Yamaha SR400, Aoshima, 1/12 scale

[PaulTRose]

im running a bike GB somewhere else so just about to start this,,,,,,

i picked up two of these kits recently cos i got them in a mega sale somewhere online.......im going to do the flat tracker version as you get the bits to do a road bike or the stripped down flat track style one

Aoshima kit so im not expecting great things from the chromey bits

not going to show all the sprues.......box is chokka full......theres 11 sprues plus a bag of tyres, screws, pipe, springs etc



going to do it like this.......



and the box o'sprues

[PaulTRose]

sorry for lack of progress, spent the last week or so painting bits and bobs and dechroming and rechroming bits that i didnt like the look of,....never been impressed with Aoshimas chrome......finally got to a point tonight where i could start to put parts together......and it is going together quite quickly

got this far in one sitting......engine together and in the frame........swinging arm together and rear wheel fitted

next job is to get the shocks put together so i can fit the swinging arm

im doing things a little different from the last time i did an Aoshima bike, im not going to attach any of the pipework/wiring until its mostly put together. bit more fragile than a Tamiya kit

[Tim Marlow]

Now This is really interesting... I have been tempted by this kit as my first real bike was an SR 500. Slightly earlier model than this, but same engine and frame really. Great bike, so much torque I think it could have pulled a caravan. Backfired on kickstart once and nearly threw me over the handlebars...great stuff!
Nice start on the frame and swing arm...the bearings on the real ones were absolutely pants by the way....
Cheers
Tim

[papa 695]

Nice work so far Paul.

[Guest]

Looking good Paul, i have my eye on the Aoshima V max, reminds me i need to post an update of my R1 Taira

[PaulTRose]

Looking good Paul, i have my eye on the Aoshima V max, reminds me i need to post an update of my R1 Taira

i want a Vmax too :thumb2:


keep an eye on Kent Models website........every now and then he does good deals.....failing that try Hiroboy

[PaulTRose]

rear wheel and swinging arm in, rear shockers made up and attached

ive got the front forks and wheel together so hope to get another session at the bench later to get that bolted in

need to play about with exhausts, you get a few in the box to choose from

[Si Benson]

Hi Paul,
Looks like a nicely detailed kit so far....Your making tidy work of it:thumb2:
Even though I’ve built models for over 8yrs, I tend to do mainly military stuff so it’s a pleasant change to see this sort of build.
Keep it coming
Si

[PaulTRose]

I tend to do mainly military stuff so it’s a pleasant change to see this sort of build.

so go and try something different :smiling5:

seriously, you would be surprised how easy and challenging a bike kit can be at the same time!......go and pick one of the cheaper tamiya bikes that go together with no drama and have a go

[Si Benson]

It’s a good point Paul.....

I’ll have a look round when I next get some moggeling tokens see if there something non-military I like the look of and blog it.
Si

[Jim R]

Hi Paul
Looks very good. Nice neat work. Like Si I shall keep my eye open for a big bike kit.
Jim

[PaulTRose]

It’s a good point Paul.....

I’ll have a look round when I next get some moggeling tokens see if there something non-military I like the look of and blog it.
Si

. Like Si I shall keep my eye open for a big bike kit.
Jim

the Tamiya Yamaha Virago/Honda CB750/Suzuki Katana kits can all be bought for between 12 and 15 quid if you look around,(and theres loads other sorts for up to @20 quid) all go together with zero drama, ive done them all at least twice and i want to pick up another Honda sometime cos i really did enjoy that one the last time

if you like to build armour almost exclusivly you might find it an eye opener since the process for a bike is very very different, you might have to stop and think before doing if you get my drift

if you want advice just shout out

[PaulTRose]

front forks in, tank on...starting to come together

decided that since this is mostly matt black, gloss black, aluminium or chrome it needed some colour so tank and front fender have been sprayed an orange.........its actually Tamiya TS-12 which is what Honda HRC race bikes front wheels get painted

[Tim Marlow]

Coming on nicely Paul. The trick seems to be building this as if it is a real bike, rather than thinking of it as a kit.... do you follow the kit assembly sequence or are you just using your obvious experience?
Interesting choice of colour as well. When I sold mine the guy turned it into a flat tracker, red frame and black tank...he fitted drops though.
I’m getting sorely tempted by this kit. My LHS has the 400/500 version.
Cheers
Tim

[PaulTRose]

thats how i do it...after all if it was a real bike you wouldnt put it together then paint it, would you?

instructions are just for 'guidance' with any kit :smiling6: and to be honest, Aoshima instructions can sometimes be written by the same guy that does Dragon ones, if you get my drift :smiling5::smiling5::smiling5: