Hasegawa Kawasaki KH250-B3/B4

[Mumbly]

This is a trip back to my youth. I bought 3 non-running S1/KH250 when I was 17. I managed to piece together a working KH250 and this was my first bike after ditching the L-Plates. It also started a journey where I owned a KH400, KH500, and an H2 750 before I moved onto the Suzuki stink pots which in turn culminated in an RG500. Of the Kawasaki triples, the 250 was my favorite, the 400 was more powerful but not as much fun, the 500 kept breaking down (ignition issues) and the 750 just wanted to kill me.

This is also my first Hasegawa bike kit, and it is a beauty! The build and fit so far are superb and the separate parts are going to make the build a lot easier.

The plan is to build it as my KH looked, so mine was Candy Cobalt Blue and completely stock, albeit with flatter handlebars. I also have the Hobby Design PE kit for it and I am going to add the bits that are missing, as I still have the Haynes Workshop Manual, so this will include the auto-lube cables and a stab at the wiring loom too amongst other things.

So far, I have made a start on the cylinder barrels. The fins have been thinned to remove the joins and the crankcase has had the access way for the oil pipes opened up and the moulded engine bolt removed and replaced with an alloy tube.

This shows the before and after on the barrels, the right is without any work:



This is the crankcases:

From the box:



Oil lines are some MFH fine brown pipes with thin wire threaded through so that I can shape them to route along the crankcase below the carbs, the bolts are MasterClub 1.0mm resin bolts through some 1.2mm tube:



And this is them placed for dry-fit purposes. The molded bolts are removed and drilled out, also the original holes for the clutch and oil lines are plugged so I can use thinner wire than what comes with the kit:



This is the case halves assembled with alloy tube for a replacement bolt rather than a bit of plastic:



I also have been working on the wheels. There is a lot of chrome in the kit. I have removed the chrome from the hubs by creating a plasticine well for keeping the bleach away from the rim. This is the rear wheel before, during, and finished for comparison.

These are the wheels with the hubs stripped of chrome, just dry fits:



I started by removing some of the spokes and replacing them with 0.5mm piano wire with 0.8mm aluminium tubes cut to 1mm lengths for the furrels, these are on the left side. The hubs have been painted with AK Xtreme Metal Matte Aluminium:



Just steel spokes and now quite flimsy:



Finished:





I have some tyre valves on the way, so that and the brake and rear sprocket need to be added at a later stage. Front wheel is next and then if the weather allows, some paint on the engine parts.

Thanks for looking.

Tony

[digger303]

Nice detailing skills.

[Mumbly]

Front wheel done now Now the rest of the bike...



Engine crankcase, barrels and heads assembled along with the oil lines for the autolube. I love the simplicity of this era, especially as this is a 2-stroke. Also, this kit has been really well thought out with many of the detail parts as seperate items, for example, the choke lever is seperate as is the fuel tap. Anyway, this is an engine dry fit, as this has to have the frame build around it as it is a bit on the wide side. I am dithering on what to colour paint the carbs, but as the barrels are different to the heads and engine halves and these will be different to the outside cases I think I will go with the same Matte Aluminium.







Thanks for looking

Tony

[Casper]

Wheels look excellent Tony

[BigWall]

Very nice work on the detail bits! It looks great!

[Mumbly]

A little progress on the engine. I am waiting for some odd's and end's to be delivered but have cabled up the carbs and fitted them to the cylinders.

Hasegawa has moulded the air inlet hose clamps onto the carbs, so I used some aluminium adhesive foil duct tape cut into thin strips to add metal bands, as much as to provide another contrast. The cables on the carbs are from Hiroboy and the fuel line is slightly thicker which is some wire wrapping wire. I only plan to use the kit-supplied tubes for the HT leads, IMO these are too chunky, even for oil/fuel/fluid lines. The carbs have had a wash of diluted Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal which is fine over the AK Xtreme Metal Matte Aluminium as these are enamel-based paints.



Carbs attached:





Airbox and the engine side covers are being readied next, as are some early steps on the frame.

Thanks for looking

Tony

[BigWall]

Very nice detailing! It's looking great!

