Progress Page 4

Chain
Third part of the assembly was the chain.  Luckily, there is a photo etched chain kit for a 1/12 scale motorcycle, so I used it straight from the bag.  Although I didn't have to make it from scratch, the assembly was a tiresome work, indeed.
4-1
 The kit contains photo etched links, brass pipe for the rollers and brass rod for the pins. Instruction is straightforward, and easy to understand.

Basically, you sandwich two brass pipes with two PE parts to make one inner link.  Then, use two more PE parts outside of it, and connect them with a pin cut from a brass rod.  Hammering both ends of the brass rod will secure the assembly.
4-2
 Initially, I only used a knife to cut the brass pipe, but it was very hard to maintain an identical length.  Then, I remembered reading an article about making a 1/43 F1 car part by Mr. Kamimura in F1 Modeling, and it made my work so much easier.

Stack plastic sheets to the desired pipe length, and drill holes to hold pipes of uneven lengths.

Then file the pipes a little to level the cutting angle of all the pipes with the surface of the plastic. It's okay that a few pipes are still sticking out of the holes. Turn the plastic sheet over (with pipes still in place), and file the other side until all tips level with the plastic sheet. This will equalize the lengths of all pipes. See two pictures below.
4-3a/b
4-4
Filing the pipes deform the tip and make the inner diameter smaller, so use a carving needle or a drill bit to restore the original diameter, so the pins go in easier.

I don't even remember how many pipes I had to make, but the job was rather easy after using the plastic jig.
4-5a/b Short segment of the chain
4-6
 After I discovered the above method, the rest was only a matter of repetition; making the inner link, sandwiching it with the outer PE links, inserting a short brass rod, and hammering the rod ends from both sides.

I couldn't help but to see how the chain would grab the front sprocket, so I test fitted the chain on a partially made part, as shown in two photos below.
4-7a/b
4-8
 I realized there was a risk of braking the chain, if it got too long, so I decided to make two sections until the last moment.
4-9
The chain was almost complete.

As I commented, I made two sections,  and the one, which surrounds the sprockets is longer than the bottom section.
4-10
I continued the assembly until I almost reached the desired length.  

This photo shows that some brass rods are sticking out and uneven, so I straightened and cramped the chain with two rulers, and sanded both sides to smooth and level them.
My concentration lasted only enough to make a short segment each time, and it took me 4 days to complete.

Next step is to make the front suspension, brake and steering handle.

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