Tamiya 1/6 Honda Monkey Bike

[DikDolan]

Ayup guys, here's a couple of pics of progress so far. I started building it a few weeks ago- yes I am slow and pretty new to this- Lots to learn! =)

With the choice of 3 different exhaust pipes, I've been my usual incisive self. So I built all three and tried 'em on for size. I think I'll go with the standard one as in this pic. The other 2 either look too large or just wrong style for the bike.


Back wheel in.


Bit of an accident with the superglue on the "chrome" headlight, so after reading here how to give it a bath in bleach to strip it, I had my first play with Alclad primer and chrome. It wasn't toooo bad until I started handling it.... oops. Now it looks old and weathered (just like me) Next time I'll try a coat of aqua gloss. Another lesson learned.


And here's where it stands at the moment.


So far it's going together well, apart from my mistakes... all part of the learning process. I'm learning how not to do lots of things=)

Handle bars are about to go on, and the petrol tank is primed and in the process of smoothing with a bit of micromesh. I'm not very good with my airbrush yet, so it might take me many tries and lots of sanding before there's an update. Wish me luck=)

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool project, looking great
Keep showing us!!!

[Lysus]

This is really cool. Yeah, I too found out that metallics need to be sealed off. I think I had to respray my P-51 seventy zillion times.

[DikDolan]

Thanks Lysus=)

A quick update pic.



Most of the rear end is now completed, just the rear number plate to stick on I think. The rear frame was a little tricky, it has several bits that need sticking together, all come pre-chromed, so I used a drop of CA, which has frosted the chrome a little in places. Maybe I should've clear coated them first too...Ooops again.

I'll be starting on painting the petrol tank tomorrow *gulps*. I'm sure I read somewhere that for white paint to look "full and rich" you need to use black primer. Sounds weird to me but I'm very new to this, so black primer is on, and it's had a few wipes over with some fine micromesh. Jar of Tamiya white is standing by. This might take a few tries=)

[Johnj]

These big scale tamiya bike's are absolutley superb ! I have three in the pile, i'll probably do one after the phantom if i can decide which one.

lovely job your doing with the monkey. The red frame with the decals really bring it to life. I see your using alclad's. I've never tried them but they definately seem the way to go, going on the results the more experienced guy's are getting. Think i need a shopping list.

[DikDolan]

Thanks John, yeah the big bikes are great, got a few more now too, waiting and mocking me=)

The only bit I've alclad'ed on this is the headlamp, because I messed up with the super glue a bit. My "skills" definitely have room for improvement The kit looks good despite me, not because of me=) Tamiya deserve most of the credit here. it's a great kit.

[kpisnuts]

Looking really fine, I love these Tamiya big bikes they're great kits

[DikDolan]

Got the tank painted and the decals on.
You can see where I messed up: The decal split and left a gap that I've had to touch up...which has made a mess of the white. I hate decals!
I might attempt to touch up the white if I feel brave later, otherwise I'll just be giving it a coat of Aqua gloss clear to seal 'em in and hopefully prevent any more of my clumsiness damaging it.

The blurry blob on the right is the seat. I still don't know how to go on with that. It's made of some textured soft flexible stuff. Leave it as it is or try painting it a matt black ish finish. Decisions decisions. Any suggestions?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Keep going, I am liking what you are doing
This looks so much like our little Honda Trail 70 from my childhood

[DikDolan]

I'm not going to quit=) I'm having fun, which is what it's all about isn't it. Got a coat of aqua gloss on now which I have managed to mess up a bit in one spot. I'll attack it with some micromesh and give it another coat once it's fully hardened.

In other news, I won a fleabay auction last night and I NEVER win auctions=) Snagged a damaged box (contents fine) 1/8 HELLER CITROEN 15 CV kit for £67. I expect that will be a real challenge...

[DikDolan]

Well when I said I'm not going to quit..... I meant I think I know when to stop before I make it worse, so the paint on the tank is, I've decided "good enough". At my level, any attempts I make to fix the flaws would only result in a much worse mess, so:





The seat is still bare plastic, and I'll be painting it later to make it look more seaty.... probably. It's been a very enjoyable build, great Tamiya quality as always.

[DikDolan]

One last quick pic with the seat pretty much done now too. I gave it a spray of black primer, then touched in the "rivets" and the seat rim. It could maybe do with a bit more finessing of the white edge...my hands and eyes aren't really steady enough for that sort of finishing=) I also gave a couple of other spots on the bike a touch of paint here n there.

[exmoor]

doing a good job looks great

[Lysus]

This looks awesome, man. Interesting bike and a great job with the detailing.

[DikDolan]

Thank you gents=) Yup I love the way it's turned out, it's a lovely kit.

[Icemannique]

Beautiful monkey ! Nice job !

[Johnj]

Thanks John, yeah the big bikes are great, got a few more now too, waiting and mocking me=)

I messed up with the super glue a bit. .

This stuff can be quite handy for spills with superglue. It remove's it from crome part's, never tried it with painted surfaces though.

Image0916.jpg

[DikDolan]

Ah cheers John. Another potion to add to my ever growing "I need this" list=)

[Johnj]

Ah cheers John. Another potion to add to my ever growing "I need this" list=)

I know what you mean. The list never seem's to go down, only up