Tecate Folks, my turn in questions....

[jenndnn3]

Well I am in trouble now, the hubby dont know about this one. I just dragged this home today. I believe its an 86, Maybe you all can confirm or deny. I need info on these if you can. Shock is blown. 6 or 5 speed? As I dig in I am sure I will have more questions. I have maeir rear plastic and seat just not pict and gastank but no fins. But the tank doesnt look like it is suppossed to have fins, so how do they mount? They came with fins right?? It has spark but gas tank needs to be rinsed out....Good mix 32 to 1? Oh and just to make sure ummm what spark plug if you all dont mind. THX Jen

[BLAZERONE22]

It looks like a 85 to me. Same as the 84 but with a disk brake. How much did that set you back?

[200xman]

I believe it's an 85. I don't think they had tank fins. I just got done fixing a 84 for a friend and that bike looks just like it except for the front disc brake(84 had drum). 32 to 1 should be fine.

[200xman]

It looks like a 85 to me. Same as the 84 but with a disk brake. How much did that set you back?


You mus have beat me to the post by about 1 second. :mad:

[jenndnn3]

$500,

Here is vin, The specs page doesnt have vin JKAXTMA18FB(+ a bunch of numbers lol)........

[Trikeaholic]

yep 85 model, no fins, radiatior is on the triples. Me and my bro have an 84 all jimmy whited out, and a stock 85 with only a Bassani pipe on it, oh, but oddly, it has 86 rear rims and tires, oh and a white frame, but other than that, its just there. As a matter of fact, Hagen said that at trikefest '03 "this is the fastest thing I have ridden all weekend" about it. Since he came from Germany and everyone let him ride every thing there, I guess that is saying something for any tecate of any year, eh?

[BigGreenMachine]

Yupp, you guys nailed it. 85 because of the disc brake front, stock header pipe missing the guard, DG silencer, its a 5 speed (1 down 4 up), tank has no scoops, get the shock rebuilt and it'll work great. Great bikes, easy to work on too.

[BLAZERONE22]

Your gonna have a big grin on your face when you hit the pipe Jen, It just does not handle as well as your 250r. But its fast. I'd like to see it head to head with the R on the flats in Florence.
Take a pic of the front. I thought the radiator stuck out further.

[jenndnn3]

is the 86 a 6 speed then? Thx for the clarification on year. What spark plug? Jen

[jenndnn3]

Sorry Blazer didnt see you sneek in, Be happy to take any picts you want....Tommorrow...

[whiteman350x]

The 86 is 5 speed also.

[MIK6]

It looks like a fun toy JEN. GOOD LUCK W/ IT!!

As far as I can tell its a 85. Alot of people swaped the 85 front end onto a 84 because of the disk brakes, but they almost never swaped the greasable rear strut from the 85 w/ it (84 had no grease fittings). I have had quite a few 84/85s, I love the way they ride you will love it.
I tend to run a good quality premix at 40:1 in mine, 32:1 will be fine. The manual says 20:1 but that is way to much oil for them. I am trying to think of the T3 questions people tend to ask to help you get on your way. Trans oil level is full 1/2 way up the widow (10W30 or 10W40 in the manual). Shock rebuild avoid the dealer, take it to a small atv/bike shop. The dealer will only order Kawi parts, the seal head is not availible from Kawi w/o buying the complete shaft assembly, a small shop will get a seal head from the shock manufacturer for alot less cash. Rickey Stator has ignition parks for a very reasonible price. Keep an eye on the intake manifold, they crack, the air leans out the motor and will cause a blown motor (I ONLY run the stock carb clamp, a radiatior clamp will cut the intake, it happened to me). A loose chain will throw and wedge between the motor case and the swingarm doing a ton of damage to both, the little plastic sprocket guard slows the chain down and saves alot of problems. Keep an eye on the fuel petcock, T3s tend to leak past and fill the crank w/ fuel. Liquid does not compress, if you try to tow start it w/ the base full it will blow out the crank seals. I have pulled my plug removed the fluids and flipped mine over to get gas out of the base befor.
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. Any questions feel free to ask I have had alot of T3s and know them very well, I also have all the manuals here to look up anything you need.

