beginner modeler

Hey chica!
There's some great advice here! Its always nice to see people willing to share their knowledge!
I'll go ahead toss in some advice:
Get a recent copy of Scale Auto (scaleautomag.com) and check some of the articles for tips and tech. Don't be intimidated by some of the articles as there are some really advanced things in there. Also in the back there are ads for beginning modeling, paint how to's, and other neat stuff.
Check it out!
Good luck with the bike!

Carlos

Hi Femme-Fetale. one thing that i can advise is to get a cheap kit of an aircraft car or something and use that to practice on before you start on your Ninja. That way if your going to make a mistake on your first kit it won't be as bad as if you messed up on your bike.....Greg

Get a CBR 900 Fireblade! they're a real hooligans tool

thank you all for your help! I'm waiting for my model to be shipped to me, but in the meantime, I plan to pick up some supplies and hopefully get an airbrush!
hopefully one day, I'll actually be able to buy a real kawasaki ninja...or a busa :)

Canadian girl

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sean W. My 2 bits worth is to get: 3 or 4 toothpicks

Don't you mean 3 or 4 boxes?!

Ray

My 2 bits worth is to get:
Cement
3 or 4 toothpicks
Paint brushes (i.e. depending on details maybe a 25/0)
Any type of organizer with seperators
Stirring sticks
Sprue cutters
1 maybe 2 X-acto knives
A workbench
if you can afford it, an airbrush
Oh, and when you're talking paints, I suggest Acrylics.

HEY,
I dont want to seem like a broken record but i cant stress how important taking your time is, especially in painting. Also, if you are using spray cans or an airbrush, dont make the same mistake i did and put on one or two thick coats, the paint will run and it ruins the paint job on the body. Use Lots of thin coats and let each one dry thoroughly. Oh yea, i almost forgot, it helps to use primer on things such as the body. Again i apologize for sounding like a broken record and that i cant help more.

You may like to have a look at
http://www.modelersite.com
Mario is big into bikes and the Ninja may even be there - have a look in the archive.

Congrtas on graduating, I have done about a dozen bikes. Take your time and test fit all parts before gluing. Make sure you have a good sharp knife as the plastic is thin. A good pair of flat side cutter workes well in removing parts from the trees.

Hi Femme_Fetale. All i can add is take your time, plan ahead and enjoy creating something stunning (which the kwakka ninja certainly is). I havn't built a bike kit for a few years now(even though i do ride) and i know that they are not the easiest kits to make but tamiya are just about the best for fit of parts so you shouldn't have too many problems...Happy modeling...Greg

Well to start, you can go to
http://home.interlog.com/~khartlen/
there are quite a few tips here and Ken is a fellow Canuck.
Tamiya motorcycle kits are some of the best. I have quite a few of them myself.
Best advice is to take your time and built it the way you want.
Ray

Congrats on graduating from high school!

I've not built a motorcycle kit, but I recently read a build-up of a Tamiya Ducati in the same scale. Maybe this article can help get you started:

http://www.internetmodeler.com/2003/june/automotive/TamiyaDucati.htm

Oh, I'd also check out the "Tools and Tips" section of the Aircraft Resource Center web site (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com). I realize you're building a motorcycle, but the tipes on filling and glueing will help regardless of the type of model you build.

Regards,

-Drew