View Full Version : Tecate suggestions
OK, so it looks like I'm going to keep the Tecate and "restore" it. So, with that said, what do you guys think I should do with it?
Seeing as Maier plastics and inavailability of original Dunlops don't really allow it to keep an original stock look (they look more like the Jimmy White racer cut-style), I'm thinking I might turn it into a TT/Mickey Thompson style track racer.
Or should I keep it stock-looking, aside from the plastic and tires?
So, questions are:
1) The rear rims are slightly rusted, so it's safe to assume the finish is ruined on them. I could sand and have them recoated, but I can get OEM Tecate rims for probably for only slightly more than having them redone, so it's probably not worth it. OR, should I look for some aluminum rims? My only problem with this is, a) the forks will still be gold on the bottom, and b) I really didn't want to have to replace the front rim. I guess the thing could just look kind of goofy 'til I got a new front rim as well. So, new OEM gold rims or new lightweight silver rims?
2) Depending on the rim choice, what tires do you think will be good for riding track and trails here in the Northeast? I love the flat track tires, but it's really not practical for the mud and loose dirt I'll inevitably encounter. I was thinking maybe some ITPs.
3) Obviously the rims will have to fit the Tecate hubs. If I keep it stock, are there rims out there that will fit the bolt pattern?
4) If they don't fit, is there a good aftermarket axle and hubs out there? Or should I go with an aftermarket axle and hubs anyway?
Lastly, has anyone out there attempted to build a Jimmy White replica as stated in the Kawi manual? I suspect it's near impossible to get a Bassani pipe and fairly difficult to correct/lower the rear suspension as stated. I was thinking of doing sort of a hybrid.
Anyway, your input is appreciated.
Thanks.
scooterroo
11-28-2007, 04:45 PM
well first off, no the miaer rear fenders arent what jimmy white ran on his bike. they are the most ugly rear fender i have ever seen. kawi oems are hard to find in good conditon...but they are around. the rim...well if you have the gold front forktubes you must have an 84 t3, with drum brakes? basically all three wheels on the trike are the same. 10inch, 3x5 offset, 4"on 4" bolt pattern. itp makes some nice chrome rims for that size. kenda max seems to be a favorite among t3 owners on here, for a front replacement. there are no extended axle choices for the 1st generation t3, unfortuantely. i have a line on an old one off an old school racer, but have bbeen waiting forwever for it.. so durablue makes wheel spacers to compensate...an easy 5 inches in the rear. it is possible to make a jimmy white replica, i am in the final steps on mine. i have basically everything in the manual done to mine, with the exception of the calfab swinger, which i have a inside scoop on one, nos, in the box still.... but aside fromt hat i have everything else done to mine, and yes i have a nos bassani on it as well. kx cylinder, ignition, the works. heres a few pics of mine project, will be done shortly after christmas and ready for lake riding come mid janurary.... any more questions please ask.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/scooterroo/saturday017-1.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/scooterroo/fattire020.jpg
Well, I hate the Maier fenders as well. But, mine is red, so i'm probably not going to find much out there and I'm stuck getting those. If they weren't cracked (with repair), I'd just try to restore them the best I could.
And yeah, I have an '84.
digity x
11-28-2007, 05:48 PM
you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.
you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.
I'd turn it green if it weren't for the awful green gas tanks and the rarity of the red. And my red tank is actually quite nice. Didn't discolor at all.
But the disc brakes is an idea.....
cr480r
11-28-2007, 10:44 PM
I would get aluminum wheels for the rear at least... the steel ones weigh a ton... I would run a stock wheel in the front, its hard to find wheels that will work on the front without being shimmed.. The factory used a goofy 3+5.5 offset...
ccdhowell
11-28-2007, 11:02 PM
I think the Tecate is a good candidate for an alternative restore. I didn't use any old pattern for the rebuild of mine. I thought of an idea and went for it. The Tecate lends itself well to lots of changes just because there aren't many NOS parts available, it makes us get creative and come up with a myriad of fixes to the problems. All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.
Check it out.
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/345/345135/folders/264984/2221325IMG1113.JPG
Chris
cr480r
11-28-2007, 11:20 PM
All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. Chris
Don't you love that?? I sure do... Its like the biggest perk of T3 ownership..lol...
I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.
Chris
I always loved your tank and wondered what matching fenders would look like... I have had thoughts of getting vinyl printed with a kawi green camo pattern... and doing my whole bike...
ccdhowell
11-28-2007, 11:26 PM
Hey cr480, I picked a camo pattern with lots of green, green is pretty close to the Kawi green. I've thought about camoing the fenders, but rulled it out after I had those custom fender decals cut; don't want to waist those sweet decals.
cr480r
11-28-2007, 11:43 PM
Maybe try it on an old set of fenders??
