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JohnReid · 12 April 2005, 07:56 AM

The post man brought me a little present yesterday, 2 Harley-Davidson 1/18th scale motorcycles.I really wasnt expecting much for my $5.95 each but to my surprise they are actually quite nice.It will be a good place to start.
First thing I did was check the scale against some photos that I obtained from the Harley website.Although there are no exact dimensions given ,there are pics of human figures standing beside Harleys of the period .They seem to be within the ballpark when I stand my 1/16th figures beside them.The bikes are from the 1909 and 1936 models.The 09 looks good as is but the 36 may be a little small.
I took the 36 apart(very easy to do,as it is only pinned together and not glued)
I will increase the wheel diameter as well as the frame and modify it to look like a racer.The wheel spokes are not very realistic so I will cover them with some brightly colored fabric.I will de-chrome some parts and repaint all the parts.I have some good pics of bikes from the 20s so I will modify the 36 version as need be.I dont anticipate any real problems in doing any of this.I think that it will really add to the diorama when it is done and weathered.One thing bothers me though,do you think a Harley of this era would be capable of towing a sign trailer? If not I will just show it as a stunt bike or racer.

They are amazing little models for the price and I was luckly to get them as they are now out of production although you wont be able to recognize them as stock models when I am finished. to be cont......

12 April 2005, 07:56 AM	#363 (permalink)
JohnReid Forum Ace of Aces Contributor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal,Canada Posts: 4,699	Harleys The post man brought me a little present yesterday, 2 Harley-Davidson 1/18th scale motorcycles.I really wasnt expecting much for my $5.95 each but to my surprise they are actually quite nice.It will be a good place to start. First thing I did was check the scale against some photos that I obtained from the Harley website.Although there are no exact dimensions given ,there are pics of human figures standing beside Harleys of the period .They seem to be within the ballpark when I stand my 1/16th figures beside them.The bikes are from the 1909 and 1936 models.The 09 looks good as is but the 36 may be a little small. I took the 36 apart(very easy to do,as it is only pinned together and not glued) I will increase the wheel diameter as well as the frame and modify it to look like a racer.The wheel spokes are not very realistic so I will cover them with some brightly colored fabric.I will de-chrome some parts and repaint all the parts.I have some good pics of bikes from the 20s so I will modify the 36 version as need be.I dont anticipate any real problems in doing any of this.I think that it will really add to the diorama when it is done and weathered.One thing bothers me though,do you think a Harley of this era would be capable of towing a sign trailer? If not I will just show it as a stunt bike or racer. They are amazing little models for the price and I was luckly to get them as they are now out of production although you wont be able to recognize them as stock models when I am finished. to be cont...... __________________ "Once upon a time......." Storyboard dioramas by JohnReid. My photobucket: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/ Last edited by JohnReid; 12 April 2005 at 08:05 AM.