Full size 74-Z Speeder Bike build (ROTJ)

[MrV]

Me and a few friends (JR, AP, MW, JO, JM) have decided to embark on constructing a full size speeder bike from ROTJ. We have a range of talents and skills so should have what it takes to see this through to completion. Plans have been pretty hard to find and what is out there is not so accurate. To start with i found on the net a copy of the ROTJ blue print plans for the bike (with very bad resolution). This was enough to add a scale bar onto so that we could start scaling parts. We ran with the initial length of 3.3 metres based on the Wookieepedia entry on the bike. We also purchased the plans and 3D print files from Craig Tinder (Aces in Action). Although his build is lacking in some accuracy the way he built the main body is very clever.

The build team do not live near each other so we are really counting on the scaled plans to link up as we complete various parts.

With some spare timber we made a start on the under body.

 

[MrV]

Terrain sensor and veins mocked up. When the finances permit we can easily replace the veins with thin aluminium.

 

[Eruonen]

Ambitious. Good luck!

 

[Halliwax]

Ohhh this is wicked exciting!

 

[zyates87]

Something I've always dreamed of doing...exciting indeed!

 

[MrV]

Body shop boys have cut out the Craig Tinder templates. and filled with building insulation foam sheets. A steel tube was installed through the body for a rod for the handle bars. The voids were then filled with expanding foam. It now resembles a big Bantha poo.

 

[Halliwax]

Dude! Never would have guessed the foam part, so curious and excited where this goes

 

[MrV]

The terrain finder has been made out of; a) a plastic wine glass, b) a medicine cup, c) coke bottle section and d) an old outdoor solar light spike. Hi-tech hey! This will have some additional detailing to get it looking like the original part.

I also made a side panel from wood and foam sheet that i cast as i need three identical pieces. I decided to make and cast this rather than 3D print as trying to sand the crevices would be too hard.

 

[Halliwax]

Freakn love it!!

 

[MrV]

The lads have done outstanding work here! who would have thought they could get this shape out of that blob of foam. The saying comes to mind "Making a silk purse out of a sows ear". The next step is a covering of builders bog, a two part resin mix that drys rock hard and can be sanded.

 

[Halliwax]

The speeder just doesn’t look awesome but that pizza does as well!!

 

[MrV]

For sure! this is the way- to do a build.

 

[woodywaverider]

Awesome. This reminds me very much of how surfboards are made, starting with a foam blank, which is shaped and then covered in a fiberglass cloth. If you’re looking to add strength, I would recommend getting the type of Fiberglass cloth that comes woven on a big roll that is used for surfboards.

 

[Mottrex]

Body shop boys have cut out the Craig Tinder templates. and filled with building insulation foam sheets. A steel tube was installed through the body for a rod for the handle bars. The voids were then filled with expanding foam. It now resembles a big Bantha poo.

Guessing the foam is to keep the weight down ?

Looks impressive Already!

 

[MrV]

Correct. Ply for structure and strength. Foam as a void filler.

 

[MrV]

The lads are creating a masterpiece here. The builders bog has hardened for sanding and then a final fiberglass blanket layer to smooth everything out.

 

[MrV]

I started the engine build with sheet tin, a flower pot, aluminium flat bar. and a tupperware cup for the centre of the engine. Budget constraints did not allow us to buy an original Coughtrie lamp (about $100+ postage) base for the engine so JR on the team designed one up and printed it out for about $2.00.

 

[Halliwax]

This is so incredibly cool.. I love the choice of parts for the engine

 

[gianphilo]

Emr are a very great work and amazing I have make in 2018 the replica panel control of speeder bike

 

[MrV]

Emr are a very great work and amazing I have make in 2018 the replica panel control of speeder bike

Very nice!