I think the Tecate is a good candidate for an alternative restore. I didn't use any old pattern for the rebuild of mine. I thought of an idea and went for it. The Tecate lends itself well to lots of changes just because there aren't many NOS parts available, it makes us get creative and come up with a myriad of fixes to the problems. All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.
I'm checking out ITP rims at the moment. I think I might go with the black aluminum. I think that'd look pretty cool. So a new 10 x 10 rim wouldn't fit for the front?
What size rear tires do you have on there? It's hard to tell by the pic, but I do like the way it looks.
Also, anyone know where I can get good deals on ITP tire/rim combos?
I would get aluminum wheels for the rear at least... the steel ones weigh a ton... I would run a stock wheel in the front, its hard to find wheels that will work on the front without being shimmed.. The factory used a goofy 3+5.5 offset...
Ah, got it. It's the offset that would mess things up. OK, that makes sense. I guess I could always get the front coated down the line to match with the rear rims I get.
cr480r
11-29-2007, 12:02 AM
Yeah the aftermarket selection of 8.5" wheels is very poor... A 3+5 offset wheel needs to be shimmed a .25" to be centered... thats easy enough though..
TwoHundredEx
11-29-2007, 12:03 AM
you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.
Did you paint the portion of fork tube in the middle of the triple clamps or is it just a cover?
EDIT: forgot to reply to your post too :D
I'd go with the lightweight rims in the rear like others said, I don't think it'll look too goofy with the different colored rims, and I really like the way the aluminum's look on the T3's.
Yeah the aftermarket selection of 8.5" wheels is very poor... A 3+5 offset wheel needs to be shimmed a .25" to be centered... thats easy enough though..
How does one shim a wheel? Sorry for the ignorance, but I've never had to deal with doing that.
EDIT: forgot to reply to your post too :D
I'd go with the lightweight rims in the rear like others said, I don't think it'll look too goofy with the different colored rims, and I really like the way the aluminum's look on the T3's.
Well, I think I'd like to go with a set of black rims. Think it'd look pretty sweet with the red and gold. Hopefully I can find a set that fits. Looks like I'll be going with the 20 x11-10 rear tires.
TwoHundredEx
11-29-2007, 12:15 AM
Well, I think I'd like to go with a set of black rims. Think it'd look pretty sweet with the red and gold. Hopefully I can find a set that fits. Looks like I'll be going with the 20 x11-10 rear tires.
Black rims would look good, I don't think I've ever seen them on a T3 either.
cr480r
11-29-2007, 12:29 AM
Well, I think I'd like to go with a set of black rims. Think it'd look pretty sweet with the red and gold. Hopefully I can find a set that fits. Looks like I'll be going with the 20 x11-10 rear tires.
You could always go with a painted or powder-coated front wheel, and re-drill the hubs for 4/110 pattern... thus giving many wheel options...
ccdhowell
11-29-2007, 08:15 AM
atct, Those are 20x11-10 rear tires, Pirelli Race Rail XC tires. They are tall for a 20 inch tire, made for cross country racing. I thought they had too much grip to ride well with before I rebuilt my engine, cause I couldn't break them loose easily, now with a fresh engine and a big bore to boot, I have no trouble spinning the tires with ease so I like them more now. Wheels are 10x8 Douglas blue labels.
Chris
You could always go with a painted or powder-coated front wheel, and re-drill the hubs for 4/110 pattern... thus giving many wheel options...
So would re-drilling the hubs weaken them at all? I'm guessing finding new hubs for the stock axle would be out of the question.
atct, Those are 20x11-10 rear tires, Pirelli Race Rail XC tires. They are tall for a 20 inch tire, made for cross country racing. I thought they had too much grip to ride well with before I rebuilt my engine, cause I couldn't break them loose easily, now with a fresh engine and a big bore to boot, I have no trouble spinning the tires with ease so I like them more now. Wheels are 10x8 Douglas blue labels.
Chris
I definitely like those tires. Do you have an aftermarket axle and hubs on there or is it stock?
cr480r
11-29-2007, 12:50 PM
So would re-drilling the hubs weaken them at all?
I dont think it will hurt anything... I am going to drill mine for 4/110mm and use 10mm studs... Then I can test all the tires from my buddies machines... I am gonna drill the new pattern next to the old one... I can always put the other studs back in...
ccdhowell
11-29-2007, 09:30 PM
I definitely like those tires. Do you have an aftermarket axle and hubs on there or is it stock?
I have a stock axle and stock hubs. The wheels are off some Polaris quad, I bought them off ebay.
Seems like I remember dura blue making 4/110 hubs for the Tecate axle listed on their website, might want to check it out. Actually I just bought some 4/110 hubs from BigGreenMachine. Haven't tried them yet, but it's a nice option that I wanted to have so I could run 8 or 9 inch wheels if I ever needed/wanted to.
Not for my Tecate, but my Big Red I was gonna redrill a wheel to fit the front bolt pattern. Seems to me that redrilling a wheel would involve less risk that drilling the Tecate front hub.
