Scale model motorcycle

I thought some might enjoy this . I have been a rabid scale model builder for most of my life - the earliest one I can recall is at the age of five and I am now 68. Despite my having been interested in motorcycles for most of those years I have built very few models of them .
I have finally done another - one of my all time favorite bikes .
This is a 1/12 scale Honda RC 166 by Tamiya , built with all the additional aftermarket sets they offer . Wheels that are actually laced with alloy rims and miniature spokes and nipples - forks with sprung internals - clutch with basket and separate plates - photo etched final drive chain assembled with individual links and pins - even minuscule rivets for seat and fairing .

Lotta fun and one of the world’s most amazing motorcycles.

As a long-time modeller myself, that is truly impressive.

Nothing I've done is anything like as good as that. Well done!

That’s fabulous, really good job. Any tips on the best equipment, and technique, to spraypaint to that standard? Painting large gloss surfaces was always my Achilles heal with such kits.

I’ve got one of those kits, but without the extras you mention, in fact I didn’t even know such stuff existed! Any tips on where to find those extras? Are they still current?

I’ve had my kit a while (I bought it from the Honda museum in Motegi). Trouble is, although I used to be good at this stuff, I know I’m not good enough to do it justice now and I’d need to build up to it.

Its not hurting’ nuthin’ though, and it will wait for me. I’ve got a few kits waiting inc a few Commando‘s (Roadster and PR) and Vincent’s and a Manx.

Fast Eddie said:

That’s fabulous, really good job. Any tips on the best equipment, and technique, to spraypaint to that standard? Painting large gloss surfaces was always my Achilles heal with such kits.

I’ve got one of those kits, but without the extras you mention, in fact I didn’t even know such stuff existed! Any tips on where to find those extras? Are they still current?

I’ve had my kit a while (I bought it from the Honda museum in Motegi). Trouble is, although I used to be good at this stuff, I know I’m not good enough to do it justice now and I’d need to build up to it.

Its not hurting’ nuthin’ though, and it will wait for me. I’ve got a few kits waiting inc a few Commando‘s (Roadster and PR) and Vincent’s and a Manx.

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Hi Nigel - Thanks for the interest - here is a link to my build posted on a scale modeling site -
https://forums.kitmaker.net/t/tamiya-1-12-rc-166-build/13213/105
All the aftermarket is usually available on eBay - if you search
” Tamiya 1/12 RC 166 “ in Toys and Hobbies you will likely find it .
I don’t know if they are still in production- if it is a hobby dealer may be able to source them for you . Hannant’s perhaps?
Are you sure you have the 1/12 Tamiya kit ? I ask because Protar used to offer one in 1/9 scale.
I spray with airbrushes. For this I used an Iwata Revolution .
Paint is all Tamiya acrylic in jars thinned 50/50 with Tamiya yellow cap lacquer thinner . Pressure approx 15 lbs. The fairing , tank and seat were shot with Tamiya Gloss Clear before and after decals .
If you read through my blog you will see the aftermarket sets shown individually - I think the wheel set makes the biggest impact if you were to buy only one and next would be forks/clutch .
If you get the chain be aware that it will benefit from another link as it is very tight and cocks the rear axle . Tamiya supply spares with the set .
It really is a wonderful kit by itself as well .
Good Luck and keep us posted !
Cheers -Richard
edit - just checked eBay - all available- HobbyLinkJapan seems to have best price but low stock .

Hey Richard,
Well, you made me rummage through and Waddya know, I have the Tamiya and the Protar !
And I remember why, I was gonna use the 1:9 Protar for the engine / carbs / exhausts only and display like that.
Like I said, I never knew about these Tamiya detail upgrade kits before. But by the power of eBay, I now have forks, clutch, wheels, chain en route from Japan.
I can’t quite believe I’ve just spent that kinda cash on such tiny stuff, and it’s all your fault!
Don’t hold your breath waiting for updates though, this is definitely a ‘get round to it one day’ kinda thing.
Thanks for the tips.

Fast Eddie said:

Hey Richard,
Well, you made me rummage through and Waddya know, I have the Tamiya and the Protar !
And I remember why, I was gonna use the 1:9 Protar for the engine / carbs / exhausts only and display like that.
Like I said, I never knew about these Tamiya detail upgrade kits before. But by the power of eBay, I now have forks, clutch, wheels, chain en route from Japan.
I can’t quite believe I’ve just spent that kinda cash on such tiny stuff, and it’s all your fault!
Don’t hold your breath waiting for updates though, this is definitely a ‘get round to it one day’ kinda thing.
Thanks for the tips.

