1/9. BSA Bleu Star 350 [1933]

[rondriaan]

The Norton is ready except for the photos, so something fresh can be put on the table again and that will be the BSA Bleu Star.

After a few hours of searching, I have found 99% of the construction steps together, so the party can begin.

[lyle]

Holy Smokes! Individual spokes? Beautiful bike.

[rondriaan]

Well spotted Lyle these are standard in the kit. With my other plastic Italeri models, I always replace my spokes myself because it looks a lot better.

[handiabled]

Excellent! I'll be following this! Seeing the parts and steps of assembly it makes builds like this even more impressive to watch come together

[kyledehart5]

Awesome!! Can’t wait to follow along with this one.

[2whl]

I'll follow along on this also. I've got one buried in the stash.

[rondriaan]

After some filing, sanding and polishing with dirty hands, the first part has had its dryfit and can almost be sprayed.

[406 Silverado]

I really do get a kick out of watching your bike builds come together Ron. This already has a great start to it.

[rondriaan]

We're not really sitting still, but it's just not going fast and the nice weather isn't helping either :mrgreen:
Motor stand and accessories are ready except for some cables that will be added later. I am going to redo the carburetor and I am not satisfied with the result. I also need to respray a plate with some overspray of a different shade of aluminum :roll:
I'm missing some bolts on one side and have already sent a message to MFH so I'll have to wait and see and if it takes too long I'll grab a few of my own.

[handiabled]

Fantastic progress on this! I love the way these engines come together in your builds

[rondriaan]

Thanks for your comment. I am still amazed by the high detail of these kits and especially the small parts made of metal instead of resin. Time consuming but so much fun to do.

[406 Silverado]

You sure put on a good show with this fantastic detailing of yours Ron. Where did you source the little holding fixture for the engine? I like that!!

[kyledehart5]

And you’re off to a wonderful start. That’s looking great. I just love watching these MFH kits come together.

[rondriaan]

Thnks guys fore the interest.

Small update.
Engine block transmission and everything in place, now this week and next week we will have to see whether MFH has sent the missing bolts and another part of another kit.

When the carburetor has been refurbished, there is still a rough spot, but you really can't see it anymore in real life. The problem was a bit too coarse casting and a new bolt installed by myself.

Started on the fenders because they will be needed soon and will need to be sprayed. Sanded with 340 and then polished with Tamiya coarse and medium polishes. Now it remains to do some minor repairs and close a crack. About the crack in the fender, the Crocker also had a crack in the fender in the same place, strange.

[406 Silverado]

SUPERB detailing and in progress repairs Ron. You did a mighty fine job on getting that carburetor to look the part too.

Funny about the crack in the fender being in the same spot as the Crocker. lol. In that case, you've already had some practice doing that repair.

[rondriaan]

May 20, 2024 10:00:54 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

same spot as the Crocker. lol. In that case, you've already had some practice doing that repair.

Thanks for your comment. I am enjoying these elaborate kits more and more, but I guess I have always looked for a challenge in our hobby and you get that with these models.

[project510]

Apr 18, 2024 15:30:46 GMT -5 rondriaan said:

Well spotted Lyle these are standard in the kit. With my other plastic Italeri models, I always replace my spokes myself because it looks a lot better.

Doing this on a full size bike isn't easy, I cant imagine it on a much smaller scale haha. Good luck on your build! Looking great already!

[rondriaan]

After many problems with the clearcoat I am actually not a step further after almost 3 months 😁
I have been busy for two days to put the front fork together with 2K glue because sec. glue did not have enough strength. And some damage to the rear a piece of frame tube where the mudguard is attached was broken so make a new one.





Two tone rim

[kyledehart5]

Awesome to see a return of this one Ron!! That’s looking really good. Nice job working through the issues.

[Leon]

WOW...This looks amazing Ron!

[paddy]

Very interesting to see one of these kits go together so thanks for sharing

[keavdog]

Cool! Missed this one the first time out. Man those wheels look great. Following along.

[handiabled]

Yes!! Great to see your back on this again! In spite of the issues you've had this look wonderful!

[406 Silverado]

3 months? Man this one has been giving you quite a work out Ron. Despite the issues that you've been having with it, it's good to see that you're pushing through it and looking forward to seeing further progress on it.

[paddy]

Just out of interest what dia are kit supplied wheel spokes ?

[rondriaan]

Thank you guys for responding i really appreciate it.

Currently busy getting most parts ready for spraying, still a lot to do

Aug 15, 2024 4:07:41 GMT -5 paddy said:

Just out of interest what dia are kit supplied wheel spokes ?

The spokes are 0,5mm Paddy

[project510]

Looks great! I DO NOT miss lacing up the spokes on my CB550 in 1:1 scale, let alone 9x smaller.

[paddy]

Thanks Ron so 4.5mm to scale which is spot on

[rondriaan]

Aug 15, 2024 9:24:05 GMT -5 project510 said:

Looks great! I DO NOT miss lacing up the spokes on my CB550 in 1:1 scale, let alone 9x smaller.

Ok but also 9x easyer I know the real stuf is hard to get it right.

[rondriaan]

Another thing done on the BSA and a lot of grumbling to get the rear mudguard with rods and all in place. In principle it all fits 99% but needs some force to get in place. Now I think I'll do something about the wiring and then the last steps.