Kyosho Optima build x2

[Burniefloyd]

Today I cleaned up and mounted the shocks. I need to decide where to go from here. I know I want some gold wheels but the jracing ones are out of stock, haven't found a non alloy replacement yet.

I think I want to go with some gold turnbuckles to match and need to figure out some what to do with the rod ends.

[Burniefloyd]

Ok, I need some help here. Looking for wheels and I came across these Condor Racing wheels. Is anyone familiar with them and what size tire they take? They appear to be 2 piece and they seem decorative and not beadlock so they would require glue.

I have also found some 5 spoke on road wheels that are ok but not sure how much I like them.

There are always the more expensive Pargu wheels but after the bad experience with the gold parts I don't think I want to go back there just now.

Anyone have any other good alternatives to recommend or info they can share?

[XLR8]

I don't know if this will be helpful but you might have a look at the rear wheels on the Tamiya DT 01 Fighter Buggy.
The wheel's design reminds me of those from the Optima Mid, they are 12mm hex drive, and if they are from the "Memorial" version, they are beautifully gold plated.

My old buddy Mark Bryan shows off a set in this video (fast forward to somewhere around the 5:40 minutes)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiSxK1sx6s

[youtube]=QaiSxK1sx6s[/youtube]

[Burniefloyd]

Those would be perfect if I could find 2 sets of rears. Just did a quick search and I don't see anyone selling them but I will keep an eye out for them

[XLR8]

I'm very sorry Bernie for sending you down a rabbit hole. I had no idea this model was so rare.

I just did an extensive search and yet I was still unable to find those plated wheels or even an instruction manual for that model so I could get a part number.
Strangely, there's very little information on the web about the RX Memorial version - Tamiya USA just shows it as discontinued and Tamiya.com has no information at all.
All domestic the online retailers I've looked at is showing this model as discontinued while RCMart and Euro RC has them on the shelf.

However, I was able to find the un-plated rear wheels on ebay and, surprisingly, they are relatively cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254354214855?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254354214855&targetid=1262779895889&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012474&poi=&campaignid=14866892363&mkgroupid=129483442273&rlsatarget=pla-1262779895889&abcId=9300677&merchantid=108358315&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_fz-1OPZ409i8NXGsbaLQCQqG1kqr0q7yiDiQXj6VcxRn804YKkglkaAuI6EALw_wcB

It's little consolation but I reckon you could pickup a couple sets, paint them gold and keep them as placeholders until something better comes along.
I do like that design but I think they're kinda ugly in yellow. It's probably just me.

[Burniefloyd]

I'm very sorry Bernie for sending you down a rabbit hole. I had no idea this model was so rare.

I just did an extensive search and yet I was still unable to find those plated wheels or even an instruction manual for that model so I could get a part number.
Strangely, there's very little information on the web about the RX Memorial version - Tamiya USA just shows it as discontinued and Tamiya.com has no information at all.
All domestic the online retailers I've looked at is showing this model as discontinued while RCMart and Euro RC has them on the shelf.

However, I was able to find the un-plated rear wheels on ebay and, surprisingly, they are relatively cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254354214855?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254354214855&targetid=1262779895889&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012474&poi=&campaignid=14866892363&mkgroupid=129483442273&rlsatarget=pla-1262779895889&abcId=9300677&merchantid=108358315&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_fz-1OPZ409i8NXGsbaLQCQqG1kqr0q7yiDiQXj6VcxRn804YKkglkaAuI6EALw_wcB

It's little consolation but I reckon you could pickup a couple sets, paint them gold and keep them as placeholders until something better comes along.
I do like that design but I think they're kinda ugly in yellow. It's probably just me.

It's all good. Just something else to watch for. My original plan was to get a set of aluminum ones but I may just but the Condor ones and hope for the best until the gold plated jracing ones are back in stock.

And no, he yellow isn't doing it for me either.

[Burniefloyd]

So I decided to swap out the frame rails to the gold ones. The black wasn't working out for me.

Spoke to John at jcracing and he said the chrome gold wheels should be in stock in 6-8 weeks. In the meantime I have a set of black wheels on the way for something else that may look good here.

I am thinking of going with the turbo Optima body with a black/gold variation of the box art.

[Burniefloyd]

Optima #2

This is what I am starting with

On the last one I bought the rere gearboxes and a set of diff gears to attempt a belt drive conversion but just frustrated myself and went with the chain. Though maybe I would experiment some more on car #2 but once I pulled the radio plate off I found it was already done!

Completed the tear down to prep for cleaning but the diff gears are not what I was expecting. They are aluminum and don't have the guide rails for a belt like others I have seen.

That's all for today. Need to find a new radio plate, probably a new set of frame rails and some tires.

[GoMachV]

Looks like they used the stinger pulleys. The belt length is different but it could have been pieced together

[Burniefloyd]

Looks like they used the stinger pulleys. The belt length is different but it could have been pieced together

That looks like them. I had done some searching but most of the info was old with no pics or odd angles.

It looks like it fit well. It was snug but not tight, nothing seem put assembled any different than normal. The belt is labeled 240XLF014

[Coelacanth]

I am thinking of going with the turbo Optima body with a black/gold variation of the box art.

That would be an awesome color scheme, especially with all the gold aluminum-nums and shocks. I went that route with a Marui Shogun resto and I look forward to seeing your black/gold Optima.

[Burniefloyd]

I am thinking of going with the turbo Optima body with a black/gold variation of the box art.

That would be an awesome color scheme, especially with all the gold aluminum-nums and shocks. I went that route with a Marui Shogun resto and I look forward to seeing your black/gold Optima.

Excellent paint job!! I think it's gonna be a nice color scheme. Do you remember what type of gold paint you used? I have been watching videos but there isn't much out there for gold on lexan. Was that backed with black or did you use a white coat in between?

I am looking at the MCI decal and for the most part the colors should work but I want to color swap the number decal and maybe the red Kyosho ones.

[Coelacanth]

I used FasKolor paints for that, FasPearl Gold and FasBlack, which is just a non-metallic solid black. I usually back metallics/pearls with silver or white. I backed the gold with FasKrome on that body. FasKolor is water-based airbrush paint. I love the easy cleanup and no nasty fumes.

[Burniefloyd]

Awesome, thank you!