Honda RC166 - Tamiya - 1/12

[Landlubber Mike]

Just saw your log Rob, looks like a really nice kit!  Looking forward to following along.

[DocRob]

12 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Just saw your log Rob, looks like a really nice kit!  Looking forward to following along.

It is a really beautiful kit, Mike. Unfortunately, the extra sets are hard to get, actually. Some years ago, it was the same, but then suddenly they were available in Japan, where I bought them.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

What I especially like about bike kits are the different metal finishes, you need to let it look realistic. Here, I used aluminum, titanium a mix from jet exhaust and copper and chrome, all from the AK Extreme Metal range. Chrome got a undercoat of gloss black, the others were sprayed directly onto the plastic.
I was lazy, avoiding masking and sprayed the 3D printed chain in aluminum complete with the chain sprockets. The chain should look like steel and was therefore treated wit a heavy dose of black panel liner, followed by Uschi chrome pigments, which I rubbed in. The tyres received a treatment with a grey Flory wash, to enhance the detail and let them look a little less plastic like. The fit and engineering is still fantastic and putting together the kit is pure joy.







Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

The chain looks very convincing. Using the various metallics really helps sell the look. 

[DocRob]

11 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

The chain looks very convincing. Using the various metallics really helps sell the look. 

Thank you Carl, with bikes, it´s all about material reproduction to my eye, foremost the different metals with their individual colors, shines and depths. In thes larger scales, it has to look right or it´s just plastic.
I´m happy not to have chosen the Tamiya PE chain and used the 3D printed one from Falcon Models. It fitted perfect and is very detailed with it´s single link appearance.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

Lots of sub assemblies got finished over the last days. The mighty six in six exhaust was airbrushed in semi matte black (Tamiya LP-5) and added with some fittings, build to the bike. When I glued together the three per side exhausts, I fitted them temporary into the engine block, while the glue was still not fully cured, to have the proper spacings and layout. The fit was perfect again. I even managed to exchange the sides for the exhausts wondering about, how to lay deep into the curves, but found out my mistake in time .
Another addition was the front fork, which is a working full metal affair. The area around the handle bars looks a bit wild for now, but that will change soon.









Cheers Rob

[FullArmor]

Nice😎

[Landlubber Mike]

Looks really good Rob.  After your recent MFH kit, must be nice to not have to fight a kit into submission  

[HubertB]

1 hour ago, FullArmor said:

Nice😎

I’d say VERY nice 😎 !

Hubert

[DocRob]

14 hours ago, FullArmor said:

Nice😎

 

12 hours ago, HubertB said:

’d say VERY nice 😎 !

Thank you FA and Hubert, it´s an easy kit to shine with. The worst with Tamiya kits being, if it doesn´t look perfect in the end, only you are to blame .

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

14 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Looks really good Rob.  After your recent MFH kit, must be nice to not have to fight a kit into submission  

Ah, Mike, I miss it a bit. I was getting used to the permanent challenge. It´s easy to get sloppy with a near perfect Tamiya kit.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

The Honda starts to look like a bike, slowly. I completed the front section, adding adding brakes, fender and front wheel, The tyre was aged a bit, using Flory grey clay wash, to accentuate the profile and branding. I added the cockpit, which only has only one dial, guess what, a rev counter. I also attached most of the tubing, but there might be changes for better fit under the fairing. BTW. fairing and tank were airbrushed in alu-silver and bright red.









Cheers Rob

[FullArmor]

Beautiful metal colors👍

Have you thought about using small magnets to attach bodypanels?

[DocRob]

6 minutes ago, FullArmor said:

Beautiful metal colors👍

Have you thought about using small magnets to attach bodypanels?

Thank you FA, there are actually magnets included for two lower fairing parts. For the huge main fairing, I have to see, if there is a way, to build it removable. By design, it´s fastened with screws.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

The sun is shining for a change, so out with the Honda and my camera.





















Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

Looks like the real thing. Absolutely great job you're doing there Rob.