Tamiya 1/12 Suzuki Ecstar GSX-RR ’20

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:08 am

Morning All,

This turned up in the post yesterday so I got straight to work. It's being to built out of the box, the only extra bits I've ordered are the Studio 27 carbon fibre decals, Zero paints Suzuki silver and blue and a paint mask. I was considering getting the add on fork set, but I just don't think it's value for money at £32 for parts that are mostly hidden.

I just made a start getting all the engine components off the sprues and cleaned up ready for primer tonight.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Aug 26, 2022 4:01 pm

Sweet

Post by **Johnj** » Fri Aug 26, 2022 7:39 pm

Nice one. I'll follow along if you dont mind

Post by **WordenB** » Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:06 pm

Following along too, I hope to get this kit one day.

Post by **Mpfiend** » Sat Aug 27, 2022 9:30 am

Following with interest.
The paint scheme for this one looks like a challenge.

Post by **cor** » Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:28 am

I think a lot of those detail up parts are well overpriced. If you're into it, great, but like you say, you wont even see the forks. That's a cool bike, and like all those Tamiya bikes, will look awesome when complete.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:02 am

You do know the large scale build starts Sept 1.....

Very nice start with the engine parts and a wise choice hanging back on the fork upgrade.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:14 am

Morning all.

Welcome aboard one and all. I didn't know about the group build Digger, but I'm well into this one now. I do however want to build the soon to be released Ducati Superleggera V4 so might be able to build that one if the timings right.

I finished up the engine over the weekend, it's painted in a variety of Mr Hobby and Tamiya lacquers.

Other than that I've glued up the frame, rear seat/bodywork and the pit stand. I'm now waiting on some Mr Surfacer 1500 to arrive so I can get some more painting done, but will continue cleaning up parts and sub-assemblies in the meantime.

Post by **digger303** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 11:18 am

Engine looks terrific and your not even finished it.

Post by **cor** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 11:28 am

Nice clean work. Looks awesome.

Post by **WordenB** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:59 am

Excellent start Mr B, quality work as always.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 9:16 am

Cheers guys.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Sep 02, 2022 9:30 am

Morning all.

My plan had been to prime and paint all the body parts so they could be curing while I got on with other stuff. Unfortunately I found I was almost out of primer so didn't get very far. Instead I've been cleaning up parts while I wait for a delivery.

Of the parts I did manage to prime before I ran out I was pleased that I got the join on the mud guard filled first time. The under tray not so much, still had a couple of divots so that's had a second round of filler.

I'm hoping the new primer will arrive today or tomorrow so I can get on with some more painting.

Post by **Gary30** » Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:41 am

Lovely start! I've got this kit too and would echo the comments about the fork set on this one, I didn't see the value, so opted for the carbon fibre decal sheet instead, and a 3D printed chain from Fat Frog.

Looking forward to seeing you progress

Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:54 am

Morning all.

Got my backside in gear over the last couple of evenings and got some paint down.

First up is the frame, painted in Tamiya LP48 Sparkling Silver, which is a lovely colour, then masked off for the black bits. Still a bit of detail painting to be done, mostly at the rear end, although I'm not entirely happy with the front cowl so might knock that back and repaint.

Next up was the airbox and fuel tank, again a little detail painting to be done.

Swing arm next, yet more detail painting and some CF decals to be added.

And the pit stand. The gold on the other parts was so nice I decided to do this the same colour, especially as the other bits will be hidden when the build is complete.

With all that out of the way I then primed and painted all of the body panels in the Zero Paints colour correct silver. Hoping to get these masked and the blue painted tonight.

And just in time for that the masks and CF decals arrived. The kit does come with masks but they are not pre-cut, it was worth a fiver to me to get pre-cut masks for a better finish.

Post by **digger303** » Wed Sep 07, 2022 2:04 pm

Paint is going down flawlessly.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Sep 07, 2022 2:44 pm

Cheers Digger.

Yep, mostly all good other than a spit on the right side of the cowling so going to have to rub it back and re-paint.

Post by **Gary30** » Thu Sep 08, 2022 9:01 am

I've been singing the praises of LP-48 for YEARS now, it really is top notch!

Build is looking great, look forward to seeing how those carbon decals go down so I know what to expect when I tackle mine

Post by **Mpfiend** » Thu Sep 08, 2022 9:38 am

Nice work with the paint.
What "gold" colour did you use, it is a stunning colour.
I'm really looking forward to the updates on this build.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:52 pm

Cheers gents.

Gary, I'm hoping they will be ok. I used Studio 27 CF decals on the Kawasaki HE and they were fine.

Keith, the gold is Tamiya TS21.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 2:12 am

Bike kits have A LOT of paint call-outs especially on the engine, but boy do they look good once it all comes together
This is looking real good

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 9:13 am

Cheers Scott.

I was thinking the same last night, bike kits are mostly a variety of metals with some blacks and a little bit of colour on the fairings.

