First Full Build -86 Tecate

[nstyle73]

Scotty is right, an impact wrench is definitely the way to go, especially on the clutch nut, etc. Mine recently bit the dust, so I made a clutch holder out of aluminum and the convoluted fork tool too.

[nstyle73]

I couldn't resist doing some preliminary assembly even though I don't have everything painted and cleaned up yet.
I polished the triples last summer and they've been in a box since then. The AVone OSX bars were adopted from
Ebay and came with the Applied oversize bar mounts and the rubber vibration cones for a dirtbike. I've
heard about the vibration of the T3, so I thought I'd try to dampen some of that with the bars, and the rubber mounts
were just a bonus. Supposedly, these bars are anti-vibe, but we'll see. I had to drill out the stock tecate triple mounts to accomodate the larger mounting bolts. I also had to special order longer bolts as the mounts came with short fine thread metric bolts. I threw on a lock washer and some threadlocker for good measure.

[nstyle73]

Side Note: Check out 250rmanfmf's post on his KXF450 Tecate. That's what a Tecate build should be. I'm just not up to that level yet.

No camera this weekend, but I've been painting the headlight bracket after some welding to get it back in shape, the shock pivot and some axle spacers. And the rest of the time was spent on the 250r. I did take some pictures of the chopped up swingarm I'm going to try to use. It's +3, which was going to be a bit short when I initally planned a KX500 project, but should be adequate for a warmed up 250. Its UGLY, and the local fab shop turned their nose up at it. I contacted a couple other places close to me and they basically said they didn't have time. I'm considering painting it to look like a Westcoast (White and Blue Decals) so that it I can do the welding, just have to find someone with a TIG or heliarc. They cut the skidplate/chainguard mounts off too when the extended it. I don't do the best work, but I try not to butcher things beyond repair.

[nstyle73]

Couple more pics. I put the new bearings and seals in the front hub and axle carrier. A picture of the headlight bracket and shock pivot as well. I know gold is kind of tacky. Its supposed to be copper to match the nitride bars, the picture is a little overexposed. If it doesn't look good on the bike, I'll repaint them black or silver or something. I cut down the resolution so the pics would load faster too, so they may not be as clear.

Does anyone know of someone making fork caps for the Tecate like HR makes for the 250R and 350x?

[T3 LOPES]

that swinger is pretty bad . you could have one built by HRE ATV for around 450. he does great work. Nice work so far! keep it up.

[JohnR.]

I think Ronnie is making fork caps.

[nstyle73]

Pictures coming this weekend.......HRE's contact info?

[Tecate 50]

HRE-ATV.com

[nstyle73]

I promised some pictures, if not really any progress. I got the bottom end back and put together, and dropped the piston and top end together, but am waiting on head studs. I painted the motor and swingarm. I painted the shock spring too, although I already had sblt500r rebuild the shock, so the paint job isn't of OEM quality as you can't get the spring off, but I loosened it up and got a good coat. It will go by the wayside if I get an extended swinger because I have a different shock for that. Anyway, for the time being, I'm using the stock swingarm. I'm getting busy, and I can't hang the project up for 2 or 3 months waiting to get one made or to get the one I have in shape. I slapped everything together to give me some motivation. No one breathe, there are only 3 bolts and an oil jug holding it together..........


May the Lord bless you this Easter.

[tri-Z ripper]

Excellent work so far! I also believe in stocking up on your parts before starting and not having to wait for each piece! Nice dodge! and a great build im subscribed now!

[nstyle73]

The Sprock Racing cool head tops off the piston and sleeve. The ports are just a good all around port job, not really a top end or bottom end. The bore is shown in one of the pics :-) I also included a couple of the 'roller' pics I meant to include previously. The total width of 51 1/2" might be a problem, as it won't go in my step side pick-up. The hub spacers add 1 1/2" and the 300EX hubs add another 1 1/2" over the stock hubs and the Durablue axle is a couple inches wider than the stock T3.

I currently have the T4 brake hub and sprocket hub on the axle. That creates two issues, the brake caliper mount would have to be fabbed because the T4 rotor is a larger diameter, and the T4 sprocket hub is 1/2" wider but not offset like the T3. I can fab the caliper mount easily, but I will either have to do something similar to sblt500r and relocate the snap ring groove and use the T3 sprocket hub, use a spacer with the T3 hub, or make a custom adapter to offset the sprocket the 1/2" and use the T4. The quickest would be the snap ring relocation, but I haven't decided yet.

Oh, and thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement.

[3wheelmecca]

That thing looks pretty slick, should fly with the KIPS system. I wish I had that on my 84.

[sblt500r]

[QUOTE=nstyle73;858345]I currently have the T4 brake hub and sprocket hub on the axle. That creates two issues, the brake caliper mount would have to be fabbed because the T4 rotor is a larger diameter, and the T4 sprocket hub is 1/2" wider but not offset like the T3. I can fab the caliper mount easily, but I will either have to do something similar to sblt500r and relocate the snap ring groove and use the T3 sprocket hub, use a spacer with the T3 hub, or make a custom adapter to offset the sprocket the 1/2" and use the T4. The quickest would be the snap ring relocation, but I haven't decided yet.
QUOTE]

just find a 86 t3 rear disc and hub. that will be the easiest way to go! wait is that a t4 axle also? the sprocket hub looks like a t4.

oh and the rear spring will come off. loosen the retaining rings all the way, then pull back on the spring and you can get the lower retainer off, than the spring will slide right off.

[nstyle73]

Its a T4 Axle. I might be missing something, I loosened the retainers up as far as I could until they hit the shock line.

[sblt500r]

you might want to get the t3 disc and sprocket hubs. might be easier for you. they fit the t4 axle fine. but eitther way your gonna have to cut the splines or move the caliper out. also if you didn't know, the axle will be off to one side a hair. i made spacers for the hubs that were off to center the wheels.

you have to have the shock in a vise when you pull on the spring. when its loosened, slide the bumper up a bit, then pull back on the spring and the lower retainer will come off. might be easier with 2 people. but it will come off. i don't use a spring compressor.