GOOD LUCK
MIK6 / Mike

[tecatecrazy]

ngk b8es :)

[Jeb]

Great Trike! I think it's all 85. The 84 has a bit shorter Uni-Trak "dog-bone".

The only 6 speed Tecate was the Tecate-4.

I need to drag home another 85. :beer

[NICKG]

other difference between 84/85... silver swinger , dogbone(greaseable and longer)and housing,shock(compression adjustable and rebound) aluminum wheels, hubs, gas tank stickers, petcock, grab bar(although early 85 still used the hi-boy 84) different headlight and kill switchs

[RideRed250R]

does it run?
adam

[jenndnn3]

Adam I would have hope so, but alas I think I am in for new stator. IF I read this correctly, I have 120 out of blue wire, 150 out of red and white, is this lights? (Thats with the horsehoe or ohm that is the correct name right? forgive me not up on this stuff) . And I assume black is ground? Seems to be aweful low numbers. The petcock is shot. The chain, I posted a pict looks WAY to big to me, what size chain do these use? Guess I am needing a manual. Brakes work well, it has the grease thingy's on rearend. And the backwards kick is weird, I keep hitting the dang plastic. That is very irratating. I pulled the plastic back off just so I could kick it, and see. I lose kicker grabbing about every 3rd to 4th kick so I have an issue there. And It needs a bath. I am sure there is more, but off top of my head, these are what I came up with. Mik I did run through and check some of the things you said, The hoses look great and they have clamps on all ends. I am not following you on the chain thing..

[jenndnn3]

Some more picts to enjoy......kinda weird for him in all that red huh. And of course I had to see how it looked against the R. I am really sorry guys but my R kicks his butt in the looks department, (please do not take offense tecate guys, it is just an opinion) but maybe his speed will make up for it.

[Trike Dude]

Just be ready when that pipe kicks in. When it does it is crazy fast. You have to keep on it and keep the revs up though unlike the R.

You will find it to be not as "smooth" running as the R. I belive this is due to a lack of counter balancer.

If you plan on keeping it and you are used to the Honda thumb throttle I would say get rid of the twist throttle on it. It is dangerous if you are used to thumb throttles.

I may have some of the parts you need but I am trying to sell everything as a lot or w/ the 85 I have for sale.

[Jeb]

That chain does look wide. The Tecate should use a typical 520 motorcycle chain.

You can improve the look by removing the headlight. Also, I never much liked the low-profile maier rear fenders but there's not much you can do there unless you can find a nice factory rear fender.

Judging from your pics, you got a Tecate in pretty good shape. :TrikesOwn

[MIK6]

Jen.... That T3 looks better than I thought!! The front sprocket does already have the plastic chain guard, that was what I was talking about. It slows the chain down and does less damade to the metal parts, alot of people run w/o them on. The hoses can use any clamp, I worry about the rubber intake boot from the carb to the jug. They use a thin stock clamp simular to a hose clamp but alot thinner. When you put a thick normal auto radiator hose clamp on it is to wide and cuts into the intake boot. I am not sure but it looks to me like it has a larger than stock front sprocket on it as well, 13 tooth is stock, w/ a 520 chain.
I am sure once you feel the power and once you get into the powerband you will like the looks alot better, T3s tend to grow on people LOL. I am sure I will get the "grow like mold or fungus" comments from that LOL.

Keep the questions coming!!
GOOD LUCK W/ IT
MIK6 / Mike

[NICKG]

i forgot the folding shifter is 85 as well

[BigGreenMachine]

Yupp, deyz ugly but deyz fast.

I love the look of my bike and it does grow on you like was said. Yours is in excellent shape, seems like every 84/85 Tecate I see on the net has been abused and wrecked to the point of needing a good rebuild/restoration before you could even ride it. Yours seems to only need a stator and a shock rebuild to have a good runner.

