1/6 Scale Tamiya Harley-Davidson AMF Electra-Glide FLH1200
Recently acquired this one and, since it's a hard-to-find kit I'll be building this one with some special attention to details.
While searching for a release date for this kit I discovered that it is not listed any longer on the Tamiya web site. Also, I discovered that there is little information out there. I also found that, unlike models today, there is no bar code on the box. So I looked up the history of those. Going by that information that would put this model at 1980 or earlier as bar codes weren't used regularly until after that. I give you photos of the sides of the box for reference.
I did find out from someone that this particular model was removed from the shelves because, at the time, there was some sort of a "copyright infringement" being claimed by AMF. This is now the same bike that is being produced as the "Police Bike" in the Tamiya series.
And away we go...
This is the front page of the vintage instruction booklet that came with the model.
I did the frame in black. Now, I know it comes already molded in black but I have never been one to go in for the shiny plastic look that seems to be inherent if you just leave it alone. So I sprayed a flat white primer and then a coat of gloss metallic black over that.
As with all of the Tamiya large scale models the engine went together seamlessly. I have written about the process in other builds so I won't delve into THAT arena again.
I did something a little different this time as far as the lighting goes. I went with number 0402 SMD type LED's throughout this one. These are amazing little buggers. About the size of a pinhead with wires smaller than angel hair pasta and the resistors are pre-attached AWAY from the base of the light at the end of the wire. Making installation a lot easier.
These are shots of the test fit of the fenders and the front end as well as the saddlebags. As is usual, there were no fit issues.
These show how small those wires on those SMD's really are. You can clearly see the wires as well as the resistors here. I cut a hole in the back side of the right fuel tank to place the resistors as well as the extra wiring that came off of the front end. I was careful to NOT cut off the mounting points for the tank itself.
And here is the tank after being mounted with the wires already installed inside. You can also see the lone lead wire coming out the rear (left side) of the tank. And, of course, after all of this work a lighting test is required. I test and retest often to make sure I haven't pinched, cut, or otherwise disconnected any wires in the process.
These are a couple of rather simple photos showing the gauges setup.
And here is the completed model. This has been done in Star Spangled Blue over Flat Black primer. The white is Pearl White over Flat White primer. This is as close as I could get to any sort of original colors for this year bike without special ordering something directly from Harley-Davidson which would have been overly expensive. So I did some research to see what colors would have been available during that time period. There are a couple of engine closeups as well as one of the seat. The one of the seat was done simply because I though it was a cool way to mount it to the bike. Keeping true to the original that's for sure.
Hope that you enjoy these and, as always, please feel free to ask any questions and leave any comments!
I'm sure it'll be just as outstanding as what we've seen from your bench in the past. Looking forward to watching you work your magic with these Tamiya bikes, Harry.
Me too.
I can't recall ever seeing this kit before. I'm sure it will be a great looking bike once you finish it. I'll be watching for this one too !
This one has been discontinued for so long that it no longer even appears of the Tamiya web site. And, thus far, I have been unable to locate an accurate release date. My best guess would be the mid-late seventies.