chopping down scout bikes

[Dark_Templar]

Do you mind posting pics of the result?

You could always just have the Sergeant on a fancier bike version, saving you the hassle of tearing apart the others.

Good luck though.

p.s. How "Scouty" can large motorbikes be? They would need to have electric motors to remain quiet enough to be practical....hrm, now that is a conversion idea.

[therealjohnny5]

Anyone ever do this? i have been slowly assembling a 10 man scout bike crew and have been admiring the sleekness of the bike design before all the panels and foot rests go on...so i was toying today with chopping one down to make it more "scoutish." i really want them to look different than the SM bikes, which i'm thinking i may cut down the wheel fenders at least on those...we'll see what happens...lol

So what do you guys think? i'm going to butcher one this week and see what comes out...sadly that means the other 8 i already have assembled will need to be ripped apart partially if i like it...go figure...

[BDub]

I think the would be a great idea. I always thought that the attempt to differentiate the scout bikes fell a bit short.

Aside from chopping off all the heavy plates and what not I think that a narrower front tire and perhaps redoing the rear suspension would make them look alot more dirt-bike like. Hell maybe you should get some ork bikes and start from there.

[gorepants]

In the real world bikes are used for forward observation (amongst other things). Noise isn't so much of a factor unless you're operating somewhere there shouldn't be vehicles or are actually near your objective. But then it's not much good being on a bike since you won't see much unless you stop.

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_vehicle_id_cycles.php3

has a bunch of photos and some info on military bikes. The three to look at are Harley MT500, KLR 250 and the M1030. Years ago I was overtaken by a bunch of miltary KLR 250s and damn they were load.

[DarkLink]

I haven't seen this, but I have seen people convert two normal bikes into an Attack bike that looks like an ATV with a heavy bolter mounted above and behind the driver. It looks awesome, way cooler than the stupid side-car attack bikes.

[Dark_Templar]

In the real world bikes are used for forward observation (amongst other things). Noise isn't so much of a factor unless you're operating somewhere there shouldn't be vehicles or are actually near your objective. But then it's not much good being on a bike since you won't see much unless you stop.

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_vehicle_id_cycles.php3

has a bunch of photos and some info on military bikes. The three to look at are Harley MT500, KLR 250 and the M1030. Years ago I was overtaken by a bunch of miltary KLR 250s and damn they were load.

I agree from a real world perspective, but within 40K, with the whole Scout/Infiltrate thing (and me being a Crimson Fist player who wont be running standard bikes) it makes more sense in my mind to have something silent that just pops out, the only chance you have of hearing it coming is the path cutting through the underbrush.

Anywho, look forward to seeing anybody attempt this.

DT.

[gorepants]

I agree from a real world perspective, but within 40K, with the whole Scout/Infiltrate thing (and me being a Crimson Fist player who wont be running standard bikes) it makes more sense in my mind to have something silent that just pops out, the only chance you have of hearing it coming is the path cutting through the underbrush.

Anywho, look forward to seeing anybody attempt this.

How about if they are going so fast the enemy doesn't have time to react? Or they knew where to expect the enemy so moved in hours earlier and sat waiting?

Either way - do it johnny, so I can steal your ideas :)


I haven't seen this, but I have seen people convert two normal bikes into an Attack bike that looks like an ATV with a heavy bolter mounted above and behind the driver. It looks awesome, way cooler than the stupid side-car attack bikes.

somthing like one of these with a heavy bolter on the back?
http://www.ccar.com.au/html/images/magazine_images/auctions/Sept05/Vespa%20Ape.jpg (http://www.ccar.com.au/html/auctions/Shannons%20Winter%20Auction%20Syd.htm)

[Dark_Templar]

somthing like one of these with a heavy bolter on the back?
http://www.ccar.com.au/html/images/magazine_images/auctions/Sept05/Vespa%20Ape.jpg (http://www.ccar.com.au/html/auctions/Shannons%20Winter%20Auction%20Syd.htm)

LOL! Paint it Rainbow Warriors colours and you are good to go!

Also, it would be nice to know how badly the recoil would send this little thing off track.



p.s. And on my previous point, I have many sniper scouts, so I am not THAT concerned about the enemy hearing my bikes, but still think a few modifications might be needed.

[gorepants]

Also, it would be nice to know how badly the recoil would send this little thing off track.

If you're worried about the recoil maybe you need something like this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Vespa_img_2351.jpg/180px-Vespa_img_2351.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP)
Vespa 150 TAP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP)

[therealjohnny5]

alrighty, well i'm off to bed, but i did chop two down tonight. finished them up faster than i thought...still toying with mounting the bolters on the sides of the front suspension, it looks pretty good...but not sure on that one. so i'll post pics in the AM...

[Mike X]

I haven't seen this, but I have seen people convert two normal bikes into an Attack bike that looks like an ATV with a heavy bolter mounted above and behind the driver. It looks awesome, way cooler than the stupid side-car attack bikes.

Yeah, the side-car attack bikes are really dumb looking... and I just don't think they'd work in the 40K battlefield.

[Cryl]

I haven't seen this, but I have seen people convert two normal bikes into an Attack bike that looks like an ATV with a heavy bolter mounted above and behind the driver. It looks awesome, way cooler than the stupid side-car attack bikes.