[BLAZERONE22]

Jen my motor has a stator in it, I was told it was good, I'm just missing the flywheel, I'm not planning on using this motor so your welcome to it. pm me with your addy and I'll send it to you . I also bought a manual off ebay you can borrow until you get one.

[Jeb]

Jen, Here's the 86.

(just another shameless excuse to show mine off! :naughty: )

[Apollo]

Those are great lookin trikes Jeb, and I definetly recognize the scenery of the Lone Star State.

[jenndnn3]

Very Nice Jeb!

[MIK6]

Here is a link to a few pictures of my 87. If JEB can show his off so can I!!! LOL :beer

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Chip/2489/mik6.html


MIK6 / Mike

[jenndnn3]

Very nice, always enjoy picts!! hmmm might have to change my front end a touch...

[Apollo]

Mik6, that front plate rocks!

[350Xhilaration]

At least the frame is an 85 for certain. 10th digit from the left in a VIN after 1980 is the year. F=1985 It starts at A=1980 and goes up...there are a few missing letters though like I, O, & Q. there might be some others, but I would have to look to be positive which they are. Nice find....hubby will be fine with it I'm sure.

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

Doesnt look bad Jen, i'd say you got a deal, I've only worked on and road a couple of tecates, not too common around these parts.. That plastic and seat on your R looks familiar ;) . Maybe its just me, but the rad. on the T looks different then most other ones i've seen, usually they seem bigger and bulkier.. Must just be me.. I'm sure it'll clean up real nice.

[jenndnn3]

Hey Jared, soon the rest of the plastic will be on, just waitin on Brian to drill the front fender for me.

Ok More questions on Tecate, if you all dont mind.
First what is the proper full name of this. 85 250 KXT? A1,A2, B1? The guy had it listed at, 86 kxt b1.

Next Thanx to Blazer I now have a stator, I find myself chompin at the bit to install it. I am currently in process of finding a manual, but can I jump the gun here? Is it easy to install like other stators? Do I need to line engine up and all that fun stuff? Or you can simply say Jenn patience, get the manual. Which I will, but the chompin, its a heavy burden.

[Jeb]

Jen, Jen, Jen, absolutely too many questions!

Just kidding! :p

What you have is a 1985 Kawasaki KXT250 A2 Tecate. :beer

My Tecate in the pics is the 1986 KXT250 B1. Mik6's is the 1987 KXT250 B2. The guy advertising yours was way off the mark. The A & B series Tecates are very different.

As far as the stators go, You'll see 3 marks on the stator plate. Line the marks on the stator up with the little point hanging down from the top left side of the engine case.

That's all you have to do. I can't remember 100% but I think the manual states that you line it up with the right-hand mark on the stator. I can refer to my manual later this evening but I bet someone can verify it way before I can get to my manual!

Speaking of manuals, be careful what you get. There are two base manuals that look identicle. They both picture a red 1984 KXT A1 on the cover. You want to get the base manual with the 85 supplement chapter. These are usually a green cover that says TECATE on it in big letters. The 84 only manual I had didn't say Tecate, only KXT250 in big letters. Anyway before you buy one make sure it has the 85 Supplement Chapter.

:)

[jenndnn3]

Thank you Jeb, the 2 that I am watching look to be good manual's according to your info.

I got the Flywheel off, It looks like a brandnew unit. The stator underneath is not as pretty, and the one right nut is stripped, but I can get a flattip in, Just have to soak it. Phillips just makes the problem worse, so I am stuck to patience anyway. Might have the old man drill it anyway. I think I have fixed the petcock temporarily. I pulled it apart cleaned it up best I could, and put some fuel in to see if its leaks. It doesnt, but I am not confident after seeing the mess in there this will be permanent anyway. By the way I know where all the green goes in the gas tanks lol. WOW

[NICKG]

i have an ugly manual for it...pay me 5 and shipping and it's yours