Pocher 1/4 ducati panigale

[kpnuts]

Hi all well it's arrived man it's huge here is a pic of the box

And just for size comparison here it is along side a calor gas fire



The instruction manual

It's really well packaged



And here is the Paul Koo upgrade kit





I'm not allowed to start it till my birthday on the 26th of next month though (although I wasn't allowed to open it then)

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I've not actually started building it yet but I couldn't resist comparing it to the biggest scale I've built so far (1/6 bikes) these bikes are huge but putting the ducati crank case and gearbox along side it this is going to be enormous (baring in mind there are no cylinder heads or fuel intake on it) by the time I add those the engine will probably be twice this size.
I will probably being upsetting the purists among you as it won't be the box colours it will be a custom job.

[Old Wombat]

Put a real engine in it & small children will be able to ride the flipping thing!

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I won't be here on my birthday so I got permission to start it today.
I decided to start on the exhaust as it has been noted as the worst fitting part of the whole kit, this thing is huge the bit of the exhaust I've started is the length of a 1/24 car and that's basically just the down pipe. So here is the start of this massive kit, I must say I'm buzzing with excitement.

I've plugged some of the screw holes

Then decided to add the first missing detail, the welding seam on the curved outside and inside section of the exhaust (i will add the weld seam round the other side when its finally attached to the rest of it)


I've not glued the two sections together yet to make drilling of the holes for the oxygen sensors easier.


There's loads of detail you could add just to this part and I'm going to try and add it all, I did say TRY.

[Old Wombat]

Oh ... my ... Gawd!

[kpnuts]

Hi all well after an update on my samsung tab s2 it has made it totally useless for posting on forums so I'm now stuck with this incredibly slow and clumsy laptop so here is the next installment. i was following silver911 build of this and decided to emulate his enhancement of the exhaust joins and copied his use of aluminium foil on them.

also I've added the thickening where the oxygen sensors go

(its made from the phillips screw covers from a bedroom unit)
made a start on the engine too. Added some weathering as well. Put a rule in the last pic to give an idea of the size of this beast.

[kpnuts]

Made a start on the exhaust valve and made up the spring hangers soon be ready for priming.

[Old Wombat]

Seriously, it wouldn't take much for them to cast that engine in alloy & make it a real one!

Keep up the good work, lad!

[kpnuts]

Hi all I've started weathering the exhaust I'm using Uschi metal powders and a combination of copper and blue grey dry brushed on, still more to do but it looks promising



Added some more engine details like the generator wires

[kpnuts]

Hi all well here is the first disappointment with the upgrade kit he supplies the steel beads to make the banjo connectors for various connections but then tells you to use poacher 2 millimetre bolts for the head of the banjo connector (there are none supplied in the kit only cross head screws) I realise Paul has built loads of poacher kits, this is my first so I don't have any poacher 2 mill bolts, what I do have though is these.

So onwards and upwards

I've made the springs for the exhaust too.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well (despite the gorgeous paint job on the kit parts) I've primed it ready for the new colour (I intend to leave this for at least a week to cure before adding the first coat of the two pack paint I have)

Done some more to the engine

[kpnuts]

Hi all here is the next instalment.
I got fed up with taking longer to find a part on the many sprues in this kit by looking for the small tab on each sprue with the letter I needed (I'm surprised I didn't think of this the 2 times I built the Traction Avant kit) I've written a large letter on each bag for which sprue is in it.

I've made the starter motor terminal from a piece of whittled down sprue

Added the oil cooler with the added layers and the banjo connector using Paul Coos detail adding info

And the finished starter motor.

Bit more weathering on the engine.

All in all I'm quite pleased with the progress (even if it's glacially slooooow)

[finsrin]

Home run on realism looks totally 1/1, even header welds.  Gads. 

[kpnuts]

HI ALL I  made this connector with some sprue, Paul Coos CD really is a mine of information (loads of reference pics of the actual parts, that's where I got the seams on the exhaust from)

This part is like a little kit in its own right

[Old Wombat]

The size of this thing is doing my head in!

