Tamiya Yamaha YZF-R1 1/12th Scale, my first bike build

[FuzzSquad]

Hi there folks, I normally build aircraft, mostly civilian with the odd fighter thrown in.
For a change of scene I decided to try my hand at one of Tamiya's 1/12th scale bikes. As its my first one it is basically a straight out the box build. I am using all Tamiya Acrylics on this one, and this will be my first build using an airbrush. I bought a cheapo airbrush, but that found its way into the bin very quickly, it was cheap for a reason. I then bought myself a Iwata Rev CR, I'm loving it. Anyway enough of my wittering on.
Hope you like it.



I've never been a fan of this fake chrome, now I've since learned how to get round this without stripping the chrome, but I stripped it this time.


Literally 5 mins in a bath of cheap household bleach and all the chrome was off. I then primed it, painted in semi gloss black, then went over it with Tamiya Flat Aluminium, now it didn't turn out as well as in my head, but I've put up with it, because at that time I wasn't to sure the best way to strip it back off. I don't think the Tamiya paint was the best for this, I've since bought some Vallejo Model Air Aluminium which is a far better colour.



Before that photo was taken I had built up the engine, which I think turned out OK. This was my first attempt at a wash, again I made a couple of mistakes, but overall I'm quite happy with it.





Thanks for looking

[FuzzSquad]

Next up was the rear subframe, which again fitted together easily. The only thing I did was in the instructions it stated that you had to fit the chain and rear sprocket during the subframe assembly, I decided this would be a pain, so I did what all the other bike kits I've seen so far, I cut the chain just prior to the rear sprocket, I fitted this later.
Also I painted the remainder of the chain guard after this photo was taken.


The rear brake caliper


The rear suspension which is tiny, by this time I was getting the hand of the washes I think


The rear sprocket and chain


The rear wheel, tyre and brake disc all mounted. This was my first attempt at drilling those little pesky holes in the brake disc.


The rear subframe all completed, the only real issue was that the suspension should have been inserted into its slot during the assembly of the subframe but I left it out as I was painting the subframe, which was almost a mistake....

[FuzzSquad]

Next up was attaching the subframe assembly to the bike which went together easily.

[FuzzSquad]

I then painted and built up the front wheel, mud guard and suspension, for some reason like all my builds I take a multitude of photos at the start of the build but as the build goes on I take less and less.
Anyway spot the mistake, which resulted in a frantic couple of minutes taking apart the suspension to put the part on the right way......Yep the bottom steering yoke (I think that's what it's called) is upside down....doh...



Next up was the exhaust, this was my first attempt at heat staining, I was pleased with the result, which hopefully has turned out ok. I did try my hand at the fake carbon fibre look using a pair of tights, this didn't go that well, so back to plan A, I used the decals, which surprisingly when on without any trouble.







Again I hope you like it so far

[trekfanj]

Looking great so far!
Personally I like how the Tamiya aluminum looks, but that's just me. I just may pick up one of these bike kits; the finished results always look impressive.
Keep up the great work!

[FuzzSquad]

Then onto attaching the front suspension, one bolt and it was on, being so careful not to over tighten it. It's beginning to look like a bike now.





I then painted the radiator Tamiya Metalic grey, with the end plates Tamiya Semi Gloss Black, I then gave the fronts of the radiator a wash which I think turned out quite well







Again I hope your liking it so far.

[FuzzSquad]

Looking great so far!
Personally I like how the Tamiya aluminum looks, but that's just me. I just may pick up one of these bike kits; the finished results always look impressive.
Keep up the great work!

Cheers Jarod, I was going to do a bike kit for ages, but never got round to it, unfortunately I've a lot of time on my hands at the moment, as I suffered a serious knee injury at work well over a year ago, 2 ops down and waiting for a 3rd, so this model building lark keeps my mind of it, and helps me pass the time.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awsome stuff
Looks like Paul's "bike fever" is spreading...and that is a good thing
Everything looks great to me, nice work so far so good

[Paul]

Thats a great build so far, why not enter it into our car/bike group build, would you like me to move your thread into the gb section?

[FuzzSquad]

Paul yeh put it there, it was after I put the post up, that I saw the group build section

[FuzzSquad]

Now on with the main bodywork parts, first up was the main tank seat section which was painted Tamiya White, over which I laid several coats of Alclad2 ALC600 Aqua Gloss, although this stuff looks like the latest brand of Johnston's Kleer, I think I goes on far better and is much easier to work with.
I sprayed the seats Tamiya Red, then coated them with W&N Galeria Matt Varnish, this stuff is ok, but is not Matt enough for me, so I'm on the lookout for something else if anybody has any suggestions.
Again I hope you like it.







Next up was the tiny fuel cap, which was painted Tamiya Metalic Grey, and Aluminium, the given a wash, and finally a coat of Galeria Matt.

[FuzzSquad]

Then it was onto the handle bars and various piping, for the piping I insert a smaller piece of metal jewellery wire, this makes them much more easier to work with and actually stay where you want them too

[FuzzSquad]

Up next was the front windscreen and front area of the bike, again not being a biker I have refered to this as the canopy in the past.
The only thing I used the Kleer for was the glass part, which I then attached using 560 Canopy Glue, which although took ages to dry was well worth it.
Another thing I did, was I felt the chrome light section was way to shiny and false looking, I then gave it a very light wash, just enough to discolour the chrome. The only parts still to add to it, is the small Carbon areas, just where the canopy meets the side panels, I'll do this later in order that they match up with no gaps.



Then it was onto the side panels, this was painting attempt No.2, as me being me didn't wait long enough for the white to dry the first time, I then masked and painted the red wrecking the white paint. So it was all stripped off, re-painted and decals applied.
I've still to put down the Aqua Clear, but I will get round to it tonight.



Well that's it so far, and again guys cheers for the comments, I'm glad you like it.


Any again I hope you like it.

[FuzzSquad]

Next up was the indicators, now I could have went ahead and painted the clear lenses orange, but not being a fan of the bright orange indicator look, I thought I would try something different.
I painted the part where the lense attaches too on the light pod, silver then orange, I then attached the clear lense, this gives it a different appearance, and I think it looks alright.
Hope you like it.



Well I spent the rest of the day attaching all the bits and bobs to the frame of the bike and that's it finished. I'll post up the pics on the finished section. Well at least I think that's where they should go.
Cheers and thanks for watching

[FuzzSquad]

Thanks for moving the thread Paul. Cheers