Restoring a Classic: 1987 Kyosho Optima Mid brought back to life!

This Original 1980s Kyosho Optima Mid was given to me by a friend. It had been highly modified into a 2wd racer. I didn't even recognize what I had when I first saw it. Once I did, I had to restore it to original stock form. There was not much original left so I collected original and re-re parts over the last year. As I began the restoration, I discovered that most parts were identical to the original and some were not. So, this is not a full 1980s restoration but its close enough for me. Especially since I am going to run it.
Before: 0:12
Tear Down: 0:22
Rebuild: 1:30
Chassis Complete: 9:12
Paint Body: 9:25
Discussion: 10:13
Final Pics: 14:45
--
Thank you for watching! Please remember to Like, Comment, & Subscribe
Support the channel at www.buymeacoff...
Check out Powers Model Garage on Instagram at / powersmodelgarage
Stop by the Facebook Page at / powersmodelgarage
#powersmodelgarage #kyosho #rccar
Videos are filmed with a DJI Osmo Action and DJI Mavic 2 with photography by iPhone.
Usual brands: Tamiya, Kyosho, Axial, Team Losi Racing TLR, Nikko, DJI
#vidiq
vidiq

[@rc-fannl7364]

Neat rebuild. Any running footage?

[@powersmodelgarage]

Thank you. Not yet. I hope to get it out for a run here soon though.

[@GuillaumeFleurytechhelp74]

Nice resto, but I would have kept the Andy's white wide front arms. Am a sucker for vintage hopup!

[@powersmodelgarage]

Thank you. I’ve heard that a couple times. I did save them so I might put them back on someday. Thanks for watching 👍

[@spacehog57]

Did I see that you used the new plastic belt cover (from the 2022 re-pop) instead of the old polycarbonate? If so did you have any problems with it fitting? I really want to do a deep clean of my original 87 Optima Mid but I am worried about how I would replace the belt cover.

[@powersmodelgarage]

I did. The top one went on as is out of the package. For the bottom one there was some minor trimming needed due to some screw heads that are in a different place on the 87 chassis vs the ReRe. It was not hard at all though. Looks fine in place.

[@gammaljanuar4558]

are you using new gearbox from re-re and the slipper clutch too?

[@powersmodelgarage]

@@gammaljanuar4558 yes. The whole drive train is re-re. The front was missing and the rear was complete. I originally tried only replacing the front and keep the rear original. The belt drive line from old to re re are just different enough that the belt won’t line up. So I had to replace the rear too.