Tecate4Life's Trike Pics!!! MUST SEE!

[Jeb]

This collection is absolutely spectacular! I love that Maico! Classic Frank's conversions. :D :beer :Bounce :TrikesOwn

Pic 1 is a custom KX 500
Pic 2 is a custom Maico 490
Pic 3 is a custom Rotax 250

That last two are a custom 84 KXT featuring a KX gas tank, radiators, and custom triple clamps.

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

nice ,i like the kx 500 powered one!!

[ScottZJ]

Nothing but sweet trikes there, nice workmanship!

[vartiak15]

damn them are nice trikes, whos are they? someone from this site?

[smokinp]

sweet!!!!!

[BigGreenMachine]

Maico 490, thats a big brute of an aircooled 2 stoke, I like the dual disks and that race plastic. Is that a 200 X front and rear fender? They look great.

Whats the story on the KXT 500?

How is the KX tank mounted on the 84 Tecate?

Tecate4Life, fill us in on these bikes when you can. I really want to know what plastic is being used on that Maico 490.

[twgranger]

very nice trikes!!

[250SX_rider]

Wow...That's all I could say! Kasey just found some competition with his 500R !!! hehe :P But seriously, these are really nice jobs....i like them!

[Tecate4life]

Thanks for helping me post the pics Jeb. I have owned the bikes since 84 to 85. As you can tell they are in pretty good shape.... These bikes have been babied and meticulous maintained. As you can see the bikes have flat track rear rubber because they have been on pavement more than dirt. All the bikes feature Franks frames, triples and swingers. These were the most sought out after market frames back in 83/84. The strength is extraordinary. The gussets and welds on each is a work of art. Suspension on these bike consist of Simmons fronts and Ohlins rears. Franks custom caliper mounts mount the brembo calipers. All the shocks were re-valved by Ron Baker At PEP. The Tecate is a favorite because Jimmy White used to race it back in late 83' mid 84'. Jimmy had 2 bikes that year this one of them. I bought this bike from Franks racing before they closed their doors in 86'. New plastic was installed and I still have the race cut sets (2). Look for 2 newly completed bikes in the future......85' KXT racer.........Custom....one of the nicest...... and 85' with a custom milled one of a kind 750cc supercharged motor dyno'ed @282 horsepower. The real scary thing? It's only 70 pounds heavier than a stock KXT!!!!

[GreyhoundRugby]

282 horse power, on the instrument of pain we call atc's. You are my king.

[motoman1012002]

i got a 3 wheelin mag that has one of the 84 tecate wiht a kx tank and its a stock frame

[BigGreenMachine]

hey motoman, can u get a pic of that 84 T3 to PM or email me?

[motoman1012002]

yeah i can get a pic man them are some nice bikes

Why doesnt he build them again and sell them and ge tht sport goin agian maybe ama would do a vintage racing

[Curtis-Tecate3]

Tecate4Life. Very nice and extremely rare collection. You wouldn't happen to have been "Involved" in the 3-wheeling industry from the 80's now would you?
.
How does that Rotary Valved Rotax run? Rotary Valves were once the baddest 2 strokes available. Did you get an assortment of discs to assist in tuning? It must be an akward ride with the rear exit pipe and the side mounted carb. It appears that the left footpeg is integrated into the nerfbar / carb shield.
.
I have also talked with Ron Baker at PEP. He used to handle all of Jimmy Whites suspension back then. The last time I talked to Ron (2+ years ago) he was restoring Jimmy's old factory 86 bike that had been stolen and recovered.
.
Anyway you have a very nice collection. Maybe we can persuade you to share some photos of your other bikes one day. This is heavily assuming that you own more than just these one off bikes shown above.

Curtis.

[TrikerR]

whats rotax and how does i work

[250rulzes]

Woa, those are some sweet trikes.........

