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1/12 MUTANT HONDA: DONE ,SECOND OF 2011

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116 replies
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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: South Africa
Posted by Bushpig on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 2:37 PM

Awesome work, my day isn't complete till I have looked at the updates you post. I am spell bound by this build. 2 quick questions if I may?

I assume you have built the Top Studio chain, you mention you have a quick construction method, I have built one and it took me weeks! I have one more to do to complete a build and have packed it all away as i just don't have the motivation to put in the hours! would you mind sharing what you did?

One thing I am not seeing yet, you showed us a while ago a paint build up (red, black etc) on the fairings. I assumed you were going to do some clever sanding to get a peeling glass fibre effect, is this what you were aiming for and when will that be revealed.

Adios from South Africa!

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 3:47 PM

Bpig -Thanks for your comment and continued viewing .

The chain procedure is as  follows for Hiroboy p/n 941.

Try to get an accurate length needed by using string or wire on the model around the sprockets, as a chain would go ,this is important .

The kit comes with a sprue of plastic rollers and a p/e fret of links ,these are not connected to the fret and are held in place by a backing of red vinyl material.

Lay the sprue in front of you ,put the p/e fret as close as poss to the sprue.

The chain will have a beginning and end ,try to visualize these as this is an area where a f/u can occur.

In your left hand ,using a Squadron scribing tool, 'hook' off a link  and with your right hand grasp the link with tweezers . Make sure the tweezer tips  are centered between the holes on the link .

Lay the link on the roller pins on the sprue. I start by laying all the inner links first on the roller pin heads ,then back to start and laying all the outer links on . Watch that you have the links the same way as they have a front and back. Basically pull them off the fret in the same way and you will be ok. Make sure that there is a beginning and an end ,these will be joined so WATCH OUT. This is the longest of the procedures needed here so try for a rhythm. The Squadron tool can be used to press the links home.

So now there is a beginning, an end and all the links in place.Fire up your soldering iron and test it on the sprue edge, when it melts the plastic easily, move to the roller pin heads , it will take a few to get the feel of it ,but let the weight of the tool mushroom the pin heads ,DONT linger and rotate the head of the iron when it gets covered in melted plastic .This wont be a lot but it screws up the pin heads if too much builds up. Dont worry aboot hairs of plastic and any mess. After a while it is possible to get the look of the real rivited chain ,simply amazing. There are extra parts so some practice is possible. I estimate with 2 chain kits 3 bikes could be outfitted if a guy was careful with the chins.

Turn the sprue over and repeat this procedure for the opposite side of the chain .Watch link layout and match the ends up carefully. After the pin head melting , take some 220 grit paper and go over the heads lightly ,WATCH OUT FOR THE CHAIN ENDS , if the  chain has a beginning./end there should be exposed pin heads ,dont sand them off. Sand both sides removing excess melted plastic,hairs etc, finish wit h a 600 grit or finer until the look is good.

So the chain section is complete ,take a NEW razor blade and score the tops of the roller attachment points repeatedly ,lightly , then 'guillotine' the rollers off one by one to ensure a clean removal. Pressing the edge of the blade to the top of the links is helpful here.

The raw chain is ready to length test and finish now. Install it on the model and check your length ,use the procedure to add links or remove if needed.It is wise to leave the chain short and add a few here. The chain will be finished on the model so do the painting needed ,final install and melt it together. I typed this all twice ,somehow losing the first reply so I hope you appreciate it and it helps get your chain made. I recommend putting aside enough time to get it made ,its a repetitive boring series of actions but  WELL worth the effort ,the kit is faultless, and falls together easily ,dicipline is the key here as well as patience and the willingness to get it done. Try not to defeat yourself with a 'too tough for me' approach or other defeatist attitudes. It was 2-3 hours working steadily, with a few short breaks as the iron heated up, to get the chain made. This would be a reasonable time frame to get it done.

 

As far as the paint work goes ,its done ,the effect is very subtle ,the red ,white and carbon fibre is just visible under a very  thin coat of flat black.

I dont like to post w/out pix so here is the gas tank ,no cf here ,I nay finish with a little Rub n  Buff on the exposed metal parts.

 

 

2864

 

 

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 3:26 AM

The mutation situation progression continuation... here is the seat suitably degraded and colored like foam, with some flat black vinyl ,self adhesive ,used in the sign industry. I applied it and stretched it and left it to form a little ,then I'll cut the sides as if worn away.

 

 

 

2903 views ,the mutant can pull 100 a day !

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: South Africa
Posted by Bushpig on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1:39 PM

Cool, thanks for the great explanation of your method. I have been using the Top Studio set, the final result is awesome but as I said it is very tedious to put together. You basically build up the chain in about 1 inch sections and each takes about an hour of solid effort to get it done. I think I will buy one of the Hiro ones and give it a try.

Thanks for showing the paint effect on the tank, that is exactly what I was figuring you were doing and you have pulled it off beautifully.

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Thursday, March 17, 2011 12:07 AM

Bpig-thanks and good luck with the chain.

For today I got a little p/o'd blasted through the chain assy on the bike ,still in its raw shape ,wheel is locked now as this is crucial to keepin' the chain on . Also carved a kickstand from square stock ,spent a buncha time tryna make it functional ,whatta dumba$$ finally just glued it down where it will be anyway. The exhaust pipe installed and the footpegs ,shifter and brake levers. A pipe mount,and kstand spring later. Mucho tiny paint work to do ,but glad to get these parts on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2939

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:18 AM

And more parts installed ,including rear brake line , waste gate , and gas lines to the rear shocks.

Also if you look closely you will see the screws supplied by Tamiya to secure the swing arm have disappeared, I ground off the edge of the screw head ,leaving a slot , and screwed them in ,covering with a washer and resin nut, no more  out of scale screw heads visible. I'm thinkin' of a base check in the next few minutes.

