1987 Tecate 4....worthwhile ride? Opinions please....

[MO350X]

Hey folks,
A fella down the road has an '87 Tecate 4 for sale.
It starts and runs fantastic.
Twist throttle....it's a beast. :naughty:
The front end and the swingarm bearings are a little loose but it still goes like stink in the woods. :)
No title.
Only one crack in the OEM plastic-about 3" long-stitched shut.
The front tires are shot.
I'm sure it'd clean up REALLY well.

The price is irresistible.
I hate to pass it up unless they're an inherent money-pit/problem child.

Pics attached.

Any opinions?
Good? Bad?

Thanks in advance!

[twoodward15]

If it's a good deal I'd buy it. First thing I'd do is turn those rear tires around so they are facing the right way though. You might pick up quite a bit of traction that way.

[TravEX]

Man it does look good. After you get you'll have to let us know how much you stole it for. Have you ridden it?

[MO350X]

The guy who's selling it rode up to my house on it last night.
I didn't even know he owned it....turns out he has an '86 ATC250R, too.
Imagine that. ;)
But the R is NOT for sale.
The money from the Tecate will go into "finishing" the R.

I only saw and heard the quad coming down the road, saw it start twice (one kick) and saw/heard it leave.
Sounds and looks healthy to me.

Ahhh the temptation......:twisted:

[350Xhilaration]

check with speedbump. He has had a couple of these. He really likes his.

http://users.adelphia.net/~cinnamonlou/pics/

[90nut]

They are animals. If I could find one around here for a decent price it would be living at my house right away! Only gripe I have herd about them is the suspension is kinda ruff. Other than that the headlight is kinda goofy but if the price is right I would jump on it. IF you don't like it you could sell it on e-bay quite easily I would guess.

[Cody]

Nice. Yea id buy it.

[MO350X]

Thanks for the input!
I'll call the guy tomorrow and see.

I'll post my findings.

Thanks again!

[SpeedBump]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it that ISN'T a 87 Tecate 4.

The good news is....it's a 1988 Tecate 4! Much better Machine than the 87. Quick way to tell, A-Arms. Those A-arms are "gull-wing" style. That was the first "long travel" suspension offered on a factory quad. Roll Design copied that idea. The other thing that is telling me it is a 88, the rear shock rezzy. 87 up front on the frame...right by the engine where it got hot....no idea what they were thinkin!. 1988, moved it to the rear subframe. From the looks of how high it sits up front, I would say those are not the original shocks. Originals were shorter and had black springs. Overall, good machine ya got there. You can find some Rad Shroud Plastics in lots of places....Ebay, my friend, Corey Sprock (Missouri too) www.kawieriders.com or www.tecateconnection.com I would say anything around $1000 would be a good deal, so if you can get it for less....heck ya, buy it up. I can't believe it is still around being in Corey Sprock's back yard. He is THE biggest Tecate seller, dealer, collector and authority around.

A few things to check out....lower front frame rails. Prone to cracking from hitting squared off bumps. There is no angle built into the bottom of the frame like a 250R so solid hits straight on the front wheel/tire were problematic. The rear subframe is removable...another first ;) so any damage to them and the whole frame is not wasted. The steering stems on nearly EVER T4 I have owned or seen in person were bent. They bend right above the steering stem bushing/clamp. Kinda hard to notice even when they are bent, so not a big issue.

The electrical system had major problems back in the day. From what I have been told and read about...that was about the biggest reason they had very poor sales and why Kawie quit producing them. It technically wasn't the electrical system problem, but the GLUE that was used to hold the magnets into the flywheel. The glue would deteriorate after some time, letting the magnets fly apart and that in turn would take out the stator coils. Back before Ricky Stator started reproducing them, you either had to have YOUR stator rebuilt or buy a new one from Kawie...knowing it would happen again. They cost nearly $400 new. Now add that to the price of a new Flywheel....$375 or so...and ya got nearly $1000 into a repair that more than likely will happen again. Don't worry about that now...if that one has a stocker in it, it will be fine as long as the flywheel holds up. You can pop it off, check the glue, if it looks good, no worry, if it looks dry, cracked or just not right, toss that flywheel in a box, and order up a new one from www.rickystator.com They cost $120 new. The magnets are not glued in, but moulded, machined or integrated into the flywheel.. Very safe.

Sorry bout the long-winded reply, but I figure more info would be helpful.
I say buy it.

