Forthcoming Tamiya 1/6 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo

Post by **Colin** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:47 am

First look at the 1/6 all new tool motorcycle kit from Tamiya coming out in November so perhaps in time for Christmas in most country's?

Do check out all the pictures, looks like it will be stunning, all those individual cylinder fins that you just know will fit perfectly, even a tool kit to assemble!

http://www.hlj.com/product/tam16041

I hope they do more in 1/6 scale now, but *ouch* at the price.

Post by **Paul** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:19 am

That looks like it'll be a great kit, looks mean with that Matt paintwork too

Post by **Colin** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:14 am

I'm really looking forward to this one, will buy as soon as its out and start immediately and post progress here bench clear or not.

I'd better get moving with my part builds

Post by **Paul** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:15 am

Colin wrote:I'm really looking forward to this one, will buy as soon as its out and start immediately and post progress here bench clear or not.

I'd better get moving with my part builds

Look forward to it mate

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:02 pm

Whoa..!!!!

Sweet... Me too. Wow Colin that is beautiful man.

Crap look at that thing.

Post by **DC87** » Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:31 pm

Lovely looking beauty - going to have to try my hand at a bike kit when this comes out, if I get a pay rise that is.

Post by **Colin** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:07 am

Its a beauty aint it, was studying the sprue shots again just now and its seems many parts are absent, like petrol tank (gas tank

), seat, tyres and more, also read that this release would only tentatively be shown at the very recent Tokyo model show, probably where those pics were taken? ... so I gather this kit still needs a bit more work and a November release may slip, hopefully you guys can take some pics at the Telford show if you are going and see this pre-release build there for me

I dont know how Hobbylink get their scoop on new releases? but they consistently do, and often show new kits like the Tamiya 1/32 Mustang/Corsair before Tamiya themselves even announce them.

Still buying as soon as its available though and I reckon that matt black finish will be not so easy to pull off unblemished, but it would be no fun without a challenge either.

Cant wait

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:59 am

Ill be ordering one next month, my birthday is late November so I'm calling it a birthday present to myself.

There is some video on hlj's website/YouTube

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:11 pm

Are any other brave fellas going to build this pretty lady up here on the forum.
We could certainly use something other that a flyer, floater, warper, or a crawler build.
Something new is always exciting.
She's gorgeous.
I'd love to see this build.

It would be one hell of a buddy build.

Post by **Colin** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:46 am

WebbyNZ wrote:Ill be ordering one next month, my birthday is late November so I'm calling it a birthday present to myself.

There is some video on hlj's website/YouTube

Out of interest, where will you be ordering it from Webby? I've never ordered from HLj before but I think some guys from UK ordered the Tamiya Corsair from there and it arrived before they got imported into this country officially?

Was looking at that video and it does look very smart, also noted it has Tamiya extra's like aluminium turned exhausts, bet that wont be cheap!!

**My youtube channel** · Post by **Darkblade88** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:19 pm

Colin wrote: Was looking at that video and it does look very smart, also noted it has Tamiya extra's like aluminium turned exhausts, bet that wont be cheap!!

It will be about £106 without shipping not cheep depending on you definition of cheep. I felt like doing this

when I saw the price

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:36 am

Colin wrote:
WebbyNZ wrote:Ill be ordering one next month, my birthday is late November so I'm calling it a birthday present to myself.

There is some video on hlj's website/YouTube
Out of interest, where will you be ordering it from Webby? I've never ordered from HLj before but I think some guys from UK ordered the Tamiya Corsair from there and it arrived before they got imported into this country officially?

Was looking at that video and it does look very smart, also noted it has Tamiya extra's like aluminium turned exhausts, bet that wont be cheap!!

