tecate bw conversion with video!

[just ben]

I had a thread about this bike a few weeks ago that was lost when the site crashed. here's a couple pics of my progress when I was trying to figure it all out. since then it was torn down completly and painted,hardware replated and engine assembled ready to go in minus the head :naughty:. I am starting reasembly today and should have some progress pics later tonight.144888144889144890 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SXJjnhy_DM&feature=youtu.be

[dcreel]

Looks awesome.. Can't wait for a ride report...

[thestud25]

Pretty gnarly! What fab work went into the swinger?

[Big Mike]

If I remember correctly, he is using a Yamaha BW swinger.

[just ben]

If I remember correctly, he is using a Yamaha BW swinger.correct, the only mods to that were adding a mount for the dog bone and cutting off the BW shock mounts

[JasonB]

nice looking conversion, i cant wait to see it after the plating and painting and reassembly! Seriously though, the tecates I have riden are freaking scary I cant imagine riding a 2 wheeled tecate!

[big specht]

That looks fun we have some bw200 and they can be a handfull some times. That will be differant for sure Make sure you post up some finished pics

[just ben]

well i got some of it together yesterday,I should have it rolling again by tonight.I still have some plating to do and that is slowing me down a bit144952144953

[aldochina]

awsome idea!! thing is gonna be a fun ride! are you plating your own parts?? if so lets see you plating set up!!

[just ben]

awsome idea!! thing is gonna be a fun ride! are you plating your own parts?? if so lets see you plating set up!!It's not much to look at it's just a tote and a battery charger

[Swinger]

You gonna bring this beast to TF this year Ben?

[big specht]

Yea you should bring it thatwould be cool to see

[just ben]

it will make the trip. I plan to bring 3 trikes and this beast

[kristofrogers]

This. This is just pure awesomeness. I just might have to do one of those...

[TecateDan]

I've been wanting to learn how to plate or find a shop to do it for me.. Did you buy a kit or how the hell do you do it ??


It's not much to look at it's just a tote and a battery charger

[atc007]

Lookin great Ben !

[WIkid500]

That's awesome!

[atc300r]

These things are cool.Are you going to call it a TwoCate .Awsome build.Iv seen Liquid 250rs , aircooled 250r, a 200x, a banshee and a Triz. plus a couple Suzuki bikes and a honda 200m.Converted .This is the first Tecate.I thought about doing one using fatcat parts and a spare liquid r frame I have.They look fun to ride.

[just ben]

I've been wanting to learn how to plate or find a shop to do it for me.. Did you buy a kit or how the hell do you do it ??no kit, just some research and 100.00 in supplies

[WJG1000W]

no kit, just some research and 100.00 in supplies
id would like to see it even if it is just a tote plating is expensive at professional places

[just ben]

id would like to see it even if it is just a tote plating is expensive at professional placesI will post pics of it later in my zinc plating thread

[WJG1000W]

ok sounds good

[just ben]

well progress has been a little slow going since I decided to replate every single nut and bolt. The engine is in and all mounted besides the head stay (needs to be modified slightly) I remade the swing arm bushings also I wasnt happy with the first set I made. Besides finishing putting everything together I have to make a chain tensioner for the front chain. A friend of mine was nice enough to do some graphic design for it also145413145414145415

[ezmoney1979]

WOW! Great job. Its nice seeing someone really follow through with a one-off build like this. Of course you are required by 3WW rules to provide a detailed ride report complete with video :beer

[just ben]

WOW! Great job. Its nice seeing someone really follow through with a one-off build like this. Of course you are required by 3WW rules to provide a detailed ride report complete with video :beerI know the rules!! are you volunteering to post the video for me? I've tried posting videos and I just don't get it. I couldn't even upload a video to youtube so I said screw it!

[ezmoney1979]

I know the rules!! are you volunteering to post the video for me? I've tried posting videos and I just don't get it. I couldn't even upload a video to youtube so I said screw it! I'm not gonna lie, I havnt done it myself either lol. I went snowmobiling last weekend and got some epic video in fresh powder so I better figure it out for us :beer

[captainweezy]

Dude this is really looking good. You will have a unique ride now. very nice

[just ben]

well heres the latest on this build. I knew from the begining there was going to be an issue with the front chain loosening when a load is put on the suspension, since the swingarm is mounted below the center of the front sprocket. I was planning to just put a tensioner on the bottom to take up the slack.Unfortunatly there is no room to put one. So now I have to figure out where to go from here. The easiest fix would be to make it a hardtail but thats not an option. Another option is to let the chain run slack and install a guide infront of the jackshaft sprocket. I'm not crazy on that Idea but it's an option. I'm not giving up on the tensioner I think that is the best solution but I may have to move some stuff around. My last resort will be cutting apart the swingam mounts and moving them even to or above the front sprocket but by doing that the shock will have to be mounted directly to the swingarm and I will lose the mechanical advantage of the unitrack link. So there is my major hangup. I will post up my solution when I figure it out.

