IMAI 1/12 Suzuki FY50

[simontie]

Probably 2 stroke oil on the casings, ugly little thing init brings back memories of step though i had when i was younger much younger honda 70 funny thing is the amount of freedom it gave me hail rain or shine good luck.

[Dave Ward]

Probably 2 stroke oil on the casings, ugly little thing init brings back memories of step though i had when i was younger much younger honda 70 funny thing is the amount of freedom it gave me hail rain or shine good luck.

I took my license on a Honda C50 Super - that was a four stroke engine - it didn't leak oil - unlike my subsequent Triumphs!
Dave

[simontie]

Good ol‘days when you had to be a mechanic not just a rider, my c70 would run allday then refuse for hours to start still have the welts from the kick starter but great times

[Dave Ward]

The Honda was very reliable, but I was persuaded, after I'd passed my test to get a 'proper' motorbike. - A Triumph Tiger Cub. Bad move, it leaked oil, the electrics were shoddy - started OK from cold, but when it was warm it took ages ( usually bump start ). The brakes were about the same as the Honda, but the Triumph was a lot faster, and they weren't really up to it. All in all it was unreliable & cost quite a bit in spares to keep going. ( The Honda had a new spark plug & leads & that's it ) - I didn't learn from that, and replaced the Cub with a Tiger T100, which was even worse, same faults as the Cub, but much faster. I eventually wrote it off ( no real injury ), and I haven't ridden a motorbike since
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

…yes, but the Triumphs looked cool……
Seriously, engine power increase outstripped frame and brake technology up until the late seventies. I had a Yamaha 500 single from 1976 that had front disc brakes. They were great in the dry, but the first time I took it out in real wet weather I ended up putting my feet down to help it slow up……you couldn’t just use the back drum brake as that locked the wheel….thinking ahead became second nature after a short time, but the first few times out it was a sharp learning curve….

[Dave Ward]

…yes, but the Triumphs looked cool……
Seriously, engine power increase outstripped frame and brake technology up until the late seventies. I had a Yamaha 500 single from 1976 that had front disc brakes. They were great in the dry, but the first time I took it out in real wet weather I ended up putting my feet down to help it slow up……you couldn’t just use the back drum brake as that locked the wheel….thinking ahead became second nature after a short time, but the first few times out it was a sharp learning curve….

Tim,
there was a big bias against Japanese bikes in the early 70's, by the 'true' bike brigade, Ariels, Triumphs, BSAs Nortons & best of all - a Velocette were the only bikes to be seen riding, never mind that they all leaked oil, had dodgy electrics, had been thrashed since day one, and were labour intensive! and as for electric start...........................!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

The ABS plastic is just confined to the plated sprue, the others are normal polystyrene. Frame under way.....................

There can't be a worse colour to paint over with white than red! I've given the front mudguard two coats of primer & it looks ready for the white basecoat. I'll get the compressor cranked up & do the engine/chaincase/wheels aluminium...........
Dave

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Difficulties to overcome but I'm sure you're up to it. Glad the main plastic is ok to glue. Red!!! - you could end up with a pink bike :rolling:
Jim

[Dave Ward]

Airbrush cleaned & put away..............

The gearcase/engine sprayed with Vallejo Metal Color Aluminium, the others with Mig Metal : Silver
In actuality, they actually do look different!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Good start Dave.
I remember the Britbike bias, it was still around until the early eighties at least…..I always liked singles so wanted a Velocette myself, but they were out of my price range, hence the Yam 500 single. That was a leg start as well….get the position of the piston in the cylinder wrong when you kicked it over and the blowback would just about lift you over the handlebars….it had a decompressor, but I never worked out how to use it, so just used it to put the piston at TDC before kicking over.

[Tim Marlow]

Airbrush cleaned & put away..............
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1161219[/ATTACH]
The gearcase/engine sprayed with Vallejo Metal Color Aluminium, the others with Mig Metal : Silver
In actuality, they actually do look different!
Dave

Much better than plating….top job :thumb2:

[Dave Ward]

You had to have the right knack to kick over a Velocette!
Remember Ogri?

Bringing back memories, some good, some bad................
Dave

[simontie]

The Honda was very reliable, but I was persuaded, after I'd passed my test to get a 'proper' motorbike. - A Triumph Tiger Cub. Bad move, it leaked oil, the electrics were shoddy - started OK from cold, but when it was warm it took ages ( usually bump start ). The brakes were about the same as the Honda, but the Triumph was a lot faster, and they weren't really up to it. All in all it was unreliable & cost quite a bit in spares to keep going. ( The Honda had a new spark plug & leads & that's it ) - I didn't learn from that, and replaced the Cub with a Tiger T100, which was even worse, same faults as the Cub, but much faster. I eventually wrote it off ( no real injury ), and I haven't ridden a motorbike since
Dave

Yes the joys after i passed my test i had a bought an xt 500 in boxes for some small change but a lot in the early 80’s finished building it and mot’ed it, rode it for about a year after the all the knee injuries from the engine kick backs i just lost confidence in it sold on to a mate sadly a few weeks later he wrote it off broke his pelvis, wish id kept it there worth a small fortune now !,! Hindsight still ride on warm sunny day only.

[Tim Marlow]

Yep, remember him from Bike magazine. I seem to remember the illustrator moving on to a national paper so Ogri bit the dust…..

[Tim Marlow]

Yes the joys after i passed my test i had a bought an xt 500 in boxes for some small change but a lot in the early 80’s finished building it and mot’ed it, rode it for about a year after the all the knee injuries from the engine kick backs i just lost confidence in it sold on to a mate sadly a few weeks later he wrote it off broke his pelvis, wish id kept it there worth a small fortune now !,! Hindsight still ride on warm sunny day only.

That’s the same engine as my old SR500 in an off road frame Simon….the secret was get the piston to TDC, then throw yourself up to full height with a straight leg and let your weight push it straight down so pushing the piston over and starting the bike….never do this without heeled boots though, if you foot slipped off and it kicked back it could seriously damage your shins…..did you ever try switching to reserve tank if the engine stopped while you were moving Simon? Great way to slide the back wheel for hundreds of yards….