Scratchbuilt 1/5th scale MV 125 Agusta GTLS Motorcycle

Having access to all the Exibits at the National Motor Museum Birdwood SA I was looking around for a Bike Subject I wanted to build and came across this beautiful little MV Agusta.
The real bike just had soo much charm wasn't overly cluttered and with a name like "MV" anyone could relate to it so I thought Ok your it !!
I started with the usual proccedure of taking several Hundred Detailed Digital Images of the bike and got my Mate and myself busy measuring each and every individual component down to the last nut and bolt, this proccedure normally takes a good full 2 days of measuring for a motorcycle subject , this one was easier being a much less complicated bike! Then I came home and started drawing everything up on Auto Cad .
Next bit is the fun part part building the bike ! I started this project now about 3 years ago and am building a run of 6 bikes , I only work on them when time allows due to other clients modelling commitments.
I've used Brass as a medium for all the frame, forks, handle bars , headlights etc and Aluminium for the wheels, sprockets ,clipons Etc. I'm going to Re make the Fuel tank from Brass sheet ,the tank I've made already is carved from Blackwood but I'm not happy with the finished effect. The crankcase and Cheek covers are machine profiled from solid Acrylic and will be cast in Pewter for a relistic finish!
The bikes are not yet finished but I'm hoping to have one on display at next years Melbourne Model Expo either finished or unfinished time will tell ?

Wow!!!! I sure wish I was 1/5th scale so I could take one for a ride when there done!

absolutely incredibal is all i have to say!!!WOW!!!

Righto Sean, now that you've completely shamed my pitiful attempts at scratch building bikes, I now humbly bow to the absolute master and bow my head in shame. Now two questions, how do you make those lovely wheels and where did you get that small scale roller chain? Please for the love of God don't tell me you make that chain from scratch!

Pete wrote:Righto Sean, now that you've completely shamed my pitiful attempts at scratch building bikes, I now humbly bow to the absolute master and bow my head in shame. Now two questions, how do you make those lovely wheels and where did you get that small scale roller chain? Please for the love of God don't tell me you make that chain from scratch!

Geez Thanks Pete!! I'm Flattered Mate !! Re making the wheels they are machined individualy from Aluminium as are the Hubs ,the individual holes are drilled using a dividing head the same process is repeated with the hubs .
I then mount the hub and Rim exactly central with each other on a specially made Jig , I then lace the wheels following a particular pattern, you will note from the photos I haven't included the spoke nipples , this has since been rectified.
The chain comes from a supplier in Japan and cost me wait for it $500 per metre yeah I know but the cost is made up in the final selling price of the Model.

Sean

Wow, that is incredible. Very impressed.

A truly magnificent and inspiring model Sean. Scratchbuilding is an art unto itself and very few of us will ever reach your level of workmanship. I look forward to seeing examples of your fine workmanship at next year's Model Expo.

tezza43 wrote:A truly magnificent and inspiring model Sean. Scratchbuilding is an art unto itself and very few of us will ever reach your level of workmanship. I look forward to seeing examples of your fine workmanship at next year's Model Expo.

I'll be there either way bike or no bike !!

MODEL EXPO HERE WE COME

Good for you Sean - see you there.

BTW model entries are from 5pm to 9pm Friday or 9am to 12 noon on Saturday. Just tell ém it's for display only (I might even be on the registration desk).

Simply amazing

Why 1/5?
Easy sums?
Ended up a nice size when finished?
Something was availible to make one particular component which dictated the scale of the rest?

Pete - PE chain kits for 1/12 bikes are available from Hobby Link Japan and other places. They have to be assembled though. Link by link...

zenrat wrote:
Why 1/5?
Easy sums?
Ended up a nice size when finished?
Something was available to make one particular component which dictated the scale of the rest?

Pete - PE chain kits for 1/12 bikes are available from Hobby Link Japan and other places. They have to be assembled though. Link by link...

Zenrat I've built these bikes to 1/5th because I wanted them to be unique meaning Tamiya produce 1/6th scale bike kits , I don't want people to relate what I'm producing to a certain Kit or Brand as every single component on these models are hand made apart from the chain and another reason is the real bike is very small so yes I did up the scale to make them that bit bigger ,it just makes it that bit easier to fabricate the parts.

Terry I'll see you probably on Saturday I'm probably only going to be able to display the bike on the Saturday only because I'm traveling up there with a couple of my Modeling mates i their car , Their not entering anything so I'm at their mercy as far as when we leave and at the moment it sounds like it's going to be Sunday Morning which obviously will be too early for entering anything.
Just a dumb question to all you melbournians but how many hours drive is Bacus Marsh from Sandown

Sean

Now I don't want to frighten the hell out of most of you guys but I Thought I'd just attach this link here have a look some of you may have already seen what he does http://www.motoscalatarrago.com/AGUSTA_SQUALO.htm This Guy is an Artisan from Spain his name is Pere Tarrago .
I can only dream of being 1/2 as good as he is , but I know that every time I visit his site it just gives me a new lease of life with my scratch building , it's really inspiring stuff , my next run of bikes whatever they are going to be will incorporate the same level of detail , This I'm determined to do !!!

Sean

Bacchus Marsh is about 70k from Springvale (Sandown), so allow an hour and a half, depending on traffic (and the type of car and driver).

Tarrago's building skills are amazing, but I reckon you're not far behind Sean.

tezza43 wrote:Bacchus Marsh is about 70k from Springvale (Sandown), so allow an hour and a half, depending on traffic (and the type of car and driver).

Tarrago's building skills are amazing, but I reckon you're not far behind Sean.

WOW Now thats a huge compliment, Thanks very much Terry!!

Sean

tezza43 wrote:

Tarrago's building skills are amazing, but I reckon you're not far behind Sean.

I would second that

Cheers
Steve

tezza43 wrote:

Tarrago's building skills are amazing, but I reckon you're not far behind Sean.

I agree , mate you're definatley not that far behind after checking out that link

Thanks Sean. That's as good a reason to pick 1/5 as any.

Hi

I was thinking about the why 1/5 question. Wouldn't the chain have a big impact on this decision , or is it available in different scales.

How about the tyres

Cheers
Steve

Actually Steve funnily enough no the chain had no bearing on the Scale decision as I was going to Photo etch the chain links when in the planning stages of the builds , but my Mentor and Friend Garry Jeffries another Very gifted scratch builder put me onto this very small photocopier Chain . from memory i bought the smallest size available and it's still over scaled .
Next bike build I do I'm going to shop around and have a good look at whats available.

Sean

modelmaker wrote:...I was going to Photo etch the chain links...

You really are quite bonkers aren't you Sean.


Keep it up.

Hey Sean

Have you any further progress on this, I have been eagerly watching for more

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve No Sorry mate , thanks for your interest ! relax for a bit , Im playing with my Brabham BT24 project atm.

Sean