Motorcycles
Scale motorcycle modeling topics.
Tamiya 1/12 Ducati Panigale S - Tricolore Ed.
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 - 10:08 AM UTC
It just looks so real
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 - 01:52 PM UTC
Russell I take this as a huge compliment that humbles me deeply. For me that's the very essence of modeling: make the things look real!
Thank you very much for your feed-back.

Gabriel
RussellE
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Posted: Tuesday, June 05, 2018 - 10:07 PM UTC
My pleasure Gabriel.

Thank you for sharing your build!
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Wednesday, June 06, 2018 - 09:59 PM UTC
Gabriel,
Russ is right, that engine looks pretty close to the real thing. Tamiya have done a great job on the moulding and painting skills have really made it standout. Looking forward to getting all hooked up.

cheers
Michael
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Wednesday, June 06, 2018 - 10:43 PM UTC
Michael, thank you very much. I have to say that I can't stop WOW-ing myself as the build progresses. Please see the following pics for another examples of tremendous Tamiya engineering!

UPDATE
The chain protection and swing arm added to the sprocket assembly; the swing arm remains movable after assembly:


The whole sub-assembly bolted to the engine frame. Again, the articulation remains workable after the model is completed. I'm not a huge fan of assembling with screws, but I have to admit that the procedure has its benefits:


The same assembly from the opposite side:


I went ahead the instructions and assembled the front wheel; I was just curious to see how the finished assembly will look and I wasn't disappointed:


Two more sub assemblies glued together and readied for painting / detailing. Tamiya shows again highest engineering class. And more yet, although the sub-assemblies look devilishly intricate, they are very simple to put together:


Thank you for following.
Working already on the next update

Cheers!
Gabriel
LonCray
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Virginia, United States
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Posted: Thursday, June 07, 2018 - 03:20 AM UTC
To quote an old song: that is a mean motorscooter and a bad go-getter! Got me one of these on order (and a non-tricolore in my stash) so I'm watching this with great interest!
Littorio
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thursday, June 07, 2018 - 05:33 AM UTC
Beautiful work Gabriel, I've been following along quietly in the back on your build as I also have this kit in the stash along with a couple of other Duc's.

I've been thinking of getting another as I found a company that do an all black Senna limited edition decal set.
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Thursday, June 07, 2018 - 08:45 AM UTC
Hi, Lee. You couldn't have spend your money wiser! I'm a big amateur of super-detailed kits like ICM, old Dragon, recent MiniArt but nothing compares with those Tamiya kits in regard to detail amount / number of parts. It's like magic!

Ciao, Luciano! I have mentioned at the beginning of the blog the black edition but for some reason I thought it was Tamiya's own upgrade set. Now I realize I was in the wrong - it's an after-market set but it looks darn good, I must say! I would gladly build that one too! And thank you very much for your interest and for taking your time to leave a reply!

Cheers!
Gabriel
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Saturday, June 09, 2018 - 02:57 PM UTC
Hi, guys!

I absolutely love the way this model was engineered: it builds itself in tri-dimensional layers around the engine.

UPDATE
I finished basically the core construction. All details around the engine block / frame are in place:




If Tamiya engineering is as close to perfection as it can be, I am not:
I forgot to paint this little bugger (it carries also a decal):


Fortunately it's an external detail and can be added at this point without any kind of trouble.

Next pit-stop: adding a couple decals and three lengths of hose. I should also think of building the racing stand because now it's impossible to touch the assembly without endangering the details.

I have primed the fork's parts but I'm gonna need a couple of day to finish them because three different metallic colors are involved.

Thanks for following!
More updates in the making!
Gabriel
RussellE
#306
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Posted: Sunday, June 10, 2018 - 10:02 PM UTC
Stunning!
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 01:15 PM UTC
Russell, thank you for following the build closely and for your permanent support. It helps!

UPDATE

I started attaching the brake lines provided by Tamiya as plastic(?) tube. A little fiddly, because the diameter of the tube is really small, but once installed looks very nice with the visible flaring, just like the real thing!




