Tamiya 14090
This project started and was finished during week 33, 2002.
According to most, the Hayabusa outpaces the slightly more powerful ZX-12R, and it can do over 300 kph in true speed.
Not the most beatiful bike perhaps, but purpouseful, comfy and incredibly strong and fast.
Therefore I wanted to build this kit as soon as it arrived from japan, also because it features some elements new to most bikemodelers, foremost the masking sheet that has templates for the bodyworks two-tone paint job.

Preparing and painting the bodywork
I started here as usual, the tank is moulded in one piece and needs no attention, the only parts that needs to be joined are the seat cowling and the front fender. The rear seat cover is moulded into the rear cowling, so there's no option to build the bike as a two-seater.
I decided to paint the bike deep blue metallic and silver and choose Modeler's B-09 monte carlo blue (the can is called C-36) and Modeler's B-06 super silver for this, starting with a few coats of silver applied to all of the bodywork even all blue parts to avoid color differences. After the silver had dried I cut out the masks for the 2001 edition of the Hayabusa (1999-2000 templates can be cut as well) and applied them to the bodywork, making sure they were seated properly and masked around them with regular masking tape before I sprayed a couple of blue coats. (as usual) the blue color came out somewhat uneven and orange peel-looking but I decided to apply a heavy clear coat and repair the finish at that stage..
After the decals was applied and had dried I applied several coats of Modeler's super clear wich in time was rubbed and polished to obtain a deep, shiny finish.

Detailing
Not much that can be added really, but I applied washers to the bodywork wich look sort of like hex bolt heads, and I used some golden wire to simulate washers on the brake calipers, plus I added some bolt heads to the end cans and a carbon-look to the interior.

The chassis
I needed a quick buildout of this kit, so I decided to go with the standard satin chrome finished frame. The Hayabusa actally has a frame with polished upper sections and swing arm and a more rough looking unpolished middle section but I decided to pay no attention to this and go with the standard finish even if it's a little too bright and shiny. I used a great deal of alclad alu (front forks, footpeg brackets, brake discs) and Model Master non-buffing alu (end cans, engine) plus some steel shades to add brake wear and general shading. Brake calipers and seat was painted XF-1 matt black and hand rubbed to give them some "life"

Conclusion
Hey, these modern day Tamiya kits are just too good to be true! Excellent mask makes it easy to obtain the tricky paintjob, details and fit are outstanding and since I order them from Japan (see links page for details) the price for this kit seems very reasonable.

Note: I had an accident and spilled some super glue on the windscreen, if You do this don't despair! The glue can be sanded off and the resulting scratches can be removed using very fine abrasives and Tamiya compound.

pictures: