Well, It's a T3, but it has 4 wheels.... *Edit added more pics on pg.2

[FrankenWheeler]

"The Rooster" is what he called it. I bought it from a guy who raises show chickens for a living...He got it from a buddy for the outrageous price of $0.00, before that it gets pretty hazy. What is obivious is that someone, at some point put a lot of effort and probably a bunch of money into it.

Well, it ran good and it was the right price for me, so I went for it!
Of course I had some concerns about how a conversion trike would handle, but I hadn't been to the dunes in 5 years since getting married yadda, yadda. I was eager to get back.
I did routine service on it. Carb clean, recharged shocks, brake pads, fluids, Rattle can black, etc.. And headed to Gordons Well.

So, we get out on our first ride and I'm thinking: "this thing is pretty dang cool". Besides the fact that the front end is way too soft, but whatever, I'm having fun. Duning it up for a bit and I start concentrating on the power, and the revs, and shifting, and stop concentrating on where I'm going, (up a ten story dune). In fact I'm hitting the top of third gear going: "alright, I'm starting to like this bike, it seems way faster than stock". Cool, my buddy is sitting on top of this dune waving me up, sweet, It must be flat on top so I'll hit it faster....Wait was he waving me up or telling me to stop?

Too late stupid.
Big unwanted air time. I'm talking BIG. It wasn't flat on top, nope.
Sheer razorback on the other side. 25 foot of air is what I was told when I was laying on the ground clutching my ribs and balls.
But I stuck it, rear wheels first, then that soft front end stuck right in the sand, and sent me hard up on the bars.

When it was all over I was in far worse shape than the bike. Bruised Sternum, Bruised ribcage, Bruised ego.

I will be back, I kinda like this bike. Plus it has some tasty vintage mods that I'll mention later because this post has gotten long.

Hopefully you trike guys will accept my machine, because I don't know if the quad guys will get it. hehe

Thanks for reading! Nick. :p Tecate

[cr480r]

Definately unique! If it had a hood it would look pretty cool actually. I really like the rear axle, I am jealous...

[FrankenWheeler]

Thanks man, it came with a hood too that I've been modding to make it look a little cooler. I'll post a pic someday... ;)

[SYKO]

adios!! that front end, and put the forks back on!!! its a clean conversion non the less, but I couldnt sleep at night knowing that monster was lurking in the shadows

[BigGreenMachine]

:drool: Cal-Fab, (with skidplate!!!) Durablue (?) axle, aftermarket exhaust header/silencer, Highflite seat, FOX shocks!!!....you got it for free you say? Damn nice deal. Wonder what kind of motor work that thing has. What gearing is it running? :welcome:

Now onto the important matter,,,you need to change that sucker back to a trike and I'll help you find the right parts.

Mnsstuff is selling a huge lot of Tecate parts. I know he has some frames and forks. Look here;

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=61947


That thing will be even faster as a trike once it sheds about 70 pounds of extra frame and tire.

:w00t:

[FrankenWheeler]

I bought it, but the guy before me got it for free.
Damn, I had a chance at a complete front end off ebay for $20 + $70 shipping! I knew I shoulda got it.
I'll probably want the 85 front end because of the disk. You can just swap the fork tubes right? was everthing else the same?

Oh well, I'll probably just ride it how it is this season, then get all monster garage on it in the off season.

[FrankenWheeler]

Cal-Fab, (with skidplate!!!) Durablue (?) axle, aftermarket exhaust header/silencer, Highflite seat, FOX shocks!!!.... Wonder what kind of motor work that thing has. What gearing is it running?

Yeah, I think the Swinger is what sold it for me. I didn't know very much when I bought it (still dont), but I knew that Cal Fab was a nice aftermarket piece:p

The silencer is Bills, and I suspect the pipe is too. I'll take a pic later so maybe someone can I.D. it.
I put in some Boyseen reeds yesterday and noticed the port job :D . Will I need to rejet for those reeds? the carb is a Mikuni 38mm flat slide with a 370, and 55.

Thanks again you guys for any help! I'll probably be asking more than a few Q's?

[Dammit!]

Friend of mine's step dad got it a lot worse last weekend at glamis. Broke five ribs and his clavical (whatever a clavical is, lol).

[oldsking86]

clavical; the the bone on the front of your shoulder where your neck is.. took anatomy back in highschool lol

[Meat-BoX]

Damn that rear end on that beast is worth a bunch of money. I want that rear Axle:w00t: I have a Cal-Fab getting polished by a member here. I guess its worth alot but to me for my Tecate its priceless. Coll ride you got there, but as the other members said if you were to go back to 3 wheeles you would have one sick Tecate with the parts that are on it.

[BigGreenMachine]

The 38mm flatslide should run about a 370 or more. I'd say your jetting is just fine where its at. Do a plug chop just in case. If you have a Bill's silencer then yeah chances are its a Bills pipe.

