Tech 3 Yamaha YZR500 (2001)

[Mence]

Hello.

In real life I have an undiluted passion for Two-Stroke motorcycles, always have since my times as a lad racing around my dad's farm on a heavily modified Suzuki.
Sitting at home recently browsing some literature it dawned on me that I haven't built a model Two-Stroke yet .

So, without further ado, I present one of Tamiya's slightly older kits.



Back soon...

[danb.]

I will be following this build Prof after seeing the awesome quality of your bikes at the last show keep it coming.

Dan B

[eastrock]

looking forward with your progress, prof!!! I do also like the bike instead of a car... I got a modified 100cc bike, its more common here in Asia, underbone bikes more like a scooter.

[robbo]

Super blooming dooper mate, I'm in

[Deleted]

Ooooo a YZR Yam! I'm most definitely in!
Cheers
Steve

[Mence]

Thanks chaps, glad to have you along, looking forward to splashing some blue paint around!

[Mence]

Hello Dicky, glad to have your company!

[Mence]

Yes indeed, Tamiya do a half decent NSR500 as well. I have been after a particular NSR kit for ages but it still eludes me!

[Deleted]

I've just GOT to sit in,and see you work your magic on this'n!!!!! ;D ;D

[Mence]

Chaps.

Dicky, them wuz the days eh? Loved it, still enjoy seeing archive footage of the great duels from back then. ;D
Tamiya do a number of NSRs, the one I really want is the '01 model in the West black and silver livery, they are around but not at prices I'm prepared to pay!
The other is as you say the '98 Rothmans one, slightly more affordable so will keep an eye out.

Boo, hello fella, welcome aboard yet another prof two wheel ramble. The blue as suggested in the destructions is TS51 Telefonica Blue which is a touch darker than the box art suggests. What mini stroker are you expecting?

CB, hello good buddy, glad to have you along matey, pull up a chair!

[Mence]

Chaps.

First thing you notice is despite being one of the older kits, the detail is pretty good and there is quite a lot of parts!



Being a secondhand kit, there is always a degree of trepidation when opening the box as many sellers idea of what is 'mint' varies from mine!
This one isn't too bad, a couple of small parts have very minor damage but the slightly bigger issue is the upper portion of the fairing.



Doesn't look that bad but what the image doesn't really show is a crack straight across the top of the fairing as well as the obvious break. The teeny issue I have is the very small contact point for the broken part so no matter what I do it will always be very weak, not ideal seeing as I have sausage fingers!

[bullardino]

Back into comfort zone, eh prof?

Can't wait to see more from this build, you're making me want a bike

[Mence]

You're right mate, comfort zone it is!
It's gonna start fairly slow while I repair the damage but I should post again pretty soon.

[406 Silverado]

Damaged parts that are that fragile can make or break the build...mojo wise. I am sure you get her done right.

[Mence]

Chaps.

Rob, thanks for the vote of confidence, because its going under gloss paint it needs to be right.
Dicky, hello. Thanks for the tip. The mating area is about 2mm x 1.2mm so I will try your suggestion although to be honest it scares me!

[Mence]

Chaps.

Avoiding the repair job for now so I have made a start. Predictably enough its engine first but this differs from Tamiya's later kits by having the airbox moulded to the engine.



I don't really like this way of doing it as it makes painting more difficult but hey ho.
Anyway, all the previously shown parts plus the cylinder barrels all went together fine but you will need to address some mold seams along the way.
Should look like this when done, primer laid on to highlight imperfections.



Tiny seam on top won't be an issue as its hidden, what you see needs to be painted in five colours, heavens knows how!

[Mence]

Thanks Dicky, lots of masking (and swearing) methinks!

[robbo]

Yeah mate, we're off and running

[Mence]

Hi Robbo, sort of yes, not much but it's a start!

[martyncrowther.]

Found it! Excellent start buddy this should most interesting; the amount of bikes you have built recently you must have enough for a full grid at Donnington

Martyn

[Mence]

I wish, that would make one hell of a dio! lol

[Deleted]

Nice start Prof! Keep the updates coming...
Cheers
Steve

[Mence]

Cheers Steven, good to have you here

Right, much methodical masking and painting has got the three basic colours in place, phew!



Will let that lot dry hard before cracking on.

Cheers!

[Mence]

Hope so Dicky, thank you.

[Deleted]

Nice clean work on the airbox, you'd never know it was moulded as one

[Mence]

Thanks Steven!
Bit of a delay due to excessive work but I promise a weekend update.

[`Boots`]

Ya usual exceedingly high standard in progress again fella ;D, look forward to this baby coming together!!

[Mence]

Hi Boots, thanks fella, glad to have you aboard!

Right, more done to the engine department. Ignition systems, cylinder heads, plug caps, clutch and radiator built and painted.
Small wash applied to lift the detail a little.





Next is the frame, had an absolute mare with it, more of that later...

[bullardino]

Very nice so far

[TRM]

Sweet work on the lump Mence!!! All that detail painting is paying off!!