[Meat-BoX]

Very impressive collection. Those are some sweet Trikes, but if I may ask, How did you get those beauties. Have you allways been living in Newfoundland? I like the Trike in a barn or garage stories. Tell us this bit of ATV history. :TrikesOwn

[BigGreenMachine]

I'm not the owner Meat, its Tecate4Life's trikes.

[Tecate4life]

Ahhh history lover huh???? Way back when (1983) I met Mr. Franks, Super machinist, and one of the first 3 wheeler guru's at the time, from Australia, now presiding in SO-CAL. I was 12, so at the time I was just beginning to understand what 3 wheeling was all about and the magic that Kelvin Created. I fortunately had the luxury, (parents with $) and a dad that would spend it on his boy. I started hanging around the shop, and watched custom bikes roll out of the shop every 2 weeks or so. Mild to wild creations were Kelvin’s forte, but frames, swingers and triples were his canvas. Needless to say in 3 years I had 8 bikes built by Kelvin all of which I own today. I met a lot of racers and a lot of people in the ATV industry as a young punk but lost touch when I moved to Denver when I was 16. The last bike I got from Kelvin was a bike made for Jimmy White. Kawasaki bought 2 Franks T3’s and Jimmy tailored this bike as his second in late 83/early 84'. Jimmy dominated the tracks, both TT and MX with his first ride. Other KXT racers complained about their stock KXT's inability to compete with this racer and complained to Kawasaki and the team manager/s not having a factory framed/suspended ride representing Kawasaki. Kelvin bought both bikes back from Kawasaki after the season, and I bought 1 of 2. I bought the one that never saw the dirt, or it appeared that way. Kawasaki didn't want to race the bikes anymore because Kelvin would not sell them frames and swingers separately, only complete bikes. This might have been a poor business decision for Kelvin. Kelvin had tons of business at the time and turnkey 3’s were what he focused on. After spring 84' Franks started selling swingers separately. You can see some of the old advertisements in Dirt Wheels. In 86' these bikes were sent to my grandfathers farm in Eastern Colorado. The Franks custom 3’s, along with my production 3's were stored in a climate-controlled warehouse. The bikes are now in my warehouse in Austin Texas where I now reside. I wish I had a rare find story for you, or look what I found in my neighbors barn story but this is not the case! Just old rare racers that are fast as hell and are in really great shape! When I get some time I will get some more pics on the site for everyone to enjoy. I also have some tricked out 3's that will be ready soon, look for those. Also I have a top-notch machinist working on Swingers for the Tecate's 84-85/86-87...These will be works of art and the design comes from the CALFAB swinger. Plans are also in the works for other parts for the T3. We will see......

[Billy Golightly]

Very Very nice collection you have Tecate4life. We'll be looking forward to those new pictures and KXT swingarms :D

[200x Basket]

where is the pipe on the tecate?

[BigGreenMachine]

So you live in Austin, wish I knew that earlier as thats where I'm vacationing and flying home Wed. morning to Newfoundland. Let me know when you are ready to start selling Tecate parts especially the swingarms as I will buy one.

James

[trikerider2oo7]

you got some nice bikes but..i think this is a line:


and 85' with a custom milled one of a kind 750cc supercharged motor dyno'ed @282 horsepower

most cars that dont pull this much. 282 HP?

[Killer TA]

Can you tell me who makes the triple wife golf clubber. It looks like the same kind as I have on my 85 KXT bicycle matt clubbed me on with Matt's swirley stainless steel golf club necklace token. Thanks

[Dan Tenn]

I noticed one of the t3's doesnt have a chain, that may mean that their not complete: ie: no pipe

I say simple things the get for a set of supreme awesome trikes.

