4 stroke 87 tecate swap,been done?

[danimal95]

I'm going to dig my 87 out and get a mill put back in it,I had done a KX500 swap years ago and ended up selling the motor with plans to do a KX450f swap,well several years have now passed and i'm getting the itch to tackle this. I did a search and found nothing but for reference has this been done? the other part of this swap is that I have an 07 YZ450f that I never ride due to the fact that I bought a 15 KTM 450sx,so I was thinking about just using that engine as I already would have a complete donor bike,I have had a KX and a YZ 450 side by side and short of the clutch cover saying Yamaha on it,they are almost identical in appearance,nd a cover swap would be simple..any thoughts??

[Matt85'350x]

Seems like turning the YZ into a trike would be the path of least resistance. Kasey and other guys have been using the Yamaha's lately.

[danimal95]

That was my thought as well,I have both machines so I guess its just a matter of taking some measurements

[barnett468]

You say you are wanting to make a Yamasaki?


PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[OZQUAD44]

Na, I thought he said he was thinking of making a Kawaha....

Agree with the other fella's re the yz, the bike to trike seems like the way to go.

Although I have always been curious as to what a kx250f could do in a trike chassis. I know it wouldn't have the outright grunt of the 450, but the smaller motor would slot nicely in the place vacated by the 2 stroke, (although the canted exhaust outlet would be a pain, so a first gen T3 conversion would make more sense)

I suspect it would result in the type of trike we all wish we could have had new back in the day.






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[danimal95]

Funny that was my first though was a KX 250F,then I realized i had a YZ collecting dust...and I have ridden both and being a big guy,6'3" 235lbs,the 450 will motivate much better. And not sure if I was clear,I'm not converting the YZ to 3 wheels,I'm using the T3 chassis with the YZ motor. Hope to start on it within the next 2 weeks

[OZQUAD44]

Yes you were clear, but people are saying that converting the yfz to a three wheeler will be easier


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[danimal95]

I like a challenge

[nstyle73]

Not exactly what you were looking for. I have seen one other Kawasaki 450 trike, and there was a thread on here that never got off of the ground about doing what you are suggesting. I always thought the fuel injected 450 Kawasaki four wheeler with reverse would have been a sweet trike. Plus, you could keep that vibration just like the 2 stroke.

[whyat]

Shoot, if you were in Georgia I'd buy that 87 roller off you. Good luck with the build though.

[86T3]

I can't tell you what to do with your machine but it would be a real shame to cut up a trike as rare and desired as an 87 Tecate. I own the kawasaki 450 nstyle posted above, I'll be the 1st to tell you how awesome 450 trikes are but the suspension is really the best part. Your 07 yfz is super easy to convert to a trike, there's a lot of information on how to do it. I'm sure you'd be able to sell your Tecate pretty quick to raise some funds. Just something to think about

[OZQUAD44]

Agreed. Its your trike, clearly, so do what you will with it, but I have to agree with nstyle. It would be a real shame to damage such a sought after machine.




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[just ben]

The engine is way too tall to fit in that frame.

[atc300r]

I think the Yamaha conversions Kasey does are bolt on and can be switched back to a bike.

[danimal95]

No matter what I decide to do,I will not be modifying the frame on the T3,I havent been around here in a few years but if some of you remember when I did the 500 swap on it,I completely powder coated and for lack of a better word "resto-modded" the trike-I will take that thing with me to my grave,so that being said,to me it really doesnt matted what engine goes in it,it will never be for sale and is strictly built to please me