricket, looks very realistic.
@ssgt Hey stranger! Thank you Jay, it was fun 🙂
Congrats on your well deserved promotion !
Great result, Cricket, and good rescue after your misadventure with the original transfers, you kept going and produced an unusual and convincing model.
@chinesegeorge Thank you George i like it 🙂
This is just so cool! all the little details you managed to add in with the weathering that just reinforce selling the presentation.. Like the way the paint on the handlebar bolts has come off due to oxidation of bolt heads, and the way rusty water has stained the left side storage cubby... and so much more. Really, I can tell that you enjoyed this build, and though you had to deviate from the plan, you did not fail to knocked it out of the park!
@pb_legend Thanks Andrew every time I put it away for the day I would come up with something else to do to it
Well done, Cricket!
@gwakat thank you sir 🙂
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Absolutely stunning work ... in every angle.
The mere fact of weathering this model makes it stand out and gives it a refreshing look
at what is the normal build of a motorcycle.
And to top this off ... the flat tire ... love it.
Nice job Cricket and good photography.
@de4ever thank you! Both tires are flat but the rear is hard to see, I had fun with it but not sure I would do it againm
It's hard to believe that you haven't been weathering models for years, Cricket (@bikequeen). It was a real pleasure following along on your WIP. Once you have been bitten by the weathering bug, it will be hard to build a showroom bike.
@gblair Thanks George :). I was a crazy build…I just kept adding stuff and adding stuff….but got bored near the end and figured it was time to wrap it up ; )
A big part of weathering is knowing when to stop. You stopped at the perfect place.
@gblair Like i said i was getting bored and we needed the table for other things ; )
Really awesome result, Cricket! Who'd have thought that such an excellent model would have emerged after that decals' mishap! Absolutely brilliant and an absolute pleasure following your thread!
Well done!
@fiveten Thank you Spiros …..i truly did enjoy the build
Nice!
@coondog Thanks Matt 🙂
What else can I say except a big well done !
However, in the future, if you have a problem with decals, consider the possibility of one more "custom" version .
@faraomike Thank you Michael, I was disheartened and desperate so I went for the weathering it never occurred to me customize it
Really nice job on your first attempt at weathering a model. I know your frustration with decals that won't cooperate. I usually brush some Future on them, let dry, then apply. Also, add just one drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid to your decal water. It relieves the tension of the decal trying to release itself from the paper backing. Lastly, keep your decal water warm throughout the entire process. I use a mug or candle warmer to keep my bowl of water warm. Cricket, I hope you find these tips helpful (@bikequeen).
@jdtruby Wont the future come off in the water? I did use Dawn in the water and kept it warm….took for ever for the decals to release. This kit must have seen dampness in it’s day the decal sheet looked okay, but were very thin. I will try you method next time
Hi Cricket (@bikequeen),
Once it's dry, Future will not rub off with plain water or soap & water. However, Future will dissipate if it comes into contact with products that contain ammonia, like Windex with ammonia. I hope that helps. Good luck next time!
@jdtruby Thanks John! I will try it next time! Good to know!
What more to add to previous compliments, you did an amazing job on this bike, Cricket @bikequeen
The weathering looks very professional. I like it a lot. The '4 sale' sign is a very nice addition.
@johnb Thank you John appreciate it and all the comments 🙂
Late to the party but here goes...First, the hell with decals. Mask and paint wherever possible. It's worth the work. Actually this decal disaster worked out because the resulting model is a bit of genius. This is one we Harley types call a "Rat". PERFECT touches. Faded plexi, duct tape on the seat, acid stains, plenty of rust, you got it all. Never mind the 4 sale sign. The bent bars are really spot on , that's what a lot of second hand folks do.
Now go out and get yerself a nice Panzer IV for Christmas.
@billkoppos Thank you Bill! One thing lead to another and presto, instant trashed bike :). I guess no one noticed the fly on the windscreen ; )
And I do have a Tamiya King Tiger in my stash….I started it many many years ago. Maybe I should dig it out 🙂
Yeah I saw it but thought it was a Japanese murder wasp. 🙂
@billkoppos LOLOL
This looks great Cricket, you see bikes like this sometimes , left under a tree outside and forgotten about for years till it's so knackered the owner lets it go for a song , really well done.
@neil-foster thank you Neil! My husband kept seeing the prgress and all he could say was “Poor old thing” 🙂
As someone who has seen his share of old, rusted two-wheeled relics, I'll say you really nailed this one, Cricket @bikequeen! 🤩 It really looks realistic and authentic; this is great scale modeling! 🏆
@garybrantley. Thank you sir! Appreciate the comment 🙂
Stunning work!
@rickschad Thank you Rick! Appreciate it 🙂