Looking for help and info for building my 87 tecate

[Murray8503]

Came to this forum in search of help to build my 87 tecate Ive had since I was 16. Sold my 85 250R a couple years ago so I have decided to start a new project. Little did I know that 86-87 tecate's are next to impossible to find parts for.

[fieldy]

Hi and welcome. There's good stuff on here. If you post pictures you will get 7 fold answers. Pantomracer just did a restoration of an 86 and there are a few more who have and are building over the last 2 years including myself. Need4speed stated a thread on the what parts are interchangeable. Good luck with your build and if i can answer something i will, just pm. Tip- There are a few bolts in the motor that are LEFT handed threads and those get stripped and are real hard to get + expensive. The stock exhaust is a great exhaust. Stock rear shocks are quality also but often need rebuilt. Stock flywheels need epoxied or the magnets fly off. The 87 Tecate is an ultimate restoration canidate.

[Murray8503]

Thanks. I have a lot of work ahead but I'm in no hurry. Its mostly complete minus motor came in a box so not sure whats there and whats not. Not even sure the motor is worth messing with. Top end was off for who knows how long and bottom end was seized up from sitting out in the weather. A plus is from what I have read Ive got all the hard to find parts and original seat is in awesome shape. I just have to figure out what goes where.

[KDXRon]

Here is one I did on 1985 Tecate. Good bike for sure.

https://youtu.be/O82oO_uDmpw


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[fieldy]

Thanks. I have a lot of work ahead but I'm in no hurry. Its mostly complete minus motor came in a box so not sure whats there and whats not. Not even sure the motor is worth messing with. Top end was off for who knows how long and bottom end was seized up from sitting out in the weather. A plus is from what I have read Ive got all the hard to find parts and original seat is in awesome shape. I just have to figure out what goes where.

If you have nice cases pull the stator/flywheel with a flywheel puller then soak the lower end in kerosene to loosen the rust so it can be disassembled, cleaned and inspected.The cylinder can be replated and the crankshaft could be rebuilt. I have seen running engines on 3bay for 700-1000 dollars too.

[Murray8503]

I've got the bottom end mostly free. I was worried about the rust and how to clean it up. I'll have to try the kerosene soak.

[fieldy]

If you poor mineral spirits in the motor it may run out around the main seals. It would be extremely lucky and even risky to assemble the motor without new main seals and bearings because the old seals proably wouldn't pass a leakdown test.......... I said kerosene earlier, i meant mineral spirits. Use mineral sprits.

[Murray8503]

The bottom end is getting all new bearings and seals. My question is, what all needs to be done to top end. I dont think you can just bore it out and put new piston and rings in correct? Also any good sites to buy parts like rebuild kit for carb and so on?

[fieldy]

Ori, offroad innovation sells rebuild kits for the stock Mikuni.The new main jet it came with is stock, so that probably isnt going to be perfect.
The cylinders are plated so they must be replated once damaged. Not cheap. $300-325 range. Millennium plates cylinders, something like Nikasil plating. For a stock restoration replating would be great. Otherwise they can be bored and sleeved. People claim that done right a sleeve is geat. My old Kawasaki man says they build to much heat and wont last like stock.

[fieldy]

If I was building a stock rider i would buy a 36mm pwk air stryker Keihn.

[Murray8503]

Wow! With every post I'm turning for rebuilding to parting it out. Sounding like I'm going to have close to $800 in just the motor alone.

[fieldy]

Keep it, its special. Have the cylinder looked at by a shop.

[Murray8503]

Haha, I'm not sure its that special. I will start adding everything up and see what it would cost ball park. I hate to have $1500 in all the parts just for a rider.

[Murray8503]

Where could I fit a complete bearing kit for the bottom end and also a service manual?

[Murray8503]

Also I forgot to mention and get opinions. When i got this thing 15 years ago the top end was off of it. I think it had been outside and froze up the bottom end. Is all the internals a lost cause? I haven't split it apart to check but I figure it's a rusty mess in there.

[fieldy]

Where could I fit a complete bearing kit for the bottom end and also a service manual?

Find a post made by Oscarmayer on this forum. Then look down in his signature line at bottom of his post, it will say download free manuals click on here...... Click on there. Wa-lah, manual on phone. Download both KXT manuals, the 85 and 86, you will need both.
If water sat in the motor, you are looking at a crankshaft rebuild. There is or recently was a rod kit on ebay, rod kit saves you a little. Kawasaki dealer can get you everything for the 250 as far as bearing and seals go. What can be saved depends on the degree of deterioration from the rust. I have one that was left exposed to the elements for a period and water/rust caused me to rebuild everything. Transmission was fine. Crank had to be welded, turned on lathe, rebuilt to stock specs.

[fieldy]

Here is a thread that is talking about Nikasil and cylinder inspection.http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/179382-Help-with-84-Tecate-Engine?p=1415138#post1415138

[Murray8503]

Ok thanks for all the help

[79Bird]

I'm also in IL, and about to start a 500 swap on my 86'. The 250 that is coming out runs, maybe you are interested?

[Murray8503]

Sending you a pm bird.