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If you’ve seen the recent review of Franklin Mint’s huge 1:5 1986 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, the Connoisseur’s Edition, but can’t come up with the half-grand price of admission, this is your bike.
The big version is absolutely awesome. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from such a detail-filled bike of that size. But with a few less whistles and in a much smaller package, is the new 1:10th Softail Classic in the same color combo, with passenger seat-back, saddle bags and windshield. It has all the normal features we have come to expect and cherish in TFM’s scale 1:10th bikes and is a positive joy to behold, on display or in hand.
FM builds in a folding kickstand, turning wheels, working steering, operational suspension, front and rear and working drive belt. You may demonstrate the foot-operated working gearshift assembly on the six speed cruise drive, fold down the passenger’s foot pegs, push down on the spring activated foot brake and fold back the rear seatback rest. TFM builds in seats and saddlebags with terrific ‘feel’. The finish is perfect and the tiny pinstripe work is flawless. “Heritage Softail” adorns the front fender sides in chrome metal foil and lends an air of realism that used to be seen on their cars only.
The engine detailing is usual FM-great and the wiring and sticker replication are astonishingly accurate. The wheel wire spokes are crafted faultlessly as are the metal brake rotors and deep-patterned tires. The speedo has exacting detail and the use of plastic for turn signals, brake light with license plate illuminator is excellent. TFM does a masterful job on these motorcycles and their Harley-Davidson line is expanding in every innovative way imaginable. Keep ‘em coming guys!
(03/09/2008)
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