This is just a quick episode on how the motorcycle looks before the tear down. From this point on its going to be a lot of work making the motorcycle look nice and respectable.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Helmets are important... which is why I got one!
The project is now at that stage where I really need to consider protective gear. Some might argue getting my motorcycle license, but thats further down the track, not much further but further none the less.
Anyway protective gear. The first purchase I decided to make was a helmet. Now I have multiple piercings and am on the larger side so it was vital that I tried as many different helmets as possible to make sure what I ended up with something that was comfortable. Luckily you can try on helmets at any motorcycle dealership and I took advantage of that.
I tried on a number of brands and as much as I would love an Arai or Shoei helmet I just don't have the budget so I stuck too the more realistically priced helmets. After the multiple test fittings it became apparent that HJC helmets felt a lot more comfortable on my head. Other brands are just as good but since this will be on my head a lot, something that didn't rip my ear piercings out was kind of important.
So HJC was the brand I went with and XL was the size I needed. Now I could have purchased the helmet in store but at $250 I didn't have the money immediately available so I left it knowing where it was. It was when I got home that I thought I'd do a bit of a price comparison on eBay. Now brand new the RRP for the helmet I wanted in the US is $89 and with the exchange rate currently as it is I just couldn't bring myself to pay over $150 more simply because I live in Australia.
That was when I found the helmet I wanted on eBay and purchased it (US RRP) from a company based in the states. Now before you start arguing that American standards are different to Australian safety standards. I know this. But I highly doubt HJC has a production line of helmets that are safe in one country and not in the other, they make these helmets to meet as many national safety standards as possible. Do I think I am getting an inferior product because I purchased it online and not in an Australian store? No, not really.
But that aside the helmet is now on its way and I cant wait to hold it in my hands and wear it on my head.
*If it interests you at all below are pictures and some information on the helmet I purchased taken directly from the HJC website. For obvious reasons I'm telling you now that I did not take the pictures and the information is what is on there website.
CS-R1 SAMURAI
Anyway protective gear. The first purchase I decided to make was a helmet. Now I have multiple piercings and am on the larger side so it was vital that I tried as many different helmets as possible to make sure what I ended up with something that was comfortable. Luckily you can try on helmets at any motorcycle dealership and I took advantage of that.
I tried on a number of brands and as much as I would love an Arai or Shoei helmet I just don't have the budget so I stuck too the more realistically priced helmets. After the multiple test fittings it became apparent that HJC helmets felt a lot more comfortable on my head. Other brands are just as good but since this will be on my head a lot, something that didn't rip my ear piercings out was kind of important.
So HJC was the brand I went with and XL was the size I needed. Now I could have purchased the helmet in store but at $250 I didn't have the money immediately available so I left it knowing where it was. It was when I got home that I thought I'd do a bit of a price comparison on eBay. Now brand new the RRP for the helmet I wanted in the US is $89 and with the exchange rate currently as it is I just couldn't bring myself to pay over $150 more simply because I live in Australia.
That was when I found the helmet I wanted on eBay and purchased it (US RRP) from a company based in the states. Now before you start arguing that American standards are different to Australian safety standards. I know this. But I highly doubt HJC has a production line of helmets that are safe in one country and not in the other, they make these helmets to meet as many national safety standards as possible. Do I think I am getting an inferior product because I purchased it online and not in an Australian store? No, not really.
But that aside the helmet is now on its way and I cant wait to hold it in my hands and wear it on my head.
*If it interests you at all below are pictures and some information on the helmet I purchased taken directly from the HJC website. For obvious reasons I'm telling you now that I did not take the pictures and the information is what is on there website.
CS-R1 SAMURAI
- Advanced Polycarbonate Composite Shell: Lightweight, superior fit and comfort using advanced CAD technology.
- RapidFire™ Shield Replacement System: Quick, secure, tool-less removal and installation.
- Optically Superior Faceshield: 95% UV protection.
- Advanced Ventilation System: Adjustable forehead and chin vents, and two rear exhaust vents.
- Plush, Nylex® Interior: Removable and washable cheek pads.
- SIZES: XS-XX
If you want to head over to the HJC website I have provided a link on the links page or you can simply click here.
VT250F "Silver" part 06: Front fairing mesh side covers
First off I just want to say I had every intention of making a video episode about this post and the LED indicators... but unfortunately I didn't. Next time I work on the motorcycle though promise!
Okay now thats out of the way we can begin. Ever since the front fairing was mounted a massive gap on the side is visible. I dont like it, its ugly and with some automotive mesh it can be fixed.
