Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin [FINISHED]

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin [FINISHED]

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, March 13, 2023 5:30 PM

Next up, something simple, well by comparison to the T70…

I'm building it straight out of the box, but not following the proper sequence as the instructions show because I wanted to see how the chain builds up. I considered getting the detail-up kit for the chain, but I thought I'd try to stick with the true OOB spirit just in case it looks good enough...

The kit provides a nice booklet of photos for reference and the instructions have detailed color call outs. However the two don't match on every item so I'm using both as a guide. The info for the chain falls in between the two.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Monday, March 13, 2023 5:46 PM

Cool project! I've built 1/12 scale bikes and they are a nice size to work on. I can only imagine a 1/6 scale bike! You could put an old school GI Joe on it!

Following.

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:19 PM

Yes, 1/12th is a good scale for bikes. I've done 1/12th, 1/9th and 1/8th bikes before. Always wanted to try a 1/6th...

The rims are two pieces affairs and fit very well, but there is still a fine but unwanted seam where the halves meet.

The color called out for the rims is Gold Leaf but I thought the anodized gold look in the reference photos looked cooler so I used Titanium Gold under Clear Yellow from the LP colors.

The spokes after being painted.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, March 17, 2023 8:44 AM

The instructions on how to assemble the wheels is very detailed and specific even down to the cements to be used. The jig that is provided to lace the wheels works great.

They also instruct to use the same jig to install the tires; unfortunately it has three little ribs to center the rim that chipped the paint when I tried to install the front tire. Since the spokes were cemented into the rim I had to repair the paint damage as an assembled unit, so I made cardstock mask and blended the two colors.

I did not use the jig for the rear tire or for the front after I repaired the paint damage. The tires fit without too much effort onto the rims. I guess if you don't paint the rims the jig is a good idea for mounting the tires.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, March 18, 2023 1:55 PM

Like most motorcycle models I build, I do the brake rotors early on if not the very first thing. Since these came pre-drilled all I had to do was paint them. But that took a couple days with drying times.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:11 AM

Time to go to the beginning of the instructions and build on the engine.

I think I spent more time painting bolts than anything else and now I can see that some of the details will get covered by guards.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, March 26, 2023 9:48 PM

The frame has been built up and painted. I used the recommended colors and was pleasantly surprised at how the color, sheen and texture came out.

The engine is a tight fit, but the instructions are clear on how to easily to twist it into place.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 9:41 AM

Since I did a lot of painting before assembly, it built up pretty quickly and is getting to be a good size already.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, March 31, 2023 2:28 PM

Swing arm.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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mustang1989

Member since
March 2012
From: Corpus Christi, Tx

Posted by mustang1989 on Saturday, April 1, 2023 3:23 PM

LOTSA details on this one!! A beautiful job so far.

Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com)

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 5:08 PM

Thanks!

It builds up pretty quickly, if you do a lot of paint work ahead of time…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 6:56 PM

Wow Mark - moving along. The wire spoke wheels look great. Bikes are so fun - great level of detail out of the box.

Thanks,

John

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Tcoat

Member since
December 2022
From: Canada

Posted by Tcoat on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 5:43 AM

I am not a bike guy and have zero interest in the subject but WOW what a cool build!

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 10:18 AM

Thanks!

There's a good amount of time invested in the radiators and fans, but I suspect they won't be seen when the model is done.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, April 6, 2023 12:39 PM

I thought I should get some of the six "body" panels painted so they could be drying while I build other parts. (I'm going to need the front fender soon.)

TS-45 Pearl White over TS-26 Pure White. I shot a coat of TS-13 Clear too. Can't hurt before the decals…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, April 7, 2023 9:10 AM

The forks are mostly metal and functional; they have springs in them too.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 10:36 AM

I applied the decals to the front fender.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, April 13, 2023 9:12 AM

The kit provided masks for the tank work well. They aren't die cut; they have to be hand cut by the builder.

I airbrushed the LP equivalent of the TS Pearl Blue called out in the instructions.

The tank decals fit fine, but be prepared to spend a good 30 minutes applying each one of these two.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, April 14, 2023 9:56 AM

The exhaust system is ready to be installed. Since the rest of the build is closer to showroom stock I decided not to heat stain the pipes.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, April 16, 2023 5:05 PM

I figured I should apply all the decals to the fairings so I could shoot clear on them together.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, April 17, 2023 6:49 PM

This is the main assembly so far. It's gaining mass at this point.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Monday, April 17, 2023 7:01 PM

Looks great. It's very satisfying how bikes come together.

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, April 23, 2023 11:17 AM

Thanks John.

I also applied the kit decals to a handful of other small parts and then decided to make the decals for the switches and controls on the handlebars. I made over a dozen decals for these two parts.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, April 24, 2023 9:41 AM

Fork assembly… ready for installation.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, April 28, 2023 11:20 AM

Handlebars ready for installation.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, April 29, 2023 10:54 PM

I wasn't going to cut and buff the clear after looking at the photos of the real thing, but then I decided it would look better if I did. After polishing I added the warning decal.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, May 1, 2023 6:48 PM

The seat…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 9:59 AM

All done. It was actually finished about a week ago, but poor weather prevented me from getting decent photos.

It does stand on its own on both the center stand and kickstand, but it's been so windy it was unsafe to not use the clear stand. Built straight out of the box but I added decal details for the controls on the handlebars.