A REGULAR Weymouth bike night for charity was given a special boost when a model making enthusiast showed off his DIY Harley Davidson.

Peter Manning, designer and founder of Full Size Kits Limited, has taken two years to create and patent the first full-sized plastic model motorcycle.

The 61-year-old from Somerset said the plastic kit consisted of 180 parts, took 25 hours to piece together and a further ten hours to paint.

Bikers attending Weymouth’s weekly bike night in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on Thursday were treated to the first public viewing of the model motorcycle.

More than 100 bikers attended and Peter said the motorcycle kit proved very popular.

Peter said: “I wanted to get the bike out there and show people. The response was amazing; bikers were crowding round it and just wanted to see it.

“Some of them couldn’t believe it was real. Creating the kit really is a bit of fun; it is a niche market but I’m sure many people can remember putting models together when they were younger.

“It’s really exciting for me, and even more exciting to have been able to show it off.”

Peter said he paid the entry fee to attend the Weymouth bike night, but hopes to bring the motorbike model to other Dorset charity events in the future in the hope of raising more money for charity.

He added that the bike night last Thursday, held close to the town clock in Weymouth, was the closest large bike gathering to his home in Crewkerne so it made sense for him to show off the bike model there.

Peter said: “I’ve taken a hobby of mine and turned it into something quite interesting and exciting.

“I’m a Harley Davidson owner and enthusiast and know that a 1960’s classic motorcycle would be popular.

“I designed the kit so that it could be produced in easy to assemble parts.

“It had to be light enough to pick up and hang on the wall, and weighs 16 kilos.”

The full size plastic motorcycle kit can be assembled and painted by any adult.

A unique feature allows people to sit astride the motorcycle for photos without any weight going through the lightweight model itself.

Peter said the kit has already been proving popular, with the first order from Japan and interest from the American market.

For more information visit fullsizekits.com