I've been inspired by another person's insanity!

[NeufUnSix]

http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=5933







Time to dust off my old modeling studio and start the one-upsmanship. I've already ordered a 916 kit, just need to pick up some upgrade parts and go crazy with the detailing. You know its bad when you look at that kind of stellar work and say to yourself "hey, he didn't even do (BLANK), I can top that."

I'll post pics whenever I'm done. Which could be many weeks.

(PS: I'm a "retired" senior class modeler with a few awards under my belt - I stopped doing it about 8 years ago, but lately I've been itching to get back into it)

[Grampa]

that is awesome

[NAKID]

Making the chain out of individual links? Are you KIDDING me?

[erkishhorde]

Make it out of paper.

[Rev. Millertime]

that would be a good way to keep from going crazy this winter....



Found a chain kit for the D16 Tamiya model....  $125   

Fack, it's going to be an expensive winter.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I think I've spent less time restoring real, full size, rideable motorcycles.


Just sayin'.

[c_rex]

man.. that's one crazy 6 year old girl there- you think you can take her?   

[crash_duc]

I think I've spent less time restoring real, full size, rideable motorcycles.


Just sayin'.

No kiddin.

Found a chain kit for the D16 Tamiya model....  $125   

My ACTUAL CHAIN on my ACTUAL BIKE didn't even cost that much!! PLUS I didn't have to assemble the entire thing link by link!

[NeufUnSix]

Haha, the chain he used is only 35$, including photo etch sprockets. I found a universal fit one for 17$.

Gotta shop around

[NeufUnSix]

Here are few bits that just make me all warm and IZ_ about how ridiculously anorak-y they are. And you'd better bet they are going on my 916 model, hehe.

Electrical plugs

1/12 scale exhaust springs

[crash_duc]

Well, to be fair, being in Montreal means winter starts, what sometime next week? And it goes all the way until like next July 12th or something?? You gotta do SOMETHING ot kill the time. 

[zarn02]

i'm impressed as hell, but jesus...

[Slide Panda]

Oh man... those top end Tamiya kits are nuts!  If you've seen some of them finished well and photographed well, they can fool you at 1st glance.  Of course that quality and detail is costy... and takes forever to build.  But the results can be amazing.

Like this... that really almost looks real.  I did a double take - I thought they put in a shot of the real thing for comparison.

[zarn02]

honestly, i think the 'little detail' on that that impresses me the most (at least at first glance) is the weld marks on the frame.

[NeufUnSix]

Yeah, that (silver) frame is a good example of wet-wash technique, it really brings out the teeny details. You make a thin wash with dark paint mixed in thinner, then paint it over the recessed areas. Let it dry a bit, then wipe off the excess. Dead simple but gives impressive results.

Tamiya makes good kits, about the best out-of-the-box you can get this side of a limited production resin model, but there is always room for extra detailing. I'm fanatical about small stuff, I want everything represented down to the last wire. My base kit is a 1/12 Tamiya Ducati 916.

To give you an idea what's going into it, I ordered the following parts: 0.5mm rivets, 0.9 mm braided stainless line, electrical connector kit, 1/12 exhaust springs (6 mm long!), a 1/12 chain kit, photo etch dzus fasteners and front brake rotors, resin tire valve stems, carbon fibre decal sheet. On top of that I plan on adding some scratchbuilt details, mainly to recreate the wiring harness and electrical relays around the engine, and correct a few of Tamiya's "mistakes" in the moulding (some bits are just plain made up). I'm going to build an exact replica of my own bike, so it will have the same paint scheme and every wire is going to be placed according to photos I've taken.

Funny thing is I was never into civilian vehicles before. My experience was with military stuff, mostly WWII German vehicles, figures, aircraft. But now that I see the possibility of hyperdetailing (as well as making a replica of my own bike) it's really starting to appeal to me. If this project goes well I'll continue with it.