[digger303]

[Mumbly]

I had some Top Studio exhaust springs which are perfect for the stands, it was a case of how to attach them. I used some insect pins, and these are perfect for spring lugs. Also, use of a dressmaker's pinhead to lock the side stand and we are good to go. I was in two minds about making the seat hinge, and am still unsure. I will have a go at making some hinges before I decide.

The engine is all done, crankcase sides are finished, but I need to finish the cables before they get attached. Also, have to finish the wheels off with the disc and the tyre valves.







Added some details that won't be seen in the form of the helmet holders. Added the bracket and bolt for the tacho cable to be supported as well.





The engine bolts have also been removed and will be replaced by some Masterclub bolts. So, the frame is assembled, the engine mounted, the battery in and center stand.





The final section of the rear mudguard and then the coils and top frame beam.

This is kit is a really good kit, and I assume that the other recent releases are of the same standard. I have just seen that they have released a TZR250 which I desperately wanted back in the day...

Thanks for looking.

Tony

[BigWall]

It's looking sweet and coming along quickly!

[Casper]

Coming along great Tony
all the extra detailing makes all the difference. Helmet lock is a great addition, never seen that done before and the hinge on the seat is going to look superb.
mark

[Twokidsnosleep]

Some excellent detailing going on in here
Really great job on the spokes

[Mumbly]

Hello

Steady progress has been made, only I forgot to take any photos - my bad.

So far, I have added the top frame spar with coils which I scratch built as the kit ones were not how I remembered. Suffice to say, they are not visible and would have been easier to fit if I had kept the originals. More noticeable additions now include the following: rear mudguard, tacho cable with heat shield spring, rear swingarm/brake, and chain. In the Hobby Design PE, they included a new chain, but as most of the chain is hidden I decided to keep the Hasegawa one and try some carving to make it look better - this is much harder than it looks, so will take a bit of practice, but I have some spare chains to try again. The kit chain looks fine IMO, if it was more visible, I think I would have used the PE. Other aspects of the PE set are also a bit unnecessary, and to me are there as they could not think of what else to add. So, I am only using the wheel adjusters from the PE set.

Next on the list are the rear suspension shocks. These are molded, and they have been well done, but I will rebuild with springs. I have also discovered Mr. Hobby Super Metallic 2, specifically their Super Chrome Silver 2, this is not AK or Alclad chrome level, but it is perfect for the chrome finish on things like the kickstart, rear levers, etc, plus it being enamel (I think) it is really hard wearing, which for a chrome finish is good news.

Another benefit to making a road bike from the 70s is the centre stand.





The rear suspension is on. There are many unused parts on this kit, as they are used on the KH400 which from memory was pretty much identical to the 250, apart from the obvious. This does mean that I can use these parts when I choose and the rear shocks are a case in point. For the 250, the ones used are with reflectors which we never had in the UK. In fact, no side reflectors were ever fitted. So, the more elegant 400 springs are to be used.

As I mentioned before, they are one-piece molded units all chromed up. So, bleach time and rebuild time. Springs removed and damper unit from some 2.4mm Evergreen tube, damper rod is some 1mm alloy tube and the spring is some antique silver-plated wire that I borrowed from my wife's jewelry-making stash wound round a self-tapping screw. Built and painted with some Mr. Colour Super Metallic again - this is getting some heavy use now and I am becoming a fanboy for it.

This is what the original spring is like.



These are not bad, but as I spoked the wheels, I could not leave these like this, so the new units look like this to start with:



And fitted and painted with the original for comparison:



And its buddy:



Next on the map is the exhausts. I am keeping them chrome as there is little wrong with them and Hasegawa has been very clever with how they attached them to the sprues. What I am doing though is painting some of the bracketry with the super metallic as this will break up the overwhelming complete chrome from the box. These are two pairs with the chrome removed and masked. These should be on soon and then it is the front end.



Thanks for looking again.

Tony

[digger303]

Great work and really appreciate showing us your methodology.