Most likley from HLJ unless I find it cheaper but they are generally the cheapest once shipping and exchange rates are taken into consideration.
I use their private warehouse system to buy what i want then slectivley ship to make sure i get the maximum amount plastic to a box

If i ordered today it would be NZ$206 excl shipping which with a box of other stuff would be about NZ$50 in shipping, which ma sound like a lot but when local hobby shops here are asking NZ$60-$80 for an old 1/12 Tamiya bike / NZ$90 for the Tamiya BRZ / NZ$160 for the new Tamiya 1/32 Corsair it is pretty reasonable.

Post by **Colin** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:07 am

WebbyNZ wrote:
Colin wrote:
WebbyNZ wrote:Ill be ordering one next month, my birthday is late November so I'm calling it a birthday present to myself.

There is some video on hlj's website/YouTube
Out of interest, where will you be ordering it from Webby? I've never ordered from HLj before but I think some guys from UK ordered the Tamiya Corsair from there and it arrived before they got imported into this country officially?

Was looking at that video and it does look very smart, also noted it has Tamiya extra's like aluminium turned exhausts, bet that wont be cheap!!
Most likley from HLJ unless I find it cheaper but they are generally the cheapest once shipping and exchange rates are taken into consideration.
I use their private warehouse system to buy what i want then slectivley ship to make sure i get the maximum amount plastic to a box

If i ordered today it would be NZ$206 excl shipping which with a box of other stuff would be about NZ$50 in shipping, which ma sound like a lot but when local hobby shops here are asking NZ$60-$80 for an old 1/12 Tamiya bike / NZ$90 for the Tamiya BRZ / NZ$160 for the new Tamiya 1/32 Corsair it is pretty reasonable.

Thanks, I'll most likely order from HLJ for this kit too this time and try add some other stuff to make the postage worthwhile (I already do this in UK shops anyway) would like to add the official Tamiya extra of aluminium exhaust ETC at same time too, but in my experience these extra's are not released until a month or so after the kit they are designed for, we'll see. I'll take my chances with our Customs too, have ordered else where from far east and been lucky so far, so hopefully for this kit too *fingers crossed*

And on a Motorcycling note, I'll be settling in today to watch Live MotoGP and World Superbikes

Post by **keith** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:51 pm

Would like to have a go but its way out of my price range

Post by **Colin** » Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:57 pm

Darkblade88 wrote:
Colin wrote: Was looking at that video and it does look very smart, also noted it has Tamiya extra's like aluminium turned exhausts, bet that wont be cheap!!
It will be about £106 without shipping not cheep depending on you definition of cheep. I felt like doing this when I saw the price

Wonderland Models in Edinburgh UK reckon they will have it in stock in 3 days time on Sunday? I doubt that very much, I've seen them pluck release dates out of thin air before

but their price is £179.99 and that's with 10% off from £199 same as what Hannants are pricing it at too, they don't have a UK release date yet though, I didn't think it would go for as low as £106 by the time it got to the UK mate, imagined about £150 ... but ouch!!!

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/product ... at-boy-lo/

Was going to buy straight away but think I'll hold off until nearer Christmas, definitely still want one and see what pricing discount strategy's may or may not happen in UK for it at that time? if its still that expensive will purchase from far east, bought a few aircraft kits that way this past month and all slipped through the UK customs net saving me quite a bit.

I'm guessing the afore mentioned turned aluminium exhausts option will cost at least another £50 when it gets released!

It really does look very special though and as a Biker I'm not a massive Harley fan.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:04 pm

Exchange rate is good for me at the moment so I'm crossing whatever is appropriate that it releases before our dollar drops again

Post by **JayCub** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:53 pm

Works out 126 euro, but it would be one fabulous model kit... im not a bike person but that looks sublime.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:15 am

With current rate it looks to be under $200nz but I just found a local supplier taking preorders for $485nz.
They do give an estimated date of 29 november

Post by **Colin** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:34 pm

Just called Wonderland and they admitted Sunday 10th (this weekend) was a guesstimate, probably wont be out in the UK until early mid December I'm guessing here? we are always the last to get new Tamiya releases

I'll leave it another couple of weeks I think and order/pre-order then.

