kx500-tecate conversion questions

[monster 84r]

ive decided i need a good project to get me through the upcoming summer. im planning on getting a 200x for playing in the woods, and creating a monster kx500 powered tecate atc for dunes and drags.

what kind of problems need to be adressed when fitting in the kx500 motor?
so far i need to:

-gusset, weld, and strenthen frame
-extend swinger, 4-6''
-grind out slot in downtube for spark plug to fit.
-get a decompression system put in head, like they sell in this auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Compression-release-CR500-KX500-KTM-LT500-QUADZILLA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10066QQitemZ4 630358128QQrdZ1)

is that it?
all help appreciated.

oh, has anyone run across scrapped 86-87 tecate frames? what about kx500 motors?

[travis712]

That seems like a nice set up in that auction. That guy seems cool too, lol..
"We also modify air-cooled 500's and even 250's for the faint of heart, come on girls, you know you wish those 250's were easier to kick!":lol:

I'll look around for an 86-87 frame though on ebay and the like, GL man. You need to post pics of that beast when its done! haha.

[monster 84r]

definately. im going to love it. i just realized that i cant have just one bike for woods and eating the 450's. i just hope that the project doesnt kill my wallet, or me hahaha. im almost scared, the fastest bike ive ridden was an it465, it was fast, but not horrifying. i have a feeling that this kx500 will tear apart anything in its wake.

[RideRed250R]

the motor is a bolt in, and modifiy the spine for the spark plug, but ... the main problems are just hard to find the plastics, any parts not on the bike that you need are nearly impossible to find, must have a custom pipe made, custom carb back intake, cusotm swing arm (70 rwhp ant going to hold on a stocker).... it sounds the best at the beginning, but your not getting out of this build under 3K..... i would say also "sorry all tecate fans" try to find a running one, and then scrap the parts not needed, ( you will make up for your purchase with the motor alone) and go from there
Adam

[Mike_Ham_250R]

...the fastest bike ive ridden was an it465, it was fast, but not horrifying...

Ohh! Suck that MTS!!

I think that would be a good project if you have the cash. Good luck!

[BigGreenMachine]

... the main problems are just hard to find the plastics, any parts not on the bike that you need are nearly impossible to find, must have a custom pipe made, custom carb back intake, cusotm swing arm (70 rwhp ant going to hold on a stocker)....
Adam

Personally, I have NEVER not been able to find something I needed through the aftermarket for my Tecate. Some OEM is discontinued but still ebay is a fine source. Don't knock it if you don't own it.

James

[darrel632]

Gotta agree with James on this one, every part I needed for a total rebuild was available through dealers, board members or ATV wreckers with little or no delay in shipment. Basically if you got cash, they got the part. 2 months, 1600.00 CDN later my T-3 is screaming again, and I could of cut costs by 1/2 by using "non-standard" parts, like shocks, UHMW bushings instead of bearings etc. I just didn't want to go that route.

Darrel

[OZQUAD44]

What about a new fuel tank and R/H radiator shroud? Try and get those things!

[BigGreenMachine]

Yes but the rad shrouds can be had on egay and I haven't tried for a 85 T3 tank as its $300. I will ask my dealer when I go into town tomorrow about shrouds.

Again, the tank isn't something that will need replacing on most machines other then it being damn ugly.

[MTS]

Ohh! Suck that MTS!!


You can lick it, mine aint Stock :twisted: :twisted: as for not breaking the bank on this project, Goodluck...KX500's dont generally go for cheap.......would be a cool build tho goodluck.:beer

[monster 84r]

well i wouldent use a pristine kx and tear the motor out. im thinking of taking a few trips to local junkyards, and finding a 86-87 tecate roller, minus motor, and wiring. i think i could pick up a roller around 300$? and pick up an old kx500 motor, like an 87 or 88 model for around 500$. i could do without the extended swinger for a little while, i probly wouldent punch the throttle for the first few months anyway. i could always take the swinger to a machinist or welder and have them extend it.

[BigGreenMachine]

Yeah there are always a few ways to do the same job. I do agree you will run into things that will cost you money but thats what a project is about most times.

Keep an eye on ebay for a cheap Tecate. Rex Karz I believe has two 86/87 Tecates that he wants sold as a pair. Split them up with another member?

James

[monster 84r]

im going to be on a strict budget, probably around 800$ but that should cover the motor and roller if i look hard enough.

the idea sounds amazing though. im thinking of a way to lessen the motor vibration since these things shake so much, what about polyurythane bushings to hold the motor in the frame? this things going to kick so much arse.

what year did the kx go to powervalve setup?

[cr500=3wheeler]

Vibration shouldnt be to big of a deal since the t3 where already missing the counterbalancer so frame should handle it fine, plus its really not that bad unless of course your desert racing or spending hours on the bike and hey we all need time off the bike to just stand and stare at what we built. oh well just my 2 cents.

[monster 84r]

im worried about the frame getting stress cracks from vibration, since the 500 is such a beast. im already rewelding and gusseting the frame when i get to it, but im just hoping that will hold it.

[RideRed250R]

Yes but the rad shrouds can be had on egay and I haven't tried for a 85 T3 tank as its $300. I will ask my dealer when I go into town tomorrow about shrouds.

Again, the tank isn't something that will need replacing on most machines other then it being damn ugly.

dont knock if you cant stand back and say that parts arent expensive, and discountinued....
Adam
i have researched bro, i love the green things, but i constantly here the lack of this or that on the board, its not as easy as your making it sound....
Also, if iam not mistaken the KXT's have no counterbalancer, so the frame should be able to hold a kX, if a atc250R frame will hold a cr500 iam sure kawi kept up there end...
Adam

[OZQUAD44]

You just can't buy RH shrouds from a dealer, there is a member on this site that reproduces the RH shroud so thats OK, but expect to pay in excess of $100.00 Dollars.

The fuel tanks for 84/85 Tecates are easy enough to get. When was the last time you saw an 86/87 Tank for sale............?

$800 bucks, I wish you all the best but I think that you will struggle to achieve what you want for $800. You could sit a motor in a frame for that I reckon. Will it run, be reliable and look half decent, not too sure about that?

[monster 84r]

well im not going to have a pristine show racer like most of the 500r's around here. its just going to be a mean, stripped down, hillshooter and dune bike. im not going to buy oem plastic or stuff to make it a show bike. im just going for fast and mean. and if i can find a rolling chassis, i wont have to worry about tank shrouds and crap like that. i always hear stories of atc's getting picked up cheap because some people nowadays think their not worth much, so i think realisticly im not going to break the bank to pull out some tecate with a blown motor from an old junkyard. then il work from there. i appreciate all of what you guys are saying though.

[BigGreenMachine]

Take a look at chains CR500 Tri-Z, bet that didn't cost a fortune to make.