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Honda RC166 Grand Prix Racer by CDW - FINISHED - Tamiya - 1/12


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Posted (edited)

As soon as I finish my current ship build, the USS Essex CV-9, I plan to build this 1:12 scale Tamiya Honda 250cc Grand Prix Racer.

The model as depicted represents the 1966 World Champion who won 10 out of 10 races held that year.

The stock model kit is quite a well detailed offering from Tamiya. But to satisfy my OCD, will add super detailing parts just to make certain I keep things as complicated as possible.  :pirate41:

 

ymtyWWB.jpg

 

0P5QH02.jpg

 

The detail parts include an updated, fully detailed front fork assembly; a detailed metal link-by-link drive chain and sprockets (with an assembly jig); a set of microscopic rivets; and last but not least, a fully detailed set of metal spokes, rims, and hubs, along with an appropriate jig to assemble it all and lace the wire spokes.

 

yy2ljWn.jpg

 

I can hardly wait, and it gives me motivation to get my Essex finished, soon! 

Edited by CDW
  • 6 years later...
Posted
  On 12/18/2016 at 8:55 PM, CDW said:

I can hardly wait, and it gives me motivation to get my Essex finished, soon! 

Expand  

 

Me neither, I have the same kit and extras and it itched me sometimes to start the Honda. I will follow your build and take place on the sparse (non existent in fact) back seat.

 

Cheers Rob

Current builds:   
                             Shelby Cobra Coupe by DocRob - Model Factory Hiro - 1/12 
                             Duchess of Kingston - paused 
                             

Finished builds: F4U-1A Corsair - Tamiya 1/32

                             USS Arizona 1/350 Eduard
                             Caudron C.561 French Racing Plane 1/48
                             Nachtigall on Speed Arado 234 B-2N by DocRob - 1/32 - Fly

                             Renault RE20 Turbo - Tamiya - 1/12
                             P-38J Wicked Woman - Tamiya - 1/48
                             AEG G.IV Creature of the Night - WNW - 1/32
                             "Big Tank" Crocker OHV motorcycle by DocRob - Model Factory Hiro - 1/9
                             MaschinenKrieger Friedrich by DocRob - Wave - 1/20 - PLASTIC - Another one bites the dust
                             McLaren Mp4/6 - Ayrton Senna - Fujimi - 1/20
 

Posted (edited)

Probably a billet crank, relieved, shot peened and magnafluxed, as light as possible...

 

Brother built a 250 cafe racer, everything you could conceive of went into it, it was quick when he bought it...

 

When he was done, he hit it in a parking lot and promptly spun the rear tire off the rim... Had the tires bolted to the rims...

 

He eventually learned to ride it, 0-135 in 8 seconds... Had it for two years then sold it cause he realized that he would eventually kill himself on it... It was perfect not a scratch or ding...

The guy he sold it too promptly flipped it onto its back when trying to take off on it... It didn't need much throttle to take off...

 

Man, those were the crazy days...

Edited by Egilman

Current Build: F-86F-30 Sabre by Egilman - Kinetic - 1/32nd scale

In the Garage: East Bound & Down, Building a Smokey & the Bandit Kenworth Rig in 1/25th scale

Completed: M8A1 HST  1930 Packard Boattail Speedster  M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer  F-4J Phantom II Bell H-13's P-51B/C

Temporary Suspension: USS Gwin DD-433  F-104C Starfighter "Blue Jay Four" 1/32nd Scale

Terminated Build: F-104C Starfighter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

"Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow"

Posted

"Wheel  Lacing"    remember those days  -  not  with motor cycles  but  bicycles,  I built a  few  years back.

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted (edited)

No, the crank was a pressed up affair. In fact if you picked it up off the bench without support, it actually sagged!

The crank cases and main bearings are what gave it rigidity.

A mechanic was asked to lift one of these engines onto a work bench. It was so light he assumed there were no internals...until it was opened up!

The engine had no flywheel effect and had to be run at no less than 2,000rpm, or it just died.

As this project develops, I'll find some references (if you're interested), to illustrate I'm not exaggerating.

Edited by shipman
missing bracket
Posted
  On 4/21/2023 at 9:18 PM, shipman said:

No, the crank was a pressed up affair. In fact if you picked it up off the bench without support, it actually sagged!

The crank cases and main bearings are what gave it rigidity.

A mechanic was asked to lift one of these engines onto a work bench. It was so light he assumed there were no internals...until it was opened up!