[Tecate4life]

Well gentlemen, I going to put this post to rest. You can talk to me at Roost fest, Glamis on Thanksgiving, or when I post the Tecate swingers. "BigGreenMachine" I'll let you have first shot at the swingers, you won't be disappointed....
Trikerider2007- I understand your skeptical. I would be skeptical also. In January you will see an 85 Tecate with a motor that was built for Harley Davidson. This prototype motor was to be used at Daytona by Scott Parker in 1994 in the AMA Super bike series. Daytona rejected this power plant because of the 20 engine tear down and inspection rule...Only 5 were built...Did I mention the Jackson supercharger?
Killer T/A - If you triples resemble the triples on my bikes they are Franks for sure....
Dan Tenn - Your right, no pipe or chain...Pipe was recently damaged jumping this bike off of a 48" delivery dock, anyone familiar with the design of an 84 Tecate pipe???

Thanks for everyone comments and questions...look for the swingers in early Feb. 05!!!

[BigGreenMachine]

If your around Tecate4life, what year KX tank is that and how did it fit on the frame? I want a nice looking tank, seriously considering buying an 82 R tank and making it look like Blazerone's 82 R tank except I want green decals.

[Tecate4life]

83' Tank from a KX 250. It uses KX 250 mounting hardware. The frame is a Franks Frame and it has a custom mounting spacer, (similar to the stock mount) welded into the upper top portion of the frame. The KX tank uses the Tecate's rubber hold-down on the rear portion. Very easy to duplicate, and no tank interference when the stops are ground from the triples....

[BigGreenMachine]

Tecate4life, what brand are the rear tires on the pictured Tecate? Are they available in a 10 inch wheel? Thanks.

[Tecate4life]

BigGreen..... Those tires are 18" Armstrong’s with major pavement wear. Unavailable now to the best of my knowledge. Carlisle's are very similar.

[BigGreenMachine]

thanks Tecate4life

[conig]

has anyone ever riden a trike with rear tires like those ?

it seems all the vintage race trikes I see have those type of very mild tires, almost like lawn mower tires. what are the advantages, do they slide better? are they alright in grass or hard pack?

just curious, I don't ever see quads with tires of that nature.

[droopie31]

Which ones your favorite?





drew

[conig]

the third one is my favorite.

[droopie31]

I wasn't talkin to you, but thats my favorite too :Bounce I was talkin about Tecate4life



Drew

[conig]

droopie31
lol. I couldn't figure out if you were trying to be "smart" to my question or asking someone else. So I fugred I'd post it up.

I would love to own any of them.

[Yamahammer490]

Congratulations Tecate4Life on a wonderful collection. I can't wait to see more pictures.

For what it's worth, my favorite is the Maico. :beer

[BigGreenMachine]

Mine is the KXT 500, totally wild. But that 84 Tecate is pretty wild looking too, I've got to get a KX gas tank in that kind of condition.

[83185s]

those are bad!!! i like that 500 490 and the rotax man those are sweet...are they urs or what?

[Pistonhead]

Those are some seriously bad *** trikes! Rare pieces of three-wheeler history too, my hat goes off to you!

[BigGreenMachine]

83' Tank from a KX 250. Very easy to duplicate, and no tank interference when the stops are ground from the triples....

Love the sound of that, to imagine that go and take off your gas tank and cross up the bars as hard as you can, thats full lock with steering stops on, add a few more degrees and you have what the Franks frame has. I have to have a KX tank. Neone knows of an 83 Kx250 tank/shrouds/mounting gear let me know as I want to buy.

[Bryan Raffa]

tecate4life how about thoes pics???? particularly that macio 490...

[Levithan]

Well... Seeing how its been 2 years.... I dont think we're ever gonna see any pics :(

[Fox250R]

Funny, i got old 3 wheeling mags with those same pics!

[Bryan Raffa]

Funny, i got old 3 wheeling mags with those same pics!

SO i take it this guy is full of s@@t....:(

[Billy Golightly]

The pictures are in the first post of this thread unless I missed something?

[Tecate4life]

Gentlemen,

When I get a chance, I'll get the non-believers more shots of these bikes. As for the genius :idea: who has these shots in an old mag..... Let see em'? I had one of my staff snap these pics in 2003?

