Global Scale Modeller

I've gotten into the habit of keeping two builds going at once. I've been working on this Suzuki while waiting for paint and decals on my other current build, the 1/12 Tyrrell P34 from Tamiya. I find it keeps me more engaged in the whole process and I keep bouncing back and forth with little ideas I pick up on either one.






This is my first motorcycle kit and I must say, I'm enjoying it immensely. If they're all as enjoyable and engaging as this, I can see myself doing more in the future.

Nice paint

Thank you!

A couple more pictures; it's been rainy all day here.

That's looking very nice

Lovely work, Tamiya bike kits are up there with the very best for me, they take a lot of work, but the engineering is usually top notch and they're very rewarding and satisfying to put together

Looking great, Marco!! The detail on the clutch is fantastic!

I'll be following along for sure, as I've got two in the stash and can't wait to see yours done.

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. I started into the decals in earnest this morning and, as forewarned and expected, they are a real challenge. Part of the reason I chose to build this kit was to practice more on decals and detail painting and it has not disappointed!



Anyway, apart from some small glitches, so far so good.

Decals over the vents of bike fairings are a nightmare

I've been making slow but steady progress. I'm currently working at trying some CF decals on the cowl winglets and it's been nerve wracking. It's my first time with CF and I can't say it's love at first sight. I'm hoping that like so many other aspects of building models, it'll get easier with more practice.

Nerve wracking or not your killing it.

Are you using a strong decal softener and padding the decals on around the details?

cor wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 2:47 am Are you using a strong decal softener and padding the decals on around the details?

Yes indeed. Also using a little heat from a hair dryer set on low. Other than my clumsy hands it seems to be working well.

I still need to clear coat the final decal placements, but I'm essentially done. My dilemma now is whether to put on the side cowls and hide all that work or not. As much as I want to see it all buttoned up, I'm really loathe to conceal all that effort.

marcowine wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:38 pm




I still need to clear coat the final decal placements, but I'm essentially done. My dilemma now is whether to put on the side cowls and hide all that work or not. As much as I want to see it all buttoned up, I'm really loathe to conceal all that effort.

Maybe fit the cowls on one side and leave the other open??

Excellent

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 10:44 pm

marcowine wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:38 pm




I still need to clear coat the final decal placements, but I'm essentially done. My dilemma now is whether to put on the side cowls and hide all that work or not. As much as I want to see it all buttoned up, I'm really loathe to conceal all that effort.

Maybe fit the cowls on one side and leave the other open??

Thanks. That's kind of what I'm leaning toward at the moment.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 11:05 pm Excellent

Thank you

The modellers dilemma...

If you cover it, at least you know what's behind the fairing. Great work, it looks fantastic.

marcowine wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 11:26 pm

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 10:44 pm

marcowine wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:38 pm




I still need to clear coat the final decal placements, but I'm essentially done. My dilemma now is whether to put on the side cowls and hide all that work or not. As much as I want to see it all buttoned up, I'm really loathe to conceal all that effort.

Maybe fit the cowls on one side and leave the other open??

Thanks. That's kind of what I'm leaning toward at the moment.

Along these lines, I did tiny rare earth magnets on a Ducati that let you take the fairings on and off
Not too hard. There are 1mm or less magnets online

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2026 2:43 am

marcowine wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 11:26 pm

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 10:44 pm

Maybe fit the cowls on one side and leave the other open??

Thanks. That's kind of what I'm leaning toward at the moment.

Along these lines, I did tiny rare earth magnets on a Ducati that let you take the fairings on and off
Not too hard. There are 1mm or less magnets online

Ooh, I like that idea! I'll look into it. Great build and video, by the way. I just ordered that kit myself. If it turns out half as nice as yours I'd be thrilled.

Thanks, Scott

You are certainly welcome
I am pretty sure there is a build thread on here for that where I show exactly how the magnets were used
“Ducati Buddy build “

Cracking work. Never built a bike but I can certainly appreciate the skill.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2026 3:21 am
You are certainly welcome
I am pretty sure there is a build thread on here for that where I show exactly how the magnets were used
“Ducati Buddy build “

Awesome. I'll search for it.

Thanks

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2026 12:57 pm Cracking work. Never built a bike but I can certainly appreciate the skill.

Thank you. It was my first motorcycle, but it will not be my last. It was super fun to put together.

I don't know what's better
The Ducati or the video production.

cor wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2026 3:28 am I don't know what's better
The Ducati or the video production.

Thank you, mate

I didn’t mean to steal any thunder from Marcowine’s awesome bike
My apologies

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2026 3:32 am

cor wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2026 3:28 am I don't know what's better
The Ducati or the video production.

Thank you, mate

I didn’t mean to steal any thunder from Marcowine’s awesome bike
My apologies

None needed. Credit where credit is due, and it very much is.

I'm calling this done for now while still exploring how to use magnets to secure the side cowls for easy on/off. In the meantime, I've decided to just leave one side off and one on.

Awesome result!

That is a total stunner of a build! And a great idea leaving one side off.

Thank you both. I appreciate it.

Beautiful work and nice pics to finish off.

Stokesy44 wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 8:08 am Beautiful work and nice pics to finish off.

Thank you

digger303 wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:19 pm

Thank you