scratchbuilt 1/5th scale "MV125 GTLS Agusta in Metal"

modelmaker · 11-08-2007

Hi I would like to share my Build experience with anyone interested in the progress of this model.
I was approched by a gentleman some time back to commission me to build him a large scale model of this Motorcycle and I accepted.
The Model is made pretty much from brass as this is the material I like to work in ! I started by measuring and photographing the real motorcycle from my clients Shed and then set to work on building it.
The frame is scratchbuilt from Brass and the wheels are hand machined from my lathe and laced in Stainless wire, since these photos were taken I have re made a second set of wheels and added the spoke nipples which were ommitted by me in the original wheels.
The engine Crankcase and side covers are hand shaped from solid acrylic and the "MV logo" was laser cut .
This is going to be a long term build and I will post update photos of the progess as time goes on , should anyone wish to ask questions regardiing build tecniques please ask away .

Sean

Marudek · 11-08-2007

Hi modelmaker!

First of all: a very warm welcome! Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope to see the progress. I am very interested in your model because: 1) it’s a motorcycle, and 2) it’s scratch built. I’ll take the first row seat and follow your thread, I am sure other modellers interested in motorcycles will join (right Bunkerbarge?)

Regards,
Marudek

modelmaker · 11-08-2007

Hi Marudek,
Thankyou for the warm welcome , Here are a few pictures of the motor pieces which are cast resin pieces,the frame is made entirely from brass.

The other pictures of the model with the fuel tank added are how it looks to this point , the fuel tank on the model is hand carved from pear wood , I've painted it roughly in a spare red color I had sitting around , the black on the frame is only temporary as well!
The Tank has been fitted temporarally just to check for fit and I will use it as a master to re cast in resin.

Cheers
sean

modelmaker · 11-08-2007

More pics I will add one or 2 pictures at a time from now on with a description of what I've done.

Sean

alan2525 · 11-08-2007

Thanks for taking the time to share those photos from your build. The workmanship looks absolutely first class! Keep the updates coming - I look forward to seeing this model coming together.

**Bunkerbarge** · 11-08-2007

A warm welcome to the forum Modelmaker and many thanks for starting us off with such a superb model. The fact that is scratch built and made of metal makes for a very special project indeed and you seem to be doing an amazing job of reproducing the various parts.

Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

**Bluewavestudios** · 11-08-2007

Hi ModelMaker and a warm welcome from me too,
That's a very impressive looking model there, very nice work.
Keep the pics coming, I think your client will be pleased with this one, you've certainly impressed us already on here with your skills.

Regards.......Mark

Marudek · 13-08-2007

Hi modelmaker!

This model is absolutely superb! I must admit my jaw dropped down to the floor! Please tell us how did you make the tyres? The tread pattern looks great. And please write more about resin casting; are you using silicone to make a matrix?

Regards,
Marudek

modelmaker · 14-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marudek

Hi modelmaker!

This model is absolutely superb! I must admit my jaw dropped down to the floor! Please tell us how did you make the tyres? The tread pattern looks great. And please write more about resin casting; are you using silicone to make a matrix?

Regards,
Marudek

The tyres were machined from sandwiched acrylic sheet.
What I did was sandwich 4 pieces of over diameter cut squares of .4 mm
Acrylic and locate the centre drill a hole and mount it to a mandrel .
Once I did this I mounted it in my lathe chuck and turned the basic shape of the outside Diameter of the tyre.
I then cut the inside Diameter which leaves me with a round ring .
The next step was to reverse the Chuck jaws and remount the disk so as I could start shaping the outer Tyre profile, This is a job which I find easier to do with a course file ( bit like wood turning) Once I have a profile I'm happy with It I then clean the course surface with different grades of course down to finer grades of Abrasive papers.
Now the tyre pattern is mounted to my mill chuck which is mounted to my dividing head, I used a 40 division plate on this particular tyre pattern .
The way it works is the over head mill is fitted with a fine disk cutter, while the cutter rotates at high speed the tyre pattern is rotated verticely and the cutter is wound in to the tyre creating a small cut , the tyre is the rotated on the dividing head and locked onto its next division and the same process is repeated again until I reached the entire 360 degree turn around the whole wheel!!This process is very teadious

Many differnt cutting patterns can be created using this process ,
I'm very lucky that on the real bike both front and back tyres are Identical , which makes it much easier as I only made the one "pattern Tyre" and Recast it in rubber.If I were to make more than one model of the same subjet I can cast as many patterns as I desire.
As far as rubber casting is concerned I have a friend who does all my casting work for me It's much easier and a lot less messy !! I have tried it myself but find it takes away from my building time .

Sean

Marudek · 14-08-2007

Hi Sean!

Thank you for describing whole process. Seems you’ve got well-equipped workshop. I am waiting to see more of your excellent job. I must think of some jig to tread my 1/72 wheels. Maybe it will improve the final result.

Regards,
Marudek