If you have the time, remove the exhaust header and look inside the exhaust port. If there is a vertical exhaust bridge on the exhaust port you have a KX cylinder. (old race mod)

Mnsstuff should have everything you need.

AussieDuner on here is remaking my old UFO number plate that make these Tecates beautiful. He will soon be selling them. They really clean up the front of the Tecate and hide the ugly radiator mounted on the forks.

Again, nice score. Get pics of everything!

[FrankenWheeler]

Friend of mine's step dad got it a lot worse last weekend at glamis. Broke five ribs and his clavical (whatever a clavical is, lol).

hehe, when we were growing up my Dad taught my brother and I that shorts, a tee-shirt, work boots, and a half-face helmet were all the protection we needed. He liked the half-facers so he could drink while riding...
Just recently I started really gearing up and if I wasn't wearing a chest protector I woulda been rocked! I kissed that thing when I hung it up that nite!

[Orangecnty250r]

Conversions Rock!!! If it is an aftermarket conversion kit I would take the rear end off put that on a T3 an keep the conversion. I think they are a part of ATV history also.

[hadar]

Let's see some pics of the hood.

[FrankenWheeler]

Conversions Rock!!! If it is an aftermarket conversion kit I would take the rear end off put that on a T3 an keep the conversion. I think they are a part of ATV history also.

hmm, good point. Is that your R conversion?

[TimSr]

Frankenwheeler, frame extension looks like an Astro kit. A close up of the a-arms and inside front wheels would make ID easy. OrangeCounty's is definately an Astro.
http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/quadznew2.jpg

[Orangecnty250r]

Frankenwheeler, frame extension looks like an Astro kit. A close up of the a-arms and inside front wheels would make ID easy. OrangeCounty's is definately an Astro.
http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/quadznew2.jpg

I really like that Tri Z conversion as well. Frankenwheeler.....That is the first T3 one I have seen so pretty rare in my book

[Meat-BoX]

I was thinking about that front end on that Tecate. I was wondering if it Aftermarket. It looks to good to be home made. Front Suspension is Big Time. Someone did alot of work and spent alot of money *Edited**Edited* you got it. Good looking out O.C. This Tecate is getting better and better every time I think about it. Man I wish I could stumble on stuff like that just once.

[scooterroo]

dont we all meat. i never find nice deals. different t?3?4? haha. i'd do like oc said, get another frame, and keep the conversion the way it is. to bad it doesnt have a nose on it, would look sweet i bet. the very first t4!!!!

[FrankenWheeler]

Alrighty, I guess the hood is getting put back on tomorrow~!
I thought the mad max look was kinda tighty, hehe.

Thanks all you guys for taking a look, yer making my mutant son and I feel right at home!

Tim, I'll get some more pics up so you or someone can I.D. the kit, thx.

The deals seem to be on Craigslist guys, I've come across several smoking one's in the last year or so.

[team-red-rider]

like everyone else said keep the conv. and get a complete second t3 and transfrer the parts!

[FrankenWheeler]

Frankenwheeler, frame extension looks like an Astro kit. A close up of the a-arms and inside front wheels would make ID easy. OrangeCounty's is definately an Astro.
http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/quadznew2.jpg

thanks Tim, heres some closer arm and spindle pics.

Also put the hood on. I made some mounts so the nose sits higher up, I'm going to put a bigger bumper on it to even things up...
Whaddya guys think? :)

[chris200x]

Kinda reminds me of the old Suzuki lt250 front. I love it!!! <--Is that OK to say on here? :Bounce :welcome:

[Orangecnty250r]

Cool !!!!!! You are the proud owner of a rare t3 conversion!!!!!!

[edog]

Nice Trike.

[Tecate250]

I seen a front fender that went to a 3to 4 conversion for the 85 tecate.
It had a sticker where the light hood would be on the tecate 4. It said 3X4. The fender came with a stock rear fender for the tecate 3. Was going to get it cause it was cheap but I like 3 wheels.

[FrankenWheeler]

yeah, I think I saw the same one on ebay not too long ago.
wonder what it went for?

[Tecate250]

not much
100$ or less.

[TimSr]

thanks Tim, heres some closer arm and spindle pics.

Also put the hood on. I made some mounts so the nose sits higher up, I'm going to put a bigger bumper on it to even things up...
Whaddya guys think? :)


I can say its NOT an Astro kit based on the a-rms and spinldes, as well as the brake setup. Astro used horeseshoe shaped upper arms, and did not use Heim joints. I dont know what it is, though. It is possible that it was once an Astro, and had been repaired and modified with whatevere they could find. The frame extension does look like an Astro, as you can compare it to mine.

[Dirtcrasher]

Braide lines and all.... Looks to be a pretty darn good conversion to me :-)