Tecate guys and any Nebraska trikers check this out

[TECATE CRAZE]

I was looking at the 1986 Kawasaki KXT 250 Tecate brochure I have and on the back it says that " every tecate is built at the Kawasaki factory in Lincoln , Nebraska.".... so my question is... does anybody know anyone that worked at that factory or did anybody live by there back in 1986/87 ? and this whole time I was thinking they were made and assembled in Japan and shipped over here . so any body with any info to share please do , and if this has already been covered I am sorry in advance .

[going4broketecate85]

Yep, I've been by their many times. Its on highway 34 on your way into Lincoln. I knew a coulple of guy that worked there but not in the 80's

[TECATE CRAZE]

did you ever go inside to see what goes on in there ? ever try to get any parts from there ? is there any test sites ?

[Kintore]

that is so cool. I also want to know if you have ever been inside or tryed to get parts.

[RacerRichie]

Funny because if you had a 86-87 Tecate you would of known this by the sticker on the headstock that says Made in the USA.... :D
I tripped over that when I first got my 87. I couldn't believe it. We should say assembled in USA though because you know that Kawasaki just put them together here to avoid some import taxes in some way........ :rolleyes:

[TECATE CRAZE]

I had three of them at one time (tecates) and I never ever knew that . but then again I never turn mine over ... but my reason for starting this thread is to see if anybody been inside to tell the rest of us what we would never see ,like ... I donot know maybe ... practice track ,spare parts, parts that where changed ,concept models , like in picture

[grundlegrabber]

I bet there are piles of NOS tecate parts just laying out back there...

[Jeb]

I've got the actual brochure that picture you show was taken from. There's a disclaimer on the back of it where the specs are that says "vehicle shown is a prototype and subject to change". Or something to that effect.

[TECATE CRAZE]

so I wonder how many times it was changed , is that factory still around ?

[twgranger]

I can stare at them pics all day.

[cracked junior]

the factory is still there. makes parts for kawasakis. dont know if anything is assembled there. one of my college instructors wife works there. when i graduated college back in 2002. he had never been there himself. one of my classmates worked there during college. he welded the steel racks for 4 wheelers.

[Jeb]

Found the Prototype Brochure. :D

[Orangecnty250r]

Wow I'm glad they changed the rear wheels. The wide open rear wheels and massive hubs are one of my favorite design aspects of the T3. I just tried to scan in an advertisement for 3 wheeling mag march 1986 of different shroud stickers but my scanner has a freakin lamp error!!

[Orangecnty250r]

Lets try again

[twgranger]

Them pics are nice.

[85_ATC_200S]

I been by there many times. My college teacher talks about that place sometimes. There are no visible test tracks, but that doesnt mean there never were any. I think this was just a factory and not a place where they built new prototypes. From what i know the pump Crotchrockets, mules, and a few utilities out of this factory.

[TheBlueWale]

Never seen those prototypes, looks like just about everything was rethought.

[christph]

Wow, that prototype looks like a utility version of the Tecate. I definitely like final design better than the prototype. If they looked like that I doubt I would have bought two of them.

[nd4speed]

Found the Prototype Brochure. :D

Those prototype fork tubes are mighty interesting. They appear to made of the same material Wonder Woman's plane was made out of.

[poohbee1]

wow i havent seen those prototype pictures since i was 15 years old . I owned 2 of them an 86 i got in 85 and an 87 and i didnt remember them being made in the USA. I personally I like the prototype alot better 4/110 bolt pattern , no 5 gallon water resevoir , no weird fender braces that make your fenders brake the first time you wreck , removable subframe ? 20 pounds lighter than a honda.