Miniature bicycle/motorcycle chain

[sjordan2]

Looking for teeny bicycle/motorcycle chain that actually works. This is for my 1/18-1/16 Bugatti's cable-operated brake system.

[Harry P.]

I assume the braking system will be static... so why the need for a chain that "actually works?"

I don't think you'll find a "real" chain in such a small scale. The only ones I know of are 1/8 scale and are built up link by link just like the real thing... they "work," but they're twice as big as you need.

[sjordan2]

I assume the braking system will be static... so why the need for a chain that "actually works?"

I don't think you'll find a "real" chain in such a small scale. The only ones I know of are 1/8 scale and are built up link by link just like the real thing... they "work," but they're twice as big as you need.

Well, I know there are small-scale bike kits, but my searches don't end up anywhere. It needs to work to a degree because I need to bend it into the S shape shown above.

[Ben]

Tamiya has an upgrade kit for a 1/12 (I think) Honda that includes a chain. I think the chain is photo etch. I think it will work for what your wanting.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=tamiya+honda+upgrade+chain+set&psj=1&wrapid=tlif12886483210071&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15610479647616965481&ei=lTbPTKlfhLyVB9DqneUI&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB8Q8wIwAg#

Edited November 1, 2010 by Ben

[Harry P.]

Tamiya has an upgrade kit for a 1/12 (I think) Honda that includes a chain. I think the chain is photo etch. I think it will work for what your wanting.

http://www.google.co...ed=0CB8Q8wIwAg#

I can't imagine that anyone could assemble that thing and actually have it work... unless you are good at "Lord's Prayer on the head of a pin" type stuff! The parts are incredibly tiny, you practically need a microscope to build it! I'd love to see the finished product as assembled.

[Roadkill2525]

There's a few that use the chain.

[Harry P.]

Was that chain in the photo built piece by piece? Is that photo a model?

[sjordan2]

Was that chain in the photo built piece by piece? Is that photo a model?

The photo is of Ralph Lauren's 1:1 Type 59 Grand Prix Bugatti.

There are lots of low-tech ways I can make this look good. Even Gerald Wingrove fudged it with black paint over wire on his 1/15 Type 59. But I'm just looking for an ultra-precision answer that can make it look that much better.

[Harry P.]

I don't get it. What was the point of posting a photo of the real thing?

[Chuck Most]

I don't get it. What was the point of posting a photo of the real thing?

Ha! The 'Real or Model' maven has been sacked!!!!

(By the way, I thought it was a model, too. )

[Harry P.]

Ha! The 'Real or Model' maven has been sacked!!!!

(By the way, I thought it was a model, too. )

A pox on your house, Most!

[Chuck Most]

A pox on your house, Most!

Just the house, eh? I'm cool wit that.

(Everybody But Harry read this.... I rent. )

[Harry P.]

Just the house, eh? I'm cool wit that.

(Everybody But Harry read this.... I rent. )

Whenever somebody makes me laugh out loud I have to give 'em credit...

[Ben]

I can't imagine that anyone could assemble that thing and actually have it work... unless you are good at "Lord's Prayer on the head of a pin" type stuff! The parts are incredibly tiny, you practically need a microscope to build it! I'd love to see the finished product as assembled.

I don't think it would be hard but it sure would be tedious doing it over and over and over!

[sjordan2]

I don't get it. What was the point of posting a photo of the real thing?

Duhhh...because that's what I'm seeking to replicate.

Edited November 2, 2010 by sjordan2

[Ben]

Hey Skip, I think Harry is actually referring too El Destructo's reply in your thread showing a picture of a motorcycle. (I say this thinking maybe you have El Destructo on ignore and you can't see his post?)

[sjordan2]

Hey Skip, I think Harry is actually referring too El Destructo's reply in your thread showing a picture of a motorcycle. (I say this thinking maybe you have El Destructo on ignore and you can't see his post?)

I can't see the chain in el destructo's picture, though I assume it's there and that may be a good kit to check out.

BTW, I've never had anyone on"ignore." And I won't, because that doesn't advance knowledge, communication and dialogue, in my opinion.

[Pete J.]

I can't imagine that anyone could assemble that thing and actually have it work... unless you are good at "Lord's Prayer on the head of a pin" type stuff! The parts are incredibly tiny, you practically need a microscope to build it! I'd love to see the finished product as assembled.

Harry - Have David Sorensen(Gregg's friend in Hawaii) send you photos of his. It really looks good. As to why would you? I ask you why wouldn't you. To me building is aways about the next challenge. Can I do the next hardest thing I have done. For me it is all about the challenge. Matter of perspective I suppose.

[crispy]

Not sure if the picture will show up, but a friend of mine built the Honda 1/12 scale using photo etched chain. It looks very realistic and it worked.

Pardon me for the over sized picture, but you can see it better this way.

Or go HERE

Chris

[Roadkill2525]

This is from Top Studio.

[jbwelda]

sissies need not apply.

[Modelmartin]

Crispy's photo is of Jim Mulligan's model. He is a member of my club RPM (rpmmodelclub.com)and we all saw Jim build it and the finished product. It is pretty slick. Another member of our club built one of the Top Studio chains for the Yamaha GP bike. They are pretty awesome.

Having said all that, I think they are a bit too big to look in scale on a 1/16 or 1/18 Bugatti T59.

[sjordan2]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll have to go to plan B and not use actual chain.

[Harry P.]

Crispy's photo is of Jim Mulligan's model. He is a member of my club RPM (rpmmodelclub.com)and we all saw Jim build it and the finished product. It is pretty slick. Another member of our club built one of the Top Studio chains for the Yamaha GP bike. They are pretty awesome.

Having said all that, I think they are a bit too big to look in scale on a 1/16 or 1/18 Bugatti T59.

Exactly. We're talking 1/16 scale... that would be a tiny chain.

[sjordan2]

Exactly. We're talking 1/16 scale... that would be a tiny chain.

Especially since the entire assembly as shown in my original post would be about 1/2 inch from top to bottom on the model.