1/48 Bandai BMW R75 w side car Finished!!

Nice looking progress, Joe! I'm sure you can get that seam on the sidecar sorted out!

Well I finally got the frame halves together with the engine installed. This is somewhat an awkward build for me in the fact that the wheels and engine have to be installed when the frame halves are assembled. This will make the seam filling difficult for the frame halves and is why I did things unconventionally with painting first. I'll take care of the seams as there are some parts that go on that cover alot of them up and I'll have to get creative with the rest. So far I'm enjoying this build though as its something different than I normally do.

 Not to worry about the new look as though it just came out of the factory. I'll be weathering this one but am waiting a little bit longer until I make it further along in the build. Being as this is my first time building an "armor" subject , I'm still weighing my options on the correct amount of fading and dirt.

Now I just had to ask myself: Why do these wheel/ tire assys look so friggin bland/ incomplete? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! It's because they WERE bland!!! Forgot to paint the centers and rims!!!

I hit the centers and the wheels with a thinned down aluminum paint and then dry brushed on a super light coat of black powder for a dulled effect.

 Now that's more like it! 

Thanks Mr. Joe for the good word and thank you Bish for the same plus the photos. Awesome! Thanks for the color detail reference!

Joe, you did mention that before and I completely forgot, sorry. I don't have any myself, but I did a google search and found a mix of pics.

I hope this works. There is a few restored bikes on here, many with the side car.

www.google.co.uk/search

Looks terrific Joe. Definitely some sweet action going on there. As far as the sidecar seam goes do not fret as you will nail it. I know that you will. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any reference photos.

Finished painting the two wheel/ tire assys for the solo part of the bike, painted some of the detail on the bike frame and started on the side car. The side car is gonna be a LOAD of fun with that seam running right down the middle. Another opportunity to bone up on my seam filling skills......

Bish I'll use any pics you or anyone else can round up. Museum pics of this thing would be welcome also as I have nothing but B&W stuff. Thanks for any help you guys can be.

Masked off the wheels and painted the tires this morning. Slow progress but getting there. Pics later.

Hell break em out!!! I shot a coat of gloss coat on this morning and just got through with the wash. A drying overnight and I'll move on to masking the wheels off so I can paint the tires.

Nice work there Joe. I have a couple of the more recent 35th Tamiya bike kits, not built any yet but they do look nice.

Thanks Joe. Mine's a little bland looking right at the moment but will be workin' that out. I was looking at the Tamiya a little closer this morning. It looks to be a really good layout and the molded in wheels looks as if they would look like stand alone pieces once assembled.

Looking rather awesome Joe. Seems to me Joe that although there is a higher parts count the Bandai with the wheels and engine as separate pieces would look better than the Tamiya with molded on parts. Simply my take on it. Keep it coming.

SchattenSpartan

 I wouldn't be able even get up that early, not to mention building models!

Some very nice progress! I wouldn't be able even get up that early, not to mention building models!

In addition to getting my Tamiya paint yesterday I also received my 1/48 Tamiya BMW offering. I just couldn't help myself. If anyone out there is looking to build one of these motorcycles in 48th scale, this is by far the easier kit to build than the Bandai. The wheel/tire assys are molded into the frame and front forks and there is only one sprues worth of parts. It looks like its almost a snap to build:

To recap, it's ALOT less parts than the Bandai. But hey , I'm going for the nostalgia here! lol

Got some more progress pics for this morning. Yeah I know.....this early? Well Idiot 1 and Idiot 2 (my two sleepless dogs) got up this morning at 2:15. Hey what else is a guy supposed to do that early?????

I got my Tamiya German Grey in yesterday so I went right to work this morning. I've got the base coat on and will end up glossing before assy and applying the wash. One may think ," What about the panel lines?" There's enough stuff laying on top of the fuel tank and the rear fender to cover the lines. I'll apply the flat once the two halves are together. As for the front fender , I've got a little work to do. It'll work out............I've got a plan. lol

The latest:

LOL!!! Go for it Clemens!!!!

The engine looks great, Joe!

I paid my LHS a visit today and saw this neat little kit on sale for only half the normal retail price:

I simply had to buy it. Looks like a nice kit (with PE spokes!). Just for the record, I'm blaming you for inspiring me with your awesome Bandai bike!

Thanks Bish. I've got a couple but more would be nice!!

Some wiring would be a really nice touch. Do you have any pics of the real thing, I did a google search and theres some handy pics of R75 engines.

I appreciate that Joe. I'll most likely add some plug wires and other stuff to the engine to dress this already decent engine from the box up a little more.

Excellent stuff Joe. Again, You've got to admire the quality of molding and detail in what some would almost consider a "vintage" kit.

Yes sir. An initial paint coat of chrome silver enamel with a water based black wash with a few drops of dishwashing detergent to break the surface tension.

That's one nice looking engine. Was this just a black oil wash.

Good mornin' folks! Todays progress sees the application of a wash on this little motor here. Man it really made a difference and is just the first part of the weathering process. I'll make it look a little more "worn in" later but had to post these real quick.

While all that was drying I cleaned up alot of the molding seams a flash on the frame and tires. More posted pics in a while.

Tanks...................I mean thanks Joe! I'm hoping to pull this off decently at best. lol

Very Cool subject Joe. I think it's awesome that you're taking the time to build something outside of your comfort zone. Just remember to come back. The Dark Side can be very appealing I hear. Man, I remember Bandai kits. Seems to me that back in the 70's and 80's they were some of the top of the line armor kits going. And from what I see of your BMW they are still holding their own. I'm looking forward to watching you build this Joe.

Thanks Clemens! I'll probably start the painting and weathering process tomorrow.

That little engine looks very nice, buddy!

Bish

Ok, now that I have recovered. What brand of paints do you normally use or have access to. If using Tamiya, XF-63 German grey works for Pz Grey.