Tamiya Model Magazine – September 2019

FULL-BUILD: MOTORCYCLE MODELLING

TAMIYA 1:12 HONDA RC166 ● KIT NO.14113

36 September 2019 TMMI 287

Completing the frame and fuel tank

FRAME, REAR SWING ARM

AND EXHAUSTS

I used Tamiya TS-14 Black (gloss) for

the frame and then the engine was

installed. After that I mounted the

frame and engine to my trusty Motojig.

I replaced the plastic moulded chain

adjuster bolts on the rear swing arm

with turned versions from Tuner Model

Manufactory (T2M). The PE chain

adjuster comes with the kit and was

used to adjust the chain sag like on

the 1:1 bikes; the adjustability is very

useful because it allows some extra

room to fit chain without damaging

anything. The bolts were painted with

Alclad 2 Copper and the swing arm

itself was painted with Tamiya TS-14

with a two-part clear coat on top.

Back to the frame. I modified the

rear brake connection by using various

T2M fittings and using the 1:1 bike

as reference. A pet peeve of mine is

the use of crosshead screws for the

attachments at the suspension and

wheel hubs etc. I used lots of PE

simulated bolt heads to cover the

screws and I also replaced the Tamiya

crosshead screws with turned metal

bolts from Scale Hardware. The beauty

of these bolts is that they are threaded

which means you can use them to

replace the Tamiya supplied screws

without any modifications needed! Next

up I installed the rear wheel and chain.

This job was pretty delicate and also

very tricky. I used the jig and my very

helpful wife held it (with the model

on it) while I used my two free hands

to gently feed the chain into the little

gap near the swing arm and onto the

front sprocket. Once that was complete

I then put the rear swing arm in place

and bolted that up. After that the rear

wheel went on with me carefully laying

the chain onto the sprocket, I am glad

Tamiya made it so you can tension the

chain as this came in handy to ensure

enough room was there for the chain to

go onto the rear sprocket.

The exhausts were up next and

here I opted to use the Hobby Design

exhaust gaskets which look much

better than the Tamiya parts; T2M

turned hex fittings were also used. The

The author used Tamiya TS-14

Black (gloss) for the frame and

then the engine was installed.

After that, the sub-assembly

was mounted in a Motojig so it

could be handled safely

V