Dr_Fester Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 A long while since I posted any builds and thought I would share my latest project. Not the normal bike build for me as I'm used to fairings and solid wheels but the intention is to build an exact copy of my dads 1953 Vincent Rapide Series C. Not a standard Rapide by any means but externally the Matchbox/Revell Black shadow is a good base to start with. Lots of chrome parts, I think the chrome plater went a little crazy and in fact the fork blades had been chromed before my dad even got the bike. For the Vincent aficionados the internals were actually brought up to Black Lightning spec so in fact it was a Vincent White Lightning! Very few reference photos of this bike and the best one shown above. So the build... I picked up a Matchbox kit on fleabay and had intended to make 2 simultaneously, so 1 for dad and 1 for me. Picked up a Revell Vincent a few weeks later which is essentially the same kit. By the way if you get a choice I would go for the Matchbox as this was original molds and the later Revell offering has shallow detail and shows tired moldings. So made a start a few weeks ago and have the main lump done. All fixings replaced with RB Motion as I will throughout this build. Also turning a few pieces from ali myself and trying to talk Rob @ RB Motion into turning some custom intake trumpets for the carbs. The usual bugbear for this kit being oversize spokes which my first attempt to replace I'm not that happy with.. I tried to make them without a jig and simply cut a few of the spokes out and replaced with tin copper wire as I went, this kept the hub central but leaves a seam when you join the 2 halves and a real pain to smooth out. These will be okay for this build and I can replace the wheels later with a wheel set with turned hubs and separate rims. Only other product out of the stable worth showing is the tank which is glossed but not polished. I have to add 2 petrol taps (normal and reserve) and filler caps etc. More to follow. Cheers Doc 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 Somehow managed to miss this .... you're doing a brilliant job ! Built the Matchbox original years ago. BillyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elderly Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 I'll be watching this with interest Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominiqueBeerts Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I also did a good job in overlooking this thread somehow. As a fan of old cars and bikes I will follow this build. I have never looked into the Matchbox nor Revel boxes, so I am wondering how this will turn out. Please specify when deviating from the oob. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 Thx guys, Sorry for my lack of updates but my model build is a little sporadic to say the least and not had a chance to update the build thread as often as I should. The Vin is still in progress and nearing completion so a few more photo updates for you... Like the stand The more I handle the model, the more parts get knocked and broken, its a model that has no easy way of being picked up! I have plenty left to add including all the electrical wiring, fuel lines, exhaust, tax disc etc so very much work in progress. I am however, happy with the spokes and all the trouble they caused re-lacing seemed to be a worthwhile effort. I have recently received a few more photos from Dad of the Vincent I'm building which requires a few more alterations to parts already made, but no biggie. As I mentioned at the start of the thread there are so many changes from a stock Vincent that makes this an individual and enjoyable build. Hope to update the thread more often and need to get this finished in the next few weeks as I have a Fujimi RGV and GSXR waiting in the wings. Cheers Doc 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidelvy Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I am a long way from being a motorcycle enthusiasts, but I do like Vincent's. I love the idea of recreating something your dad rode. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krow113 Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Going well....not an easy kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Oh yes ! that is looking really nice - like the red trim on the back wheel ! BillyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickd Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 Wow how big are those clothes pegs ? Oh yeah it's the bike that's the model, had me fooled for a bit then. Wonderful looking build mate very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 Thx Guys, Good spot Billy with the red trim, wondered if someone would see that. Obviously the red trim should be on both wheels but on this particular bike Dad replaced the 19in steel front rim to a 20in but that didn't have the hallmark black/red trim. Just another deviation from standard....! Cheers Doc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 It's a lovely tribute to your Dad ....... BillyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 So the Vincent is near enough complete and thought I would post photos of the build as it stands right now. As you can see I have bought a Tamiya 1/12 display case and made a base with logo to set it off. I actually have more photos now of the real bike so I could generate more detail such as tax disc '74. Thanks for looking and next on the bench Fujimi's Suzuki RGV500, Schwantz style Cheers Doc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Beautiful. What colours did you use on the engine? Really must get round to completing mine some day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 Beautiful. What colours did you use on the engine? Really must get round to completing mine some day Cheers Marc Engine had a gloss black base and then Alclad Polished Aluminium and Chrome although if you're modelling the Black Shadow the whole engine has to be black. Cheers Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billydick Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 A stunning build Doc, makes me want to throw my leg over it, but I guess there must have been a knack in kicking it over and that tax disc is amazing - how did you do it ? BillyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) A stunning build Doc, makes me want to throw my leg over it, but I guess there must have been a knack in kicking it over and that tax disc is amazing - how did you do it ? BillyD Thx Billy, Yes I remember getting the thing over compression used to make my Dad's face very red! I hadn't intended adding a tax disc originally but as further reference photos of the bike emerged it was very prominent on the nearside. The tax disc holder was homemade from stainless along with the none standard horn cover which I both replicated on the model. I used some thin ali shape cut and folded as per the original and added an image of a '74 tax disc after printing out reduced to 7mm width. Amazing what you can find on t'internet All the best Doc Edited June 1, 2016 by Dr_Fester 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLOSTER 0 Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 What a beauty ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gogser1 Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 Cracking job you made of that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximum warp Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 What a great bike, I know these old moulds from revell are quite bad so you have done a fantastic job on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 What a great bike, I know these old moulds from revell are quite bad so you have done a fantastic job on this one! Thx guys for your kind words. Yes MW of the 2 versions of this kit the Revell is definitely the worse in terms of soft molds and even an inaccurate speedo decal....kmh not mph.....! Cheers Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elderly Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 That's a great end product Pete and it's SO nice to do something personal and very meaningful to you ! The only small problem I have with it, is nothing to do with the bike itself but the supports under the engine/gearbox assembly, which are too noticeable for me. I would have put them side by side (made from the smallest practicable material) so they appear like just one tube when viewed sideways on, and painted them to merge in with the plinth, or maybe black? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Fester Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 That's a great end product Pete and it's SO nice to do something personal and very meaningful to you ! The only small problem I have with it, is nothing to do with the bike itself but the supports under the engine/gearbox assembly, which are too noticeable for me. I would have put them side by side (made from the smallest practicable material) so they appear like just one tube when viewed sideways on, and painted them to merge in with the plinth, or maybe black? Thanks for the kind words Ian and yes I hear what you are saying about the mounting rods. I had intended using acrylic rod or block and still might for the finished article, just had some s/s tube to hand. Of course I could have displayed it with the rear stand down as most people do but to me the Vin looks best with both wheels on the ground. By the way the rear stand in the kit is too long as standard to display folded up so needs surgery! So when is that 1/8 Black Shadow going to make an appearance...... Cheers Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 That is a superb job you have done there. I had to look twice to make sure you didn't have a real bike standing on some giant clothes pegs!! Congratulations on a teriffic build; I remember this kit from years ago - might look out for one myself. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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