My Kyosho Optima collection

Post by **Bormac** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:41 am

Also a big fan of the Optima series I watch on with interest

Post by **keithrc** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:55 pm

OK, here's another of the collection. This one is my Javelin runner.

Saw this on the bay and to be honest it did look a bit rough, the cage however looked alright so I snapped it up. The front wheels were pointing in all kinds of wierd directions, it was 2WD as the chain had been taken out, had big knobby tyres on the back and bald stocky's on the front.

The best thing was that it came with it's box and the instruction manual!

I put in a Tamiya Sports Tuned motor, alloy shock collars and silver Turbo Optima wheels, narrow fronts.

If I find some earlier pics I'll post em up.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Keith

Post by **Bormac** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:33 am

There's just something really cool about seeing the Optima's/Javelins fitted with period correct 2.0" rims and tyres.

Great looking Javelin by the way too.

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:18 am

Thanks Jason, I've got a couple sets of original Javelin wheels that I'll give a fresh coat of silver and get a set of repro OT-30's for. It could use a new wing too, I think maybe a Pargu alloy one but without the pointed ends on the sides.

Keith

Post by **Bormac** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:33 am

I also have a Javelin currently under rebuild and I am sporting the same style rims and had intended to buy one of those alloy wings too. I also prefer shorter side dams as those swoopy long ones look odd to me.

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:37 pm

Seems we have similar tastes, why not do a build thread of your Javelin?

I had a look on Pargu's website and asked if he could do the smaller (better) sides on the wing and he said he can do it. I was thinking of just using a Mid wing but the mounting holes are different.

Keith

Post by **Bormac** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:00 pm

Hi Keith.
I most likely will some time. I've just polished all the alloy bit and cleaned all the plastics for the rebuild. Need to source some new diff gears and a hardened final pinion before the rebuild gets under way.

Post by **keithrc** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:27 pm

OK, next up in the Optima collection is the almost complete Turbo Optima. I've had most the parts sitting in a box waiting to be assembled and a few weeks ago I decided to build it.

I used a belt drive, rear ball diff, hardened final pinion, Pargu alloy front brace and not long ago found the correct thicker lower front guard which is an improvement on the thin one that I had to "panel beat" back into shape to fit the car.

It still needs a few bits and pieces, Dirt Burners counter gear and Thorpe idler gear are on the way, the body is trimmed and I'll attemp a box art paint sceme when I get around to it/feel like doing it. The wheels are temparary, I have some new white 8 holers and will get some OT-66's from Marwan in the not too distant future.

Pics, some are a bit blurry so appologies in advance.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

240S motor and 9T pinion gear, the motor spacer plate is on the way.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Keith

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 4:00 am

Getting near the end of the chain drives now, this is one of my two Salutes. I recieved it as it looks in these pics with the exception of the original speed controller, I only took it out because it wasn't working properly. When I first saw the pics of it, it looked pretty good, the seller described it as having light use.

It had the gold side nerf bars and motor guard and the 240S motor and the wheels and tyres looked very clean as did the rest of the car. It looked like it had been built, run a few times and put in a cupboard or something. How could I pass it up?

It looked just as good when it arrived.

Pics.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It's had a bit of a knock to the nose.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Keith

Post by **mrfoski** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 4:18 pm

Nice collection man. I have found the kyoshos really fun to restore. Keep up the good work.

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:27 pm

Double post.

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:38 pm

Thanks mrfoski. It's good to know there's so many parts still available for these old Optima's.

OK, so this is the last of my chain drives, my 2nd Salute. Again sourced from ebay from a seller who used the car very little and kept in very good condition. It came with the Futaba Attack R stick radio pictured as well as the box (blue version) which was flattened out for shipping and the instruction manual.

I gave it a run when it arrived and everything worked well apart from the nut on the idler gear coming loose.

Pics.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

LeMans 600E motor.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

And that's pretty much it for the chain drives/rear motor'd Optima's, I have plans for an Optima Pro just to complete the collection and I just really like the look of them, I was considering converting the purple one posted on page 1 into a Pro but I dunno...... Or alternatively there is one on the bay now but I'd have to arrange my own shipping to get it, something I'm not very experienced with so I'll see what I can do.

I'll update the various posts if/when I make changes and when I finish off the Turbo.

Keith

Post by **Coelacanth** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:38 am

keithrc wrote:It's had a bit of a knock to the nose.

Ahhh, don't they all...

Finding an Optima variant with an un-bent front chin skidplate, or unbroken bumper brace, is like finding a diamond-in-the-rough.

Post by **keithrc** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:46 am

I gave the first Optima a run a couple weeks ago and did a couple videos that I've just downloaded to youtube, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfOFhiu-ry0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMhRzlZuqRU

Keith

Post by **j0pp3** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:48 am

Awesome collection keith! I will always love the Turbo Optima, my first real R/C

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My Kyosho Optima collection

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