[Casper]

looking really nice Tony. Studio exhaust springs and pins worked a treat, very affective. I was looking at my return springs today for my Harley kickstart and side stands, hope I can get mine looking half as good as yours.
Never had a go myself at carving a chain out, looks very fiddly to do and so many slots to clean up The Mr. Hobby Super Metallic 2 works really well, I'm going to have to try some.

[Mumbly]

TBH, the return spring on the side stand was too tight so always is in the down position. Needed less tension or a different location on the frame. Might have the side stand retracted without the spring when done.

Yes, chain carving is really hard, and the YouTube videos make it look easier than it is! Again, practice and confidence required by the bucket load.

You live and learn!

Tony

[BigWall]

Very impressive detail work!

[Mumbly]

Exhausts fitted, not much more to add than that.





I have been waiting for this stuff to arrive (sorry about the flash bounce):



I have seen it used quite a bit on the YouTube videos from Japan so had to try it myself. Trouble is, you have to import it from Japan as it is not sold in the UK. Not sure why, and the same is true with many other bits that are available in the Trytool range. It was not that expensive and HobbyLink Japan are really excellent, they have most of the Racers magazines as well, so worth a look.

Anyway, these are the forks painted and foiled, ready to go on:



Two wheels on . I have also got the oil tank in since the photo was taken, and the footpegs/controls/bodywork is in varying stages of prime and to be masked.





The next installment should be looking like a KH250. What does surprise me is how long and low it is, no wonder why they never liked the bendy bits on the road.

Thanks for looking.

Tony

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome progress!!!

[BigWall]

It's looking very nice!

[digger303]

Must get some of that mirror finish foil. I tried doing that with a foil that was too thick and had trouble bending and apply it to my will. The stuff I used was out of a food packet. I shall have to go legit.

[Mumbly]

Hi Digger

It is good stuff, but really hard to get in the UK. I have also just seen this on YouTube and he uses metallic gift wrap tape! Never thought of that, and the choice of colours for all the fork legs is a no-brainer. This is also thinner than kitchen foil and as long as it used on a simple surface should be as good.

[Mumbly]

Hello

Foot pegs and levers and pedals on and the bodywork has the first layers of blue. Have to say, I am a fan of these Mr. Colour paints, this is just called Metallic Blue, but it covers amazingly and is not over scale as some metallics can go. It is also pretty close to the original IMO, and with the white go slower strips and name on the tank will look bang on.

One nice aspect of this kit is the number of details that are provided for bits that are not seen. For instance, the tank is complete with an underside, the bolt heads on the insides of the frame and body work are there and the seat has a base.





Go slower stripes, rear brightworks and the instruments are all done. Chrome trim on the speedo / tacho is some adhesive aluminium tape cut fine. Top gloss coat is Mr. Color Super Clear III, just so I can use their self-levelling thinners, and for the first time, no orange peel.

I have on order with Hiroboy the re-issue Suzuki RG250 MkII Gamma from Tamiya just to bookend my 250 owner history in 1/12th scale. It will be interesting to have them side by side to see how much nearly 20 years bike development makes in terms of size etc.





Thanks for looking

Tony

[digger303]

Sweet and beautiful

[Mumbly]

Hello,

Last one for the WIP.

I used hardly any of the bits from the Hobby Design kit. I decided to use the seat strap only for the fact that it is nickel plated, so will work well with the seat as a detail. The seat again is another example of the detail that is in this kit, all will be hidden. This is the final batch of bits for paint:



This is the seat, I left it alone with no further finish other than it being Mr. Surfacer 1500. The base is glossed up and decals applied.





Handlebars assembled. The throttle and choke cables are added, as is the brake line. This is the only minus, and it is something that all 1/12th bike kits are guilty of, all the lines are the same tubes which is not correct. As earlier mentioned, the cables, etc either were from Hiroboy or electrical wrapping wire as they also differ in diameter. I used the thinner cables for the control cables and the slightly thicker ones for the speedo/tacho cables.



This is with the handlebars fitted and cabled:





Now for the headlights, front winkers and mirrors:





And it is almost ready to go:





I just need to add the number plate and the fuel tap and lines to the tank.

Thanks for looking.

Tony