Started October 2001, completed November 4 2001.
This build-up features a studio 27 decal sheet with Gauloises sponsorship, since Tamiya supplied the "GO!!!!!!!" logos in place of the French stinker's logo, but I don't like political correctness so I went for the real deal.
This kit is (finally!) an updated Tamiya YZR500 version with the new wider fairing and updated front fork, rear cowling, steering head, dashboard and front fender.
Bodywork painting and decalling
I've been discussing the color for this bike with fellow modelers, and while some meant that it has a solid blue I feel quite certain it has a subtle metallic effect, and the paint needs to be very deep and shiny to look the part. I went for Modeler's monte carlo blue and I have to say I feel satisfed with the end result. No masking requrired except for the tail wich has a yellow fluorescent decal that looks better on a white base, so I masked out that area.
After the blue coat had dried I rubbed it down because some orange peel had occured, and then I applied the decals. I had problems with the big smoke puff decals because they go over some heavily curved bodywork, but in the end everyting went down nicely.
Several coats of Modeler's clear finished off the bodywork.

Those extra details...
Added a few hose clamps made from wire strands, and replaced the kits piping with thinner Modeler's wire. Added carbon effect by spraying XF-56 metallic grey thru a mesh onto a semi gloss black base color (air intakes, front fork covers, foot covers, left paddock stand support)

Painting.
The frame and rear swing was painted with Badger engine black, the exhausts with alclad highly polished alu overcoated with clear orange and pale gold, the brake calipers with Alclad pale gold, the radiator with alclad alu and the wheels with TS-49 black, the front forks with Humbrol black enamel, the sliding parts are not visible so I didn't finish them. The brake discs got a mix of X-10 gun metal, XF-56 metallic grey and flat base on the outer part, Alclad magnesium in the middle and gun metal on the innermost part. The rear discs is Alclad steel.

This page was created November 5 2001.