[kpnuts]

Hi all i wanted to try and show you all just how big this is so, this is a 1/24 lorry engine.

Now put it on the engine and you get an idea of just how huge this is.

I just couldn't wait here is base colour (No clear lacquer yet)

[kpnuts]

Well we've been away for the weekend at our friends caravan and I came back to a bit of a disaster

All the plastic parts are fine I couldn't work out what had gone wrong but now I have

No primer, I assume the plastic parts were primed hence they are ok.
I've removed the paint

(Another chance to see how big this is its nearly as long as my thigh)
Now I just have to 're prime it, I'm just wondering if I have enough of the blue left this thing is so big it took nearly a whole can to paint it(admittedly I did both sides of all the parts as I was not sure if the back of any parts could be seen) hopefully no more problems will occur.

[kpnuts]

Hi all repaired the tank. I have to say I really, really, really love this colour


Made the water pump too.



Did I mention how much I really, really, really love this colour.

[Old Wombat]

Hi all repaired the tank. I have to say I really, really, really love this colour


Did I mention how much I really, really, really love this colour.

And so you should, it's a great colour.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I've finished the tank and sprayed the clear coat on the rest of the paintwork.




Such a gorgeous colour (even if I do say so myself)

[kpnuts]

Hi all started adding detail to the starter relay.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I've detailed up the battery and added the upgrade kit decal (the smaller decal is the one that came with the kit.

I must say I am surprised with a kit of this size and price of the huge amount of missing detail, mostly seems to be wiring which surely wouldn't be that expensive to add to the kit.

[kpnuts]

Hi all started on the fuel system added the butterfly valves made from aluminium foil onto which I put brass leaf.


Then I cut it to fit

Then cut a piece of sprue then halved it.

Covered it with the brass leaf then drilled two holes and added a couple of screws

[kpnuts]

Hi all bit more added here (this is just the supplied detail loads of wiring and connectors still to add) ( I really don't know why they don't supply varying thicknesses of wire surly it wouldn't add more than a tenner to the cost of the kit)


As I said loads more detail to add but couldn't resist trying it on the engine.



Also got the tyres on the wheels (Man they are heavy, but great quality)

[kpnuts]

Hi all well here's the wiring added to the intake system and said system added to the engine (this thing is getting heavey)

[finsrin]

Such skill and patience = such realism on such a complex subject.  GADS !

[kpnuts]

Thanks mate, here is the next bit the exhaust, let me tell you what a horrendous fit, had to use copious amounts of filler first really disappointing bit of the kit, Paul Koo suggests leaving the screws loose then adjusting the gaps by gradually tightening them whilst adjusting the gaps, well the best I managed to reduce it to was 2 mill for a kit of this price I think that is really bad.
Anyway here it is with all the gaps filled.





Not happy with the silver shields they look very plasticky (I know they actually are) will have to try and change that, I'm thinking of trying foil over them)

[kpnuts]

Hi all I've detailed up the airbox.


My first attempt at the paper filter

My fourth

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I couldn't resist putting together what I have so far.




This thing is huge. This is a 1/6 bike with a similar size engine.


And it's heavy.

[Old Wombat]

I reckon the engine in the Honda 50 I had as a kid was smaller!

[kpnuts]

Hi all I've started on the wheels I've made up the disks

I've started weathering it


I've ordered some proper button head sockets for the disks instead of the screws that come with the kit (Another thing missing from the upgrade kit)

[Old Wombat]

The longer this goes on, the harder I'm finding it to believe that it's a plastic model kit.

[The Big Gimper]

I am quite sure there is a shrink ray involved here.   

[kpnuts]

Done some to the frame and the swing arm




Couldn't resist trying it with the engine




And the swing arm

[kpnuts]

Here is the next bit. Got some blue paintwork on it now.

[GTX_Admin]

Is it just me or does this have a Scifi, perhaps Klingon, look to it?