[just ben]

I pulled the engine back out yesterday so I could do any necessary cutting/welding on the frame to fit a tensioner. As I was making and installing the chain slides on the swingarm the solution to my problem became pretty apparent. I threw some empty engine cases (counter shaft only) in the frame to test my Idea. So far it works perfectly,I just hope it will hold up146143146144 as the swingarm pivots up it pushes down on the chain keeping a constant tension on the chain. I'm sure I will have to refine it a little after I get it running but compared to my other options I think this is the best.

[TheBlueWale]

Don't forget about the shifter shaft, the tecates had that curved and pushed outward shifter design for a reason.

[just ben]

Don't forget about the shifter shaft, the tecates had that curved and pushed outward shifter design for a reason.That getting redesigned. That's a piece of cake compared to redoing the whole rear suspension again

[fabiodriven]

I was looking for this thread. I thought it used to be in the mad scientist's lair, no?

The build looks great Ben, I can't wait to see it in person.

Your idea for the chain tensioner looks like it may be all you need, but it could also be a point of failure. You have to remember the force that will be applied to that piece when downshifting. I'm going to do some thinking about that and see if I can come up with any ideas.

[fabiodriven]

I just came up with something-

If you mounted a fixed bogie just in front of/below the swing arm that might be all you need. It would hold the slack of the chain when the suspension is unloaded and as the swing arm pivots up in its travel it would take the slack that it needs for when the suspension is compressed. I bet it would work.

[just ben]

I appreciate the suggestions fabio. Anyything fixed to yhe frame just won;t work for the lack of room. I know it would be a very easy failer point but it was more for proof of concept. It seems like it will work well. I am sure it will need refining andmay be different by the time ytou see it but I don't have too many options at this point. this was in the mad scientist lair until yhe sitr crashed. edit.... haha either my B.A.C was higher than I thought last night or I used the brappenese spell check lol.

[86T3]

haha either my b.a.c was higher than i thought last night or i used the brappenese spell check lol.

hahahahahaha

[just ben]

I was out of town all last week so progress has been slow. I did get the engine back in and made up a shifter for it.But as this has been from the start it's 3 steps foreward and two backwards. The engine is coming out yet again today for one more frame mod. I really hope this is the last time146574146575

[just ben]

I am finally making some progress in the right direction. I should have a ride report in a few days

[just ben]

146951heres a recent pic should have the decals tomarrow. The first ride went as well as could be exspected for something like this. It doesn't seem to be tracking straight but I did leave adjustment to correct that (hopefully enough) Basically right now it is probably the most dangerous thing on two wheels,It wants to go to the right,not as far as pulling that way but like it wants to fall over that way. It's really kind of hard to explain. The power is very managable though. It's not wheelie happy like I thought it would be But I didn't try to hard with the way it handles right now. I will get some video tomarrow then try to figure out how the hell to post it

[yaegerb]

Looks pretty darn good Ben, nice work! Get the bugs worked out of it and you can be Missile Engineering II :)

[just ben]

Looks pretty darn good Ben, nice work! Get the bugs worked out of it and you can be Missile Engineering II :)never again

[yaegerb]

never again

LOL...PITA huh?

[just ben]

heres a short video of it in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SXJjnhy_DM&feature=youtu.be

[doord521]

That is impressive. I like it!!

[MIK6]

I want to try that thing out!! Looks like a blast!
It came out awesome ben..

MIK6/ Mike

[falloutboy]

That came out great. Looks a bit squirrely

[just ben]

That came out great. Looks a bit squirrely That's probaby more me than the bike. I do think a steering damper would be very helpful though. I may even end up raking it out a couple degrees but that will be a last resort,The more I ride it the more I get used to the handling of it. The bike won't wheelie at all. In the video when I launched from a dead stop I was in 2nd gear held to the bar, the front didn't even try to come up. That's probably a good thing I can't imagine it being a very good wheelie bike.

[fabiodriven]

Very impressive! I can't wait to see it in person!

[just ben]

I decided for the sake of safety to do a little tweaking. I'm not sure how many degrees I went out(my angle finder grew legs) but the front axle is out about 2" further. unfortunately it is going to lose some steering radius but it should improve the handling. 147204147205

[just ben]

I had a chance to get it out of the yard yesterday and she performed very well. raking the front end helped a ton with the handling. It was a blast to ride in the woods and I had no trouble hill climbing. Pictures do these hills no justice they are alot steeper than they look and it's all loose sand 147264147265147266 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B78UDvzrBKU&feature=player_embedded I didn't know video was being shot. If I did I wouldn't have been screwing around in the mud or maybe I would have tried to go through it but I would have stuck for sure. Edit.. heres a shot with the decals applied 147269

[just ben]

I have been doing a little more tinkering trying to get the the damn thing to handle decent enough to let other people ride it. I raked the front end as posted before an that helped alot but I still wasn't pleased so I added a steering dampener which helped alot if I turned it all the way up but after five minutes of riding you arms were too tired to even ride. The last thing I did (which was suspect from the start) was put a taller and narrower front wheel and tire on. I went from the stock 22x11x10 to a 23x8x11.That did the trick! It handles perfect now. Before if you let go of the bars it was almost an instant tank slapper now I could run a cruise control and ride no handed all day long lol. Raking the front was probably necessary anyway and the steering dampener doesn't hurt anyting and only cost 20.00 so it wasn't a total waste of time. Oh and in all of the 4-5 hours on this bike,it burnt up the stator. I guess that just proves it's still a tecate! 147564147565 If you click on the the thumbnails a couple times it shows a full size pic.

[MIK6]

That looks awesome benn!!!! Can i call dibs if you ever sell it?? Lol
I love the decales! 2CATE!!!!
I cant wait to see it in person!

MIK6/ Mike

[kawasaki666]

Go to- instructibles.com and do a search for plating. There is a few how to's on there.

[Doink]

The BW's use a 25x8x12 on the front end.

[fabiodriven]

It's fantastic Ben. I'm really surprised this build hasn't gotten more attention.

[just ben]

It's fantastic Ben. I'm really surprised this build hasn't gotten more attention.I think some guys are bent that I chopped up a tecate frame. If I didn't build this bike,The tecate would have been parted out and the frame probably would have ended up in the scrap yard eventually.Oh well can't please everyone lol.

[thestud25]

I think it is great and a nice build! you bringing it to TF?

[just ben]

[QUOTE=thestud25;1129606]I think it is great and a nice build! you bringing it to TF?[/QUOTEit will be there that tuesday :)

[kiser]

I think this is a very cool build! I cant wait to check it out at TF!

[just ben]

I just installed a sprock racing 300 big bore. all I can say is WOW!!!The power is amazing! I was clocked at 80mph (on pavement) yesterday.I will post up more about the big bore as far as reliability and power ect. after I get some more time on it. probably after trikefest.

[brapp]

wow man thing looks awesome, woild love a rid eon that thing if you ever bring it down this way?

[just ben]

wow man thing looks awesome, woild love a rid eon that thing if you ever bring it down this way?I will bring it the next time I come down

[Swinger]

Awesome job Ben!! Looking forward to seeing it in person at TF!

[just ben]

Awesome job Ben!! Looking forward to seeing it in person at TF!You are going dave? what day will you be out?

[Swinger]

Leaving Thursday morning and meeting up with Mr. Sound on the turnpike for the voyage! Probably get there around 1 or so.

[Jeepermc]

Very cool!

[just ben]

so long old girl,I will see you around though.lol

[3Queen]

I didnt even get to ride it, dont tell me you sold it!!!!

[just ben]

it's been sold pretty much since I built it. I'm sure you will get to ride it

[MIK6]

Its going to a good home!! It will have alot of green family members to hang w! 84 T3, 86 T3, 87 T3, kx80 mini T3 and a lime green prairie700.. lets see who here has all them kawi toys? Lmao!
The 2cate will be around for rides too!
MIK6/ Mike

[captainweezy]

Its going to a good home!! It will have alot of green family members to hang w! 84 T3, 86 T3, 87 T3, kx80 mini T3 and a lime green prairie700.. lets see who here has all them kawi toys? Lmao!
The 2cate will be around for rides too!
MIK6/ Mike
Some how I knew as soon as I read Ben say "so long ol girl", it was you mike. Will be hitting you up at TF13 to ride it pal. Enjoy-good home for sure.

[just ben]

I think the bike got a little upset at me for getting rid of it.While down at mikes house this weekend I tried to start it,she tried to buck me off by kicking back at me(has never done this before) and ripped a big chunk out of my shoe.Then my foot and ankle proceeded to swell up to the point of not being able to put any pressure on that foot.Two days later now and the swelling has gone down but I was still unable to work today,I'm still limping like an idiot. DAMN BIKE lol.

[MIK6]

Hey ben! Thanks for building this thing! I love riding it! Its a different animal than anything ive ever ridden, but i love having it to choose from when i open the garage door.
I did take it bar hopping the other nite, must remember to put the kick stand up when you take off. I had alittle road from the bar to the trail, hit the crown of the road w the stand, went into a hard rtrt hand pull! Got her stopped w/o wrecking, put it up and went back on my way.. lol
its still hard to start, when it kick back it hurts, ill figure that out tho!
For me its cool to own something that is different and that someone put alot of time and creativity into!
Ohh ya! SPROCK RACING 300s are killer motors! I have a mild sprock 300 in my 86 and a ported 300 in my 87, i love them. This is my first 1st gen 300 w billet head, runs awesome!!
AND as w ben if someone want to try this thing out when ya see it.. JUST ASK!

MIK6/ Mike