👶 Our family is growing!
Crafty Minis will be closed for a few weeks as we welcome our new baby. Purchases will be temporarily disabled. We’ll be back very soon! 💛
Crafty Minis will be closed for a few weeks as we welcome our new baby. Purchases will be temporarily disabled. We’ll be back very soon! 💛
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German Motorcycle & Sidecar – Tamiya 1:48
Original price was: 12,10 €.7,50 €Current price is: 7,50 €. Read more
Tamiya motorcycle kits: precise engineering and crisp detail
Tamiya motorcycle kits stand out for their clean fit, clear breakdown and well-defined parts on fairings, chassis and engine. With careful prep and a good paint sequence, you'll get realistic results on tanks, chrome and rubber.Fairing, chassis and engine prep
Good groundwork avoids rework and makes assembly easier:- Adhesives for kits (plastic, clear parts and interiors).
- Cutting tools to separate parts without tearing.
- Sandpaper and files to remove mould lines and refine fits.
- Putty for fine joints and spot corrections.
- Masking tape for two-tone tanks, stripes and numbers.
- Tweezers for levers, decals and small parts.
- Cutting mats to work comfortably and precisely.
Primer and colour: uniform base and thin coats
Primer unifies materials and improves grip; from there, apply colour in thin coats for a uniform finish and control the sheen by area:- Primers in black (metallics), grey/white (solid, bright colours).
- Wide range of paints for bodywork, chassis, engine and details.
- Varnishes to protect colour and decals; use matt or satin on mechanical parts and the finish you prefer on the fairings.
Engine, exhausts and chrome: controlled highlighting
Tamiya's well-defined surfaces reward subtle effects that add depth without overdoing it:- Outline engine fins, hardware and grilles with fine washes.
- Modulate synthetic leather and rubber (seat, grips, tyres) with very diluted inks.
- For exhaust smoke or discreet shading, use airbrushing accessories and gentle passes.
Decals and a clean finish
Work on smooth surfaces to avoid "silvering" and seal at the end:- Apply decals over a base of gloss varnish and reseal.
- A touch of wash on grilles and discs adds volume without hiding detail.
Dioramas and base
If you want to contextualise your bike (workshop, track or street), add a base with texture and elements from scenery. A little dust or dirt goes a long way for realism.Quick tips for your Tamiya
- Recommended sequence: dry-fit → controlled adhesive → fine putty → gentle sanding → primer → colour in thin coats → decals over varnish → washes/inks → final varnish.
- Clear parts: handle with tweezers and use adhesive for clear parts to avoid fogging.
- Chains and spokes: very diluted washes for volume without hiding the detail.