There's a really really nice example of this in the original Apocalypse rulebook, I forget the marine chapter but there's a double page spread with a lot of bikers and quad bikers

[therealjohnny5]

photos...
i just chopped the front fender, took out the controls and placed bolters between the grips. I like the idea of possibly mounting the bolters on the front suspension and the saddle pack between the bars, it looks kind of WW2. minus the 40K trappings...lol:D

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2732.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2733.jpg

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2734.jpg

Thoughts? do you think this will make much of a difference on the look of the regular SM bikes. I also thought about cutting out foot rests, doesn't look right, and i could totally remove any fender from the front, but doesn't make a lot of sense i think...lmk. C&C away pls.

[energongoodie]

Loving it. I think the difference it makes is well worth it. I'm looking forward to seeing you try the saddle pack between the bars. If it works out I'm definately gonna copy you.

[therealjohnny5]

Loving it. I think the difference it makes is well worth it. I'm looking forward to seeing you try the saddle pack between the bars. If it works out I'm definately gonna copy you.

i like the look. the next couple will get that treatment...though i may go back and swap the two i just did. not sure if i'll like having mixed models...

[energongoodie]

i like the look. the next couple will get that treatment...though i may go back and swap the two i just did. not sure if i'll like having mixed models...

I agree about the mixed models. Subtle variations across the models is good but fundamentally I think a unit like this should be the same. The problem you'll have if you are like me is that when I do conversions, the ones I did first tend to win, cause I can't bring myself to bust them apart.
Please post when done

[OCdt Mephiston]

I'd go for foot pegs... maybe use handle bars?

[precinctomega]

Nice work, there. And an excellent illustration of just how utterly dripping with spare bits and bobs the Scout Bikers boxed set is!

R.

[therealjohnny5]

I'd go for foot pegs... maybe use handle bars?

hmmm...foot pegs instead of running boards...maybe i can cut down the boards themselves since their feet don't actually fit them...


Nice work, there. And an excellent illustration of just how utterly dripping with spare bits and bobs the Scout Bikers boxed set is!

R.

Thanks mate! and yeah those sprues have so much goodnes on them...

[therealjohnny5]

So option two on the chopped style. Let me know your opinions on each style, the above posted and this one.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2766.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2767.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2768.jpg

[therealjohnny5]

so my friend tells me its a little Batman with t he guns by the front wheel...i hadn't really thought of that. any thoughts?

[Madness]

The guns on the wheel sides make it look larger, which iinm was the opposite of what you were going for. Not to mention that if they don't fire perfectly in synch it's going to be a rough ride.

The backpack on the back/bolters inside the forks made more sense to me, but then again 40k is not that hard science either.

[energongoodie]

Really liked the first ones. Not so keen on the second. Always go with your first instinct.

[therealjohnny5]

yeah thanks guys, that's what i've been feeling. i still feel that there will be plenty of difference in look once they are all done up. I was having a hard time rationalizing the second styling. I don't think the Ad Mech are known for breaking dramatically with a design style, and i also don't think that thicker front end thing looked right for the scout style...

[person person]

Awesome bikes therealjohnny5, liked the first ones, lots of stowage goodness and the bolters made more sense.

[therealjohnny5]

Thanks mate. Hows the snowboarding out there this year? I've always want to board BC...someday...anywho, finished all 6 of the bolter bike conversion and finished the test of the 3 Grenade launcher mods...little different on this one, tried to stay simple and "go with my first instinct" and think that's working well for me at the moment. I'll post a pic of the squad tomorrow if i can finish it up...need to do the Sgt and mag his arms...and then two more GL bikes then finished with another 10th Co. unit...woooo! progress!

[therealjohnny5]

K....here's the finished unit all chopped down and reassembled. Sgt's arm i was a little unexcited about the positioning of the chainsword arm..but i'll probably end up magnetizing that arm anyway to switchout with PF and combi-flamer. I really cut down the three grenade launchers too....C&C welcome...thanks fellas and ladies!

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2769.jpg

Sgt w MBs
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2771.jpg

GL's
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/therealjohnny5/Raven%20Guard%20Army/IMG_2772.jpg

[energongoodie]

I definately prefer these to the standard bike. I'm gonna go buy a bike and try it.

[Madness]

Again, consider that the recoil is centered on the gun barrel, positioning it so far from the turning axis will mean that every shot's recoil will try to steer the wheel.

[therealjohnny5]

I definately prefer these to the standard bike. I'm gonna go buy a bike and try it.

i'm glad you like it bro. Run with it. I had fun and it was a pretty simple. mostly just cut and file. Little GS helped here and there. A tip on the bolters when you put them together, file down the sides that will be touching, it will help with the gluing. But if you have any questions feel free to pm me.


Again, consider that the recoil is centered on the gun barrel, positioning it so far from the turning axis will mean that every shot's recoil will try to steer the wheel.

Well i figure if they could make a machine gun timed to shoot through a propeller blade in the 19th century, theses GL's can probably be internal recoil dampening or more mortar-ish. :D

[Lord Azaghul]

If you're worried about the recoil maybe you need something like this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Vespa_img_2351.jpg/180px-Vespa_img_2351.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP)
Vespa 150 TAP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP)

And the winner for the most phallic crotch rocket, is...

[Madness]

Sure, wh40k is not hard sci-fi so anything goes, my qualms were due to the move-or-fire nature of the grenade launcher in old games, but if you like them go for it.

[therealjohnny5]

Yeah i feel you. I mean it does make a lot of sense...i just can't think of anywhere else that wouldn't affect the ranges of the launchers. For instance i wanted to originally place them on the back fender kind of an over the shoulder mortar style but my friends and i were discussing how that could totally mess with range in some cases...so i went next best option.

[Shadow Queen]

Have a look @ the 2000 AD's Lawmaster bike.