Italeri 1/9 Suzuki RG500 XR27 Barry Sheene

[Mpfiend]

Good evening,
Here is my first completed model of 2023, it is the Italeri offering of Barry Sheene's 1978 Suzuki RG500 XR27.
This is an old Protar kit first offered in 1981 and it is certainly showing its age, the parts require a lot of fettling to make a half decent job.
My attempt, is painted using Tamiya lacquer paints with Alclad metallics used for the exhausts. the model is clear coated with Tamiya LP9 clear.
The kit decals went down very well as they are printed by Cartograpgh, I did have an issue though with one of the shock absorber decals, this just disintegrated as soon as it got wet, so I had to use the white KYB decals for the shocks and be creative with the placement of the other sponsor logos on the side panels.
I used my Marcomoto design jig for the build, the jig is designed normally for 1/12 scale motorcycle models and is incredibly useful for holding the model during the test fitting, assembly and painting/weathering stages.
As you can see in the last two photos, This 1/9 scale model fitted quite well although, two of the pillars were close to their maximum height when the front wheel was fitted.









I look forward to reading your comments,

[DRUMS01]

Looks great! Good job on the decal layout. The exhaust cans look nice too.

I still have mine from when I bought it many years ago. I also purchased the pushing rider.

[cor]

Very nice build. The disc brakes could benefit from the aluminium foil tape treatment. Ive been using it on everything lately. It adds the metallic shine that paint doesnt have and is very easy to apply. Something to try on your next bike.

[BigWall]

Very nice paint work and decaling! It's a great looking build

[Mpfiend]

Thanks very much for looking in Gents and taking the time to comment.
@cor
The original bike has steel discs and all of the references photos I have looked at show a very dark grey dull finish. I think that if Aluminium tape was used here the finish would be too bright.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Super nice
Good build and like the moto-jig too

[cor]

Thanks very much for looking in Gents and taking the time to comment.
@cor
The original bike has steel discs and all of the references photos I have looked at show a very dark grey dull finish. I think that if Aluminium tape was used here the finish would be too bright.

Thanks for letting me know that. You've done an excellent job.

[digger303]

Very attractive build.

[MrBowcat]

Lovely build.

[Mpfiend]

Thanks for letting me know that. You've done an excellent job.

Thanks very much

[Mpfiend]

Very attractive build.

Thanks Digger,

[Mpfiend]

Lovely build.

Thanks very much, it's an old kit and was a bit of work to get everything together nicely, but I think the end result wasn't too bad in the end.
You should pick one up and give it a go, I'm sure you would make a splendid job of it.

[Italianxrays]

Thanks for posting this build and the jig details as I use a primitive vice.I have really struggled doing this bike,there are several fiddly processes even connecting the various tubing / cables.
Engine detail is however good,maybe a large scale at 1/6 would have been nice.
I have built many Italeri bikes but this is testing my patience to limit.
You have made a superb job particularly the paint and decals which I am fearing the most.

[Mpfiend]

Thanks for posting this build and the jig details as I use a primitive vice.I have really struggled doing this bike,there are several fiddly processes even connecting the various tubing / cables.
Engine detail is however good,maybe a large scale at 1/6 would have been nice.
I have built many Italeri bikes but this is testing my patience to limit.
You have made a superb job particularly the paint and decals which I am fearing the most.

Thanks very much for looking in and taking the time to comment.
This model was quite a bit of work compared to other motorcycle models I have built, but I think the result is worth it.
It is a very interesting subject and would be amazing in 1/6 scale!
The jig was very useful and I use it for all of my bike builds through out the process, pricey but well worth it I feel.
The decals in the kit were surprisingly good. just make sure you have a nice glossy surface to lay them on, this helps a lot with the positioning. the most awkward one was the stripe around the tank, the positioning of it has to be accurate for everything to line up.

[DRUMS01]

Very nice work! Mine is also still in the box. Eventually I want to built it and then create a diorama with the Kenny Robert's Yamaha in race mode. Your's looks spot on my modeling friend!

[Mpfiend]

Very nice work! Mine is also still in the box. Eventually I want to built it and then create a diorama with the Kenny Robert's Yamaha in race mode. Your's looks spot on my modeling friend!

Thanks very much Ben,
it is an interesting build with some minor challenges along the way.
Do you have the Kenny Roberts Yamaha in 1/9 scale? which kit is it?

[DRUMS01]

Not 1/9th, it's Tamiya. They also made Barry's bike too.





The leather has been worn and dulled down since the photo.

[Mpfiend]

Not 1/9th, it's Tamiya. They also made Barry's bike too.

Very nice model.
I got all excited then thinking that the KR Yamaha was available in a larger scale.
I have the tamiya Yamaha in my stash but not the Suzuki, these kits seem to attract a premium price now.