Honda Africa Twin

[Heliwilly]

Glad you received them OK.
Thanks

Bill

[Heliwilly]

If anyone else fancies a set, either just the spokes replacing for metal ones or a full set just let me know.

Cheers

Bill W.

[Nobbi1977]

Do you own a 1:1 to go with this or did it just strike your fancy to build one?

[Heliwilly]

I haven’t owned a motorcycle for over 50 years, but have always have had an interest in model motorcycles. I had already built the Honda 750 in1/6 scale, and the Honda 750 racing type and was half way through my first Africa twin when I saw an eBay ad for the metal spoke kit so I decided to have a go. They didn't turn out too bad. With my second build they turned out better. That's when I wondered if anyone else would like a set building. I built a few for friends I know and then I thought I would cast my net wider and see where it led. So far so good. The hardest bit to get right was the angle from hub to rim. Unless you have tried to use a 0.7mm 56mm long drill bit through the rim and into the appropriate point in the hub, you won’t realise just how difficult it is. I have now managed to solve that problem. So onwards and upwards. It gives me something to pass the time during my retirement as well as looking after the dog!! Thanks for the interest.        Bill W.

[Heliwilly]

Someone asked me if I could do some carbon fibre spokes as well as the Stainless Steel. No sooner said than done. 
This is a set fitted to my test front wheel. What do you think?

Bill W.

[Busdriver]

2 minutes ago, Heliwilly said:

Someone asked me if I could do some carbon fibre spokes as well as the Stainless Steel. No sooner said than done. 
This is a set fitted to my test front wheel. What do you think?

Bill W.

They look fantastic. I think if I’d gone none boxart these would be stunning with black rims and either an all black or gunmetal frame. Really menacing!!

[Heliwilly]

As the carbon fibre spokes are matt, I was thinking of going similar semi gloss matt and spraying the whole wheel with the Tamiya TS-29 . I think they wouldn’t look out of place with the Scheme ‘B’ suggestion. Might spray this set and see how it looks ??

Bill W.

 

[Heliwilly]

Hi All,

Just about finally come to the end of the build, but, these are about the worst decals I have come across to apply. Flat or single curves are fine but double curves are proving a problem. The decal with the Africa Twin logo appears to have to fold 90 degrees around the end of the fairing, tried one side but it just cracked off as I tried to fold it round. The second side I didn’t even try,  I just left it overlapping. Does anyone have any hints or tips for applying decals to double curvature areas. They seem so inflexible. Would gentle heat be useful??

Cheers Bill W

[alvinlwh]

.

[Heliwilly]

Hi, 

I will give that a try next time. The decal fitting instructions say “ Dip the decal in tepid water for 10 secs” It took at least 25 secs before it would slide off the backing. Around the tank area there are bubbles and cracks in the decal. It spoils the whole construction of the bike.

Is it possible to get replacement decals? I would like to remove the ones I put on and try a replacement. I might even put the alternative set on but leave my wheels black. 
Thanks  Bill W.

[alvinlwh]

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[Heliwilly]

The decals came with the kit and are dated 2017 so I thought they would be in date. I built a old Honda CB750 racing type, they stuck ok but, but dried out very quickly and have lifted and curled up. 

[Heliwilly]

I was wondering if anyone has a spare set of the B style decals? It seems that a lot of people are opting for the A style with the Gold wheels. As there are decal sets for both styles in the kit, I was wondering if anyone had a set of the Black and White B style decals to swop for the A style decals.

Bill W.

[alvinlwh]

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[Busdriver]

2 hours ago, Heliwilly said:

I was wondering if anyone has a spare set of the B style decals? It seems that a lot of people are opting for the A style with the Gold wheels. As there are decal sets for both styles in the kit, I was wondering if anyone had a set of the Black and White B style decals to swop for the A style decals.

Bill W.

Hi Bill, 

I haven’t done any recently but would be happy to donate. I am going for A so B will be spares. If you let me know the decal nos I’ll see what I can sort out.

Jeremy

 

ps I’m assuming, without looking, that no decals are used in both schemes??

 

 

 

[Heliwilly]

Hi Jeremy,

The decal numbers that have given me problems are, 15, 16, 19, and 20.

There are no decals used in both A or B styles, all are different.

Thanks Bill W.

[Busdriver]

I need to dig the box out from under the bed and I’ll cut those ones out and send them off

[Heliwilly]

Thanks Jeremy. Bill W.

[Busdriver]

These do ??

[alvinlwh]

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[Busdriver]

All good tips. These aren’t that old so should be ok. Can’t get out of the house for a couple more days due to Covid but will get them posted asap 

[Heliwilly]

Hi Jeremy,

The 15 and 16 are fine. The other two I was after are 19 and 20 for the tank. 
The other 2 you included in the pic are, 17 and 18, which went on fine as the area they go on is relatively flat.

Just had another look and I just noticed that you had included 19 and 20.Yes they will be great.

Thanks Bill W. 

[Heliwilly]

Alvinwlh,

Thanks for the tips, I will read the page suggested and get some of the appropriate products. The last models I built of any complexity was some 55 years ago and without the type of aids to help with decals etc.

Thanks Bill W.

[Busdriver]

19 and 20 are there? They are the large white patches 

[Heliwilly]

Jeremy, 

I realised that and edited my post, two above yours. My mistake for not looking properly in the first place!!! 
Cheers Bill W.