"this needs to be covered up"
A template was made out of a piece of paper. Quite simply I folded and re folded it until it fit in the gap and looked nice. All it took was time and patience. One thing I did do once the paper template was finished was try it on the other side to make sure it would work. Since it did I was ready to move onto the next step.
The paper pattern was then traced onto some automotive mesh that I picked up from Repco, Malz is another option if you live in Western Australia. When I purchased the mesh I made sure to get silver so that I could use a permanent marker on it and still see where I had drawn my lines. The permanent marker worked a treat but I recommend you tape the template to the mesh so it doesn't move as your tracing.
I then began cutting around the mesh with about a 1cm gap. This was so I could bend the excess down 90 degress and give the final piece some strength.
"the corners were snipped to make bending the edges down easier"
I used a vice and some pliers to get an even bend around the edges. The final result turned out really good so off I went and made the other side. The mesh will eventually be painted and given some moulding along the edges but that will be done when the rest of the motorcycle has been painted.
"really glad that it accidently turned out a bit like a coffin"
The finished pieces were then inserted into there new home. I'm still unsure at this stage how they will be fixed to the fairing, currently pot rivets are winning but a creative zip tie solution is also a possibility.
And thats it! This really was a simple process, but one of the most rewarding. I say rewarding because that was the last step needed before I can begin stripping the bike down and re painting it. Oh glorious days Silver is coming along so much quicker then I thought it would.
"the front fairings alien drone feel is now enhanced... sweetness"
Until next time!
Okay now thats out of the way we can begin. Ever since the front fairing was mounted a massive gap on the side is visible. I dont like it, its ugly and with some automotive mesh it can be fixed.
"this needs to be covered up"
A template was made out of a piece of paper. Quite simply I folded and re folded it until it fit in the gap and looked nice. All it took was time and patience. One thing I did do once the paper template was finished was try it on the other side to make sure it would work. Since it did I was ready to move onto the next step.
The paper pattern was then traced onto some automotive mesh that I picked up from Repco, Malz is another option if you live in Western Australia. When I purchased the mesh I made sure to get silver so that I could use a permanent marker on it and still see where I had drawn my lines. The permanent marker worked a treat but I recommend you tape the template to the mesh so it doesn't move as your tracing.
I then began cutting around the mesh with about a 1cm gap. This was so I could bend the excess down 90 degress and give the final piece some strength.
"the corners were snipped to make bending the edges down easier"
I used a vice and some pliers to get an even bend around the edges. The final result turned out really good so off I went and made the other side. The mesh will eventually be painted and given some moulding along the edges but that will be done when the rest of the motorcycle has been painted.
"really glad that it accidently turned out a bit like a coffin"
The finished pieces were then inserted into there new home. I'm still unsure at this stage how they will be fixed to the fairing, currently pot rivets are winning but a creative zip tie solution is also a possibility.
And thats it! This really was a simple process, but one of the most rewarding. I say rewarding because that was the last step needed before I can begin stripping the bike down and re painting it. Oh glorious days Silver is coming along so much quicker then I thought it would.
"the front fairings alien drone feel is now enhanced... sweetness"
Until next time!
VT250F "Silver" part 05: Installing the LED indicators
Alright parts have arrived and its time to mount these LED indicators.
First step was to remove the rear mudguard which was attached to the bracket that holds the orginal Indicators. The original Indicators unfortunantly were damaged in a fall at some pont and the rubber was so brittle it fell apart just from touching it.
"i removed a couple of bolts that i didn't need too but it all worked out int he end"
Not only were the indicators broken but one side of the bracket had snaped off, so before anything else that needed to be fixed. A suitable piece of scrap metal was scavanged from the shed and then held in place with a magnet ready for welding. As I can't weld Dad did it for me and it turned out brilliant.
"no short course this time, an expert was brought in... well someone who knows more then most"
"and its fixed, YAY"
The bracket was then quickly bent back into shape since it was askew. As I mentioned above I'm pretty sure this bike has been dropped at some point because a few things dont line up right, Mind you Red is in exactly the same condition. Anyway the bracket was bent into shape and the new LED indicators installed. I have not wired them up to the main wiring loom yet, that will happen once painting has been completed.
"perfect"
The bracket with the new LED indicators was then re attached to the frame. I decided not to reatach the rear mudguard purly for aesthetic reasons. I like how the rear just ends, I have kept it though in case, for whatever reason, if it needs to be re attached.
