Monday 18th January 2016

Yamaha origami: PH2

PH2 finds the perfect way to whittle away those dark winter evenings...

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If your garage is a bit too cold and you have run out of things to fiddle with on your bike anyway, help is at hand thanks to Yamaha. For a while now Yamaha's global website has had a section dedicated to 'ultra realistic' paper craft kits and a kit that allows you to build a 1:5 scale 2015 YZF-R1M has just been added to go with the 1998 R1 and 2007 R1 models - but there is a catch...

The kit itself is free to download, however it contains 914 individual parts, spread over 54 pages of paper, and is fiendishly difficult to construct. That said, it is stunning in its detail and is broken down into five blocks to make it easier for novice paper crafters. It's hard to imagine how many hours it would take to build this 41cm model but, if you fancy a challenge, click on this link and let us know when you have finished it, we'd love to see the pictures.

For additional inspiration (you will probably need this by the second or third week of construction) look at the Paper Crafts Gallery of completed models of all varieties at the bottom of Yamaha's page, which are mind-blowing in their detail.

[robemcdonald]

I think I might try this. Will probably turn out to be a complete disaster though.

[robemcdonald]

I started my build a couple of weeks ago. I do an hour or so a day. It's slow going and a lot more difficult than I expected. No idea how long it will take, but here's a spoiler of progress so far.

[robemcdonald]

Spot the difference time.



I have now finished 3 of 5 sections.

Just the frame and wheels to go....

[robemcdonald]

I used 160 GSM paper. It's available from most places: staples, hobbycraft, etc... But believe it or not the range seems to have a pretty good choice and is much cheaper.
That said. If I were to do it again I'd go for something slightly more light weight. 100gsm would do the trick. The problem is thicker paper is slightly easier to work with, but can throw out the geometry a bit. 100gsm would be a good compromise.
Be aware before you go into it though it's bloody hard work. So far I have got through 15 or so scalpel blades. So make sure you have plenty of spares.

[robemcdonald]

Update.

Only the rear brake calliper and wheel left to complete. It's going to look terrible, but at least I will have completed it.

[robemcdonald]

Almost finished.



Waiting for the glue to set now. So I should finish it tomorrow night...

[robemcdonald]

Finally finished it...

Looks better than I thought it would. Not perfect, but not bad.