Speaking of which, how nice is this blue, even before gloss coat.

Post by **Mpfiend** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 9:42 am

MrBowcat wrote: Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:52 pm Cheers gents.

Keith, the gold is Tamiya TS21.

Thanks very much, did you spray it over a black base coat? it really is a stunning gold colour.
the body work looks amazing, that blue is really nice and will "pop" with the clear on it.
Keep up the excellent work.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:09 am

Cheers Keith.

Yes, a gloss black (Tamiya LP1) then a few thin coats of the TS21.

Post by **Mpfiend** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:28 am

MrBowcat wrote: Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:09 am Cheers Keith.
Yes, a gloss black (Tamiya LP1) then a few thin coats of the TS21.

Thanks again

Post by **digger303** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 2:27 am

The blue is really nice and I can see depth to it.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:35 pm

Afternoon all.

So I've spent a lot of time over the past week on decals. This was quite slow going for some of them as they were multi part and had to be matched up.

There were also quite a few CF decals for the frame, swing arm and cowl which proved to be a pain as they kept splitting. I find this strange as I used Studio 27 CF for the Kawasaki H2 Carbon and had no issues. Still, they look good when done.

And I had around 20 screw/bolt head decals to install which take an age to lay over the hemispherical bumps on the kit.

I'm going to leave that all a couple of days then get the gloss coat down. In the meantime it's back to sticking other bits together.

Post by **DRUMS01** » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:47 am

Absolutely love the paint scheme. Good work all around on this one.

Ben / DRUMS01

Post by **Mpfiend** » Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:10 am

Cracking job on the decals and paint.
All the hard work was really worth it.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Sep 23, 2022 12:28 pm

Cheers guys.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:34 am

Morning all.

Another weekend of painting and decals.

Wheels up first, annoying seam around all the spokes which was tricky to get to the corners of.

Swing arm is now complete, just need to get the chain painted then the engine and swing arm can get attached to the frame

A load more CF parts. I had slightly less problems with these by using hotter water to soften the decals before application, but some of the smaller parts still required liberal use of setting solution and hot air to conform. The part on the left (which I think is a tire/brake cooling duct) alone was 10 separate parts and took an age.

And some miscellaneous other bits that I painted while I had the booth running.

Post by **cor** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:40 am

That be some nice work.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Sep 28, 2022 9:15 am

Morning all.

Progress has been made and I now have something that's starting to resemble a motorcycle.

Rear end was completed first.

Then attached to the frame along with the engine.

The body panels are already done (other than gloss coat), exhaust and radiator are painted, just needing some additional detail painting, so I guess it's on to the forks next.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Sep 28, 2022 6:52 pm

Oh that looks great!!!!
Keep plugging away at her
Making me want to build a bike again

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed Sep 28, 2022 8:41 pm

Fantastic so far!! Loving the progress!

Post by **Mpfiend** » Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:17 am

That's looking very sharp.

Post by **cor** » Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:32 am

Gee thats some nice work.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:59 pm

Cheers all.

Post by **digger303** » Fri Sep 30, 2022 12:59 am

Some slick work happening here.

Post by **WordenB** » Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:04 am

Lovely job Mr B, nice to be putting some bits together after all the painting and decals.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:44 am

Cheers guys.

I've been detailing the exhaust and radiator the last couple of evenings so should get those on this weekend. Also hoping to get the gloss down on the bodywork.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Mon Oct 03, 2022 9:16 am

Morning all.

Only a little bit of progress this weekend, I was out of the house for most of it.

Got some more CF done, as usual this took ages, particularly the front splitter/aero wing which alone was 12 seperate decals.

And finished up and fitted the exhaust, radiator and associated plumbing.

I've started cleaning up the forks, brakes & callipers and will have them in paint shortly.

Post by **digger303** » Mon Oct 03, 2022 12:00 pm

Post by **pg265** » Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:39 pm

Hi,

Beatiful build!

Pascal

Post by **MrBowcat** » Wed Oct 05, 2022 9:31 am

Cheers guys.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Thu Oct 06, 2022 2:27 pm

Afternoon all.

Another post, another load of carbon fibre parts.

Thankfully this is almost all the CF, there's just a few parts left for the handlebars.

Also got the front wheel and shocks done, just painting the handle bars now so should be able to get the front end on shortly.

Post by **digger303** » Fri Oct 07, 2022 12:52 am

Those carbon fibre decals look sweet and I can't see a join anywhere.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Fri Oct 07, 2022 9:35 am

Cheers Digger.

They blend in pretty well, the trick is getting the weave to line up.

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 8:10 pm

Great work on your bike, the tyres look so realistic!

Post by **MrBowcat** » Tue Oct 11, 2022 12:58 pm

Afternoon all.

Almost completed this one. Finished putting the front end together and installed.

And got the rear end/seat fitted along with various covers, foot pegs, etc.

Just the rest of the bodywork to go on and I'll stick pics in the gallery.