2014 Kyosho Beetle

[GreenBar0n]

Modified the chassis to fit the LED system, used the Tamiya round file.








Magnetic connector.


Connector on body shell.




Going to blue the conversion kit rear axle nuts and washers next.


Still need to find a way to adapt the front Tamiya 5-star wheels, to the smaller Kyosho front axles.

[juicedcoupe]

11X8 bearing adapters and 4X8 bearings should do it.

[GreenBar0n]

11X8 bearing adapters and 4X8 bearings should do it.

Can you recommend a place that sells these?

Thanks!

[juicedcoupe]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234912940732?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nk75xqnpsuu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rUKMRphWSMG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[GreenBar0n]

Thanks for the adapter link! Ordering now.

It looks like the right ID/OD sleeve over the smaller Kyosho front axle, might make the stock size Tamiya bearings work also.


Got the rear adapter nuts/washers cold blued, they're soaking in olive oil until tomorrow.

[GreenBar0n]

The blue process came out really even, with good color.


Need to grind 1.65mm from each axle nut, so that the wheel tightens up on the axle. These adapters were made to put the Blackfoot wheels on an Optima Mid, so the offset needs to be ground down to fit the SRB wheels. Going to use a Dremel and the stone bits.

[GreenBar0n]

Got the front bearing adapters recommended by @juicedcoupe, thanks again! They work perfectly to adapt the smaller Kyosho axle and bearing to the larger Tamiya wheel hub. Will paint the adapters flat black, like the VW brake drums were.




The rear axles are going to need to have sleeves made for the axle shafts, I have brass tubing coming with 1mm thick walls, 5mm OD and 4mm ID. The rear wheels snug up and spin without the sleeve, but I want it to be solid.

[GreenBar0n]

Painted the front bearing adapters semi gloss X-18, like the rear hubs.


Got the 5mm OD/4mm ID brass sleeves made for the axles, put them inside the Tamiya rims in the rear.


Rear wheels lock up on the friction drives with no problems, no slipping. Offset and backspacing corrected now too.








Going to decide on the tire writing for the Kyosho, leaning towards yes.

[GreenBar0n]

I think I may have finally lost it, I don't know what a Tamiyosho is, but this is starting to look correct to me somehow, it can't be. Blitzer Beetle/Kyosho Beetle.












Not sure if I'm going to be able to stop going down this path, really like the scale look these days, and that Blitzer body on the Kyosho won't leave me alone.

[Dangeruss]

Going to decide on the tire writing for the Kyosho, leaning towards yes.

At first I was thinking no, I wouldn't...

...but it makes a really impressive difference with the tires painted:

Though... 1/10th Goodyear decals/waterslides would look soooo good:

[GreenBar0n]

Going to decide on the tire writing for the Kyosho, leaning towards yes.

At first I was thinking no, I wouldn't...

...but it makes a really impressive difference with the tires painted:


Kyosho Painted Tires.jpg



Though... 1/10th Goodyear decals/waterslides would look soooo good:


Kyosho Goodyear Tires.jpg

Nice work!

The tire writing really does it for me on a set of shelf tires, wish the paint were more durable, would love to drive around like that.

Still deciding what to do on this one. Took another look at it today and thought about putting the stock chrome wheels back on - leaving it all Kyosho, and finding another place for those Centerline wheels.

[Dangeruss]

Nice work!

The tire writing really does it for me on a set of shelf tires, wish the paint were more durable, would love to drive around like that.

Still deciding what to do on this one. Took another look at it today and thought about putting the stock chrome wheels back on - leaving it all Kyosho, and finding another place for those Centerline wheels.

Thanks!

Wonder if you could spray the sidewalls with clear plasti-dip to get the lettering to last a little longer...

I could see swapping wheels and bodies just for fun... Kyosho wheels, stock style dune buggy... dropped with a different Beetle body, Centerlines and drag tires for a Volksrod look... maybe even the Centerlines with a low turn motor and a Corvette body for a vintage wheel standing gasser... Hmmm, I may be spending too much time in the Bolink section...

[GreenBar0n]

Thanks!

Wonder if you could spray the sidewalls with clear plasti-dip to get the lettering to last a little longer...

I could see swapping wheels and bodies just for fun... Kyosho wheels, stock style dune buggy... dropped with a different Beetle body, Centerlines and drag tires for a Volksrod look... maybe even the Centerlines with a low turn motor and a Corvette body for a vintage wheel standing gasser... Hmmm, I may be spending too much time in the Bolink section...

The tire writing is in acrylic, not sure what would make it more durable, without spoiling the scale look.

Sidewall decals seem to work on foam.


These Centerlines might have to find another Sand Scorcher at some point, the Scorcher's are $291 at the moment, if they go lower I may have to bite.

[GreenBar0n]

Decided to get rid of the silver stainless wheel screws.


Added black M2 hex cap screws, for the lug bolt look, and built the other five star wheel kit I had. Centerline look on the left, Jackman look on the right - the very best of the Baja Bug wheel choices for back then.


Now that this Kyosho can run Tamiya rims, I've got more than a few inexpensive choices for wheels and tires.


Going to get the decals on this one, and then figure out what wheels to run.

[GreenBar0n]

Decided to keep this all stock, or close to it.












This one is now completed. Thanks to all who participated!