85 T3 questions

[ajb399]

I am the proud owner of a 85 Kawi Tecate 3 that I just recently purchased. Over all I think it is in good condition compared to some of the trikes I had in the past. I am looking to do some improvements to this machine. I would like to convert the twist grip throttle to thumb throttle but I don't know what will work with this machine. I would also like to find an original headlight assembly, taillight assembly and the baffle that goes in the factory muffler. If anyone has any suggestions please feel to let me know. Thanks..

[barnett468]

.
if no one here has the parts you need, i would just check ebay.

you will likely have to buy a used muffler to get the baffle . . it has a spark arrestor but it will run better with a normal straight thru silencer.

[nd4speed]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/94809-Kxt250-Tecate-3-What-Parts-Fit-Swap-Interchange

[nd4speed]

I am finding the Tecate 4 thumb throttle causes me to move the brake over because it gets in the way of the lever, it is not too bad but still. Also the Tecate 4 thumb is not supported by Motion Pro for cables, so avoid it.

[ajb399]

Thanks for the replies. I was able to put the Mojave thumb throttle on and I works just fine. I also noticed that my air box is vented and its all white. All the air box assemblies that I see on ebay are black and have a solid panel that covers the air filter. I was told that the air box on my trike is the UFO vented air box. I would like to change it back to the standard style air box. Anyone know what the UFO air box is worth selling for?

[nd4speed]

If it really is a UFO air box and lid then I have never seen one and it is probably really rare. Are you sure it is just not a UFO lid? some people reproduced the lids but mostly for 86/87 T3 I thought.

You put that air box on ebay and if it is what you say it is, then you might be quite surprised at the bids.

Can you please post pics of your Mojave throttle and cable attached at carb?

Also post pics of this air box too !

click- GO ADVANCED, MANAGE ATTACHMENTS, ADD FILES (select your files), UPLOAD

[ajb399]

I believe its the complete air box since it all matches. I will upload some photos of the thumb throttle soon.

220076

[nd4speed]

Very interesting....please load more photos of the box other than the lid, please.

If you decide to go back to the stock air box keep in mind finding the filter cage for them is the hardest part- as seen here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231656183403?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[nd4speed]

Probably looks like this:
220077

here is thread with it but does not say what i is:
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/118411-Show-your-aftermarket-tecate-airbox-covers!

Send dcreel a message and ask him what it is since he owned one.

[barnett468]

Thanks for the replies. I was able to put the Mojave thumb throttle on and I works just fine. I also noticed that my air box is vented and its all white. All the air box assemblies that I see on ebay are black and have a solid panel that covers the air filter. I was told that the air box on my trike is the UFO vented air box. I would like to change it back to the standard style air box. Anyone know what the UFO air box is worth selling for?

it might also be a dave miller air box.

[ajb399]

Has anyone ever seen one of these on a 1985 Tecate? I don't want to buy if it wont fit or cause problems with blocking air to the radiator. I tried to find some pictures of this on another tecate but I have not found anything on it.


220124

[nd4speed]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/50039-Picked-up-a-Center-Headlight-Setup-For-the-84-Tecate

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/102715-New-Tecate-project-why-me

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/109223-Big-Al-s-Performance-Products/page6

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=151488&d=1343518741
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/oldsite/files/readersrigs/billtecate.jpg

[nd4speed]

/i personally like the idea of getting the headlight below the handlebars despite it being in front of the radiator which to me would not be much of an issue.

Once I had to superman fly over my handlebars while going down a sand hill before my Tecate hit and got wedged on a very large tree.
Had a guy coming up the hill and he kicked sideways on whoops and headed at me, which caused me to look at him and edge over enough so my rear wheel went over the razor edge of the hill. Got sucked off the side and into a tree. Chit Happens !!! I need to find one of those stickers again.

[ajb399]

I have personally never wrecked a trike but I have wrecked many quads. Thanks for the info about that headlight/grill. I think I am going to buy the one that is on evil-bay. I also attached some more pictures of my air box and the Kaw. Mojave thumb throttle conversion. I ended up using the original cable that went to the twist grip and just shortened it. I had to make a new end piece that would connect inside the thumb throttle. I just melted down some lead and sanded it down so it would just fit. So far it works like a charm!220193220194220195220196

[nd4speed]

Darn it. where were you with this good idea to shorten the cable a few days ago before I ordered one? Ha HA, I feel dumb. I probably could just torch/solder a ball on there of something.

Um..where did you get the lead?

Good idea.

That airbox looks to be in great shape and is probably worth a bill or two in the right market. Rare.

[bkm]

I have a rare new k&n filter for the oem airbox. It replaces the hard to find oem metal cage and bolts into the box. I have not seen another for sale on ebay in quite sometime, only the 86-87 filters. I also have an aftermarket headlight bracket and headlight. The rubber mounts need to be replaced because the headlight is loose, but I think that would be an easy fix.

I would be willing to trade these plus cash your way for your ufo airbox if you are interested.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/19/e30aa19493a30c4ecceaa1a6512cd17f.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/19/0d8852bd489afa14c0d167ef6bbf31e0.jpg

[jb2wheels]

Curious what the shock is from. The damping adjuster is different than I've seen before.

[ajb399]

So far the modified throttle cable is working great. I'm just glad that I didn't cut it to short so that the it idled really high. Another easy way to modify the original throttle, is to buy one of the motorcycle cable repair kits. They come with those end pieces that slide on the cable and there is a set screw that clamps down on the cable. To make it more permanent you could use some epoxy. It's really an easy modification that anyone can do at home. I keep seeing this bracket called the rear fender stay/support on ebay. I can not find that part anywhere on my T3. Does anyone have a picture of where that is supposed to go? I ordered one from ebay since I don't have one but like I said I'm not sure where its supposed to mount to.

[ajb399]

I have not idea where that shock came from. I just assumed that it was the original.

[nd4speed]

rear fender stay goes under the rear fenders to support them, you can kinda see one here in the pictures

[nd4speed]

Curious what the shock is from. The damping adjuster is different than I've seen before.

Looks like a 86/87 Tecate shock to me

[phantomtracer]

I can confirm that is a UFO AIRBOX. I had one on my 84, purchased it new in 84. They had a crude mounting system which used round conduit hose connectors to attach the box to the frame rails. Also, the air filter retainer was a bit flimsy and was made of the same white plastic.