Search the Community

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

Hi all, well I have given these bad boys a winter service and they are in hibernation until the spring. "Let the good times roll" LOL! Having completed all three of these builds, I thought it would be cool to see them all together, enjoy the photos.

Hi all, this is the final reveal of the 1/6 Tamiya Honda CB1100R. I found that it was easier to bolt the bike onto the checker plate base that I had made for the Honda CX500 Turbo as it was a fiddle to work on without a center stand. I hope you all enjoy the pictures of this classic 80's muscle bike.

With the conclusion of the Honda CX500 Turbo build, I thought I would see if I could cram in another Tamiya bike. It will probably be a few weeks before I do much with the kit, but I will post some work in progress whenever I get the time to work on it. I have a second lighting kit which I may fit to the bike but nothing is set in stone as of yet. I've been meaning to build this kit for some time, so I think now would be a good enough excuse. So lets get cracking!

The Honda CX500 Turbo was the world's first mass production turbocharged motorcycle and the world's first electronic fuel injected bike to be put into mass production. It was superseded in the first year of production by the CX650 Turbo, this only stayed in production for a further 12 months. It was the era of corporate flexing of technological muscles in an effort to outsell their competitors. All of the Japanese bike manufacturers dabbled in turbo technology but it was ultimately a dead end but it made good marketing. Continuing with the build on this bike, I decided that this kit was showing its age, the plated parts looked dated, I stripped the cylinder heads, rear swing arm, clutch cover and oil filter housing with Oven Pride cleaning gel. I primed them with Mr Surfacer 1000 grey primer, I then sprayed them with Vallejo Duraluminium and Vallejo Chrome that worked more like aluminium. The frame and other black parts I painted with automotive base coat black acrylic. Then I used a 2K clear coat for gloss finishes and a 2K matt for satin finishes, like on the engine parts etc.

Here are a couple Aoshima Honda Ape 50s I made last year. They were lovely kits to make that required no glue. I utilised some old decals on the Yoshimura version. Humbrol enamel applied with hairy sticks on both. Thanks for looking all feedback appreciated, regards Siffo.

Hello again, here is my take on the CB 1100 R. Didn't really like the fairing so decided to go for the café racer/track day style. All hand painted with Humbrol enamel. Thanks for looking, all feedback appreciated. Regards Siffo.

Hello again, here is my effort at the CR450 with its rider. Once again all Humbrol enamel done with hairy sticks, thanks for looking. Siffo.

Hi guys, here's my effort at the Tamiya CB750F Super Tuned. Tamiya gloss white rattle can on the tins and Humbrol enamel applied with hairy sticks on everything else. Thanks for looking and all feed back is appreciated.

Hi This is a conversion of the Revell CB750 kit to a CB750KZ and is the first motorcycle conversion that I have attempted. I used to own one when I was younger and it was my pride and joy but, alas, I sold it so that I could get married (yep, it was worth it - but I kept all my gear just in case). It is not perfect by any means but gave me ideas for when I have another go at some point. Those in the know will notice that the real one had twin exhausts each side but I was not clever enough to attempt scratch building those yet. And, for a change, I did not add any lights........... For more pictures please click on this link: More Photos Kevin

Hi all, Finally got his one finished, pleased with how it's come out. Great kit to make, can thoroughly recommend it.

Well after starting these motorbike kits in February I've finally finished the last one. I bought the kits from a seller at the Yeovilton show for £15 each, they were part started but the work carried out was outstanding and most were limited to assembly of the frames and engines sub-assemblies. Honda CB1100R: Yamaha XS1100LG midnight special: Suzuki GSX100S Katana: Honda CX500 Turbo: Group shot: Cheers, Stuart