[scooterroo]

i have all these on my computer already. got them from either the main page or .org.

[scooterroo]

can we see some updated pics of these? perhaps with a 3ww sticker or something in the pic as proof?

[Bryan Raffa]

ya! really its been two years since you said you would post more pics!! how mutch more time do you need...Im not a non believer Just skeptical....:pics: :pics:

[Fox250R]

I'll pull out my mags and see if i can find them..I wont take 2 years either...But if you look at the pics they look like they were taken out of a magazine...hummmmmmmmmmm

[scooterroo]

here they are, and i didnt get them off any posts on here, i cant remember really where i found them, i think when i was doing a search on google or yahoo...as a matter of fact i got the tecate ones i think when i was doing a search for tecate and came up with them two plus these other ones i added. supposedly prototype tecate...

[scooterroo]

2 more t3 prototypes...

[Orangecnty250r]

Well I am not sure whats happening here but I would love to have any one of those wheelers!!!!!!!!!! SWEEEET!!

[Billy Golightly]

here they are, and i didnt get them off any posts on here, i cant remember really where i found them, i think when i was doing a search on google or yahoo...as a matter of fact i got the tecate ones i think when i was doing a search for tecate and came up with them two plus these other ones i added. supposedly prototype tecate...


Those are all the exact same pictures posted on page one by Jeb back 2004...

[Fox250R]

LoL!!!!!!!

[ATC-Eric]

Anybody find them in a mag? Pics from this site, and from peoples sigs even come up in google and yahoo searchs.

I want to see more pics!

[thefox]

here they are, and i didnt get them off any posts on here, i cant remember really where i found them, i think when i was doing a search on google or yahoo...as a matter of fact i got the tecate ones i think when i was doing a search for tecate and came up with them two plus these other ones i added. supposedly prototype tecate...

When did you find the pictures? If they were posted here first they could have been taken and put up somewhere else. Just a thought

[Billy Golightly]

LoL!!!!!!!


Whats so funny?:wondering

[Fox250R]

Those are all the exact same pictures posted on page one by Jeb back 2004...
This is what i thought was funny!

[Billy Golightly]

Ah, Gotcha ;)

[Yamaha Tri-Moto]

Those things look amazing. I love the old school look.

[jason 32]

man nice maico!!! - whats with the kangaroo??

[ATC-Eric]

More pics, More pics, More pics!!!!!!! :w00t:

[Fox250R]

I think those are the only ones lol...

[Bryan Raffa]

geezzze!! ya think ya would have been to your barn,storage unit,garage in a month.........still skeptical...on the verge of callin B.S,,,,,,,,,,,pics???????

[85ytz250n]

Bryan I think after all the time that has passed the BS flag has already been thrown. If there is a challenge and pics appear then the BS flag will be pulled down and the OOPS flag will be flown. Till then though, the BS flag is flying in all its neon green glory.

Barry

[Bryan Raffa]

Bryan I think after all the time that has passed the BS flag has already been thrown. If there is a challenge and pics appear then the BS flag will be pulled down and the OOPS flag will be flown. Till then though, the BS flag is flying in all its neon green glory.

Barry


Ok then let it fly!! LOL

http://smilies.storagebin.us/smilies/pinocchiothumb.gif


http://smilies.storagebin.us/smilies/orlyflag.gif

[ATC-Eric]

Come on now, it sounds like homeboy has enough money for a digital camera, I think he wouldnt mind spending ten minutes to post up some updated pics.

Disclaimer: I do apologize for my ignorance if you do indeed own these rides.

[85ytz250n]

Come on now, it sounds like homeboy has enough money for a digital camera, I think he wouldnt mind spending ten minutes to post up some updated pics.

Disclaimer: I do apologize for my ignorance if you do indeed own these rides.

