Starting winter project T-3 upgrade.

[jeswinehart]

Suspension/height will definitely be top priority so i don't bottom this trike out as much.
It sure rides nice with a soft suspension on ruff sand but comes with a cost of bottoming out way too easy.
I have been in contact with these folks and it sure sounds promising so far. http://www.translogicuk.com/quickshifter-system-6.htm
I have secured a few items like stock 10 inch rims which will gain me one inch taller verses the Honda 8 inch rear rims I have been running. Never did like the looks of those paddles anyway, work okay but just look cheap IMO.

john

[dirtface]

I really am not sure what my winter project is this year. So maybe I will just enjoy your winter project this year.:lol: Keep us updated, John!

[Jason Hall]

Some modern front forks will make all the difference In the world John. That along with some stiffer valving In that rear shock and you will be skippin accross the sand like a LIZARD. I have lots of Idea's for ya ol buddy, I will be updating the suspension on Sandy's 85 T3 as soon as I have some time. Give me a call If you get a chance :beer

[dcreel]

I'm in for this as well. I can say the Works shock I put on my 84 has made a 100% difference on the rear of it. No bottoming and it is plush. The front suspension gets the job done but is still sub par. Using the 10" wheels and stock tires I have always bottomed the frame off of larger jumps. I have played with idea of a glide plate to help for the last 20 years or so..

What size front tire is that on your Tecate, John? Is it on a stock size wheel? I have always wanted a mohawk but they seem to be a little on the skinny side. I have always loved the look of the old school buffed paddles. They are also a little lighter than the newer style paddles.

I can't wait to see where this goes.

I have also thought about adding to one of my extra rer dogbones to get some rear height. I have an adjustable rear dogbone but its in pretty bad shape and doesn't adjust much if any over stock length.

[RudeDog666]

This is some funny trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro right here! :lol:
I would have never thought of hanging my trike from the rafters if it weren't for you! This opens up a lot of valuable floor space, THANKS!

Seeing as how you've already given me a new idea I'll be watching this build.

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82333&d=1255785638

[85Tecate]

Is the an adjustable linkage off an 86 for your rear suspension? Im also going to be changing quite a bit of suspension things on my t3 this winter as well as a restore. Im curious to see what you do to yours. Keep us posted!

[jeswinehart]

yes, it is one of the adjustable ones 85Tecate. Not sure what year it come off of but like dcreels, it don't adjust nearly enough. I am running a 86 alu swinger on my 84/85 since it is much lighter.
Same idea dcreel about going back to the solid linkage
I just got ahold of the solid one and plan on working that one over after I see what a longer throw, in there will do for it.
I noticed I have that Honda EX shock set at the softest setting so that is easy enough to change but I do like what I am hearing about a Works shock.
Yep, stock front rim with a 22x8x10 Black Tail tire on it.
I WILL be calling Jason ! You know I need professional help :)

We will want pictures RudeDog666.

john

[ScottZJ]

Well I plan on working on my newly aquired red tecate too this winter. I already have new tail light, intake boot, (from a killer dude), super nice tank and a few other odds and ends. I need to find a front headlight and it should be ready to go for spring. Keep us informed on your changes and how they work.

[nd4speed]

Dog bone for 85/86 KX250 is longer. I could measure one.

[jeswinehart]

Got rid of the 8 inch Honda rims with the paddles and the custom hubs. Picked up another set of 10 alu kawi rims to put new paddles on when I get figured out what i want.
front forks taken care of (I hope) with fresh oil and 1 inch PVC spacer.
picking up the swing arm from the welder tomorrow so i get to figuring out what needs done for rear suspension.


john

[dcreel]

Hey John,

What does the 1" pvc do? Does it stiffen the suspension I assume? Give you an inch more height in front? I'm still in for this as well. I like to jump my Tecates, but the ground clearance is severely lacking.

[jeswinehart]

it will stiffen up the front suspension. It can't add any height, well sort of I reckon by not allowing the front end sag.
I am expecting a stiffer front end but won't really know until i get it off the barrel and ride it as to how I feel it will handle.
I want the ground clearance, not so much a cushy ride.

john

[jeswinehart]

I gathered up the parts I needed for the electric shifter and got too it today.
While i wait for U-tube down load I will show you all some pics of what i got done today.
Still alot quite a bit of "thinking" work to be done as far as bracketing for a high powered rechargeable battery and brain box mounting. Preliminary testing shows great promise and I am generally tickled pink with it so far :)
I do have one vid uploaded so I reckon I will just post it until the one I really wanted to post is done.

john
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esN7j-U5EfE

[cr480r]

nice. now the only thing missing is electric start and reverse

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Hey John, what kind of rear shock do you have on that? I know it cant be the original tecate one, because I watched your last you tube video, and it looks completly different, and the way the tension is put on the spring is different. Is it a 300ex shock? If so, how does the 300ex shock compare to the original tecate shock? I agree with the plushness on the tecate shock, not nearly stiff enough. I have mine all the way tight on the spring tension, and even rebuilt it and used 15 weight shock fluid, standard was 5 I believe, also re-charged with 130+ psi nitrogen. I was somewhat dissapointed after all the work I had into it, and am watching your thread to see what you do. Good luck, and the electronic shifter looks very slick!

[jeswinehart]

It is a 300 ex shock. Not to much to brag about there but certainly better then the original tha come with the trike or the 2 other arts trikes i acquired during the re-build of this 84
There are better "stock" shocks out there for sure but I tend to over-think things thru first.
The banshee shocks are a couple of inches shorter so that is what troubles me about them,,,,,, on my T-3
Postings from years gone by on here rave about them but , I have questions.

john

[MonroeMike]

That shifts quite fast, very cool idea.

[jeswinehart]

Well finally making some more progress. Got my new paddles in and mounted up.
I decided to have the swinger i fabbed up professionally welded (tig'g) , shouldn't break it anymore, I hope :)
Perhaps I will get to ride it this week end and check out the things I have done so far, maybe.

john

[RoscoW]

looking good there John, That swinger should hold up a little better now. Did you get my PM?

Ross..

[jeswinehart]

Wow, i missed it Rosco ! Good thing you said something.
Yes, pm me that Pittsburgh address and i will hook you

john.

[harryredtrike]

looking good so far should be ready for riding weather for sure.

[eyecekold1]

I like the swing arm looks nice

[alexandros]

very nice project you have John!! can't wait to see this thing shifting while you ride...

[jeswinehart]

Not much to do but adjust out the shifter but I will wait for warmer weather to tinker with that.
Did get a real nice product from sblt500r to mount up though.
I did not realize how bad shape my rear fender support was until I mount up one of his alu ones !

john

[aldochina]

nice project man, love the red tecate, and the custom parts.

[jeswinehart]

Picked another very nice usable "tee totally custom" part from sblt500r. My old oil plug was horrible to get undone.
Not no more :) !
The Mrs. asked me what I was up too in the garage after several hours today. Told her I was installing the oil retention device ~ oh, okay she says
In reality I was getting the electric shift dial in. Been putting off garage work till warmer weather, like it was today.
Bundy Hill ride coming up for field testing it all.

john
P.S. Thank you Shawn, beautiful working part man !