[kpnuts]

Absolutely I was even thinking when it's finished I would strip it down and turn it into a spaceship.  these are the screws that come with the kit.

At a huge cost of 3.49 for 20 including postage I think these look better 

(Ron aka silver911 told me where to get them

[Old Wombat]

Much better!

[kpnuts]

Thanks guys.
Hi all here is the next update pocher would have you attach the rear sprocket like this

Thing is the rear sprocket is attached via nuts screwed onto studs so grubs screws were used to fix it.

Then a try of all we have so far.

[finsrin]

Ya know - shrink ray is amazing !

[Kerick]

Better keep it off the floor when its done or someone will try to ride it!

[kpnuts]

Hi all well flitting about decided to start on the front fairing it may not look it but it's a fairly complex bit 

[kpnuts]

Moving along now, still a long way to go though, but at least it's looking like a bike now.





Not happy with the oxygen sensor wires I think they're too thick, they're networking wires I don't have anything thinner, any suggestions.

[Old Wombat]

I reckon you could fit a 5 or 6 year old on that, no problems!

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I've got to say I'm very disappointed with the hardware upgrade kit. I'm not an engineer and I don't have a box of assorted small diameter bolt hexnuts or assorted rods but Paul seems to think anyone buying his kit has them I now have to try and find some threaded rod for the foot pegs, anyway whingeing aside the heal guard is missing the attachment hardware Paul suggests to make sure you can get the centred you cut the heads off the bolts and glue them in place allowing you a chance to centre them 

On closer inspection looking at the rear of the part there are two lugs where the bolts go through on the real thing which if drilled from the rear gives you the ability to centre them also giving you the realism of having the bolts sticking out the back once added


The top bolt on this bracket as supplied is a Philips screw.

Paul's solution is to cut the head off a socket screw and glue it over the screw

[Steve Blazo]

  Man that looks sharp, very nice work.

[kpnuts]

Hi all finished the rear suspension and made the rear stand as this thing is getting heavy and is not very stable standing on only it's rear wheel and the exhaust

[kpnuts]

I really love this kit. I'm working on the handle bars, there are more parts in just these bits than in some 1/24 car kits I've built (I'm not looking forward to the tiny decals)(They supply all the decals there are on the real bike) it has working break and clutch levers and a working throttle.

[kpnuts]

Hi all I've done one of the handles (the decals are tiny even with my magnifying lights they were difficult to place) 


I've added the cable and wiring that's missing.

[Old Wombat]

So, you pulled out the 4x tape measure, eh, just to try & fool us again!

[finsrin]

So, you pulled out the 4x tape measure, eh, just to try & fool us again!

Uh huh, tricky !

[kpnuts]

I just can't fool you guys can I.

[kpnuts]

Hi all I've finished one handle.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well this has been on and off half a dozen times as I couldn't find a way for the clutch reservoir horizontal then I checked some ref pics to find it's at an angle on the real bike. I was getting so stressed trying to get it level and horizontal, I'd have been pulling my hair out if I had some.

[kpnuts]

Hi all it’s been a while but here is the next update (what a pita this was) I snapped the screw in the steering head clamp so had to drill it out then re tap and guess what I cross threaded it and snapped it off again (don’t know how it’s still in one piece) on another forum a member called silver 911 has some PE radiator grill made to upgrade the radiator he kindly gave me the email of the company that produced them for him and gave me permission to use his fins so I’ve ordered them (I feel a bit guilty as they cost him50 quid )( costs for creating the pattern I suppose) only costing me 21.60, anyway it’s a vast improvement over the kit supplied part.

[kpnuts]

Hi all I was thinking this is getting very heavy and the exhaust is getting loose from the weight of it so I’ve temporarily added the forks to get the weight off the exhaust. I’ve finally finished the handle bars (well apart from the wiring)

[kpnuts]

Hi all this is how Pocher would have you build the rad


Of course I could just fill the holes and weather it and it would be a whole lot better
But with Ron Clark’s PE it will be a whole league better I just can’t wait for them to get here.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well it arrived, I’m so excited


thanks to Ron

sooo much better


added the missing wiring for the exhaust valve


and added the missing wiring for the radiator fan

[Old Wombat]

Sometimes whilst watching this build come together I think it would've been easier just to build a real one!