I think that if he had half the stuff he said he has he would have no problem getting some one else to take the pics for him. Hell if he'll let me I'll fly out and take them myself:beer . But there is a snowballs chance in hell of anyone getting pics from this guy that are recent and obviously taken by/for him. I would believe a board member with a pick of Jimmy Hoffa in his closet before this clown:Bounce . Now if pics do show up I am a big enough man to eat a large helping of crow, which can be quite tastey if prepared right. But like I said snoball's chance in hell of these pics ever showing up.:banned:

Barry

[85ytz250n]

Ahhh history lover huh???? Way back when (1983) I met Mr. Franks, Super machinist, and one of the first 3 wheeler guru's at the time, from Australia, now presiding in SO-CAL. I was 12, so at the time I was just beginning to understand what 3 wheeling was all about and the magic that Kelvin Created. I fortunately had the luxury, (parents with $) and a dad that would spend it on his boy. I started hanging around the shop, and watched custom bikes roll out of the shop every 2 weeks or so. Mild to wild creations were Kelvin’s forte, but frames, swingers and triples were his canvas. Needless to say in 3 years I had 8 bikes built by Kelvin all of which I own today. I met a lot of racers and a lot of people in the ATV industry as a young punk but lost touch when I moved to Denver when I was 16. The last bike I got from Kelvin was a bike made for Jimmy White. Kawasaki bought 2 Franks T3’s and Jimmy tailored this bike as his second in late 83/early 84'. Jimmy dominated the tracks, both TT and MX with his first ride. Other KXT racers complained about their stock KXT's inability to compete with this racer and complained to Kawasaki and the team manager/s not having a factory framed/suspended ride representing Kawasaki. Kelvin bought both bikes back from Kawasaki after the season, and I bought 1 of 2. I bought the one that never saw the dirt, or it appeared that way. Kawasaki didn't want to race the bikes anymore because Kelvin would not sell them frames and swingers separately, only complete bikes. This might have been a poor business decision for Kelvin. Kelvin had tons of business at the time and turnkey 3’s were what he focused on. After spring 84' Franks started selling swingers separately. You can see some of the old advertisements in Dirt Wheels. In 86' these bikes were sent to my grandfathers farm in Eastern Colorado. The Franks custom 3’s, along with my production 3's were stored in a climate-controlled warehouse. The bikes are now in my warehouse in Austin Texas where I now reside. I wish I had a rare find story for you, or look what I found in my neighbors barn story but this is not the case! Just old rare racers that are fast as hell and are in really great shape! When I get some time I will get some more pics on the site for everyone to enjoy. I also have some tricked out 3's that will be ready soon, look for those. Also I have a top-notch machinist working on Swingers for the Tecate's 84-85/86-87...These will be works of art and the design comes from the CALFAB swinger. Plans are also in the works for other parts for the T3. We will see......

This is his promise from 04, case closed. BS is indeed the findings of the court. The accused is ordered to spend eternity in chinese quad hell.

Barry

[Trikeaholic]

I thought those pics look like old scans of a photograph all along. taken in 2003? come on................they would be digital.

[ATC-Eric]

The accused is ordered to spend eternity in chinese quad hell.

Barry



:lol: Thats freakin hilarious!

[PowerTech]

unfreaking believable!

:drool:

[scooterroo]

wow this thread is still going? i thought the general concensis came to the conclusion this was a b.s thread. nothing worse the b.s that hangs around. its been 4 weeks since this guys last post...and still no pics. well over 2 years since he said he'd get more. time to lay this thread to rest. clean up the b.s, its starting to stink.

