Shortly after i started this hobby in the summer of 1999, I started to find custom versions of (mostly) Tamiya kits on the internet, buildt by Japanese modelers. A conversion like this will give You a kit that's not on every modeler's shelf, and of course also expand Your choice of modeling subjects, many of the available GP bike conversions covers tobacco sponsored bikes that Tamiya can or will not make.
This page is intended to be a reference page for motorcycle modelers, and the possibilities to convert a kit that I know of will be listed here. During the year 2001 a lot of these were made available, and 2002 looks set to bring us lots of new conversions.here's the list of what I know is or has been available, either in decal sets or more comprehensive conversion kits, plus adresses to the manufacturer's sites for up to date news.

Studio 27: see www.studio27.co.jp
Ragged Edge: see www.raggededge.cc
Museum Collecton: see www.museumcollection.co.jp
Reji Model: no web site available.

Converting the Honda NSR500 '98 into Max Biaggi's Marlboro sponsored NSR
Studio 27 in Japan have made a decal sheet that lets You do this conversion as well as the next one, You get both for 1600 Yen, but it's currently out of production. Good decals but the red in the tank Marlboro logo and Honda logo is too orange and too fluorescent so it doesn't look right, try the currently available Reji decals listed elsewhere on this page.

Converting the '99 Yamaha YZR500 into Max Biaggi or Carlos Checa's Marlboro sponsored YZR's
The same sheet as in conversion 1 is used, and You can make it from a Tamiya 14076 or 14078 kit. The sheet looks like this:

Another decal sheet previously available is this one from AMS, also for the '99 Yamaha YZR.

3. Yamaha YZR '83 decals.
These decals from Studio27 (ST27-DC251) will let You make a Marlboro sponsored YZR as ridden by Kenny Roberts in 1983. You will need Tamiya's 14075 Taira Racing kit or another YZR500(OW70). They're now OOP.These decals look like this:

4. Make a rider for kit no. 14075.
The decals that come with the Tamiya 14043 kit (YZR500(OW70) with staight run rider) has markings for both Kenny Roberts and Tadahiko Taira, as well as for both bikes, so there's really nothing new in the 14075 kit.

5. Make a "Team Rainey" YZR500.
Studio 27 in Japan have released a conversion kit that allows You to make a Team Rainey Yamaha YZR500 out of a Tamiya 14076 0r 14078 kit. The conversion kit will cost 3800 yen and is called ST27-TK1201. It seems like this kit replaces the DC-250 decal sheet (team Rainey decals), as this is not yet released. The transkit contains new fairing and cowling parts in white metal as well as a new decal sheet. Here's some pictures of the real bike. The kit contains new parts in white metal for the belly and side cowling as well as a new top rear cowling and a new air intake, plus decal options for Luca Cadalora, Norick Abe and a couple of riders unknown to me. The metal parts needs a lot more preparation than the kit parts they replace, but it's well worth the extra work in my opinion.

6. Honda NS500 Studio27 decals
It seems like Studio  27 have set their eyes on motorcycle modelers, they have just released the following decal sheets: S27-DC303 (HRC WGP '84)and DC-304 (Rothmans WGP '85) wich both are  decals for Tamiya's 14032 Honda NS500 kit.There is also a DC-317 Rothmans/ Katayama sheet available for the same bike, all with S27's high quality.

7. Studio27 decals for Yamaha YZR500 GP bikes
Studio 27 have released a decal sheet for the 2000 Red Bull Yamaha that is co-sponsored by Gauloises wich is a french tobacco company as well as the 2000 Marlboro Yamaha. Both on the same decal sheet wich retails for 1600 yen. Both are in 1/12 scale and meant for a tamiya kit. The decals are called S27-DC329 and look like this

8. Studio27 decals for 2000 GP bikes
HLJ in Japan suddenly announced that they have stock of some very interesting new decal sheets from Studio27, the items are the ST-DC348 2000 Antena3 YZR500 ridden by Norick Abe and the DC349 2000 Emerson Honda Pons NSR500 ridden by Loris Capirossi and Alex Barros.

9. MRM transkit
I've just received a transkit from MRM in England that lets You make Carl Fogarty or Troy Corsers Ducati Superbike racer. Another new alternative for bike modelers thanks to MRM. The kit contains several resin cast parts plus a large decal sheet, real value for money at just £11.50. You can order the kit directly from them at this email: MikeRosser@MRMInt17.freeserve.co.uk
I've uploaded a picture of the transkit. (together with two black sheets wich is for a Honda NSR500)

Studio 27 Suzuki RGV500 '97 transkit
a transkit for the Tamiya 1999 RGV500 kit that lets You make a 1997 Lucky Strike Suzuki. More

New 1/12 decals from Reji model in the Czech republic
I was thrilled when I learned that this company had released GP bike decals, and I also found that their pricing was fair, so I ordered both the no. 017 Honda NSR500 GP Brno '98 and the no. 039 Yamaha YZR500 Marlboro 2000.
The Honda decals are very welcome, since S27's version of these had the wrong red color, more about that elsewhere on these pages. Reji models red color seems correct, but it remains to be seen wether the decals have S27 quality. see buildt up kit
The Marlboro decals even comes with a sheet of carbon fibre and has markings for both Checa and Biaggi.
The initial look and feel of these decals is very good, and the price is USD 4.50 per decal sheet. My thanks to Rejimodel for producing these decals, hope this is only the beginning. To purchase these decals email reji model: rejimodel@volny.cz
Here's the NSR decal sheet.

New 1/12 decals covering the 2001 GP grid.
This season Studio 27 have released or will release the following decals:
S27 DC425C: Telefonica Movistar Suzuki RGV500 see build
S27 DC426C: Red Bull Yamaha YZR500
S27 DC429C: Gauloises Tech3 Yamaha YZR
S27 DC484C: Shell advance Honda NSR500
West Honda Pons NSR500
Antena3 D'antin Yamaha YZR500

Studi27 have also announced 1998 Marlboro NSR500 decals and 1999/2000 Marlboro YZR decals for future release.

1/12 Transkits for 2001:
Studio27 have announced that they will release transkits for the 1993 Rothmans sponsored honda NSR500, probably the 1994 Mr Donut sponsored NSR500 ridden by Norick abe at the japanese GP (allthough I'm not 100% certain) as well as the 2001 Marlboro Yamaha YZR500. No furher details yet.

this page was last updated on 27 august 2001.