G’day;
To assist in an article I’m trying to write I’m looking for opinion on which plastic model motorcycle kits you believe have been the most influential, ground-breaking or just plain outstanding of all time. I only want a shortlist of three and I’m placing a similar request in all the main modelling genres.
Does anyone have any suggestions including why they think their choice qualifies?
Michael
Certainly some of the very first motorcycle models we were exposed to in the 1960’s were from the Revell Parts Pack series like the one shown below. They also offered a Honda and BSA I believe.
My most influential motorcycle models are the two I have recently re-obtained after many years of searching.
These models along with the “Then Came Bronson” Harley led the way for the 1/8 models that we all know and love!
There’s not much response to this enqury from motorcycle modellers but speaking of Honda’s, what about the huge 1970 Tamiya 1:6 CB750? Surely a landmark kit that made a ‘big’ impact four decades ago?
Michael
IMAI made some beautiful 1/16 scale kits of Harley’s. I have the Fatboy kit at home. It built up to a beautiful kit with extra parts such as tubing for brake/throttle cables and spark plugs plus decals. I showed it off to a couple of Harley owners this past summer, who thought it looked pretty good.
this is a no brainer! It’s got tobe the 1/9th scale bikes that ESCI did way way back, and are still being reboxed to this day
gary
I don’t know how influential Tamiya’s Honda was at the time. I was about 10 when I got that kit from an aunt. I still have the bag of metal links for the drive chain that I never attempted to assemble. Amazingly detailed and quite impressive both in the box and built (c’mon, individual battery plates?), I’m sure it was also expensive.
I had more fun with the Revell kits of the late 60’s, I think they were 1/8 scale. The choppers were cool, but I’d love to see the Harley Drag Bike come back. I think that would generate enough sales to justify it.
I’d like to see more 1/25 bikes. The new bikes don’t do much for me from a modeling stand point, I’d much rather have 60’s era stuff, so rereleasing the old parts pack bikes would suit me just fine.
This last go-round of choppers from Revell was good enough. I had some styling issues, but the scale allows a little easier customizing. I want more than just the two that are out. It’s time for at least two new ones in that series. An Indian Larry style Bobber would be so cool.
Motorcycles make up such a small percentage of the offerings out there, this is a difficult subject to get a hold of. I can’t remember the manufacturers but there are two types of kits I remember from my youth. The first was a large unit, (1/6 perhaps?) called “Honda CB750 Racing Type” and the second was a smaller (1/12 maybe?) called the “World Championship Suzuki TM400”. I should have a very good memory of the second, as I must have built it a dozen times, but it just escapes me. As far as my own personal favorite is concerned, many years ago the Parts Manager of a large 4 brand dealership, I ordered a Protar brand 1/9 scale Championship winning Yamaha YZR500 in the 1988 Marlboro livery as raced by my favorite GP rider of all time: Eddie Lawson. Protar had a nice selection of motorcycles as I recall, but I have to say that it has been a long time since I’ve looked into motorcycle models. On a slightly different note, I would love to see a manufacturer bring out a line of Motocross bikes, 1/12 scale.
The 1:6 Honda CB750 Racing Type can only be Tamiya’s original offering in it’s racing form. The first kit in the series was the standard CB750 and is my favourite motorcycle kit. The first release of this one had a metal chain made up of separate links I understand and is now a collector’s item.
I tackled a 1:9 Protar motorcycle in the 70’s, I don’t remember which one but I do remember it had internal parts in the gearbox which would never be seen after assembly and was extremely difficult to construct. I don’t remember if I ever finished it or not but I’ve never tried another.
This is the second kit in the Tamiya 1:6 series which I slapped together over Christmas. Don’t look too closely but it does show the wonderful level of detail they included; working suspension, folding footrests, foldng handlebars etc, etc.
Not bad for a 38 year old offering.
Michael
Yes, the Honda chain was built up exactly as the 1:1 except the pins and rollers were plastic.
Very nice CT70 MTH. It sure took me back in time. My cousin had an orange one. It survived him, his two brothers, me, and then his first son. Unfortunately, one dark night, someone decided they needed it more than we did, so our family friend is no longer with us. I think you are right about the “Racing Honda” being Tamiya though it was almost 30 years ago I had it. My Protars (also had the Freddie Spencer Honda NS500 in 1985 Rothmans livery) did not have any internal parts and the drive chains are individual plastic links.
That’s interesting, I wonder if anyone’s done scale chain for kits to replace the moulded plastic variety? It seems to me most chains would be pretty similar. Then again, if I wanted to use such a chain on the Dax above I’d have to source a chainwheel and sprocket 'cos they’re moulded onto the plastic chain. The 1:6 Honda CB750 has a separate chainwheel and sprocket and so has the Harley Davidson FLH80 I think.
It really is a pity there aren’t more kits of old bikes. I agree that modern ones with all their streamlined cowlings lack romance. Older bikes with all their mechanical bits in full view make much more interesting models.
Michael