Tecate Frame Gusseting

[legacy51]

Has anybody ever gusseted a tecate frame? The subframe likes to break in between the two fender mounting points and the footpegs bend, I have experienced both of those. The 85 is supposed to be stronger in both areas. Any other areas I should look out for? I have an 84. The 86-87 frame is pretty similar though, so I am sure the gusset locations could be transferred over.

[Antreas Sp]

Has anybody ever gusseted a tecate frame? The subframe likes to break in between the two fender mounting points and the footpegs bend, I have experienced both of those. The 85 is supposed to be stronger in both areas. Any other areas I should look out for? I have an 84. The 86-87 frame is pretty similar though, so I am sure the gusset locations could be transferred over.

Hello, i have been doing some search about this but for a 1986-87 frame. I found a decend guy through a friend on facebook (i don't have an account)who had his frame done by two frame builders. The most important is at the end the frame to be 100% staight.That was my only concern,cause if you are a welder then you know the power that is generated and how twisted a part can be when a weld colds. So he sent me some photos which i'm gonna share with you.I must say i had the same ideas with these guys about welding every "hole" that frame has where paint cannot get in and you end up getting water and corrosion and rust comes out.That's not good for a restored trike like the one i'm doing right now.So here they are :

[Antreas Sp]

Picture No 5 you see where the cradle meets the footpegs. At the rear brake side you see where they add a piece of metal to stiffen it up but note at this side there is like a groove on the frame so you can have access to the rear down bolt of the clutch cover so beware, if you do something like that be sure you have room to fit the tool you need to remove that bolt if you ever have to change clutch discs or else you will have to undo all the motor mounts and move the engine a bit.Tomorrow i will take a close picture so you can see what i mean.

[legacy51]

That's some good info! Thank you for sharing. I was just talking to a guy on facebook and for the first gen frames he suggested strengthening the cradle where the subframe attaches, rear cradle, foot pegs, bottom side of unitrack rocker hole pass trough, and the neck area.