Chris
You think I should go with a 22 x11-10 stock size tire, or go with 20x11-10s?
RedRider_AK
11-30-2007, 04:01 PM
20" will have much better handling.
20" will have much better handling.
That's what I figured. What's the rule of thumb for sprockets then? I need to change them out anyway....
cr480r
11-30-2007, 05:57 PM
That's what I figured. What's the rule of thumb for sprockets then? I need to change them out anyway....
I would run a stock 42 rear... they are the easiest to find... If after you start riding you want taller gearing you can always bump up to a 14 or 15 on the front... I felt 13/42 was a lil short for open areas with 20's and 15/42 was a lil tall in the woods... I am going 14/42 on my newest build..
I would run a stock 42 rear... they are the easiest to find... If after you start riding you want taller gearing you can always bump up to a 14 or 15 on the front... I felt 13/42 was a lil short for open areas with 20's and 15/42 was a lil tall in the woods... I am going 14/42 on my newest build..
OK, that sounds good. Maybe I, too, will try the 14/42 set up. Any particular chain choice you like?
cr480r
11-30-2007, 06:10 PM
OK, that sounds good. Maybe I, too, will try the 14/42 set up. Any particular chain choice you like?
Any brand name sealed chain should work well... Cheap sprockets will last a long time if you use a quality chain... I like X-ring chains, but they cost alil more... I had one that I used on 4 different machines... With periodic lubing it lasted me 4 years before it started to ruin sprockets...
ok, thanks. will give it a shot.
I just went on the web site. Did you get the X-ring model, or the ATV model chain? I'm not sure if it really makes a difference, does it?
Meat-BoX
12-01-2007, 02:40 AM
I love this combo. Looks real hot and handles great. Gets the traction in the hard pack and you can get sideways when needed. The rims are 10" and the tires are 20"x10"x10" I have an 85 rear end on mine so Im running 4 by 156 mm hubs. I like the look better than the 84 solid hubs.. I had the front rim powder coated Chromium with flake. Got the killer Kenda Front Max on her. Fatty style:w00t:
Oh yea keep the red theme. Red tecates are pretty rare
BigGreenMachine
12-02-2007, 06:53 PM
14/38 gearing with 20 inch tires really works well in the tight woods. 14/40 would be better.
Get crazy with whatever you come up with.
Does anyone know how many splines a stock 84 axle has? I guess getting new hubs night be an option. Not sure if it's 24 or 25 or what.
cr480r
12-03-2007, 03:28 PM
They use 13 spline.. and nothing that I have heard of swaps with them
They use 13 spline.. and nothing that I have heard of swaps with them
Haha. Ah, thanks. It figures.
BigGreenMachine
12-03-2007, 05:13 PM
Fortunately the 86 Tecate rear end will bolt onto the 84/85 Tecate swingarm and the 86 axle will accept worn 400EX hubs.
Meat-BoX
12-05-2007, 12:03 AM
If you want to see the sweetest Red Tecate ever someone needs to put up pics of Ange? I cant quite remember his name but Im sure anyone here a long time knows the Trike. Its so nice I would only ride it on Grass:lol: Someone post pics of that beauty for ATCT
Yeah, I'd love to see it.
OK, been looking at tires some more. I think I've narrowed it down to the ITP XCR Holeshot or the iRazr by Maxxis. Any opinions on these two? The tread pattern on the Maxxis is much more sparce, so I wondered if a) they'd be lighter, and b) collect less mud in muddy, lousy conditions (sort of the old racers' idea of shaving off knobbies).
I'm kind of leaning a bit more towards the ITP's, as they seem to have a flatter profile and seemingly would handle better.
Pics of each below....
T3 LOPES
12-07-2007, 06:16 PM
I personaly like the duros. They have plenty of traction and will still break loose any time you want them to . I ran razors for the first year I had my 2 stroke and they had to much bite. Spining around corners getting great hole shot is what makes these bikes so much fun .
cr480r
12-08-2007, 10:13 PM
OK, been looking at tires some more. I think I've narrowed it down to the ITP XCR Holeshot or the iRazr by Maxxis. Any opinions on these two? The tread pattern on the Maxxis is much more sparce, so I wondered if a) they'd be lighter, and b) collect less mud in muddy, lousy conditions (sort of the old racers' idea of shaving off knobbies). I'm kind of leaning a bit more towards the ITP's, as they seem to have a flatter profile and seemingly would handle better
I would go with the holeshots over the irazor... You need all the knobs you can get on a 2-stroke... Traction is much harder to come by than a four-stroke... If the new tires bite too much for you, just bump the pressure up slightly...
The tread pattern on the Maxxis is much more sparce, so I wondered if a) they'd be lighter, and b) collect less mud in muddy, lousy conditions (sort of the old racers' idea of shaving off knobbies).
I cut a set of of holeshots before and ended up with worse traction... I would look for a set of take-offs from a brand new quad... Radials are where its at...
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