Space Marine bike conversion - need assistance!

[Salvin]

Ladies, Gentlemen and Kharn...

I've begun work on the Iron Hunters aspect of my Tyrant's Legion forces. Now the Iron Hunters are just the Astral Claws nickname for bike units.

I've always found the standard bike kit to look a bit wrong, a touch too bulky and unweldly. Not to mention the fact that they have very little clearance if they were to try turning, as you need to be able to lean the bike over to turn you need a bit of clearance.

Now, I may be being a bit too technical about this, I can hear some of you already thinking 'it's not real, it's only fiction', or something along those lines. But not only does it feel more realistic to me but it allows me a bit more versatility with the modelling side of things.

I'm going to stop rambling now and get to the point. A mock up for a conversion.

Here's a list of what i've done:

Trimmed the front plating right down.
Moved the position of the light up slightly.
Moved the bolters from either side of the headlight down onto the top of the wheel arch.
Removed the ridiculously bulky bottom plate.


And here are some pictures showing what the rough mockup looks like. Bear in mind that the end product won't be as scruffy, this was an old bike I cannibalised.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000634.jpghttp://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000635.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000637.jpghttp://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000639.jpg

And with rider included. Note he doesn't quite fit properly, but thats down to the fact that the handlebars were in the wrong position originally. They're in the correct place now.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000642.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000640.jpg

A couple of shots alongside one of my first bikes, build to the standard design.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000643.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o178/salvindogath/P1000644.jpg


I still need to look at a couple of bits:

Getting hold of some plasticard to add a rim to each side of the headlight mounting.
Possibly move the bolters forward a bit.
Work out something for the ammunition for the bolters.
Join up the exhaust pipes with greenstuff.
Add footrests!


I'm also considering removing the backrest on the seat as it seems a bit silly to me.


So chaps, what do you guys think about the bike so far? What do you reckon to the proposed changes/extras in the second list? Any ideas on how I can improve it?

Your help and input would be greatly appreciated!

[LutherMax]

Interesting subject for me, as I too am not keen on the standard bike design. As for the conversion have you considered removing the armour around the front wheel? Here's one Inquisitor Alex converted for me:

http://www.braintyrefire.com/personal/w40k/Blood-Angels/Blood-Angels-Bike-Captain-08.jpg

I think it further reduces the bulkiness of the original design.

[Salvin]

Oooh, thats a rather nifty idea! I do like the look of it, although I think i'd like to use it on the scout bikers, as they're more a recon unit than a combat one.

[Skringly]

Now, I may be being a bit too technical about this, I can hear some of you already thinking 'it's not real, it's only fiction', or something along those lines.

I am exactly the same with my tanks.

Overall I'm liking the design and I'm glad you didn't go down the chopper route, as I don't like them much. If anything I think a housing that covered the back half off the bolters would be good.

[Salvin]

I am exactly the same with my tanks.

Overall I'm liking the design and I'm glad you didn't go down the chopper route, as I don't like them much. If anything I think a housing that covered the back half off the bolters would be good.

Good idea! It's just hit me actually, now that you've said that, I could use the dreadnought storm bolter in place of the twin bolters. That would look ok right? Time to see if I have a spare!

[Skringly]

Good idea! It's just hit me actually, now that you've said that, I could use the dreadnought storm bolter in place of the twin bolters. That would look ok right? Time to see if I have a spare!

Yeah, that would work rather well, if you can't find one, maybe a tank storm bolter could for the base for a replacement, maybe trim it down to size a bit and what not.

[LutherMax]

I might have a spare storm bolter... I'll have a look

[Roth]

Hi Salvin,

This is a conversion I did a couple of years back. Its a trike so not what you are looking for, but for a more lightweight front have you considered shoulder pads like this as a potential. In spares boxes you'll always have millions of the things. Might be worth a try.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m232/rotharkon_2006/40k%20Stuff/PICT0047.jpg