Why is this set listed as 8857-2?

Two different sets share the number 8857 in the catalogue. This one is the 1980 Expert Builder motorcycle, while the other is a model from 1993.

What was Expert Builder?

It was the name used in some markets for the early mechanical sets that later carried the Technic name. Models from this period are built mainly from studded Technic bricks.

Does the set include any figures?

No, Motorcycle 8857 has no minifigures.

Expert Builder

Motorcycle

Motorcycle 8857 comes from 1980, when the sets that later became Technic were still sold under the Expert Builder name in some markets. It has 409 pieces and no minifigures.

Set number: 8857-2
Year: 1980
Pieces: 409
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Expert Builder
Different parts: 93

What can I build with it?

Parts list 93

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Description

Two wheels, open engineering

Motorcycles have long been a popular subject for mechanical building sets, and it is easy to see why. On a real bike almost nothing is hidden: the frame, wheels, forks and drive are all on show. That makes a motorcycle an honest subject for a model that sets out to explain how things are put together rather than simply how they look. Set 8857 approaches the bike in the style of its time, with a chunky, studded construction that looks quite different from the smooth studless models of today.

Building the 1980 way

In 1980 the main structural parts were Technic bricks: ordinary-looking bricks with holes through the sides, joined with pins and axles. Studless beams did not exist yet, so frames were stacked in layers and locked together with plates. If you are used to modern sets, this can take a little getting used to, but the logic is easy to follow once you have built a few sub-assemblies. The 93 different part types across 409 pieces give a good cross-section of the parts range from that period.

What the colours tell you

Light grey, black, blue and red are the main colours. The grey is the original shade that was retired in the mid-2000s, so it will not match the bluish grey found in newer sets. Blue and red add accents to a structure that is otherwise mostly grey and black. If you are restoring a used copy, keep this in mind when sourcing replacements: a modern grey part will work mechanically but stand out visually, especially on a model where grey makes up so much of the surface.

Finding the parts today

A set from 1980 will almost always come second-hand, and incomplete lots are common. The parts list on this page shows every element with its quantity and colour, which makes it straightforward to check what is missing. You can also log the pieces you own and let the ‘What can I build?’ tool suggest other sets your collection could rebuild. For vintage Expert Builder models in particular, that is a handy way to see how far a single box of old parts can take you.

FAQ

Why is this set listed as 8857-2?: Two different sets share the number 8857 in the catalogue. This one is the 1980 Expert Builder motorcycle, while the other is a model from 1993.
What was Expert Builder?: It was the name used in some markets for the early mechanical sets that later carried the Technic name. Models from this period are built mainly from studded Technic bricks.
Does the set include any figures?: No, Motorcycle 8857 has no minifigures.

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