Tamiya 12667 - 1:12 Honda RC213 V Front Fork Set

Front fork set with metal tubes for the Tamiya 1:12 Honda RC213V (14130)

Among Tamiya's front fork sets, this one stands out for its scope: it covers not only the front fork but also parts of the rear suspension. Tamiya 12667 is a detail set replacing the plastic front fork legs with metal parts, prepared for the Tamiya 14130 kit (Repsol Honda RC213V '14) in 1:12 scale.

The outer tubes and the damper reservoir are turned from gold-anodised aluminium, while the inner tubes are brass with a gold coating. The result reproduces the characteristic gold coating of the fork tubes used on real sportbikes. The set is completed by precision plastic parts — the lower triple clamps and the rear shock — a factory-painted yellow rear shock spring, and poly caps. The motorcycle model is sold separately and is not included in this set.

What's in the box:

• Gold-anodised aluminium outer fork tubes with the damper reservoir
• Gold-plated brass inner fork tubes
• Precision plastic parts: lower triple clamps and rear shock
• Factory-painted yellow rear shock spring
• Poly caps

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:12
• Product code: 12667
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Type: front fork set with metal tubes, also covering the rear suspension
• Material: turned gold-anodised aluminium, gold-plated brass, plastic
• Dedicated kit: Tamiya 14130 (Repsol Honda RC213V '14)
• The only set in the series that also includes the rear suspension
• Motorcycle model sold separately — not included in this set

Metal fork tubes – the real gloss of metal instead of painted plastic

Fork tubes are metal and glossy by nature — and that depth of shine cannot be fully reproduced on a plastic surface, even with metallic paints. Turned gold-anodised aluminium and gold-coated brass deliver colour and reflection straight from the material itself, with no paint layer to soften edges and bury the finest details.

Metal parts also give sharper detail than a moulding: the turned surface is smooth, perfectly round in cross-section and free of mould seam lines. The parts are fitted in place of the corresponding plastic components of the base kit. If you plan to paint the remaining suspension components, a metal primer is recommended first — model paints adhere far better to a properly prepared metal surface. The rear shock spring is factory-painted and needs no further painting.

About the motorcycle – Honda RC213V:

The Honda RC213V is a MotoGP-class racing motorcycle built for the Repsol Honda team. It is a prototype machine — built purely for racing, not available at retail and free of the compromises inherent in road bikes.

In MotoGP everything is subordinated to performance: frame, aerodynamics and suspension are developed from telemetry data and revised from race to race. The front suspension is among the most heavily loaded components on the bike — working under braking from speeds above 300 km/h and determining how the machine behaves on corner entry. That is one reason why reproducing it faithfully changes the impression a finished model makes.

Original specifications (Honda RC213V):

• Type: MotoGP-class racing motorcycle
• Team: Repsol Honda
• Prototype machine, not available at retail

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese company from Shizuoka, in business since 1946 — originally as a timber works, and from the 1960s as one of the most recognisable plastic model manufacturers in the world. Its 1:12 motorcycle range is among the most highly regarded parts of the catalogue. For selected kits Tamiya produces its own detail-up accessories — turned metal parts, photo-etched parts and dedicated decals — designed around a specific model so that fitting requires no modification.