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I’ve added a few more missing wires and added the cable for the exhaust valve (fuse wire)weathered the rad a bit I’d like to say nearing the end now but no still a long way to go


Wish I could build a real one.

[kpnuts]

Hi all here is the next update I made a bit of an oops in duplicating the wiring of the rad fan which I had done the other end further back in the build will have to watch that in the future (especially as this build is using all my built up stocks of wire)




Got the front wheel on (man this thing is enormous)

[kpnuts]

Hi all here is an update where nothing has been done. It's just that since the front wheel is now on I can compare and show just what a beast this is these range in scale from the humongous Duc at 1/4 then the Katana at 1/6 the Kwak at 1/8 and the Yam at 1/12 these all have similar size engines so they're all about the same size in real life.

[kpnuts]

Hi all next update been adding the break lines and front mudguard then onto the electrical bits, it would be so much easier if I hadn't started adding detail, this is going to be the most intensive added details bit.











And the dreaded electric panel (this is just the beginning and only one side)

[kpnuts]

Hi all here is another update, all of the wiring here is added detail, none of it is supplied with the kit  it makes a big difference adding it. I still don't understand why they don't supply it as 90% of the connectors are moulded and even the missing ones are easy enough to scratch build .

[Old Wombat]

To give modellers the feeling they're putting something into the build, rather than just assembling it?

Doing well, young 'nuts!

[kpnuts]

Hi all here is another update.





Bit of detailing of this bit

[kpnuts]

Hi all well on the last leg of this build now.

[kpnuts]

Well I've spent 3 hrs trying to get the wing mirrors on this, I may never touch the bl$€y kit again don't believe the YouTube video it's nigh on impossible. I've removed the windscreen to give me more room but still can't get them on, I really don't know how this is still in one piece.

[kpnuts]

Hi all well after lots of suggestions from people who have completed this kit I used a combination of their suggestions to do it I took my tamiya screwdriver which came with the tamiya bike kits (didnt want to use the one that came with the kit) broke the blade off


Cut the end off a pencil and drilled it out then glued the blade in, I now have a shorter screwdriver



Now to modify the petrol tank to be removable and to detail it up. First get my hole punch select the right size

Punch selected hole through self adhesive ally foil

Add to ignition switch

The two dome headed Allen screws on the outside of the ingition switch housing are glued in. I've drilled the holes they are supposed to screw into out so they are now locating pins, I will use the inner ones to hold the tank.
I've glued the ignition housing to the tank

[kpnuts]

Hi all this is how near I am to finishing this



I've sanded down the centre rear tyre to take the newness off it and realised I've missed the decals off the centre hub and I've weathered it now is it too late to add them now.
I'm going to alter the side panels panels to make them removable.

[Old Wombat]

Looks great!

You can't put the decals on & touch-up the weathering?

[kpnuts]

Hi all well I know it's a bit of an anti climax but it's done.

[Old Wombat]

What anti-climax?

With the right backgrounds it looks like the real thing, man!

[finsrin]

What anti-climax?

With the right backgrounds it looks like the real thing, man!

Yes it sure do.....

[kpnuts]

 Well I thought I would feel some sense of accomplishment or achievement on finishing it but I don't feel anything.

[Old Wombat]

Well I thought I would feel some sense of accomplishment or achievement on finishing it but I don't feel anything.

Pity, because you deserve to feel really good about this.

I'd suggest it's a case of modeller's fatigue, with a touch of AMS; you work so hard to try to achieve perfection that you exhaust yourself mentally & then AMS kicks in & all you can see are the miniscule micro-flaws invisible to the rest of the world.

Cheer up, brother! It's bloody good!