The engine had no flywheel effect and had to be run at no less than 2,000rpm, or it just died.

As this project develops, I'll find some references (if you're interested), to illustrate I'm not exaggerating.

Expand  

If you get the chance, I would love to see photos of the engine internals. I knew it was a special crank when I saw the connecting rod. You'll see connecting rods like this in model airplane engines that turn tens of thousands RPM's.

Posted

I took one of these apart because a hard landing in mud goobered up the innards. It doesn't have reference marks for rocker and valve timing so I couldn't get it back together right after dozens of tries.

 

I put the hundreds of parts in a bag and took it to my flying club meeting. Those ever-so-helpful folks gathered around, clucked their tongues and, to a man, said "you poor b*****d". I sent it off to Saito and they re-assembled it at no charge aside from shipping.

 

saito100.png.8b5cfd979699d9dbe1008226f3e64970.png

 

The only thing I can find to illustrate the small scale is a video.

 

Posted
  On 4/21/2023 at 9:18 PM, shipman said:

No, the crank was a pressed up affair. In fact if you picked it up off the bench without support, it actually sagged!

Expand  

Yep, that what was in my brother's bike when he bought it, he replaced it with a speed shop custom crank, lighter and stronger...

Current Build: F-86F-30 Sabre by Egilman - Kinetic - 1/32nd scale

In the Garage: East Bound & Down, Building a Smokey & the Bandit Kenworth Rig in 1/25th scale

Completed: M8A1 HST  1930 Packard Boattail Speedster  M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer  F-4J Phantom II Bell H-13's P-51B/C

Temporary Suspension: USS Gwin DD-433  F-104C Starfighter "Blue Jay Four" 1/32nd Scale

Terminated Build: F-104C Starfighter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

"Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow"

Posted
  On 4/21/2023 at 10:48 PM, VitusBering said:

I took one of these apart because a hard landing in mud goobered up the innards. It doesn't have reference marks for rocker and valve timing so I couldn't get it back together right after dozens of tries.

 

I put the hundreds of parts in a bag and took it to my flying club meeting. Those ever-so-helpful folks gathered around, clucked their tongues and, to a man, said "you poor b*****d". I sent it off to Saito and they re-assembled it at no charge aside from shipping.

 

saito100.png.8b5cfd979699d9dbe1008226f3e64970.png

 

The only thing I can find to illustrate the small scale is a video.

 

Expand  

I owned this O.S. 1.20 twin that I bought from a fellow 2nd hand. After I bought it from him, learned that he had accidentally amputated his thumb when the prop struck it.

 

DSCN0607.thumb.JPG.31974a04297a9e357976e8b6c54e7613.JPG

I never disassembled one of my twins. I also owned this Saito 2.70 twin.

 

DSCN0601.thumb.JPG.567d8eae34c441b8a103419b31829985.JPG

 

But I have disassembled, repaired and rebuilt several four stroke singles, Enya's, Saito's and O.S.'s. Valve timing is a thing.

Posted

It all comes back to my recollection now as to why I stopped construction of this little project: it’s all about lacing the wire wheel spokes. In the top of the photo is a tiny paint tin filled with little machined nipples. These must be slid into holes in the rims to capture each spoke. It takes the patience of Job to get this done. I think I have found my mojo this time.

2B0AAAC3-29BA-4407-934E-BA5AEC94CDA8.jpeg

Posted
  On 4/22/2023 at 7:55 AM, shipman said:

Here's a Japanese TV program where you get to see nearly every nut, bolt and washer of the engine being stripped in front of a live audience. I don't know of an English dubbed version, but this is a MUST SEE for anyone interested.

 

Expand  

Thanks so much for posting this. It will be a tremendous reference for building this model. I already see some things I need to correct on my build/painting of it and am glad to see it now rather than later.

Posted
  On 4/22/2023 at 2:21 PM, CDW said:

It all comes back to my recollection now as to why I stopped construction of this little project: it’s all about lacing the wire wheel spokes. In the top of the photo is a tiny paint tin filled with little machined nipples. These must be slid into holes in the rims to capture each spoke. It takes the patience of Job to get this done. I think I have found my mojo this time.

2B0AAAC3-29BA-4407-934E-BA5AEC94CDA8.jpeg

Expand  

"Spoke Nipples"

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted
  On 4/22/2023 at 6:46 PM, CDW said:

When you were a kid, did you learn to make spoke guns using old bicycle spokes and nipples? You could really shoot them, albeit the projectiles were very small.

