Anyone here collect MINICHAMPS 1/12 dicast bikes?

I like the "little" bikes too!

I'm a diecast junkie and in addition to a ton of 1/18 dicast race cars (F1, Vintage and modern Indy, GT / Le Mans etc) I am also wild about the gorgeous 1/12 diecast bikes that Minichamps (and others) have been making for about 10 years now..

MotoGP bikes are my fave and I'm proud to say I own virtually every Rossi bikes, mini helmet and figure made.

Have lots of street bikes too like the original CB 750, CBX, H1 500, Z1900, Suzi Water Buffalo and many more. Search Minichamps 1/12 and you'll be impressed.

I also love converting cars and bikes to correct tobacco livery (CAMEL, GAULOISES etc)

I have a little over 100 and also buy the very highly detailed Tamiya Masterworks bikes that are basically 1/12 kits that have been built by Tamiya Master Model-makers. While much lighter than their metal counterparts the detail is stunning (see the attached photo of a Tamiya Rossi)

Anyone else share this passion?

As well as the Tamiya here's a Biaggi and a Capirossi (both Minichamps) that I did a few months back both with proper Marlboro livery.

Wayne

They look like well detailed models.

If you ever come across a gpz750turbo...give me a shout.

It's funny you should mention it at this time. I used to build models a lot when I was a kid. Mostly cars and airplanes back in those days. Now that my son is getting to be of the age that I feel he can handle building a model I have started searching around for kits. I was looking for motorcycles, since he likes to have a Hot Wheels or whatever car for everything that we own in real life. I discovered Minichamps while searching for KZ or Z1 etc. I have known about Tamiya since my model building days.

So I don't have any currently, but might just start collecting in the near future. Since you are into them, do you know of any kits that you build yourself besides the Tamiya bikes. If I understand correctly, the Minichamps are already built and painted.

Yes, Minichamps are built and they are called diecast... the bodies, tanks etc are made from metal. Very nice detail as the side panels usually come off to display the engine.

AUTOart, Italia and IXO also make a few bikes. AUTOart did a nice Katana Suzuki.

As for Kawis, I am waiting for them to of course do the Z1R and the ELR.

They are doing the Top Gun Ninja from the movie soon I hear (not my cup of tea)

Google search or visit Minichamps or see the PDF catalogs at Diecast Legends

The builds require huge skill... Unless you have the ability and time I suggest simply buying the Tamiya Masterworks. They are awesome value and are built by true masters.

See the line-up here: Tamiya Masterworks

Here's a couple more Minichamps and another Tamiya (The Kawi)

Wayne

For those that want their model bikes even bigger Minichamps and AUTOart both make a few 1/6 bikes that are amazingly well-detailed. Working shocks and forks, spring throttle, realistic kick start and clutch... Linked chain and the key even fits into the ignition.

Here's the Z1900

I have the Minichamps version but the AUTOart is it's equal. Also have their gorgeous 1969 CB750 that came out a few years ago.

FYI: 1/6 or 1/12 scale means for every 6 or 12 inches on the bike you get one inch on the model making the 1/6 examples quite large.

Wayne

And a new just-released Honda 1100R (Exclusive to AUTOart)

Also FYI: The 1/12 bikes range from about $70 to $120 while the massive 1/6 are about $250... Well worth it when you see the level of detail.

The Tamiya Masterworks average about $100 but I have found some on sale for half that and they are amazing. A highly skilled modeller would easily spend 20+ hours making one. All that time, the materials and of course the price of the kit.

Wayne

I only have one a kelly green z1900

gobsmacked :woohoo: !


my name is leon.
and i am an addict,
no matter how much i am tempted i will not return to my former ways,nice try 300kph.

leon



p.s. i want to come over and play "bikes" sometime :laugh: .

Amy's Dad has lights to showcase his china cabinets full of mini replica lemans and f-1 and scramp cars..era stuff mostly....lotta 911...and camaros....shelby class stuff....everything..... and ewven the transport rigs for the old teams ect....

he said he really had it bad at one point.......watching for the u.p.s truck


big bucks......no friends come over to see em and they are ignored by the family....once in a while a teenager will be at the house and spend ten minutes going down the hall and the study room ....

but to her pop.....he knows every car....i'll ask him ,,,and he'll say "what that car" that's the most famous car ever.......lol...same answer every car

i have gone as far as collecting these old rusty non running dreams/ bikes and now i seem to be saving motogp posters and vintage magazines....oh those... i buy.... and pay shipping..... then loose in a cupboard....
no one will think twice when they chuck em in the waste basket after i croak...

whatever

and yes i am going to be buying those models when a few bikes get done too,,,,


they are super cool...

thsnks for posting the pics........

Yeesh, Should add to my Signature?

1008 1:18 Diecast Race cars (I swore I'd stop at 100, then 250, then 500, then 1000)
114 1:12 Motorcycles
2 1:6 Motorcycles
5 1:2 Minichamps Helmets
15 1:4 Simpson Helmets
53 1:8 Minichamps Helmets
19 1:12 Minichamps Moto GP figures

I have a small diecast business (Fox Den Racing) If looking for anything current by any of the current diecast companies I can get it for ya!

W