Hello from NZ

[KeithR]

Hello, I’m Keith, a recently retired, 66yr old, Kiwi.

To help keep me busy, I’ve been given a 1/8 scale model of a Yamaha TY125 motorbike from Heller. To say the least I’m a little daunted, given that I haven’t done any modelling for half a century.

I am struggling with this and am wondering whether there is a better scale for a beginner with failing eyesight and dexterity. Looking through this topic, I take it that a 1:72 would be the best scale for a beginner. Correct?

A few questions about the model I’m working on. I’m using the liquid glue that welds the plastic together. I understand that this doesn’t work on the chromed parts, and you must scrape the chrome off. This can be difficult on some parts. Is there a different method?

Also, the soft black plastic parts used for cables and wires, doesn’t take the liquid glue either. What do I use there?

Finally, following the instructions. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere I could fine that explains some of the symbols. There are a couple of instructions on the Heller diagram I don’t understand. One is a black square with a white zig-zag in white. The other a black circle with what looks like pouring something. Hopefully I can attach some pictures.

Many thanks

 

[Geoffers]

Hello Keith, welcome

I build mainly build 1/72 scale models but am not sure it would be an easier scale to start your return.

A lot of the parts can be small and fiddly to handle although the kits are generally cheaper so less of a waste if you mess one up

It depends what sort of genre you are looking at building.
I think 1/35 for armour or vehicles and 1/32 or 1/48 for aircraft would be the way to go.

Sorry I can’t really comment on your current build as I haven’t built a bike before but I’m sure some of the other guys will able to give you some advice on this and chip in regarding scales too.

Geoff.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Keith
Welcome to the forum. Many of us, like yourself, got back into modelling in their "later" years.
Your motor bike kit is perhaps not the best to start with. A cheap 1/35 kit would probably suit you. An older Tamiya kit would be a good choice, reasonably cheap and straightforward to build.
My guess for the symbols, and it is a guess, the circle suggests the end of the wire is stripped back and the rectangle may show a push fit.
Superglue is often useful where the normal styrene cement won't work.
Jim

 

[peterairfix]

Welcome Keith
I have been looking at pics the first one is a knife symbol and the second one is push fit.
I hope it helps

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Welcome Keith from your "down under"
I see that your questions have already been answered and I can only agree with what has been suggested.
This is a very friendly community and I hope you are already feeling at home.

Andrea

 

[Jakko]

Oh, I see the instructions are available on Heller’s site. Looking at them, I get the impression that the zig-zag symbol means you should just push the parts together, in other words: “do not glue”.

For glueing the soft plastic parts, try superglue. That will probably also work to glue the chromed parts together, or to non-chromed bits.

 

[tigersteve]

Hi Keith, Welcome to the forum
Loads of help and info here .
I am currently ( slowly! ) working on a Heller 1/8 BMW so feel your pain with instructions - the above answers are correct, I found the attachment of 'cables' pretty easy so far, if you have a thin tube to be fitted which seems too tight, try warming it with hot water and then push it on. Have fun and lets see some photos of your progress !

 

[Dave Ward]

Kevin,
welcome to the forum! You're in the right place to ask questions - if you want to remove all the chrome from a part, put it in a glass jar & add household bleach, if it's the thick stuff dilute it, so it can get into all the recesses. Lid on & leave overnight. Rinse in cold water - chrome gone! Otherwise, scraping the plating away is the best method for ensuring good glue bonds. Using superglue can work, but it's only as strong as the plating bond to the plastic.
If you're into bikes, I'd suggest one of the Tamiya 1/12 motorbike kits, road cars, one of the Tamiya 1/24 offerings. Aircraft, I'd say 1/48 scale, and armour 1/35. All models have small parts, but the smaller the scale, the less physical area you have to fit them in. If you have a yearning for a particular model, do a bit of research, and ask on the forum - there'll be someone on here who'll have made it, or be able to give advise
Cheers,
Dave

 

[Airborne01]

Hello and Welcome mate!
Steve

 

[Caustik Filth]

Welcome aboard Keith!
Cheers Rob

 

[Ian M]

Welcome along for the ride.
If you are struggling with 1/8 going to 1/72 is not going to help. The bigger the second number the smaller the kit (and parts).
1/8 is an OK scale for a MC. Only topped by Tamiya 1/6 which are only a bit bigger.
Heller are not that bad a brand and have some great kits.
Getting chrome off parts. If it is just the contact point that you wish to remove a sharp knive to scrap it off, or a small sanding stick (sandpaper). If it is large odd shapes for the purpose of painting them. I believe that household bleach does the trick, as does brake fluid, if I remember correctly.
Plonk the parts in a dish cover with the fluid and leave over night. Rinse off and brush under a running tap. (for the bleach at least.)

 

[adt70hk]

Welcome to the madhouse Keith!!

Whereabouts are you in the land of the 'long white cloud'? My wife grew up in NZ and so I've visited a few times and we actually got married in Auckland.

I think the others have covered it all and as they have said going down to 1/72 is not going to help......whilst it s of course the one true modelling scale and my favoured scale, the bits can be tiny!!!

Hope you manage to sort out the issues with the bike.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Del640]

Welcome!

 

[Mickc1440]

Welcome to the forum Keith

 

[JR]

Welcome Keith .

 

[papa 695]

Hi and welcome to the forum Keith.

 

[KeithR]

Welcome to the madhouse Keith!!

Whereabouts are you in the land of the 'long white cloud'? My wife grew up in NZ and so I've visited a few times and we actually got married in Auckland.

I think the others have covered it all and as they have said going down to 1/72 is not going to help......whilst it s of course the one true modelling scale and my favoured scale, the bits can be tiny!!!

Hope you manage to sort out the issues with the bike.

ATB.

Andrew

Many thanks everyone for your help

After much study I've decided to make my next project a 1:35 Tamiya tank. (I've been spending my drying time hours on the Yamaha, studying the tank instructions in great detail and plotting my approach).

I've pretty much finished the Yamaha but I'm afraid I've made a dog's breakfast of it. All of the small, delicate, parts are just a bit too much for me. Misreading the diagram and putting bits in the wrong way round leading to the next bit not fitting, etc.

I've also now broken two parts and don't know whether they are repairable. I have broken a flange off the forks that hold the headlight shield on. These parts are chrome and I'm not sure whether I could make a repair that would then hold the headlight shield.

The other broken piece is the end of the handle bars. Again they are chromed parts and the area I am looking at is so small. Probably a circle of around 1mm dia.

Any ideas?

Keith (in Wellington)

 

[boatman]

HI Keith welcome to our forum from me also an its a great place to be nice an freindly
ATB
chrisb

 

[stillp]

Keith, the handlebar end would probably fasten back on with a tiny drop of CA (superglue). Same with the bracket for the headlamp shield - that shield will also add a bit of strength.
Don't worry about breaking bits, that's all part of the experience - at least it is for me!
Pete