RE-Constructing the Samurai.

Starting point...

Finishing point... A little build that took a beautiful afternoon. 

With beautiful weather, I wasn't going to build this machine in the garage.... A balcony build for me...

Yes... Overdose parts a plenty.

Full SSG Carbon Graphite chassis and Shock Towers, Motor Mount with custom 3mm spacers for large pulleys. Steering and turnbuckles, Servo Saver and Antenna Post.

I can almost build a DRb in my sleep these days. But you always forget the sequence for a couple of things.

But a DRB build always starts here. the static parts form the base. 

Then you keep going until you start to get the belts flapping around too much.

Eventually you get the front joined to the rear with the upper deck keeping the chassis plate from flexing. 

Twill carbon on the Overdose parts can look a bit dull sometimes, but other times its just a nice thing.
Here we see Overdose, Kazama.

onward we press, Black grease on ball joints, oil on bearings... clean and pretty. V2 Front end with Wrap up next items also in place.

Ahhh, A roller. Finally. Belts tensioned. Shocks positioned.

A few pictures before the body mounts were added. Team bomber front support completes the carbon set perfectly. Customised SSG Hyper Drive Bridge adds strength to the weakpoint of the DRB. 

Red. Blue and Silver Overdose triplets.

So the end result reminds me how awesome the DRB can be.

It's a good thing I take these pictures because I can see a couple of screws still to be added.  

It's time to admire... While the prices of WELD Overdose Brand items have increased recently. The upgrades were never a cheap option.With only a single production run of most Japanese brand "Tuning" parts, you have to be lucky to pull these together.

This machine has been with me a while... Starting as a DIB-R then DIB275, then DRB HT, then DRB OD, then HIGH CS DRB as it currently sits.   Final spec is still around CS 3.2:1  F40-9-18-27R 

Unused Kazama FXR wheel kept for that shelf queen imagery.  

It's definitely seen some action... Good enough for the shelf or for the street.

Deconstructing the Samurai

My DRBs all have their own style... The RED Armour chassis I name Samurai.

This full Overdose chassis is one that always makes me happy. I use it for fun battles but to accommodate that, it still has to perform

High CS ratio of 3.2:1 and full Keyence power train allows for more than enough control. But it's time to upgrade and maintain a few things.

So the first thing to go was the chassis plate. The look of the naked frame is quite interesting.

But not to stop there. As more and more parts were removed... I started to map out the components. Some of the items up for replacement are the front knuckles. The narrow scrub front end works very well, But can I get that in Red? probably not. so some re-anodised parts will be installed.

Laying out the components was fun for a while...but I soon tired of that and only disassembled one side. No wonder I don't do this very often...

BUT...

I still have 3 more to disassemble...!!!!! Yikes!!! I know as I have swapped components around, I have stolen some of the long CVD axles, bearing and setup items for my main chassis.

So this massive project means documenting what I actually have and recompiling the best chassis I can.

But it still makes for a nice photograph... 

I was also left with the guts sprawling over the table.

And these shiny items are still the bling de resistance.

Overdose Chassis plates accommodate, battery position, Drift Package or DRB suspension and at the time added belt stabilizer position and larger spur cutouts.  Functional and pretty.

So with 3 more to go... I need a rest.