Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R (RC30)

[FZ6]

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR750R (RC30)

 

For my first bike build I am going to build Tamiya's Iconic 1:12 Honda VFR 750R (RC30).Released in 1987 in Japan by Honda's Racing arm and going on to win the 1988 World Superbikes Championship, the Honda (RC30) was sold in limited numbers and coupled with the fact it was raced and popular with riders means that today original bikes in good condition are rare and highly collectable. Sadly I can't afford a real one but fortunately Tamiya make a lovely little kit.

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

This is my first attempt at making a bike in this scale and presents new challenges to the usual aircraft I build. My first task was to assemble a jig to hold the bike as I wanted a way of holding the bike while I painted it and added detail. The stand is made from brass square tubing and is adjustable for different bikes as I have since purchased more kits. The Jig is designed to connect the swing arm and the head-stock. I may make a few tweaks as construction progresses

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

Once the frame was assembled I realised that the frame was it was box like and not hollow like the kit portrays it. I decided to fill it with Milliput and sand it flush with the rear of the frame. I wish I had done this before assembling the frame as it would have been much easier. It was hard work but looks a lot better once cleaned up.  I then attached the frame to the jig. The swing arm pin and a piece of wire insulation hold the frame in

place.

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

A missing cross member I spotted in photos of the real bike was added using plastic rod with green stuff being used to represent the weld seams. The frame is now ready for cleaning up and a coat of primer.

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

While I had the filler out I assembled the rear fairing and the engine and applied filler to spots where required. I also boxed in the underside of the battery tray for extra realism.

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

The kit is older than some of the more recent Tamiya kits and the inside of forks and the swing are are hollowed our (probably to reduce the chances of sinkmarks) so more filler is required and plenty of it!

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

The exhaust can fit as one piece which will save trying to glue pipes once painted so I can get them cleaned up now.

 

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

The final shot shows how easy it is to test fit items like the rear fairing.

Tamiya 1:12 Honda VFR 750R by Mark Maclean, on Flickr

 

I hope people find this of interest and if anyone has any hints or tips I am all ears as this is my first bike build

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Mark

 

Edited November 7, 2017 by FZ6
Photos moved from photobucket

[Dr. Fiat]

Very nice jig you've built!! When someone spends a good bit of time making a detailed support structure for their model, it only follows that the build will be just as detailed and well-executed.  Looking forward to the work!!!

 

Darin

[Mpfiend]

Nice Progress Mark,

I'm watching with interest, I really like the frame you have produced, will this design hold the larger 1/6 models?

 

Best Regards

 

Keith

[Steve Noble]

Nice start. I'm watching with interest. Take care when painting the dark blue on the seat unit and get the line perfect, otherwise it shows through the red of the decal..

[FZ6]

16 hours ago, Dr. Fiat said:

Very nice jig you've built!! When someone spends a good bit of time making a detailed support structure for their model, it only follows that the build will be just as detailed and well-executed.  Looking forward to the work!!!

 

Darin

 

Thanks Darin,

 

I hope I live up to your expectation. The jig should be usable for future bikes as well.

 

11 hours ago, Mpfiend said:

Nice Progress Mark,

I'm watching with interest, I really like the frame you have produced, will this design hold the larger 1/6 models?

 

Best Regards

 

Keith

 

Keith,

I'm sure if the design was scaled up it would hold a 1:6 Bike. You could reinforce the joints for extra strength if necessary. I'm thinking of desoldering the stand the headstock is attached to and having it at a similar angle to the forks so there is less chance of it fouling the fairing.

 

10 hours ago, Steve Noble said:

Nice start. I'm watching with interest. Take care when painting the dark blue on the seat unit and get the line perfect, otherwise it shows through the red of the decal..

 

Thanks for the advice Steve, I'll bear that in mind when it comes to painting.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

 

[FZ6]

Just a quick update but no photos. Ive primed the  frame and some of the components and have a bit of further cleaning up and ghost seam lines to get rid of before I progress further.

 

I've found a gold mine for anyone wishing to super detail one of these.

 

Here is a parts breakdown.

https://www.bike-parts-honda.com/moto-honda-identification-VFR750RJ-10295.html

 

One thing I'm considering is adding some detail to the upper side of the rear fairing as the tool kit is stowed there but it's only worth adding if I intend to remove the rear fairing.

 

Do other bike modellers remove the fairings occasionally or do they stay on once the model is complete?

 

Regards,

 

Mark

 

 

[Fazer]

Mark, Nice starting point of an 'oldie but goody' Honda....a great idea for the base frame...I will copy that!!!

Looking forward to the updates....

Mark D