Is my 85 Tecate worth fixing ?

[Davidcz75]

OK I just picked up this 85 Tecate .... once i got it home I noticed a couple things I didnt when i bought it. There is some sort of air filter to the front of the gas tank with a lil k&n airfilter on it. The radiator works well but its loose as the connectors to the frame are broken ( looks like i have another one in my parts box) Then i look and the airbox is gone ... luckily its in a box of parts the guy gave me lol . So basically there is a hose with a K&N on the end where the airbox was. Lastly is the clutch ... think it has a groove in it or something .. only in first and doesnt do it all the time. Now i have a box of parts ..such as the stock muffler, forks , and all kinds of other stuff. The gas tank is faded but works and the rest of the plastic is good. Now for all the negetive ... this thing flat out hauls butt. Just as fast as my 250R, though that was a much nicer bike. So I am just not sure if i want to spend the money to put it back all correct or find someone else who it could serve better...opinions please

[sp8twn]

Any pics??

[JasonB]

pics will make or break this thread lol. I say hang on to it, the air filter is not a big deal from the sounds of it. And how is the rest of the bike mechanically speaking ? loose and janky? Feel solid? aside from the radiator

[tommerp]

Yeah no kidding PIX MAN! .. First thing I thought of when I read the title was KEEP IT! The things you mentioned.. minor minor details.. A motor with a rod through the side.. different story.

I'm sure there would be plenty to take it off your hands here too ....

[Davidcz75]

lol aside from what i mentioned it all seems sound . I just dont see why in the hell they took the airbox off. I guess once i got it home and saw the lil stuff i was kind of bumned. Ill post pics but like i said its not all that bad. Kind of hate the gas tank being discolored ... the rest of the plastic is nice and kawi green . It kicks over first or second kick as well.

[jb2wheels]

You got an 85 with good plastics that runs and you wonder if you should keep it? That's 2 of the biggest issues already covered (can't get plastics and bad ignition).

Doesn't sound like it has any real bad issues.

[Davidcz75]

Yea now that you mention it ..... I might just be a wee bit critical

[Davidcz75]

[tommerp]

Geese Louise... she's a beaut!!!

[ScreaminRed]

Definitely worth keeping!!

[RIDE-RED 250r]

YES YES YES WORTH KEEPING AND FIXING!

Check with Mr. Clean to restore that tank... His plastic restore work is second to none!!! I sent him a 250r tank that was VERY chalky and it came back looking like an NOS part....

[jeswinehart]

One reason they may have left the air box off is they could NOT get it back in place, kinda a trick to getting them out/in on the 84-85 models.

john

[Davidcz75]

Ok lol guess I was overly critical and I'll take the advice on having the tank restored

[RoscoW]

Tecate "Green" tanks are more discoloured than faded, The fuel has browned the plastic all the way through, I don't think it will polish out. DC plastics has a simple cover that matches the OEM colour. just another option. Definitely a keeper. If you do one thing to it, remove the flywheel and send it to jeswinehart here on the boards and have the magnets epoxied in place, when the come loose they don't go out without taking a few parts along with them.

Ross..

[Davidcz75]

Ok I'll look into that for sure