Heller 1:8 Laverda SFC750

[paddy]

Huge box... not sure it needed it

I have held off doing a build blog here as i didn't know till now if i would be able to get a front tyre for this model.
The one supplied in this re-issue from 2012 (original kit 1972) was too big to fit the rim
i now have a replacement from Heller FOC so top marks to them given the kit has been out of production for nearly 10 years.

There are three sprues of chrome parts here. To the best of my knowledge the SFC had no chrome at all. I think this is because they have utilised a lot of parts from the touring model the SF released at the same time.
So a lot of chrome stripping todo but after my Bentley build i have this sorted

I started with the wheels and the usual swap from plastic to metal spokes.. Original plastic are 1mm so scaled up would be 8mm, 4mm would be correct so i have used 0.5mm piano wire.
the wheels come in to halves so basically i build one side at a time using the other side as a jig to hold the rim and hub in the correct position.

I will skip over this as i have covered it in "what's on the bench"

Fork legs are pretty basic with moulded nuts and a few missing details

fork legs now split at the bottom, pinch bolts added as well as oil drain screws

 

[moon puppy]

That's a man who knows his subjects!

 

[Impisi]

Thoase Laverdas were some real nice bikes. Good start

 

[paddy]

The frame on these competition Laverda's were either nickel or cadmium plate rather than silver paint like the road going version so i used gloss black primer from and Alclad ,Aluminium Alclad with a satin coat on top to stabilize the Alclad.

its given it that plated look i wanted rather than a metallic finish paint

 

[Sharkmouth]

I agree on it looking better!

Regards,

 

[moon puppy]

Nicely done.

 

[paddy]

I think i need an engine

Its a strange kit this, its from 1972 so 50 years old but the detail, compared with the Airfix Bentley i recently completed is way ahead. That said some parts fit and the instructions leave quite a lot to be desired. there are very few location points so part have to be stuck on where a locator pin or two would really help. The springs for the rear are just lengths of wire and they give you a plastic rod to wind the wire round to make your own. There could be a lot of detail in the battery area under the seat but the side panels are not removeable so nothing would be seen which is a shame, i have looked at making them removable but again there is no location points for them so they sort od float in mid air so need to be firmly fixed i think.

anyway its fun so cant complain, We do need an engine though before we take it for a spin

 

[moon puppy]

Nice work on the springs, very consistent.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

So far so good Paddy! The color and finish for the orange is very well done. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the engine.

 

[paddy]

This is what i am aiming for

 

[mustang1989]

Ummm.....I think you're gonna hit your target paddy.

 

[paddy]

Nothing remarkable about this cylinder and head assembly except there are nearly 100 parts to it !!

 

[Heavens Eagle]

That is impressive Paddy!

 

[moon puppy]

Love it!

 

[mustang1989]

THAT................is frickin' crazy!!!! The result is magnificent but man.....that's alot of parts right there.

 

[paddy]

This the rear brake cable and levers as the kit supplies. a bit out of focus but everything black is rubber

Its ok but its nit right, it should have an inner and outer cable and an adjuster

i tried drilling a hole in a 12BA brass screw and fitting abit of wire as ysed for the spokes so 0.5mm piano wire... but its to big

so i did the same thing with a 14BA screw

thats more like it

Oh and the engine is getting there

 

[Paulw]

Paddy, you are seriously nutter.

 

[moon puppy]

That rocks Paddy!

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Paddy, you are seriously nutter.

Nope, just a watchmaker that never went to school for it.

 

[Impisi]

great show!