If you get yours first Webby please post up an un-boxing here, if I get mine first I'll do same.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:02 pm

Colin wrote:
If you get yours first Webby please post up an un-boxing here, if I get mine first I'll do same.

Deal. I keep hinting the wife should chip in and then she knows I will get a birthday present I want

5 hour drive coming up so that's plenty of time to convince her I should do the pre order when we get home.

Post by **Colin** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:17 pm

Sounds like a plan

Post by **Colin** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:52 pm

Tamiya have this on their main site as a December release now, hope to have it for Christmas here.

Did anyone who was at Telford see anything about this kit on the Tamiya stand if they had one?

On their Japanese site they seem to have a few more details if anyone can read the language

but those official extras look expensive too!

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/16041/index.htm

Post by **Colin** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:11 pm

Found the first one for sale on a Hong Kong Ebay shop for £137 delivered to UK so ordered it, that's a lot better price than Hannants and Wonderland who are asking for £175 when its available, I'll take delivery between 18th of December and 8th of January apparently ... hope it slips through customs OK, have dealt with these guys before so no worries there.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-16041- ... 1228151053

Post by **Paul** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:16 pm

Fingers crossed there's no charges Colin look forward to seeing what's in the box too

Post by **Colin** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 6:12 am

Thanks Paul, I'll certainly post an unboxing here if Webby does not do it first, his location is nearer for early delivery:)

This will be my Christmas present to myself and last kit purchase this year for sure ... I've been going way overboard recently and need to take stock of finances and stash too.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:54 am

I was hoping it would be in stock for hlj's Black Friday/cyber Monday sale but it now has a back order status now.
So yes I did buy other stuff, but I'll wait for the kit there or elsewhere and defiantly keep an eye on that eBay site.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 8:59 pm

Its in stock
http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM16041/Aut

and will be about $10-$15 cheaper via HLJ assuming I ship it alone, but as I already have stuff in my private warehouse that will help the savings.
not that i can add a lot more as NZ customs get interested once it passes $300NZ and the bike alone is 2/3rds of that.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:03 am

Update
Has been purchased and ready to ship. Hoping to see the shipping notice in the next day which means its about a week away from my door.

Post by **Colin** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:08 am

Looks like yours will arrive first Webby, mine was posted a few days ago but will take about two weeks at least, I don't think the Tamiya extras are out for the kit yet, they seem to consist of steel discs, aluminium exhausts and etch fasteners, a good proportion of the kit could be started without them though I guess? I do intend to get those extras too though.

I notice Tamiya recommend their own metal primer for use in this kit, don't think they sell that in the UK? but I'm sure there will be an alternative.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:49 am

I'll see whats in the kit before i make any decisions about aftermarket as they look pricey and im sure the 3rd party companies will be onto this sooner rather than later.

Post by **Colin** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:02 pm

WebbyNZ wrote:I'll see whats in the kit before i make any decisions about aftermarket as they look pricey and im sure the 3rd party companies will be onto this sooner rather than later.

Yep, good call on waiting to see what's in the box first, don't think anyone will be making any extras for this though? especially as Tamiya are producing some that would eat into any potential after-market sales.

I have four of their 1/6 Bike kits already and never seen any extras for them and those moulds and engineering go back between 16 and 25 years and could really use them ... for sure extras are available for their 1/12 Bikes and I have dozens of those along with very expensive extras for them, but we'll see

Looking forward to this kit very much

Post by **Colin** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 8:27 pm

Just been looking at what details I can find, for what will be my kit of the year, just look at the detailed leather saddle stitching in this picture and it looks like Tamiya are dropping the over scale hexagonal screws to bolt some Bike parts together ... that and universal tubing for scale wiring and leads always looked off to me in their Bike kits.

Even the texture of the seat leather looks right here.

