Hello all…after some beginners advice!

[Guest]

just want to make sure I don’t make any major mistakes.

Well, you’ve got Tamiya kits, so the fit of the parts should be very good and if you just follow the instructions you can’t really go wrong. However, don’t think you won’t make any mistakes — assume that you will a some point, and see them as opportunities to learn how not to do it It’s the same as with everything else: you have to start at the beginning and won’t make the perfect model right away (or ever, for that matter) but you’ll improve with each one.

The main thing to aim for, IMHO, is that you’re happy with the result, and if you’re not, that you at least learn from it how to do it better on the next one — as well as how to live with things you feel you could have done better

[Jim R]

Welcome Chris to a great forum. I've not built a large scale bike but those I've seen make very impressive models.

[Andy the Sheep]

A warm welcome from me too, Chris.
I'm not in bikes modelling, but, as others already pointed out, here you'll find some very good bikes modellers and a lot of friendly good advice from everyone.

Andrea

[Dave Ward]

Chris,
welcome to the forum - you'll find a lot of advice and tips here & a fair few bike modellers - at least one being blogged at the moment. Any questions on techniques etc., ask away, there is a really wide range of knowledgable members & someone will know the answer, or know where to find it.
Above all enjoy yourself, and don't get downhearted if things don't turn out as you hoped - I still make cock ups despite 50+ years of modelmaking! One way to get useful hints & tips is to do a blog of a build, with pictures - there's no nasty comments on here!
Dave

[Bozzie82]

Chris,
welcome to the forum - you'll find a lot of advice and tips here & a fair few bike modellers - at least one being blogged at the moment. Any questions on techniques etc., ask away, there is a really wide range of knowledgable members & someone will know the answer, or know where to find it.
Above all enjoy yourself, and don't get downhearted if things don't turn out as you hoped - I still make cock ups despite 50+ years of modelmaking! One way to get useful hints & tips is to do a blog of a build, with pictures - there's no nasty comments on here!
Dave

Thanks for the advice! I’m slowly building up what I need and the model arrived this morning.

Plenty of research on here before I start I think, some of the builds on the bike section look amazing.

I’m always guilty of jumping into things quickly but can see from the onset that this is a take your time hobby!

[Bozzie82]

Hello and welcome iv built a few bike kits, what i tend to do is flick through the whole build see where the hard bits are or anything I'm not sure off, good thing for you is its a tamiya kit and these tend to go together very well, next step for me is to cut out the parts for section 1 clean these up remove mould lines and any lumps or bumps once i get these done i will put the parts of the same colour together and prime this will highlight any issues, if your happy air brush or rattle can (face mask, extraction ventilation required) repeat repeat & repeat body work fairings and the like i sometimes bond at the start of a build fill where required and paint this gives them time to harden before you need them or before you add decals saves on Finger prints tooo
but don't be hard on your self, the you tubers are beyond good… they turn out fantastic builds not just bikes, its a learning curve for most of us and most importantly its for your enjoyment great thing about this site is all the help & everyone is friendly and not critical none of us build perfectly
any question ask away some one will always be willing to advise
My first build (12 years ago) alway worth keeping as a reminder of where you started and how far you have come it was hand painted (badly) but i think im getting the hang of it now
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Simon

Great advice thank you.

Planning is going to be a challenge but I think trial and error is inevitable!

[Dave Ward]

Thanks for the advice! I’m slowly building up what I need and the model arrived this morning.

Plenty of research on here before I start I think, some of the builds on the bike section look amazing.

I’m always guilty of jumping into things quickly but can see from the onset that this is a take your time hobby!

Chris,
one valuable research site is Scalemates https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tami...katana--129741 as an example.............
You can download the instructions - on the left hand side - useful for finding out what colours you need, and the complexity of the build. I always do this before buying any model - I like to see what I'm letting myself in for! Scalemates covers all kits, instructions aren't always there, but loads of information like date etc - bookmark the site!
Dave

[Bozzie82]

Chris,
one valuable research site is Scalemates https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tami...katana--129741 as an example.............
You can download the instructions - on the left hand side - useful for finding out what colours you need, and the complexity of the build. I always do this before buying any model - I like to see what I'm letting myself in for! Scalemates covers all kits, instructions aren't always there, but loads of information like date etc - bookmark the site!
Dave

That’s great thanks for that, bookmarked already!

I can see this taking over all my free time !

[Tim Marlow]

Welcome to the site Chris.

Best two pieces of advice, which are really applicable to all forms of modelling, are as follows:

Try each piece before gluing it, and only stick it in place if it fits properly.

Visualise the painting sequence before sticking a part in place. If painting either the part itself, or the part it is being glued to, will be difficult with the part in place, paint them first…..

Third bit of advice is to post pictures and ask questions. Whatever the issue, somebody on here will have a way forward for you :thumb2:

[Bozzie82]

Welcome to the site Chris.

Best two pieces of advice, which are really applicable to all forms of modelling, are as follows:

Try each piece before gluing it, and only stick it in place if it fits properly.

Visualise the painting sequence before sticking a part in place. If painting either the part itself, or the part it is being glued to, will be difficult with the part in place, paint them first…..

Third bit of advice is to post pictures and ask questions. Whatever the issue, somebody on here will have a way forward for you :thumb2:

Some good advice thank you.

Just returned from my local model shop with all the Tamiya paint I need.

I’ve now ( I think ) got everything I need to get cracking!

[PaulTRose]

Some good advice thank you.

Just returned from my local model shop with all the Tamiya paint I need.

I’ve now ( I think ) got everything I need to get cracking!

but did you get some thinners too?

practice with your airbrush first so you get a feel how it works (and learn how to clean it afterwards too)
dont forget primer......i use automotive primer out of a rattle can.....cheap and quick

you will find this is a hobby.....like golf and fishing.......where there is a gazillion gizmos and tools out there..........but think laterally and you can do it on the cheap

[Bozzie82]

but did you get some thinners too?

practice with your airbrush first so you get a feel how it works (and learn how to clean it afterwards too)
dont forget primer......i use automotive primer out of a rattle can.....cheap and quick

you will find this is a hobby.....like golf and fishing.......where there is a gazillion gizmos and tools out there..........but think laterally and you can do it on the cheap

Yes got some thinners and some primer, had a good chat with the manager and made sure ii had everything!

Was a well stocked shop and it’s 2 mins away from my work which is a bonus!

[Airborne01]

Welcome Chris! What's not to like about bikes!
Steve

[PaulTRose]

Was a well stocked shop and it’s 2 mins away from my work which is a bonus!

lol........now you are at the top of the slippery slope.......next will be 'im just popping in for a look'...........before you know it the growing stash is out of control :smiling6::smiling6::smiling6:

[rtfoe]

Welcome to the forum Chris, I've only built a modern bike kit once just for the fun of it. It was a Tamiya kit so no probs with the fit. Clean up was also easy as there were few mold seams. Not the usual way I normally build as it was mainly a paint in sub assemblies and fitting together later thingy. I'm sure you'll enjoy your Tamiya kits.
I am impressed by some builders who modify the 1/35 scale army Harleys into road bikes.

Cheers,
Richard