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Glad to help . Now maybe you can help me . I never tire of preaching about this motorcycle and have read everything on the internet I can find about it . However , try as I might I can’t find how many Honda made and how many exist . I assume that however many they are all in possession of Honda Motor Corporation.
I believe your countryman George Beale made six or so incredible reproductions with Honda’s blessings but these were the 350 cc.
Do you have any idea how many RC 166 there were/ are ?

Holy guacamole, that is amazingly, perfectly scaled and assembled. Without it sitting on the book, and if nobody told me better, I'd have thunk it was the real McCoy...

Richard Tool said:

Glad to help . Now maybe you can help me . I never tire of preaching about this motorcycle and have read everything on the internet I can find about it . However , try as I might I can’t find how many Honda made and how many exist . I assume that however many they are all in possession of Honda Motor Corporation.
I believe your countryman George Beale made six or so incredible reproductions with Honda’s blessings but these were the 350 cc.
Do you have any idea how many RC 166 there were/ are ?

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No, I’m sorry but I don‘t know. Manufactures are often unwilling, or unable to be clear about such things. I believe that race shops are often a law unto themselves, because they’re not making anything for sale, they’re not under scrutiny, so I think record keeping regarding numbers made and parts made may often be very poor.

Sadly, ‘last years’ race bikes were often seen as having no value, and fear of them falling into enemy hands meant many were crushed.

I know that some do escape into private hands. George Beale borrowed a genuine bike from a private collector to strip and reverse engineer. The collectors payment was return of his bike re assembled and a new replica, not bad considering they ‘retailed’ at something like £250k.

Motorcyle News did a great article of a stripped 6 engine. The engineering inside was staggering. The big ends were different sizes to reduce whip. They claimed there were oil drilling so small they only showed up when X rayed. They also claimed that despite analysis, no one could,identify what the conrods were made of!

Truly legendary stuff.

Fabulous! You have more talent in one finger then in my entire body.

It’s nice to have something interesting to gaze at when chained to the desk in my office…

Fast Eddie said:

It’s nice to have something interesting to gaze at when chained to the desk in my office…

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I have Capatain America, the X75 and T120, unfortunately they have all become victims of my wife's duster !

Meant to add, - do you remember mugging me with a model 961 !, I do and it cost me a lot

Fast Eddie said:

It’s nice to have something interesting to gaze at when chained to the desk in my office…

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Very nice Nigel - looks like some Minichamps in there . I have a few myself.

Richard Tool said:

Very nice Nigel - looks like some Minichamps in there . I have a few myself.View attachment 82391

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Most of mine are Minichamps.
Looks like we have many of the same!

trident sam said:

I have Capatain America, the X75 and T120, unfortunately they have all become victims of my wife's duster !

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That’s why mine are in a glass cage and the missus knows she’s not allowed to touch !

trident sam said:

Meant to add, - do you remember mugging me with a model 961 !, I do and it cost me a lot

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Of course I do, still makes me laugh!

I did the same with the Easy Rider bikes with a mate !!

bloody southerner !

This one’s not in the glass cage, I dropped the ruler behind it to give a reference.

Richard Tool said:

Glad to help . Now maybe you can help me . I never tire of preaching about this motorcycle and have read everything on the internet I can find about it . However , try as I might I can’t find how many Honda made and how many exist . I assume that however many they are all in possession of Honda Motor Corporation.
I believe your countryman George Beale made six or so incredible reproductions with Honda’s blessings but these were the 350 cc.
Do you have any idea how many RC 166 there were/ are ?

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I was told by a friend of his that John Williams the racer , (he's been dead for over 40 years) who lived local to me actually owned one. I have no idea who has it now. A fantastic machine , as is your model.

Fast Eddie said:

This one’s not in the glass cage, I dropped the ruler behind it to give a reference.

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I seem to recall that a fellow involved with the vintage racing scene in the U.K. made some models of Manx Nortons - both bikes and engines . Glen English IIRC - you gents probably know him . Is this one of his ?