2002 West Honda Pons (detailed) - Progress

[robrex]

I'm making a replica of Alex Barros' RC211V from 2002. He is the most experienced rider in the field with over 14 years experience in the top class. This model will be of his 2002 Round 13 bike, Gauloises Pacific GP of Motegi. It was his first of 2 wins in 2002 as he also took the last win of the season at Valencia.
To make this model I'm using the Studio 27 update kit (ST27-FP1203) and the Platz hobby photo=etch set (C12-4). The Platz set has a replacement chain which comes in 3 pieces and looks excellent once completed.

The rear wheel assembly. I turned air valves on my lathe and corrected the welding seams with putty. CF decal is Scale Motorsport sprayed lightly with TS - 29 Semi-Gloss black. I think this really improves the colour?

Exhaust detailed with S27 springs. The frame painted. This was also detailed with corrected weld seams and waiting for additional details from the S27 kit.


Now here's a trick I use for CF decals
After spraying the part Gloss Black, brush Micro Sol over the area to be covered by decal

then cut out some decal in the rough shape thats needed. Don't worry about getting it exact

then again brush the decal with Micro Sol and keep covering it until it starts to melt into the details. This process can be sped up by gently pushing it down with a soft brush
When it's done you will have lots of overhang and trimming this can be a pain. All I do is brush a small amount of Tamiya thin glue onto the decal and it will melt away right up to the edge of the part. Go slowly here as you don't want too much on!

Here are some engine shots. Have a look at the clutch which is a combination of the 2 photo-etch kits and some turned parts by me!


finally the body panels and clutch pedal assembly comparison between the kit parts and my piece

More updates very soon!

[Technoman]

Nice detailing. This bikes livery is sweet.
That trick with the CF sounds very useful. Did you find that out by chance??

[robrex]

Originally Posted by Technoman

Nice detailing. This bikes livery is sweet.
That trick with the CF sounds very useful. Did you find that out by chance??

Yep! I've been using this trick for years now and it really helps. I used to try to cut exact shapes and got sick of errors so I dabbed a bit of glue on an edge to see if it would 'tack' it in place while I trimmed the decal. It could have been really messy in hindsight - I guess models are a lot of trial and error?

[mikemechanic]

Looks good, thanks for the tip too.

[robrex]

Some more updates

[ImolaEK]

Damn robrex! That thing kicks azz! Sooooo nicely detailed! The clutch is killer! I like the trick with the decals, it sure does work well!

[Vric]

humm the glue trick on CF decal look interesting. I will need to try this.

awersome start. very nice detail so far

[joelwideqvist]

Lovely Rob! You're a killer in every area and you really have an eye for details. Is some of the clutch part details from the PE sets or is it completely scratch? Beautiful anyhow!
best regards
Joel

[BugZilla]

Outstanding details and tip. Look forward to more progress.

Dave

[Murray Kish]

Crap, you make nice stuff. Thanks for the tips....

Murray

[RallyRaider]

Awesome stuff Rob! So many killer details. How did you make the clamps around either end of the rubber pipes?

[robrex]

Thanks for the comments!
joelwideqvist, the clutch plates come in the Platz kit. Highly recommended if you can still get it! I machined the cover and then added the S27 details on top.
Phil, the clamps I made from Sakatsu 0.3 detail wire. I folded it in half then 'crimped' the end with flat end pliers and folded it around the pipe. For extra detail I stuck a little nib of the wire onto the flat end and used a SMS bolt end. Is that explanation good enough or should I take some pics?

Here are some more update photo's


Here's another technique I use to replicate electronic wiring. Just grab the colours needed in normal sewing thread and clamp each end. Then I twist the lot together and paint it with black paint. Once dry it looks like electical tape around wiring.


Next week is my last at work before a 6 week holiday so I'll have plenty to post soon!

[rx7king]

i love your Technique for the wiring, you make it all look so effortless!

[Roca46]

Very good!! very good work on battery and excellent details!

Bye!

[GT-Alex]

I'm not into bike usually but, wow.
The tip for the clamps is nice !