I am trying to decide what engine to use for my 1st Gen tecate project. My choices are: 1984 KXT250 W/KX cylinder, 1985 KX250, or a 1991 KDX 250 W/ '88KX cylinder...
* If I use the '84 engine... I have to buy a piston, gaskets, swap the crank into good cases(i have them), get another T3 flywheel(or steal the '85 kx ignition again), buy another faded(ugly) tecate fuel tank, and live with a smashed up engine cradle...
* If I use the '85 KX engine.... I have all the parts for the engine. I would have to build a new engine cradle to allow for the center exiting exhaust . I also have to fix a couple dents in the pro-circuit pipe and bend the stinger around a bit... With enough bending It may fit with the gas tank I wanna use...
*If I use the '91 KDX250 engine... I still have to modify the trike frame, But I can rob the bikes original frame for the cradle. The FMF fatty pipe would fit very well, and allow ample clearance for the 1986 kdx200 gas tank that I really want to run. The '91 engine also has a better powervalve set-up, a wider ratio trans(which I think could be a good thing), a heavier flywheel(good on trails), and a headlight(good at night).. I hate to cut up a complete bike, but it needs more put into it than its worth to me as a running bike. Its ugly and way too heavy for a 250 IMO...
I am leaning towards using the KDX as a donor and selling off the left-over bike parts. I think the '85 KX250 engine may end up in my quadracer at some point... The original tecate engine would be the easiest to use, but is kinda ordinary and a bit pipey for extreme trail use, and the frame is already less than perfect... I may keep the Tecate engine parts and pipes around for another tecate build-up using a nicer frame...
Anybody care to share opinions? I am kinda hesitant to begin the frame mods, But I know I could pull it off with a few tack welds and the help of a local professional welder...