WIP: Tamiya 1:12 Yamaha Virago XV1100

[SeanyG]

a further smallish update,

I have completed spraying and detailing both front and back wheels, the gold was sprayed using a halfords auto paint, the silver was handpainted using Humbrol metalcote on the rims and on the spokes. The valves were again picked out in silver.

The rear tyre was given a very light dusting with some matt nuetral grey just to give a little 'not new' effect as I dont want the bike to look as though its straight out of a showroom.





you can see the difference this makes as the front wheel has yet to be 'weathered'.

Then the remaining driveshaft and drum brake components were added, I again used a little matt black wash on the chrome as it looks way too bright. I picked out the little recesses and the Yamaha badge to give it all a little worn look as well as a little extra detail and depth.





In the above two pics you can just make out the Sakutsu rivet heads I added to the drive shaft as per the real bike, there are 4 heads which sit where the chrome and aluminium parts join, I was suprised these were ommitted on the model as the kit is so well detailed.



Thats it for now, Im just working on the two rear suspension struts then I have a couple of further details I want to add to the rear end before moving on to installing the motor.

Sorry the updates are slow and more to come soon, hope you enjoy!

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[SeanyG]

A further update...

added the motor into the frame and complete further work on the rear end. I added a small spring to what appears to be a rear brake linkage of some sort as per my ref pics. Simply made from fusewire wrapped around the Tamiya part.



the main unit sits in the frame extremely well and was no problem getting it to fit. I added more rivets and bolt heads in several places where the kit had ommitted them, although tiny they do still add furthe detail (for those who look for such things!)





Finally may I introduce you to 'Chip'. He is going to be my pilot and a travelling dude on his way around back country US. The fit for the figure is really poor so alot of filling is going to be needed to get him upto speed, he looks harmless (geddit!) at the moment as I wanna wait until I get the front end on and bars before I fix the arms, just so I can get them in the right position.



more again soon

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[robrex]

Sean,
great to see you building a bike! The work so far looks first class! Thanks for sharing the progress!

[SeanyG]

Further update,



I added the back rest and exhausts, both these are chrome however I gave them a wash with thinned matt black again to dull down the brightness.



On the real bike, the bend on the exhaust from the front head is discoloured because of the heat staining. I have tried to re-create this using a mix of thinned blue, brown, red and yellow. I used a flat stiff brish to do this as I wanted a slightly 'stippled' effect as on my ref pics, once it was dry I ran more thinned matt black over the top just to dull it slightly. Im reasonably pleased with the result although, not sure if its still too bright or not, see what you think.



I did the same to where the exhaust front section joins the rear...



Also added a little black wash to the edging on the crank cases around the gold, again just to add a little depth, Im really pleased how neatly this came out and the difference it has made.



Also added a couple of wires to this component at the front of the motor as per my ref pics, Im not sure what it is so if anyone can enlighten me, cool.



Another addition here and more chrome, again this was drilled and I added a cable to it which disappears underneath the battery compartment somewhere.



Finally I added some scratchbuilt luggage bars on the back end, I made these from thickish wire and gave them a covering of polished alu. I drilled two small holes underneath the seat rest frame and also two further holes where the top of the suspension units join onto the frame. I may yet scratch a couple of panniers for the back which is why I have added these bars.









more again soon.

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[SeanyG]

... and more,

a few small details added, attached the foot pedal on the right side (gear shift I think), where this joins onto the motor, on the real bike, there is a small tension adjuster or at least I think thats what it is, it is fastened to the arm of the pedal with a small spring, I scratched a medal L shaped bracket from some etch sprue and used a small piece of wire for the black adjuster knob, the spring was then made with a very thin piece of fuse wire wrapped around a mini drill bit to give the spring detail.





I also cut out a small section of alu tape and pressed this onto the surface of a needle file to give a rough patterned texture, this was then added to the surface of the gear shift pedal to create the same surface effect that is on the real bike. Picture is not the best but it gives you some idea of what I was trying to achieve.



on the other side, the chrome single stand was added, again I used the same technique as previously and created another small spring and attached it to the stand arm using CA glue, very time consuming but really worth it in the end as it adds so much to the otherwise basic stand part.



stay tuned, hope my descriptions are helpful and more coming again soon

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[SeanyG]

Final one today...

I added the two chrome tanks which sit under the petrol tank along with the remaining parts which attached with these. I also added the pad for the back rest, picked out the red reflector and gold lettering on the badge which sit behind the seat and finished dry brushing the seat itself using some med grey and a touch of white here and there. Alot of this will be covered by the rider figure.











probably it for today I think. I've started work on the front end which will be featured next.

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[gpz900ra7]

Hi Sean the bike is really flying along now and its looking brilliant.
The parts you mentioned on the bike are as follows:
The part at the front left side of the engine is the starter motor,
the part just in front of the battery case is the starter relay switch,
and the pedal on the right side is the rear brake lever and the other tiny part is the rear brake light switch.
This build just gets better with every update, any progress on the paintwork yet or are you leaving it 'til the last minute?

Shaun.

[SeanyG]

Hi Shuan,

yeah still cant decide on what finish to go for, both the side covers and the tank is primed and ready, just need to make my mind up.

glad you like the build and thanks for the advice on what the actual parts are.

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[SeanyG]

Nearly there!

finally decided on a colour for the tanks, I went with dark metallic blue, I had some left over from another kit and it is a really stunning colour and works well on the Yamaha.

3 coats of primer, sanded in between, followed 2 light coats and then a final wet coat, once dry I gave it a light polishing and then a final coat of Johnson Klear, job done!











The pictures dont really do the colour justice and Im really pleased with the finish too.

So all thats left is to add some details to the bars, complete the wiring work and add the rear number plate. I will then move onto the figure. Back at work for another 6 days though now so will have little time to finish the bike for a week or so!

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[puffyrs]

great modelling and very good updates.

[Lutz-Bikes]

Hi SeanyG,

Nice build and awesome detailing

Cheers Lutz

[SeanyG]

Completed pics here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...24#post4442024

thanks again to everyone - next project, 1/24 Hasegawa Lancia Stratos Alitalia - one of my all time favourite Rally cars!

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[Stupid_boy]

great work!
here are my unfinished virago. my atempt is to make as it is on auto show room













it needs custom decals because i do not like original protuberant letters. aslo it needs some finishings. posibly i will change registration plate with just sign ot yamaha.

thanks for great ideas you give me. i will add some springs and other details to my one

this model will be a gift for one my frend who own the same bike, but real