[Tecate4life]

Barry,

Keep the B.S. flag flying high man, just don't tell your boyfriend you took the rainbow flag off the pole...I LOVE THE DISBELEIFE AND HATRED...These pics are all photos shot behind my warehouse for insurance reasons and never intended to be used to flaunt, display, brag or parade what I own? I like the "these are scanned out of a magazine," theory. I challenge any one to find and or name the month and year of any mag these shots are in, if you do any of these bikes are yours for the choosing??? Hell I'll give em' all to you??? I've attached 2 more views of the Tecate and KTM 125 for all to wonder about, I can see the doubters scrambling to find one of the Neary's KTM's in an old Dirt Wheels...Hilarious...I love to see the smack and B.S. feedback better than taking time out of a hectic schedule to prove what I own??? Priceless...I thought I would share a little history on my life and 3-wheelers, now I regret it...Let the DOUBT CONTINUE…

[IrvSLedman]

Well, Very nice trikes, and Congrats.

[250rulzes]

BS or no BS keep those Pics coming!:drool:

[85ytz250n]

Looks like scans to me. Im not a doubter, I am a nonbeliever, there is a difference.

"Hell if he'll let me I'll fly out and take them myself ." offer still stands. and the flag is still flying. Its not hatred, its warriness. Soooooo many people have shown up on here with the tiger and all. Well until I see some closer pics and all that I am still a nonbeliever. You are right though, you dont have to prove yourself to me. I am just an average guy, but I have a good nose for BS. What is with the gay shot at me man, all I did was say you were BS'n. That is a pretty childish thing to say, and very defensive:). If I told someone I had found the Holy Grail in my lLucky Charms I would expect ppl to question me, I definetly wouldnt be defensive about it

Barry

[IrvSLedman]

How come every ones getting all worked up? even if it was BS.. well too bad soo sad..? I wouldnt let it get under my skin so much... just take a chill pill

[bassman]

Man those machines are just sick!
Do you still hop on them and give them a whirl around the yard eveery once and awhile?

[Bryan Raffa]

Its just a littel wierd that you cant take a few up dated pics in two and a half years of all them trikes together..in one picture,,,, and ill leave it at that, my life is pretty hectic too but i still can find time..thoes pics are just the iceing on the cake... with a big BS in strawberry frosting.

[Chevy200s]

Nice trikes man, very nice:drool:

As far as the BS and all that, can we leave the guy alone and just admit these are some nice pics of some nice trikes? I still dont see any reason to believe that these arent his either. he gave us shots from other angles, that was more than I would have done. If he's got a lot going on in life he probably wont have time to run around repositioning trikes and taking a ton of pictures. Look at his post count, hes been here for going on 3 years now and he's only got 65 posts. Looks like he might have a few other things going on in life than this website, and he might not have time to check it everyday. Especially after a bunch of people start calling him a liar and full of BS, that might kinda kill your motivation to share some cool pics with others. I hate making a post like this, I am honestly not directing this at anyone and I usually try to stay out of flame wars and everything. But I guess I just get pissed off when I see this kind of thing happening.

Did anyone ever think that there might be some people out there who know something about or own Tiger 500's or 1987 trikes but are worried of getting flagged as BS so they just dont share it? I dont know, this is just me on my rant I guess, sorry if I pissed anyone off. Thanks again for the pics Tecate4life, and if you ever get any more pics I would love to see those too. peace

[scooterroo]

yawn, a shot with a three wheeler world sign would be nice, or a time and date stamp, or a pic with you next to them would be nice too. you should be able to get closer pics, better detailed pics, or whatever. the reason the bs flag is flying is because over 2 years ago it was said that there would be some better pics for us to see, and nothing has shown up. not that i am doubting you, i have already seen these pics online before when doing a google search, but like was said in the thread here somewheres, doing a google search will bring anything up. if they are in fact your bikes, thats awesome, and i am sure all of us here would love to have some more info on these nice bikes. and see some better shots of them. til then you are going to have your doubters out there and people saying it still has a bit of a stench of b.s.

[scooterroo]

hey what ever happened to the calfab repo swingarms you were making, did they ever get built? if so do you have any for sale?

[88 Turbo Coupe]

I know some people who have old school stuff , keep it private and don't advertise. Pretty cool pics no matter where they came from. Hey, any "Franks" experts out there??

[Black86tri-z]

kool pics ttt