There are a lot of accuracy issues with the kit, these I'll list after the photos. Basically I think they used a restored 'bike as the basis for the kit and it's a 'bitsa' - bitsa this bike, bitsa that bike..............
Kit errors and observations:
This must be a 1949 model, as it has the headlamp nacelle and single seat - 1950 had a twinseat for the first time - but:
1) The front forks should be black, not chromed as in the kit. The fork legs are shrouded except for the sliding portion. This should only be visible when the suspension is extended, just above the thicker ring visible on the kit parts
2) The chromed tank in the kit should not have the cast badge. It should be a decal on smoth metal. The tank in the kit is a probably 1952-53 model year
3) The exhausts should be kinked upwards slightly just behind the gearbox and primary chaincase to allow more clearance for the silencers
4) The engine should be single carb - the splayed head is much later. The GP model with twin carbs had straight inlets
5) There is no throttle control in the kit, not even moulded onto the handlebars. I just glued the throttle cable in place
6) The oil tank should be black. It's a chromed part in the kit. Mine is painted silver because I didn't find that out until after it was in the frame!
7) The mudguards should be in the same colour as the tank - again I found out too late
8)There should be a further chrome ring and horizontal flash behind the headlamp - just painted on my model
9) The footrest brackets and brake pedal should be black
10) The ampere dial is missing from the headlamp nacelle - there is a ring for it but no decal - could be painted in
11) The gear lever mount is too high and it would require the rider to lift his foot from the 'peg to change gear. Could be corrected but the gearbox casing and the kit footrest mount are also slightly wrong and they cannot actually be fitted in the correct relationship.
If I could get my hands on another kit (quite hard to find!), then I'd :
1)sand the tank badges off smooth and try and find/make the decal
2) sort out the nacelle shape (or better still get rid of it and use a seperate headlamp and speedo (speedo is in the kit but not used).
3)A thin card shroud wrapped around the top part of the fork legs would give a more realistic prototype appearance.
4)Correct the gear level/ footrest and brake pedal positions
5) Modify the engine to a single carb and straight inlet manifold
6) Paint the various parts the right colours!
( rant) PLEASE - kit manufacturers can we have some more classic 'bike models!
A Norton featherbed-framed twin such as the Dominator/650ss would be great, as would the T120 Bonneville and BSA Gold Star single.
There are models of almost every boring Hondayamawakizaki ever build but the models that started the popular motorcycle movement worldwide are ignored!!! (rant over)