This is going to be one of their benchmark kits in improvements for this genre ... I know it

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:27 am

Well, it arrived today and my word the box is not small.
it was the source of much interest at work and everyone was impressed with things like the leather look seats, the multiple size spanners, the multi part working front suspension etc.

I'll get some pics and upload them tomorrow night.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:38 am

That looks like a beauty of a bike.
Wish I had the skill take on one of those projects

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:44 am

NAMBiohazard wrote:That looks like a beauty of a bike.
Wish I had the skill take on one of those projects

I think the quality of the kits will hide a number of sins.
and my early new years resolution is to build the kits I want and not to put them off like I have in the past due to the fear of not doing a good enough job.
I figure I can always buy another one (this bike may not b best example of that) and if I really wanna build the kit then I'm more likely to take my time and put more effort into it.

I'll quote and Extreme song 'I ain't ever seen a uhaul being towed behind a herse' so we may as well have the most fun w this hobby while we can.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:26 pm

We NEED a review of this buddy!

Post by **Colin** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:31 pm

Look forward to seeing your pictures Webby, glad your first impressions are good and hope my kit arrives soon

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:52 am

Ok
I have photo's (cd added to gibe you some idea how massive this thing is.)
Colin, you man wanna look away now unless ya postman likes being followed each day till it arrives

The box is epic

and has some nice pics on the side, sadly none of the finished kit.

everything is nicely packed with a divider and almost all frames in their own bags to help protect against the staples Tamiya are infamous for

The divider holds the hoses, belt, metal handlebars and tools that need a toolbox of their own as there are so many, or a great addition to a diorama.

The tyres are bigger than some entire kits that i have built

The soft plastic parts actually look reasonable leather like.

More parts

Some nice darker chrome parts and nice placement of the sprues mean you could probably get away without repainting these (like we would do that)

and the headlight is great

Wheels

Main engine block

Swing arm

Frame, huge, could almost put a 1/12 scale bike inside it

Engine parts

More chromed parts, the finish is sooooo much better than the cold chrome we used to get in the 80's

Nicely detailed Harley badges

Tank and fenders

Parts, yup this has a lot of them

Discs and indicator lenses

Not many decals on this one

More tools and metal parts. The foam goes inside the tires.

Other side of the metal parts bags. Gonna need a decent tray to keep all these in

Nice blurb about the bike

The tools you need and how to use them. If you need this should you really be handling glue and hobby knives?

An actual battery goes in the battery box, even though it will be near impossible to see one assembled

The now famous assembly of the engine cooling fins. These are gonna be fun to paint :-/

Functioning front suspension.

List of the replacement parts if needed and note the page number, yup 32

So, my overall impressions. WOW. Tamiya once again knock it out of the proverbial park and rightfully so at this price.
What would I like to have seen, well some photoetch gauges etc would be nice but that's why they wanna sell the 'detail-up' set.
I would also have liked some colour reference photos like they have been doing with their 32nd scale aircraft recently.

Is it worth the money, I say yes. It cost me just over NZ$200 to reach my clammy hands

but considering a 10 year old 1/12 scale racing bike by Tamiya will set you back $50-$80 here then it is quite fair but like I said, a little photo etch and some colour pics would have just added to the "wow, that's cool" factor.

Post by **Paul** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:09 am

Yeah that looks an awesome kit, when do you plan to build it?

Post by **Colin** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:25 am

Thanks for posting up the pics Webby, like the idea of the foam infill's for the tyres to keep them firm ... That's a first on their 1/6 Bike kits.

I learned last night mine arrived in the UK on Monday and status says something like ... waiting for Customs to clear, hope that does not mean I'm gonna be stung? even if I am it will work out cheaper than buying one officially imported.

Like Paul says ... when do you plan to start?

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:54 am

Im gonna wait and see the reviews and price on the detail set when its finally released to retailers hands.
I thought about starting over xmas but i think ill leave it till im back at work and I can book out some weekends to work on it and in the meantime clear the backlog of four nearly finished kits.