I painted and assembled the fork. I was so absorbed in by build that I forgot to take pictures with the progress on it, but here it is, ready assembled to the frame:


You might have noted some uneven surface on the top part of the fork on the gold painting in the previuos picture. That is residue from the masking tape. It's not the first time when that happens to me with Tamiya 18mm tape (never with 10mm!). THe truth is it was very hot these days in Sint Maarten and I guess it have something to do with. The glue marks can be wiped with IPA so no worries after all



I went ahead and put together the front mudguard and the racing stand. I don't really like the motorcycles displayed on racing stand, but I need it for support during the handling



As the muffler cans, the front mudguard it's a little of a letdown from Tamiya, because the Tricolore edition comes with carbon fiber mudguard as default and this it's shown clearly on the box art! The kit doesn't offer decal for that and I have no spares Not a deal breaker, but it would have been nice to have the option. I'll try do do a surrogate (smoke over chrome or something like that - I know, I'm begging for trouble again!)

That's the actual status, folks! Thank you for following!
The next steps: adding the brake lines to the front and installing the wheels!

More updates in the making!
Cheers! Gabriel
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
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Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 05:11 PM UTC
Looks amazing Gabriel. Very sharp.
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2018 - 09:40 AM UTC
nearly there now Gabriel!
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2018 - 11:54 AM UTC
Jesper, thanks! The quality of detail on this kit makes painting so much easier!

Russell, just about there, indeed. And now a step closer, with the following

UPDATE
I have installed the wheels. I know, last update I was bragging about installing the front brake lines, but I forgot I still have to assembly and paint the calipers! Du-uh



Only now with the wheels installed I realize that this is a rather big model - and it's still growing.

I've shown you last time the assembled race stand - it's primed now but I'm not going to paint it gunmetal as Tamiya calls for - I'll use the same yellow I've used for the suspension spring - just to add some chromatic balance for the pictures to be taken with the completed model. And the wheels of that trolley thing are molded in clear to replicate the silicone wheels of the original. On my yellow stand, they did a mistake and put black silicone wheels! Don't you believe me? Wait and see...

More updates in the making!

Cheers!
Gariel
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Saturday, June 16, 2018 - 12:54 PM UTC
Hi, guys!

I kept dealing with all sorts of details, with mixed results...

UPDATE
Here's a small speed bump:
The halves of the front fender fit together perfectly, but I managed to make a small chip where I removed the injection gate. Initially looked minuscule on the bright white plastic, but after priming looked very conspicuous. Also I didn't particularly liked the way I've got the primer on, and I decided for a more radical solution:


After sanding I have discovered that my intuition was correct: the surface wasn't perfect at all and I couldn't have ignored it, because it's in a very visible eye polarizing spot :


As said earlier, I really need the trolley to support my model now and I went ahead and painted it yellow, applied the decal and sprayed the clear coat over it. And that's the good news:


The bad news is that I've tried to use Tamiya X22 and I'm not too fond with the result:


I might have a little problem here. The urethane that I normally use for clear coat is a little yellowish. I love the effect - it looks like an amber warming filter - but I cannot applied over ultra-bright white. I use Krylon white as my default enamel white, and that one is also a little towards ivory, but for this model I chose ultra-bright base from Rust-oleum and my trials have shown that the urethane is quite visible over it. And I have not so many options. I still have loads of Pledge but I don't really want to go back yo it unless is absolutely necessary and X-22. X-22 and I aren't the best friends. I've tried about everything with it, but... bad results every time. I don't know if is me or Caribbean climate (most certainly me), but I don't want to risk this particular model with dubious quality. I have on the way Alclad Klear Kote and I better wait for it another week or so. I still have a few things to do before wrapping up this build, so there's not big drama.

Another little thing I managed to do is to apply the decal over the dash:


Tamiya offers two variants:


I chose the dark version (night mode?) because the cover of the feature emanating from this build will show the Panigale against a city at night (maybe Sidney, Michael?) and I find black background more adequate.

Meanwhile couple of other parts are drying after today's spraying session, so you should expect more updates soon.

Cheers!
Gabriel
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Sunday, June 17, 2018 - 04:01 AM UTC
Hi, guys!

UPDATE
Since I am off today I decided to tackle a couple of fiddle bits. First off, the calipers for the brakes:


Setting those 'brembo' decals in place was an interesting experience. Overall I am pleased with the way it looks but I think a very light oil wash is needed for the wheel details

I added the gas tank cap and I finished detailing (not visible in this picture, but the gas tank has a black semi-gloss trim underneath as part of the motorcycle's frame):


I also sprayed / primed some other bits... working on detailing them. More updates soon!
Cheers!
Gabriel

RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Sunday, June 17, 2018 - 09:50 AM UTC
Gabriel, watching your build has been like watching a documentary of the master craftsmen building the real thing!

