Kyosho Baja restoration
Discussion
Hi All,
I thought you might be interested in this this old baja buggy I recently bought (being on furlough has a lot to answer for!) I have been trying to find out a bit more about it, but information is a little sketchy. It was made my Kyosho as part of its Circuit 20 range in the early 80s, though it appears quite similar to 1970s designs I've seen. This one would probably have been sold under the name Graupner Baja Body, Graupner being the European distributors of Kyosho at the time.
So far all I have done is give it a wipe over. The receiver and servos appear to be working fine, though I had to use my own transmitter as the one it came with didn't work. Could just be a bit of battery corrosion.
I'm not very familiar with nitro RC cars so advice is most welcome! I was planning on disassembling it completely and servicing it before I try to fire it up. There is a lot of aluminium in this thing (weighs in at 3.3kg)!, so I'll see if I can bring that up nice and shiny when I dismantle it.
I have ordered a new bodyshell and a polycarbonate driver/cockpit section, but I think I can improve the existing shell by touching up the paint and fixing in some new polycarbonate panels, especially up front where there is a large section cut out unnecessarily. I could polish out some of the scratches in the window area. The new shell I have ordered is actually from a later model that is a bit sleeker and nicer looking than the shell it currently has.
I'll paint the wheels in silver probably. Existing tyres seem ok, but perhaps a little dry. I'm thinking perhaps some silicone grease will help to preserve them.
The only manual I have been able to find is in German, but it looks like the suspension has been jacked up a bit by fitting extra springs in the rear and mounting the front axel under the chassis, when it should be on top. I'll probably revert it to standard so it rides a little lower I think.
I have found out there were some optional shock absorbers that could be fitted at the front. I have been in touch with a very kind and helpful Youtuber who has provided me with some information that should allow me to build my own shock towers (if I can't find any) out of sheet aluminium and fit generic dampers.
I thought you might be interested in this this old baja buggy I recently bought (being on furlough has a lot to answer for!) I have been trying to find out a bit more about it, but information is a little sketchy. It was made my Kyosho as part of its Circuit 20 range in the early 80s, though it appears quite similar to 1970s designs I've seen. This one would probably have been sold under the name Graupner Baja Body, Graupner being the European distributors of Kyosho at the time.
So far all I have done is give it a wipe over. The receiver and servos appear to be working fine, though I had to use my own transmitter as the one it came with didn't work. Could just be a bit of battery corrosion.
I'm not very familiar with nitro RC cars so advice is most welcome! I was planning on disassembling it completely and servicing it before I try to fire it up. There is a lot of aluminium in this thing (weighs in at 3.3kg)!, so I'll see if I can bring that up nice and shiny when I dismantle it.
I have ordered a new bodyshell and a polycarbonate driver/cockpit section, but I think I can improve the existing shell by touching up the paint and fixing in some new polycarbonate panels, especially up front where there is a large section cut out unnecessarily. I could polish out some of the scratches in the window area. The new shell I have ordered is actually from a later model that is a bit sleeker and nicer looking than the shell it currently has.
I'll paint the wheels in silver probably. Existing tyres seem ok, but perhaps a little dry. I'm thinking perhaps some silicone grease will help to preserve them.
The only manual I have been able to find is in German, but it looks like the suspension has been jacked up a bit by fitting extra springs in the rear and mounting the front axel under the chassis, when it should be on top. I'll probably revert it to standard so it rides a little lower I think.
I have found out there were some optional shock absorbers that could be fitted at the front. I have been in touch with a very kind and helpful Youtuber who has provided me with some information that should allow me to build my own shock towers (if I can't find any) out of sheet aluminium and fit generic dampers.
Yes 1/8th. I've had to put it on the back burner for now since I got called back to work shortly after getting it and I'm already in the middle of working on a couple of Tamiya 1/10 electric buggies.
I have a lot to learn about nitro engines. The engine is an Enya 4101 21X (0.21 cu in). There's no pull-starter on this one so I have got a starter box on order. I can turn the engine by hand and I can feel some resistance then hear a little pop each time. I'm not sure if that's normal or not!
I have a lot to learn about nitro engines. The engine is an Enya 4101 21X (0.21 cu in). There's no pull-starter on this one so I have got a starter box on order. I can turn the engine by hand and I can feel some resistance then hear a little pop each time. I'm not sure if that's normal or not!
Yes should be fun getting it going! I think it may have been sitting for years so I was going to strip it down and rebuild it before trying to run it in case I damage it. Check for dirt and rust internally and lubricate the bearings.
Just watching a few videos on it now actually as I'm a bit clueless at the moment, but it doesn't look like it will be too difficult to do.
Just watching a few videos on it now actually as I'm a bit clueless at the moment, but it doesn't look like it will be too difficult to do.
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