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1988 Kyosho Optima Mid Custom rebuild

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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 :wub:
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
IMG_20150418_133057_zpse21e0b2f.jpg
Pics so far;
How it arrived, the box is massively important to me as usual B)
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nice info from the box
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It came with a pretty awful body, but also with a brand new Kamtec shell and decals, this is the original body (Hmmmm)
IMG_20150418_140447_zps78a99b19.jpg
Stripping and sorting.
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Nice original wheels/tyres
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Instructions are clear and concise
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Rear plate was removed by previous owner, it's back now.
IMG_20150418_131652_zpse8d3db16.jpg
clean chassis
IMG_20150418_140118_zps7c691b4f.jpg

More to come later :)

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Great start! I'm a big optima fan so am looking forward to seeing how you get on. Good luck :-)

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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.

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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.

IMG_20150419_132159_zps9abb2488.jpg

Gotta love an exploded view ;)

IMG_20150419_132241_zps4b9b7dd7.jpg

Motor included is the original kit supplied Le Mans 240ST, my limited research (google) has shown that it's a 22T motor.

IMG_20150419_131837_zps469baf44.jpg

IMG_20150419_133432_zpscb36fa14.jpg

Interesting that the instructions show it wasn't supplied soldered in the kit, wouldn't see that in a Tamiya. :ph34r:

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You got a great package there. These Lemans motors are/were great.

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The first part for my rebuild is Installation of rear shock stay (step 4)


IMG_20150420_122829_zps3c5c82d9.jpg


Front shock stay


IMG_20150420_114124_zps00e36dee.jpg


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Caught up with the instructions now, so moving onto the installation of rear suspension arms (step 7)


IMG_20150420_122729_zps5010d95c.jpg


Installation of chassis (upper) and battery holder (step 8/9)


IMG_20150420_124106_zps5db25e3e.jpg
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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.

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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 :D

Will update this soon, got some more steps done.

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Steps 10, 11 & 12

Knuckle arm assembly, installation of front suspension arms, front rods and front bumper.

IMG_20150429_104335_zps8ed67640.jpg

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Steps 13, 14 - Rear hubs, shafts and rods.

IMG_20150429_112838_zpseb8c030a.jpg

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Steps 15, 16 & 17 installation of servo saver & tie rods.

IMG_20150429_112947_zps13e9562c.jpg

Steps 18 - 21 shock assembly and installation

IMG_20150429_115039_zps95d642de.jpg

Upgraded gold shocks :P

Rear ones are standard and needed rebuilding as they were leaking

IMG_20150429_122402_zps4bbea9d0.jpg

Don't forget to full the shock oil :)

IMG_20150429_125151_zpse8573680.jpg

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Steps 22 - 24 Installation of upper deck and belt cover

IMG_20150429_132318_zpscb5673ef.jpg

Step 25 - 26 Motor installation

IMG_20150429_133356_zps3333cf7f.jpg

IMG_20150429_134946_zpscd4b211a.jpg

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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.

IMG_20150429_135039_zps73f7f613.jpg

Fitted

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Step 29 & 30 - Assembly of wheels and tyres

The wheels took a brief spin in the dishwasher :ph34r:

IMG_20150429_140620_zps65d02ddd.jpg

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Steps 31-33 is installation of radio.

Just the servo for now.

IMG_20150429_145233_zps4d8a7f69.jpg

IMG_20150429_151345_zps807d5fb2.jpg

That's enough for today...

B)

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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.

IMG_20150502_203236_zps45c2abf8.jpg

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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 B)

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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.

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Gold & standard shocks arrived thanks to Wooders28.

I've decided to go with the standard shocks.

IMG_20150512_182354_zpsfdd14765.jpg

After I took the pic and uploaded it I realised the springs aren't black :rolleyes: will change them over when I get the chance :)

Next up, paint!

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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? :lol:

A coat of pearl white.

IMG_20151023_005040_zpsatiykqfw.jpg

Then ps1 white.

IMG_20151022_143442_zpsggtj63lg.jpg

And some decals!

IMG_20151023_001150_zpszkzpbt1k.jpg

:)

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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?

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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 :)

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Great result, I love the Optima Mid series. Really hope the full serie will be part of Kyoshos rere plans.

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