Just amazing!
LonCray
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Virginia, United States
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Posted: Monday, June 18, 2018 - 03:26 AM UTC
This beauty is the quality I try to reach every time I build another motorcycle. Those folks who build the photoetch chains and add tiny fuel lines have my admiration, but those are far beyond my skill. This is what I strive for (and seldom reach). Great job!
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Monday, June 18, 2018 - 12:37 PM UTC
Russell, I don't know if I have to price Tamiya for taking into such a brilliant piece of Italian engineering or I have to price Ducati for licensing the Panigale series to Tamiya. Whichever way, the resulted kit is superb: it builds just like the real thing!

Lee, you're on the right track thinking that way. I always look to give my best in a build and I always push towards besting my last completed kit. I never agreed with "lack of skill" thing. You have all the skills - they're just being dormant. Wake them up with some nice practice! Thanks for the praise!

UPDATE
All hoses in place now. There is a mistake in Tamiya's manual regarding the number of hoses and I'm glad they added some extra length of tube - otherwise now I'll be in a very tight spot


The handles added to the handlebar. I did a mistake here regarding the method of painting the red inserts in the handles' mold. I painted first the inserts, and then the rubber black - both acrylics. I should have done it the other way, painting the black first in enamels, then fill the red areas with acrylic - easy to wipe out if the edges over-painted. Now I have to "negotiate" colors until I get it right. Tamyia doesn't call for this, but I've seen the real think on YT and those inserts really stand out.


The electric boxes added. I've done a rather sloppy job in detailing them, but they're out of sight anyhow (unconvincing excuse, is it?)



The addition that really start showing the final lines of the motorcycle is the seat's under-frame. Now the position of the rider can be intuited as "heavy-on-the-wrist"!


Well, Miss Fortuna was smiling to somebody else than me again. As with the muffler cans, the front mudguard needs yet another special treatment

I have no clue how I managed to do that - maybe some over-spray from painting the other parts? However, back to row one! Not big deal but nonetheless annoying.

I am about to start now working on the cowlings - just after I finish this posting - and that's the flag for last lap!

Cheers!
Gabriel
KoSprueOne
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Myanmar
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Posted: Monday, June 18, 2018 - 02:07 PM UTC
I'm so glad my computer is fixed and I'm back on the this network. Progress looking fine, Sir!




Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 12:34 PM UTC
The bike is looking great Gabriel. Almost want to hop on and go for a ride. I will wait until you've added the seat.

cheers
Michael
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 - 10:43 PM UTC
KSO, I'm glad you're back and technical problems left behind! Thank you for the kind words.

Michael, I think you can take your chances - the heat shield is in place

UPDATE

I finally managed to paint the front mudguard without any drama and dry-fitted in place...

... just to realize that a decal needs to be applied and hence a new clear coat - a new chance to go wrong

The upper side of the cowling behind the seat painted without problems:


but not the same went with the under-sides of the same cowling. I'm growing superstitious here, guys! Each time I paint a pair of identical parts, one has to be with problems (LOL!)
If the primer on the one of the right side went flawless, look at the one on the left!


Working right now on the last bits and the shipment containing Klear Kote was boarded in Miami yesterday... I should have it by next Tuesday I guess...

Cheers!
Gabriel
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 03:29 PM UTC
HI, guys!

Small UPDATE

In another example of brilliant engineering, Tamiya designed the parts for taillights as a snap-tite mini-assembly, so no glue is needed nowhere near the clear parts. The most difficult part was to find an angle to take the picture, because of the lights position, slanted at a very sharp angle and nearly parallel with the rear wheel.


More updates in the making!

Cheers!
Gabriel
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Friday, June 22, 2018 - 01:22 PM UTC
Hi, guys!

I'm inching here towards the finish line. Awaiting impatiently my clear coat to arrive.

Small UPDATE
Finally a splash of color on the build!


The gas tank in its place, awaiting for the side skirts.


I sprayed today the lower part of the rear cowling and the clear coat over the front mudguard but they're still in the paint booth - I don't want to risk a dust contamination (although the white parts are contaminated already and they'll need a little sanding).

More updates in the making! Thanks for dropping by!

Cheers!
Gabriel
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Sunday, June 24, 2018 - 09:39 AM UTC
Nearly there now Gabriel!

It's always these last stages that make me nervous too-one wrong move could ruin all the hard work put in so far!

Looks like you've got it under control though