"once again probably not to everyones tastes but i'm slowly making this bike my own"
With the rear done it was time to focus on the front. A good hour or so was spent playing around with position of front indicators. Eventually a final spot was decided that suited the front fairing and would be reletivly easy to mount. To mount them I decied to use the plastic brackets that came with the froint fairing, they could be easily attached and simply drilling an extra hole is no issue. Plus if one of them breaks the other side can be used as a template to make them out of metal.
"much easier to simply modify then make from scratch -nods-"
The holes were drilled and then the LED indicators attached, it was then a matter of installing brackets. Like the rear LED indicators I am going to wait until the bike is painted before I wire them in. The new LED's have been tested though as well as the LED lights on the front fairing.
"the finished face"
Next step cover up the exposed front fairing sides!
First step was to remove the rear mudguard which was attached to the bracket that holds the orginal Indicators. The original Indicators unfortunantly were damaged in a fall at some pont and the rubber was so brittle it fell apart just from touching it.
"i removed a couple of bolts that i didn't need too but it all worked out int he end"
Not only were the indicators broken but one side of the bracket had snaped off, so before anything else that needed to be fixed. A suitable piece of scrap metal was scavanged from the shed and then held in place with a magnet ready for welding. As I can't weld Dad did it for me and it turned out brilliant.
"no short course this time, an expert was brought in... well someone who knows more then most"
"and its fixed, YAY"
The bracket was then quickly bent back into shape since it was askew. As I mentioned above I'm pretty sure this bike has been dropped at some point because a few things dont line up right, Mind you Red is in exactly the same condition. Anyway the bracket was bent into shape and the new LED indicators installed. I have not wired them up to the main wiring loom yet, that will happen once painting has been completed.
"perfect"
The bracket with the new LED indicators was then re attached to the frame. I decided not to reatach the rear mudguard purly for aesthetic reasons. I like how the rear just ends, I have kept it though in case, for whatever reason, if it needs to be re attached.
"once again probably not to everyones tastes but i'm slowly making this bike my own"
With the rear done it was time to focus on the front. A good hour or so was spent playing around with position of front indicators. Eventually a final spot was decided that suited the front fairing and would be reletivly easy to mount. To mount them I decied to use the plastic brackets that came with the froint fairing, they could be easily attached and simply drilling an extra hole is no issue. Plus if one of them breaks the other side can be used as a template to make them out of metal.
"much easier to simply modify then make from scratch -nods-"
The holes were drilled and then the LED indicators attached, it was then a matter of installing brackets. Like the rear LED indicators I am going to wait until the bike is painted before I wire them in. The new LED's have been tested though as well as the LED lights on the front fairing.
"the finished face"
Next step cover up the exposed front fairing sides!
Monday, November 29, 2010
LED indicators are here!
Finally the much needed new indicators have arrived, direct from eBay... China specifically. Any way I picked them up from the post office on my way to work saturday and will be installing them sometimes this week. At the same time I will also be making up some front fairing side covers using some grill mesh I picked up from Repco. No pictures this entry but don't worry the next post will have heaps as well as a another video episode.
VT250F model kits: UPDATE
Well the first of the two models is completed and I have to say it turned out pretty good. I was rather surprised by the detail involved since this is the first 1/12 scale model I have done in a long time. I decided to paint it red as thats the colour my real life VT250FII will be painted. The decals however were not applied, as i have cunning plan to sue them as a reference for a graphic artist to scale them up and tweak them ever so slightly (when I eventually get around to working on Red that is.. honest).
"i rather like it without graphics :s"
One model kit down, one more to go.
"i rather like it without graphics :s"
One model kit down, one more to go.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
VT250F model kits
eBay strike again. This time i managed to find a couple of model kits. One is a full option version for the VT250F and the other is a VT250F Integra version. I'm pretty sure though it was only called Integra outside of Australia, but the Integra looks exactly the same as the VT250FII because of the full fairing, so im pretty sure no one really cares.
Once I've bought some model paint and put them together ill be sure to post some pics.
"i usually build robot model kits but this should be fun"
"this is called a Choro-Bike and they're made in Taiwan... I have seen an integra version on eBay so maybe ill grab one of these as well... maybe"
Once I've bought some model paint and put them together ill be sure to post some pics.
"i usually build robot model kits but this should be fun"
"this is called a Choro-Bike and they're made in Taiwan... I have seen an integra version on eBay so maybe ill grab one of these as well... maybe"
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