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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