This 1:10 scale model is made by Maisto which is a Japanese company that's dedicated to making scale models of cars and bikes.

This page then is about a scale mode of a Harley Davidson 1997 Heritage Springer.  The 'Springer' in the title of the bike refers to the fact that the front suspension has the old style design where the springs were on the outside of the forks and not within a steel shroud.

The front forks of the bike operate on a cantilever style design where parallel  pivots are offset each side that creates a split twin fork style.  Its quite a pleasing and interesting look now and Harley Davidson still produce this design even though the design is over 60 years old.

I am quite fond of this scale model and I think that Maisto have done an excellent job with the miniaturization of it.  The model is well made and all of the detail is present, directly emulated off the real bike.  This scale model is not too expensive either and retails at about $30.  Its a very nice display piece, quite fragile too, so don't let your kids play with it if you do acquire one.

If you do a search on 'Google' or 'E-Bay' for "1997 Harley Springer" I am sure that you will find one if you fancy a model like this, with the technological power of the internet, shopping around for items, indeed any items is not a hard task.

Traditionally the springer's saddlebags and saddle have long leather tassels that hang down but as I think this looks untidy so I trimmed all the tassels off to give a cleaner look to the model.

Its got everything you would want from a scale model, its bright, its attractive, it looks very cool and creates a great talking point.  Its quite desirable and " Hmmm I think wanna buy it off him, I'll make him an offer " always hovers in the air from those who see it !

Well, I hunted high and low on the net for this particular model in this particular color scheme so I have to politely explain to the hopeful admirer "No Way Hosay !!" 

The original Harley Davidson paint scheme is actually one that I like on this model, it may not be to everyone's taste, specially the more macho riders amongst you but I think it makes a great change from the usual blacks and dark greens. It makes the bike look lighter with a more grace, space and pace feel about it.

The whitewall tyres on this model also set off the white paint job and give the model an overall ambience that is not far removed from a Capo De' Monte. It sure is a fabulous display piece.

Like most of my 1:10 scale model bikes, all the suspension works and the levers move too, the belt drive on this bike also engages the sprocket and turns the rear wheel around when model is gently pushed across the table.

The saddle bags are molded out of a single piece of hard rubber type material and do not open but as a display model, they look just fine.

The image above  depicts  a  rather a cool  view from  the riders position where the speedometer detail and some of the switches can be seen.  The cables all go to their respective points on the bike too.  The model is in my estimate made from about 70% plastic parts and 30% die-cast metal, its very well made and like my other scale models, again, its not a kids toy.

If you were to let the babby play with this scale model then most of the protruding parts like the levers handle bars, mirrors, indicators, tailpipe, number plate, cables and chrome trim on the saddle would break off in the first 5 minutes.  It is strictly a display piece to be handled with care.

I would love to have a real one though, it never hurts to dream does it !

Thanks for viewing and I hope you enjoyed this web page, I have other web pages on scale model bikes too, why not pop along to see them via the vehicle links below.