Tamiya 16020 - 1:6 Honda CB750F

Honda CB750F 1:6 scale plastic model kit

The Honda CB750F defined Japan's "nanahan" class – a sporting 750 with an air-cooled inline-four that, after its June 1979 debut, quickly became a best-seller and one of the motoring symbols of the 1980s. Tamiya 16020 reproduces it in large 1:6 scale, with the finished model measuring 380 mm in length.

Based on tooling from 1982, the kit focuses on what makes the CB750F special: its engine. The air-cooled DOHC inline-four is reproduced together with its bank of four carburettors and crisply rendered cooling fins, while the spark plug leads are made from vinyl tubing. The front fork tubes are metal parts with a chrome-like finish, combined with coil springs, so the fork remains movable after assembly. Exhaust components come with a metallic finish, and removable side covers let you display the mechanicals hidden beneath the bodywork.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Finely reproduced air-cooled inline-four engine with four carburettors and cooling fins
• Spark plug leads made from vinyl tubing
• Metal front fork tubes with chrome-like finish and coil springs (the fork remains movable)
• Exhaust components with metallic finish
• Removable side covers revealing the mechanicals
• Decals
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:6
• Catalogue number: 16020
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Model length: 380 mm
• Tooling: 1982
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The large scale and Tamiya's excellent parts fit make this kit approachable even for less experienced modellers – the parts are bigger and easier to handle than in the usual car scales. Only the coil-sprung front fork and the routing of the vinyl spark plug leads call for a little extra patience and dry-fitting. Paint codes for individual assemblies are given in the instructions; metallic shades work well on the engine and gearbox, semi-gloss black suits the frame, and a wash helps bring out the cooling fins and engine recesses.

Parts with a chrome-like or metallic finish can simply be left as supplied – it is enough to cut them carefully from the sprue and clean up the sprue gate marks. Modellers after a more realistic chrome effect often airbrush them with chrome-like paints (e.g. Alclad, AK Xtreme Metal), sometimes stripping the factory plating first. Both approaches are perfectly valid, and the choice depends on the effect you are after. The drive chain in this kit is a moulded part; a separate, aftermarket set of movable link-by-link chain, Tamiya 12674, is available on its own and can be considered as an upgrade.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel), including metallic shades
• A wash to accentuate engine detail
• Optional: chrome-like paints for airbrushing

About the motorcycle – Honda CB750F:

The Honda CB750F was launched in June 1979 as the sporting offer in the 750 cc class, known in Japan as "nanahan". At its heart was a 748 cc air-cooled DOHC inline-four with 16 valves, producing around 68 hp.

The bike combined a refined engine with modern styling and impressive performance for the day: a top speed of around 200 km/h at a weight of some 240 kg. The CB750F soon became a best-seller in its class and one of the most recognisable Japanese motorcycles of the 1980s, and its silhouette remains a symbol of the era of big, versatile four-cylinder machines.

Original specifications (Honda CB750F):

• Debut: June 1979
• Engine: air-cooled DOHC inline-four, 16 valves
• Displacement: 748 cc
• Power: approx. 68 hp
• Top speed: approx. 200 km/h
• Weight: approx. 240 kg

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company originally traded in timber and produced wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for exceptionally precise injection moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The large 1:6 motorcycle kits are among the most spectacular entries in the catalogue, combining detailed mechanicals, metal parts and working assemblies. Beyond plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.