BTW, for anyone else looking for one of the rare birds...my friend Rick is trying to gather up cash to put down on his new home. He is selling ALL of his Tecate Stuff. He has my old 300 BigBore T4. I helped him restore it over the last year or so. It is AWESOME. I really wish I could buy it, but all my "play money" is going into my ATCR250R project. For the rest of you guys....here is a link to some pics of it. He wants $2500 for either one or $4000 for BOTH and ALL the spare parts...lots of spare parts. Check it out http://www.tecateconnection.com/memberrick.htm

[90nut]

Speedbum, you gonna have your T4 at TF this year? If so I will have to look you up so I can take a look at it. I just love those baby's!

[SpeedBump]

Speedbum, you gonna have your T4 at TF this year? If so I will have to look you up so I can take a look at it. I just love those baby's!

Sure will. Look at it? You can take it for a spin if ya like. ;)

[MO350X]

NO problem on the "long-windedness". :)
Actually, that's MUCH appreciated.

The price he's selling it for is silly. :w00t:

Thanks again and I'll post what I decide to do.

[MO350X]

Looks like Friday afternoon is pick-up time.
I can't wait! :Bounce

[Jeb]

Cool. I'd love a find like that. I've wanted a Tecate-4 since I first saw one in 1987! :lol:

[90nut]

When you get it and are able to take it for a spin let us know how you like it!

Bump, I will look you up at TF, if you would like you could hop on one of my 3 legged tecates and join the ride.

[MO350X]

Hey folks,
First off let me say that it runs INCREDIBLE.
Mucho power.
BUT...it'll need:
upper and lower control arm bushings.
Swing arm bearings.
Three frame cracks fixed (the "usual" places, two have ugly gorilla welds on them already).
Front Tires (rears leak, fronts leak and are worn out).

More than I care to tackle right now.

It runs/rides strong BUT it's "LOOSE".
No title.

[SpeedBump]

When you get it and are able to take it for a spin let us know how you like it!

Bump, I will look you up at TF, if you would like you could hop on one of my 3 legged tecates and join the ride.
I had one....86 T3, it is owned now by another member here...thanks for the offer, but I will have my own R up and running @ TF06..... CROSSING FINGERS!!!!

[grundlegrabber]

I am parting one of those out T4's right now, check ebay auctions by grundlegrabber or shoot me a PM if you need anything!

[MO350X]

I am parting one of those out T4's right now, check ebay auctions by grundlegrabber or shoot me a PM if you need anything!

Funny you should respond!
I'm watching three of your auctions right now for the T4 parts. :)
The radiator scoops, front shocks and the tie rods.

I have a sinking feeling the scoops will get stupid in the last minute thus blowing me out of the water.
That's ebay for ya. :(

Thanks and I'll definitely be watching the auctions!

[MO350X]

I had one....86 T3, it is owned now by another member here...thanks for the offer, but I will have my own R up and running @ TF06..... CROSSING FINGERS!!!!

Funny you should mention R's.
I recently picked up an '86 TRX250R.
Sweet quad.
The frame and suspension are tight as a drum AND it has a fresh top AND bottom on the motor. :w00t:
Check out the pic.

[grundlegrabber]

Nice lookin R, just needs some decals. I like to see them in stock form like that. So hard to find one that hasn't been all modded out for race. Keep watching those auctions, they may not go as high as you think!

[MO350X]

Nice lookin R, just needs some decals. I like to see them in stock form like that. So hard to find one that hasn't been all modded out for race. Keep watching those auctions, they may not go as high as you think!

The reason it has no decals on the plastic is that I THINK it's old-type Maier with their old "rough" surface finish-NOT shiny/smooth like they are today.
Believe me....I'd have every OEM-type sticker available on there if it would take them. :)
I'll be watching your auctions.
I NEVER bid until the last minute.....otherwise, I'm just shooting myself in the foot.
Thanks!

[MO350X]

No, I haven't forgotten about the Tecate. :)
Here's what I came up with to make it safely rideable-

Bushings:
The same place my 250R A-Arm bushings came from has them for the Tecate's a-arms and swing arm. About $135.
Blown Rear Shock:
Guy across the street from me does that reasonable.
Frame Cracks:
I can weld those, I believe.
Tires:
Readily available cheap.
Misc. parts:
Grundlegrabber. :)

I'm going to wait until Thurs. morning and see if he still has it for sale then lowball the heck out of the seller.
Wish me luck! :beer

[SpeedBump]

Before you buy your bearings, give a shout out to Magoo over at Kawieriders. I priced ball joints at a Dealer, $50+ each....got them from Magoo for $58 pr. He would have the bearings in stock, or be able to get them for you cheaper I think. Not to mention, he is also in MO, so shipping wouldn't kill ya. Hammer on that seller. No reason to pay more than you have to! LOL!!

[370banshee]

BUY IT!!! i have an 87 and 88 tecate 4.. they are awesoem quads..

[370banshee]

and if you need anything lemme know... i;ve got alot of extra stuff i might be willign to sell