The Tecate 125 build

[loizl]

It all started with the wish for a small, light and reliable trike like a 200x. the problem is theres no similar model made by kawasaki. so i started to build my own.
I started to make a Jig from a 1987 tecate frame
Next step was building the frame and fitting the engine in. The frame is based on the 2nd gen tecate geometry but with removable aluminum subframe and a single downtube to clear the exhaust. the engine is a kmx 125 2 stroke engine with gianelli pipe and should put out about 20-24 hp. it is by far no racing engine but very reliable and bulletproof. i dont know if the kmx was ever sold in the us. here in germany it was sold from 1986 till 2002 with very little changes. its a counterbalanced 6 speed wide ratio engine so its like made for a trike.

[loizl]

I had These like new inverted forks from a aprillia pegaso 650 laying around. so i buildt a set of tripples for them




The front fender is off a honda fatcat, the headlight off a trimoto 225 and rear fender and seat are kawasaki mojave (the seat will get a new cover in another colour and the headlight will be plastidipped in white. i got the tripples hard anodized which gives them a grey-gold-brown finish. at the moment i'm building a aluminum tank for it to clear the one side radiator and the pipe. next step will be the swingarm. That's it for now. hope you all enjoy it

[tecaterob]

Wow great work. Are you planning on making more frames when your finished?

[loizl]

Hey thanks rob. I did another tecate frame that you can see in the background. I'm building the engine for it right now. and the red trike in the pictures is also based on that frame with less rake to match the 250r tripples i'ts got a 86 cr250 engine in it. i only need to build frames because there are no here in germany and shipping a frame from the us would simply cost way too much. i don't think i'll build more frames in future.

[C.J]

Dude,, you're awesome. "Well there's no frame so I'll just build one" "Eh, I have these pegaso forks laying around,, might as well do something with them!" How much travel do they have btw? I've been scoping them out myself but wasn't sure if there would be enough travel for a trike. And I'm sure they are sprung heavily since the Aprilia weighed like what, 370lbs or something like that?

Thank you for sharing with us!! I really dig the build!! I'm a huge fan of small bore pingers. Can't wait to see whatcha come up with!

[loizl]

I had the choice between a kmx bike frame and building one with real trike geometrics. The forks offer 8.3 inches of travel that should be enough for the trike. I dont know yet how stiff they are but i' ll find out soon hopefully. I also forgot that the engine has a lightning coil so i can use headlights.

[Dirtweed]

Loizl you and the others that are able to do this just amaze me. Excellent job and can't wait to see it finished.

[3 Wheel Drive]

Will an OEM Tecate swinger bolt up perfectly? I like these mini 2 strokes, those kx 80's go for 500 in WA.

[ebaccm26]

Wow! You sir are talented to say the least. Not many people would attempt to truly start from scratch like that and actually do a good job.

[Ghostv2]

Like everyone else, we love to see people construct 125/200 2-stroke trikes. Some I see are built well but just don't look appealing because they didn't take into account making fenders that look GOOD fit. They just throw on the original dirtbike tank and run no rear fender or some that just look like they don't belong. You went the right route, sir.

Build a few and ship them across the pond.

[loizl]

[loizl]

As you can see i'll go with a excentric chain tensioner. The bearing carrier is a modified 350x one and the axle will be a g-force axle for a trx 450r. I'm not shure about wheels and tires yet but ill'figure something out.

[Jmoozy27]

Nice build!!! What is the OD of the pegaso forks??

[El Camexican]

Das wunder drei motorrad!!! Cheers kollege

[Keepah Rolln]

Nice...Going to be a one of a kind cool ride!!