 

 

 

2950

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Thursday, March 17, 2011 3:12 AM

And a base check to round out the triple posting...

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Friday, March 18, 2011 3:23 PM

Moving along nicely ! Really diggin' the air filter

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Sunday, March 20, 2011 1:32 AM

Trey- M'man ,thanks .Comin down to the end of game here , I spent time on a fuel pump and installed it , also a holder for the weapon . A cross bar for the rear frame tubes , a quiver , rear axle bolts , and the seat ,suitably worn, mounted to the rear fairing. I will attach the fairing next .Also a NOZ decal to be made from a magazine ad.

 

3059

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Monday, March 21, 2011 11:09 PM

Detail paintin' ,seam hidin' ,nozzin' ,gas tank fittin',and when I did fit the tank the first thing that popped into my head was - "FRANKENSTIEN".......enjoy!

 

3128

 

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Monday, March 21, 2011 11:50 PM

Frankenbike! Thats great . Nice trick hiding those huge screw heads,always do something similar with mine. Those screw heads are a build killer, Tamiya should be supplying cover nuts in the kits just my .02

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 1:10 AM

Trey-Thanks . Final fitments continue,the rear fairing is attached,the gas tank is being test fitted. A little more done every day.

 

 

3177

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Friday, March 25, 2011 1:14 AM

...powering through the final part installation.

 

 

 

 

3240

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Saturday, March 26, 2011 2:16 AM

Pounding details onto the bike, screws , nuts , washers , bolts , cotter pins ,etc. Holes drilled in the base for mounting .Base test.

 

 

 

3280

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Sunday, March 27, 2011 2:27 AM

Ongoing underneath with a brass pin to support the kickstand , and a pipe mount off the engine ,kickstand spring to come...

Box is packaging from an ultrasonic cleaner , supports the model during the inverted work.

And final weapons fitting , a D.P. Firing Line 1/16 SMLE bayonet serves as a sword for choppin'

 

 

 

3322

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Monday, March 28, 2011 1:29 AM

For today some final detail work under , pins for the kstand spring ,you will see the pin to re-inforce the kstand ,this is all painted and finished .Also on the top triple tree a collar and RB Motion acorn nut ,the collar is for the fairing mounts ,the fairing is being stubborn as it may well know, it is prolly the last man on. I primed the sword and really am almost done here ,some flat black pin washes to start the weathering will be next.

O/A......

 

 

 

 

3366

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:56 AM

Tonight I washed in flat black , twice and then mounted the beast with some #6 screws into holes drilled in the tires this way I can pull the tire flat a little... Oh yeah and the tree glued in.

 

 

 

 

3405

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 9:05 PM

Absolutely AWESOME!!!! Really enjoyed watching this build, great job my hats off to you sir!

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Thursday, March 31, 2011 12:59 AM

Trey -Thanks - Not done yet! Here is the fairing in place and some wash's and R&B on the gas tank edges. The weapons are ready to load and some fairing mounts to do puts this at 99% done.

 

 

 

3487

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: United Kingdom
Posted by macmac650 on Thursday, March 31, 2011 6:53 PM

Hi

What can I say apart from AMAZING,BRILLIANT,-----no I will stop there as I could go on for ever. I have been watching you build since it started, I think MUTANT caught my eye and yes I was hooked. Your build has been addictive, waiting for what you have to add to the next part of the build--what next ---then you show the details ----WOW.

Many thanks for entertaining, teaching,enthralling and above all wishing that I could build to that sort of detail.

Mac

Enjoy life. You don't know how long you have. Be polite. Smile - it costs nothing. If all else fails ---walk away. Enjoy life.

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Friday, April 1, 2011 2:02 AM

mm650- Thanks for the rave review ,and the jamtarts to put it down.

Fairing mounted , weapons attached ,over -enthusiastic pigment application DONE!!! Here she is ,it is, as stated, second finish of 2011 ,contest on Sat- results to follow.

Thanks for the continued interest , I hope ya liked the show...

...check the blade in the top left...

...and the crossbow...

 

 

3524

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Friday, April 1, 2011 5:48 PM

Unique ,intense,awesome,stunning workmanship!Thanks again  for sharing your build and again it was a real treat to watch!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: South Africa
Posted by Bushpig on Saturday, April 2, 2011 1:30 AM

Awesome job, you have produced a master piece. What I find so impressive is that you had this visualised from the start and produced exactly what you intended. So often I have the perfect model in mind when I start a build but it never quite lives up to that.

Is there anyway you could save and post a few more pics but in higher res so we can study some of the detail?

I have seen on other threads you are a pretty hot figure model as well, this diorama would really be complete with a rider.....................

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Monday, April 4, 2011 5:28 PM

Trey . Bpig . Thanks for the comments and watchin' the work progress. Saturdays contest was a bust for this model , it was in a '70's show theme' class and did not catch the judges eye.

 

 

 

 

3653

Thank you ,Krow113

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: United Kingdom
Posted by macmac650 on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 4:51 AM

Sorry to hear about the show being a bust.

 All I can say is good luck for the next show.

Enjoy life. You don't know how long you have. Be polite. Smile - it costs nothing. If all else fails ---walk away. Enjoy life.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 2:19 AM

Steve - a very nice build - as always, so to say Big Smile At the beginning I wasn't sure just how "mutated" it will be, now that it's done I like it a lot. So - what's going to be next? Good luck with your future projects and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: SURREY ,B.C.
Posted by krow113 on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 10:03 AM

mm650 , Pawel - Thanks for the final commenmts on this build , the show isn't everything ,the model was in an odd class.

Next up in the m/c category is this:

...and a full bottle of Alclad later...

Thank you ,Krow113

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