Post by **Colin** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:45 am

While waiting for mine to arrive was doing some surfing to see if the official Tamiya extra's for this kit are out yet ... seems not, but came across this that would look great displayed next to the finished Bike

I'm not sure if this is the correct type of Harley Arnold rode in Terminator 2? but that would not put me off, does anyone have any experience of these figures and or buying from this company or even know if it can be bought elsewhere?

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... G-KAI-4625

Its the guts of £150, that's more than the Bike cost me, but looks absolutely amazing, always wanted to try figures as well!

Arnold must be about 6 foot tall, so this model would be about a foot high.

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:52 am

Can't go wrong with Hot Toys. They make some amazing 'collectibles' with realistic scans and clothes quality.

The bike in the Terminator was an Indian http://www.erelyx.com/blog/article/tag/zlatoust/

But it was a fatboy in T2 http://www.starcarstn.com/T2_Harley.html
an FLSTF http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 329AACaevM

Tamiya do make one (http://www.scalemates.com/products/prod ... ?id=128202)
But this isnt it sadly, pretty close though, a Harley fan may be able to tell the difference but most people would not be able to tell the difference once a Arnie figure was stood beside it.

Post by **Colin** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:22 pm

Cheers Webby ... pretty sure the Bike in the first Terminator film was a Honda 750 four cafe racer despite what that website says though? I used to have the later F2 model of that Bike, it was the last of the single cam Honda 750 fours and the next Bike I bought after that was the first of the new gen Honda double over head cam 16 valve models ... I'll watch the film again tonight, been a while since I've seen it.

I'll give that Arnold figure some serious consideration once I've finished the Tamiya kit, it sure would make a nice display as I'm a bit of a cinema buff too

Just been off the phone to Customs and Parcel Farce after seeing this on my online tracking ...

13-12-2013 10:45 National Hub Received and processed
13-12-2013 02:36 International Hub Forwarded for UK processing
13-12-2013 02:33 International Hub Revised charges to be paid
12-12-2013 12:10 International Hub Awaiting Customs Charging
09-12-2013 08:28 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
09-12-2013 08:27 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
09-12-2013 08:16 International Hub Received in destination country
05-12-2013 09:11 Delivery Agent - HONG KONG - PTT Forwarded for export
03-12-2013 16:56 Delivery Agent - HONG KONG Collected from customer

I've finally been stung by Customs after getting away with dozens of big kits from the far East, lady told me total I'll need to pay is £15.95, so not so bad and still a massive saving, kit is on its it way to Inverness as I type, so should have it early next week

Just checked before clicking post, it is a Honda CB750 four Arnold rode in the first film, funnily enough Tamiya make one of those in 1/6 scale too, its a really old kit though and not up to the quality of their newer stuff.

http://www.lisashea.com/motorcycle/movi ... arnie.html

[youtube]hnMn3ct3FFI[/youtube]

Post by **Colin** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:05 pm

Finally, mine did arrive a couple of days back there after paying a small (and my first ever) customs £15 ish fee first, still big saving though, just wanted it to be here before Christmas really.

Had to have a quick peek in the box to make sure all arrived OK from Hong Kong (quite quickly I might add) and it did ... but my oh my it is so sublime, this is right up there with Tamiya's best engineering ever, even in 1/32 Aircraft and more.

Webby's already posted up some good teaser shots of the sprues, but I will be making a start on this kit in new year and posting progress here ... its been a while since I did an online build anywhere, but this has to be the one I do again ... its a fantastic kit and well worth the price if you like this kinda thing IMHO.

Here it is in my stash of other Bike kits waiting to be built, but its not getting pulled out again until mid January as first 2014 build for me ... I'll worry about its aftermarket later if I bother at all, the stock kit parts look so seriously good.

The Tomcat box on top contains my 1/12 spares and decal add ons ETC

Post by **Paul** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:10 pm

That's a brilliant bike collection Colin