Wez-li 1790 Posted April 18, 2015 I bought this a few months back, ran it for a bit but my intention was to strip it down and re-build it. A little bit of background to this model. Back in the late 80's I used to go into this shop called Radioactive, it was a Model shop, but unlike Beatties it didn't stock Tamya's it stocked Kyosho's, schumachers and Yokomo's, along with RC aircraft, and it was the only place you'd see them locally, before I started going to the RC club anyway. I always loved the boxes of the Kyosho's, they looked a bit more serious/professional than the Tamiya's did with the actual model shown on the box, and the action shots on the sides The many incarnations of Optima were a bit difficult to keep up with even now, this 1988 Optima Mid Custom is a kind of budget version of the Turbo Optima Mid Special, but it still way in front of the Tamiya's of it's day, with it's chassis and belt driven 4wd imo. I've always wanted one, ever since I was a kid staring at them in the shop I bought this example built, but it hasn't been used much by the look of it, it cost me a fair bit but I managed to claw back some of that back as the seller included some parts from other models that I sold off. So I've started stripping it down, I've left the gearboxes and belt drive system fitted to the chassis as it's very smooth and I don't wanna end up like this guy Pics so far; How it arrived, the box is massively important to me as usual nice info from the box It came with a pretty awful body, but also with a brand new Kamtec shell and decals, this is the original body (Hmmmm) Stripping and sorting. Nice original wheels/tyres Instructions are clear and concise Rear plate was removed by previous owner, it's back now. clean chassis More to come later 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scapelnz 204 Posted April 18, 2015 Great start! I'm a big optima fan so am looking forward to seeing how you get on. Good luck :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klausen 1197 Posted April 19, 2015 Fantastic buggy, I really love my 2 Optima Mids, they are among the best looking buggys ever made imo. Looking forward to follow this thread. Subscribed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 19, 2015 Thanks guys. It won't be a quick project, I've had to order a replacement alloy wing stay set which it's way from Hong Kong to the UK. Forgot to say it came with original instructions, which are a bit tatty an missing a couple of pages, plus a full photocopied book. Gotta love an exploded view Motor included is the original kit supplied Le Mans 240ST, my limited research (google) has shown that it's a 22T motor. Interesting that the instructions show it wasn't supplied soldered in the kit, wouldn't see that in a Tamiya. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klausen 1197 Posted April 19, 2015 You got a great package there. These Lemans motors are/were great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 20, 2015 The first part for my rebuild is Installation of rear shock stay (step 4) Front shock stay Caught up with the instructions now, so moving onto the installation of rear suspension arms (step 7) Installation of chassis (upper) and battery holder (step 8/9) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cplus 94 Posted April 23, 2015 That looks like it could very easily take a short lipo, or possibly a split pack. Way better than an old NiCd/NiMH if you plan to run it that is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 27, 2015 That looks like it could very easily take a short lipo, or possibly a split pack. Way better than an old NiCd/NiMH if you plan to run it that is. i don't use Lipo, I'm old Will update this soon, got some more steps done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Steps 10, 11 & 12 Knuckle arm assembly, installation of front suspension arms, front rods and front bumper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Steps 13, 14 - Rear hubs, shafts and rods. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Steps 15, 16 & 17 installation of servo saver & tie rods. Steps 18 - 21 shock assembly and installation Upgraded gold shocks Rear ones are standard and needed rebuilding as they were leaking Don't forget to full the shock oil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Steps 22 - 24 Installation of upper deck and belt cover Step 25 - 26 Motor installation Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Step 27 is the mechanical speed controller (remember those) I'm skipping that as I'll use an ESC Step 28 - Installation of the wing stay, I had to order a new one from Korea as a piece of my original one was missing. Fitted Step 29 & 30 - Assembly of wheels and tyres The wheels took a brief spin in the dishwasher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted April 29, 2015 Steps 31-33 is installation of radio. Just the servo for now. That's enough for today... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted May 2, 2015 Next steps were the body. I'm using the Kamtec repro that came with the kit, the body was a pain, as usual, reasons being; 1) The body isn't symmetrical. 2) Kyosho feel it necessary to have to drill 6 holes to mount a buggy body. 3) The cut lines on the Kamtec body aren't really defined 4) I have the cutting skills of a below average chimp. Anyway, this is the result. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wooders28 4703 Posted May 3, 2015 This takes me back to my racing days! :-) I found the custom special body a better looking body,but used a sapphire Cosworth body when racing as,urm,gentle nudges in turns didn't result in me flipping over! You are needing gold rear shocks! I have a bag of them somewhere,they work,but not very cosmetically pleasing? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
73robb 132 Posted May 3, 2015 I remember racing the mid BITD, first as swb and then as lwb once the upgrade kit came out. I was also a regular at radio active and spent a small fortune in there!It's looking good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted May 3, 2015 Thanks for the comments. @Wooders28 - technically I need one front standard shock, but I know what you mean pm incoming. @73robb - I was more of a window shopper than anything else at radioactive, never used to buy much! What a great place it was though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted May 7, 2015 Got some Gold rear shocks, (thanks Wooders28) so I'll have to go back a few steps to fit them. Need to order some white paint 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wooders28 4703 Posted May 8, 2015 No bother,the shocks have just been sat doing nothing for years,glad you can make use of them. To save messing with body clips,we used to (may still be the done thing?),use sticky backed velcro to stick the undertray to the chassis (1" square at the front and back and each side),then strips down the full length at the side of the body to undertray. This meant easy access plus reduced debris into electrics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted May 13, 2015 Gold & standard shocks arrived thanks to Wooders28. I've decided to go with the standard shocks. After I took the pic and uploaded it I realised the springs aren't black will change them over when I get the chance Next up, paint! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted October 22, 2015 So almost 6 months later I've managed to get around to doing paint and decals today. It didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but why break a habit of a lifetime eh? A coat of pearl white. Then ps1 white. And some decals! 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
73robb 132 Posted October 24, 2015 That turned out great, you should pleased with. Are you going to run it or shelf it? Btw, did you see the piece in radio control car racer a couple of months ago showing Andy carter, who worked at radio active, outside the shop with his Schumacher cat? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wez-li 1790 Posted October 26, 2015 That turned out great, you should pleased with. Are you going to run it or shelf it? Btw, did you see the piece in radio control car racer a couple of months ago showing Andy carter, who worked at radio active, outside the shop with his Schumacher cat? Cheers mate, I'll run it, I have a spare shell so no worries there, although I'd like to run it in the box art scheme as it is if I ever get to a TC meet. Didn't see the article, I'd like to though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klausen 1197 Posted October 27, 2015 Great result, I love the Optima Mid series. Really hope the full serie will be part of Kyoshos rere plans. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites