Fibre-lyte are close to finishing my custom pieces, I'll post pics when I get them
I'd love to see a pic of the chassis you got
You should be able to buy some double sided tape easily enough, though you may have to cut it down to the width you need.
I am in the same boat and need to find some for my other two Mid builds

Thanks for the tip. I have found a tape from Team Associated that might work. Just have to cut it properly as you said.
http://www.hobbycity.se/product.php?id_product=488

And here is the chassis from fibre-lyte. Can't find a better substitute :wub

http://joppis.dyndns.org/misc/mid_chassis_cf.jpg
Chassis for Turbo Optima Mid Special

That looks really nice, can't wait got get my stuff now!
Thanks for the link to that tape

Got the tape and it's thin and black, just like the original. It's not long enough though so one have to cut two peaces and add them together to the correct length.

Okay, so I took a photo of the ball diff we talked about before. Maybe you see in this picture if has the wider spacer? I don't have anything to compare to. Just tell me if I need to measure something.

http://joppis.dyndns.org/misc/ball_diff.jpg

I will be able to tell from a pic however the spacer I need to see is on the belt drive side which is obscured in that pic, if you flip it 180 or better sill just 90 so I can see what is sitting behind the bearing on the side the belt runs on that would be great

I managed to make a little more progress recently.

Starting off with these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123222.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123224.jpg

I spent a while filing away the extra material off the bellcranks rather than just cutting it off, and then I sanded the edges too, it nearly looks like the pieces were actually made that way to start with

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123226.jpg

Then assembled all the bits, I forgot how tight the servo saver was!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123227.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123230.jpg

You can probably see the bellcranks are not sitting parallel because someone forgot to shorten the two rod ends before assembly, I promptly fixed that later on.

The cap screws I ordered finally turned up

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123239.jpg

Which meant that I could now install these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123232.jpg

Seeing as they were on the same blister pack as the steering parts, I decided to use the plastic nuts for the shocks rather than deviate from the correct parts and use nyloc nuts. I don't mind the way they look so they will probably stay on.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123240.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123241.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123242.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123245.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123244.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123243.jpg

I made a start on assembling these bits but ran out of time, I'll pick things up again shortly. I've been temporarily distracted by another project I have started ...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123246.jpg

Nice progress of a superb build :drool:

I used those black plastic nuts too. Those golds are truly key parts of Kyosho vintage race cars.

Sorry that I haven't took a new picture of the ball diff. I'll upload it tomorrow (editing the above post just so I don't hi-jack your thread even more) :)

Keep the pics coming!

Thanks. I've been enjoying the build and in a way I'm happy for it to draw out a little. No worries on the ball diff. I recently received a parts lot as part of my next project and it turns out I may have the spacer I need in that collection of parts. I'm actually polishing and anodising blue a set of beat up golds for my ZX. I also have some real nice medium and shorts which I will sell soon, once I do a bit of a stocktake.

Hi mate, any further progress on the TOMS? It's looking very nice so far.

I have an original one myself that I bought as a roller minus body and wheels from a guy in Singapore (I think), wasn't cheap.


Keith ;)

Very apt timing as I have been working on it today. I'll post an update in a few hours. Would love to see some pics of yours.

Managed to make some more progress today, hoping to have it finished pretty soon.

So, picking up where I left off last time I assembled and fitted the rear wing mount

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123452.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123456.jpg

Then all of these
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123458.jpg

Were pieced together to make these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123460.jpg

Then these likewise were pieced together

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123462.jpg

To make these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123463.jpg

Then it was time to get these guys out

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123465.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123466.jpg

along with these

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123468.jpg

To get things up to this stage

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123470.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123472.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123474.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123475.jpg

I could have left it there for now but decided to continue with these plastic parts

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123478.jpg

And while I was at it I also put the wheels on

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123484.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123490.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123485.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123486.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123488.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...1220123491.jpg

I would have at least gotten the upper deck on too but I am waiting on an OT-33 ball for the steering bellcranks and it wont be possible to install this with the upper deck on.

I must be soo old ! People are restoring car's now that i used to race in the late to early nineties!

I totally forgot about the Long wheelbase kit for the Mid Optima.

I used to run a short wheel Turbo Optima Mid , raced this with great result's.

Never went long wheel base as i loved the chuckability of the Original Mid Optima.

My good friend still own's his Long Wheelbase Optima , opening his pitbox is like a timewarp.

Epic build by the way , i allways loved the old yellow holed wheels.

Any one looking for a Option House one way for there Optima ? I have a new one minus the packet.

Is the one way for a belt driven or chain driven Optima?

I need to get some paint for this, what is the correct white for it or any suggestions appreciated

I also need to get up to speed on cutting and painting, anyone got any links for recommended reading?

You're making good progress and it's looking great. I see you're in Australia too, where abouts are you?

I'll do a thread of my Mids soon and post pics of mine.


Keith ;)

Awesome work mate!

Looks like you have the correct yellow tone on your wheels. You bastard :thumbsup:

The correct color for a perfectionist is probably the white color that Kyosho sold back then:
KYO2230W - POLYCA COLOR WHITE

I have no idea if that is possible to find today.

Cheers

I thought the wheels looked a bit different to the usual yellow ones. Wasn't sure if it was just how it showed up in the pic or what. Maybe Kyosho did the fluro yellow wheels for the people that bought the TOMS conversion kit?


Keith;)

I think its just that the wheels were the dull color when they were first made and the color is different later on. Thats the case with the yellow wheels for the Lazer ZX-R and Triumph, the original ones from the kit are dull yellow but if you buy them now they are the brighter yellow. I have never seen the rears in the brighter yellow, only the fronts, of which I have a pair I need to sell

I managed to make a little more progress on the build.
Now all that is left is the Lexan pieces really, i.e. belt and spur gear covers, and body undertray and wing.
Whats the best way to trim the motor cover, scissors or knife, I was thinking of bolting it to a spare motor plate and then trimming around with a razor blade?
I don't know how far I will go with electrics for it but I do have a brand new Kyosho Red SCR saddle pack battery and I also have what I think is the perfect motor for this buggy, can anyone guess what that might be?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133492.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133503.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133504.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133505.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133502.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133501.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133509.jpg

I was feeling a little adventurous so decided to break out these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133514.jpg

I forgot just how darn tight the bind screws are in the upper deck the first time you screw them in.

Having the covers on let me take what I consider the trademark Mid shot where you can see the belt running circling the perimeter of the buggy side on

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133517.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133516.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133518.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133519.jpg

Then it was time to break out the motor I have been saving for this build for quite some time

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133525.jpg

Along with these guys

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133526.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133528.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133529.jpg

I also managed to trim the gear cover and put that on while I was at it

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133530.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133531.jpg

I'll start trimming up the undertray next, then the wing, then the body.

Pretty soon I should be ready to start one of my next projects

That is just damn sexy!

This is looking to be very nice! I can't wait to see the finished product

Thanks guys

Anyone got any tips for the best way to mask up the blackouts?
I was thinking I would brush the black sections but then spray the entire body once the black sections are done and the masking removed

Hi Buddy, Forgot to tell you what I did with the black sections.
I sprayed the black sections from the outside with black matt paint.
A spray can of mat black that you can buy in the car shop should do the job.
Box art are the black sections mat black and not shiny! looks superb!!

I've started cutting out the body, wing and undertray and I have a few questions maybe someone can help out with. These are the Marwan repro pieces

1. Its hard to see any cutouts on the sides of the wing, do you just cut it freehand?
2. Its hard to see any cutouts on the top of the sides of the undertray, or the bottom of the sides of the body, how do I know how tall to leave the sides
3. The stickers that go on the sides differ from the box art in they have a long line running along the bottom whereas the box art does not, has anyone modded the side stickers to work correct or has Marwan had to make a change to avoid copyright infringement?
4. Are the hole markings on the body that the four plastic pegs poke through in the correct spot?

What do you guys use besides lexan scissors and sandpaper to sand the edges of the cuts. Do you use files, scalpels, or?

Any pics of cut out pieces would be a big help

I checked the internet and "copying" the shape from a photo and cut it freehand.

The best thing that you can do is, first cutting the upper bodyshell and fit it on the car. To fit the undertray is just a matter of trying and cutting till you are satisfied! (See picture of my turbo mid SP attached)

NO,The decals are identical copies of the originals! I asked him already a long time ago and he showed me a picture with the original decal sheet and the repro and they are identical! Apparently it was not the first time that Kyosho changed a decal sheet etc on the last minute before they go in production!


Almost but they are not perfect! You need to try and adjust...

Only scissors

Thanks for that info, gives me something to go by so I can continue with the build!

Though I have to say, I have curved lexan scissors but some of the curves I have real trouble cutting out, it seems the shell is thick in some places and paper thin in others

There you can use a light duty knife. One like this ==> http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDS70&P=0

For the tight curves I use a hole reamer, make the hole centre a few mm out from the arc and make the OD follow the curved cut line.....then I use curved scissors to transition from the straight to the curve.

I managed to make some more progress.
I got most of the cutting done with scissors but used a block and sandpaper to make the long straight edges nice and straight, the undertray is ready to paint, the body and wing just need the sandpaper block treatment on some edges as well cleaning up the lower edge of the body sides, and a few little tweaks. I think the wing shape turned out OK, I marked the lines with electrical tape and cut against them.
I was more concerned with making the body fit properly first then can finish it off without needing test fits.
I found the body is not a perfect fit and it pulls the RH side of the roof down a little, Oli4KE noticed your LWB bodies do this too, I managed to solve that when test fitting just the shell without the four black pegs, but then when I put it on with the undertray and retaining pegs the problem came back but its not as bad as it was initially.

I always liked the wing in the low position with mid tilt, but never knew on the LWB model you can't get the body off with it on in that position!

Is it just me or is the body a super tight fit over the retaining pegs?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133564.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133563.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...0120133566.jpg

I will probably paint the wing first and apply the stickers, then the body, and then the undertray though I may leave it clear so you can see the carbon chassis from underneath

Looking great Dan.

Posted your bits to you just now.

Dan

Thanks! Look forward to receiving them

I'm thinking the first of my two planned SWB Mids will be my next project.
The bits you sent me are for the second SWB Mid build I have planned

Hi Oli did you do the same for the Optima Mid Custom too?

Cheers,

Dan

Yes correct, thanks for the tip Buddy!;)
Nice work BTW:thumbsup:

Yes, I did the same with the Optima Mid Custom bodyshell.
Honestly it looks better and it's much easier to do so from the outside!