Expand  

No mate,   never  really  played with  bb guns  or  air rifles  (my  mum hated them).

 

My  wheel building  came from working  for a cycle manufacturer  and  some work in cycle shops - lacing and building wheel  and  lots  of truing as part of a  service.

 

OC.

Current builds  


28mm  Battle of Waterloo   attack on La Haye Saint   Diorama.

1/700  HMS Hood   Flyhawk   with  PE, Resin  and Wood Decking.

 

 

 

Completed works.

 

Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic.

HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts.

HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine  plastic.

Black Pearl  1/72  Revell   with  pirate crew.

Revell  1/48  Mosquito  B IV

Eduard  1/48  Spitfire IX

ICM    1/48   Seafire Mk.III   Special Conversion

1/48  Kinetic  Sea Harrier  FRS1

Posted (edited)

More goodies .... useful and interesting info to be gleaned here.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/honda-rc174-rc-reborn/

https://www.philaphoto.com/imageLibrary/thumbnails.php?album=1696

 

It's worth noting, the rc166 and rc174 were externally identical.

The George Beale replicas were built with Honda's co-operation, and I think Honda themselves took one to play with. They were faithful in all details and finishes.

Edited by shipman
Aditional info.
Posted
  On 4/22/2023 at 8:02 PM, shipman said:

More goodies .... useful and interesting info to be gleaned here.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/honda-rc174-rc-reborn/

https://www.philaphoto.com/imageLibrary/thumbnails.php?album=1696

 

It's worth noting, the rc166 and rc174 were externally identical.

The George Beale replicas were built with Honda's co-operation, and I think Honda themselves took one to play with. They were faithful in all details and finishes.

Expand  

I noticed that in the video, the engine covers and carbs were gun metal colored but in these photos, a shade of gold.

Posted (edited)

The covers were magnesium and had to be protected from atmospheric moisture.

I think originally a form of gold paint was used. I believe the black is a chemical derived coating.

Here's an article featuring photo's of this engine in Honda's own museum.

I recon they know what they're doing.

https://caferacergarage.eu/honda-rc166-6-cylinder-racing-legend/

 

More....

http://www.deejay51.com/honda_hall_racebikes.htm

 

I do also think it worth pointing out, though Hailwood is always associated with these bikes, Honda's first world champion was Jim Redman who did most of the early 6's development riding.

Redman had a fall and broke his arm; that's how Hailwood got the job.

Irelands Ralph Bryans also rode them regularly, normally, due to his sleight stature he was normally riding 50 and 125's.

Edited by shipman
More!
Posted

Now you got me excited. I will be following you. I thought that my Bianchi was complicated. Your engine is a beauty. Kudos

Ras

 

Current builds:

Stern Paddle Wheeler ZULU-1916-1/48 scale

Previous builds:

Freccia Celeste-1927 350cc racing motorcycle-1:9 scale-Protar kit

Boeing B17F- 1/72 scale- Hasegawa kit

HMS Mimi-scale 1/24-Fast Motor Launch                               

Amapá 1907-1/64 scale-Brazilian Customs Cruiser

Scottish Motor Fifie. 1/32 scale. Amati kit

Patricia. Steam powered R/C launch. 1/12 scale. Krick Kit

African Queen. Steam powered  R/C launch. 1/24 scale. Billings ki

Emma C. Berry. Sailing fishing smack. 1/32 scale. Model Shipways kit.

Posted
  On 4/22/2023 at 9:27 PM, shipman said:

The covers were magnesium and had to be protected from atmospheric moisture.

Expand  

Ahh yes, that's obvious now that you've pointed it out. In the early 1960's my dad and older brothers bought a Dart Kart racing go kart with twin Westbend engines. Much of the kart including the wheels, exhaust pipes, fuel tank, etc., were made of magnesium that had that familiar metallic gray color displayed on the Honda engine covers and carbs. Thanks again!

Posted

I spent several hours today assembling the spokes and nipples to the rim only to realize I misaligned the spokes to the rim some way, some how. I have no other choice now but to soak the parts I assembled in acetone to help release the ca glue I used to bond it all together. After cleaning up all the parts, need to start all over again. I think I know where I went wrong and will spend more care to be sure I start in the correct hole. It looked correct for the first half of the build but all turned to cow flop the second half.

B9EE213E-800F-439A-BF0B-F1EDE5ED072E.jpeg

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