Tecate 500 questions

[fabiodriven]

So obviously I'm building an 86 Tecate 500. As the project rolls on (and on, and on, and on) I've been becoming less and less of a 2nd gen Tecate fan. I was just looking at Toby's 500 and noticed that the frame kinda resembled and 86 frame in the front where the pipe goes through. So I got to thinking, could I use the 86 frame and put the 85 triples, tank, rad, plastics, etc? Has anyone ever tried this? Would it be easier to mod an 85 frame so the pipe can go through? Or cut the bottom out of the 86 frame and weld it in the 85? The more I think about it, the more I'd rather have an 85 500.

Just looked at the pics again. I didn't realize I'd need a new pipe. Dammit!

[moose 53]

The 85 Tecate frame is a little more work but worth the bigger gas tank . The 500 pipe can be cut and reversed with a little work, not to hard a mod . I set one up and the things I noted were the frame was a bit small for the power and it vibrated (not bad enough to stop riding ). The 500 was way more fun then the 250. :Bounce

[cr480r]

I agree using the '86 frame would be much easier than altering a '85 frame... its not hard to move or make brackets to use the seat, tank, fenders, and steering stops from the '85... but the pipe will be a challenge... A modified CR500 pipe would simplify things tremendously, and hamper performamnce only slightly.. I personally would use all the '86 stuff if I already had it though.. I did an engine swap into an '84 and I ran into all kinds of problems that required frame mods.. The '84-5 frame has very little room for the exhaust to be moved to the right, and the discontinued straight intake boots must be used unless frame mods are done.. even the right hand fuel petcock poses a problem imo when a '85 tank is used with a right hand routing exhaust.. I used a '86-88 kdx200 tank on mine which I think is sweet for many reasons, but it required a customized seat...

[BigGreenMachine]

Cool! Not everyone likes the 85, its nice to see more and more prefer the old chassis.

I would go with what you want and if your at all handy with a cutoff wheel and welder you should be fine.

I would find a 89-04 KX500 frame and cut out the cradle to be welded into the 85 Tecate chassis. That way you can line it up so that all the stock mounts (not the headstay) can be used. Thats how I did mine and it worked out great.

Use the stock tank as the more stuff you try to modify to fit obviously the more work it is. The pipe will have to be ran like stock or lowboy KX250 style.

Cut and turn the stock pipe like Moose53 said.

Mine vibrated like a mad bastid but that was due to a bad rebuild by the previous shathead who sold me the lump.

Anymore questions ask in here. :D

[BigGreenMachine]

Fabiodriven I didn't realize it was your post what with your edoggy avatar. That sweet first gen of yours would be nice with a 500 in it. Wheelie machine!

[scooterroo]

post up some pics of yours if you got em james... thats one sweet ride you built, when you getting a new motor for it? or what are your plans with it?

[BigGreenMachine]

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4177/img1527uz4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Going to rebuild it Scoot, with a newer motor. It will look like every other T3 but the 500 will be in there. Was thinking about a modern KX250 but I just can't get away from the 500.

[fabiodriven]

Fabiodriven I didn't realize it was your post what with your edoggy avatar. That sweet first gen of yours would be nice with a 500 in it. Wheelie machine!

Thanks BigGreen!
That's what I think- the first gen with the 500. I don't have to cut up my current 250, I have another 85 frame, an 86 frame, plastics, tanks... Just gotta figure out what I wanna do. I'm leaning more towards the first gen, but the extra work is scaring me.

[fabiodriven]

Just thinking some more (I gotta stop doing that), would it be a bad idea to cut up my 86 frame and use that? Will the trike gods be angry for cutting up a Tecate frames? My 500 bolts into the 86 frame right now. Would I be better off getting a KX frame like BigGreen says? My KX motor is an 86. What year KX frames should I look for if I'monna do the KX frame?

[Tecate250]

Wow james. That 500 look killer. I have 2 other tecate frames now. Might make one my self someday. I love those # plates.

[cr480r]

Just thinking some more (I gotta stop doing that), would it be a bad idea to cut up my 86 frame and use that? Will the trike gods be angry for cutting up a Tecate frames?

you wouldnt really need to "cut" anything on a '86 frame besides brackets and such... the trike gods may have have their opinions, but do they really matter? It doesnt matter what anyone thinks if you end up with what you want...


My 500 bolts into the 86 frame right now.
that eliminates a bunch of fab work... thats what I would have used for mine if I had one.


Would I be better off getting a KX frame like BigGreen says? My KX motor is an 86. What year KX frames should I look for if I'monna do the KX frame?

The KX frames have goofy geometry as a 3-wheeler, and require a bunch of work to still turnout inferior to the proven tecate chassis.. what I think BGM meant was to get a engine cradle from a KX to graft into the '85 T3 chassis... I woud use the '86 T3 frame and decorate it with whatever body parts you choose to use..

[fabiodriven]

Right CR480r. I think I'll use the 86 frame and somehow get my 85 frontend and tank/plastics on it. Thanks alot for all the advice.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Too bad we don't live closer. If you were going to cut up an 86 frame, i would trade you my frame that has a broken rear subframe. Then I could use the frame you would have cut up as a restore project. But, I agree, you would be better off just using the 86 frame for your project. Good luck with it. I still want to see some video of one of those bad azz 500 T3's!

[moose 53]

Hi James nice to see you still have your 500, looks like you got bit bad . Its funny but the 250s just are never the same after you start riding the 500:Bounce

[brrcuda]

Seems like a lot of work for a 500 that is already built......just MO. Run the 86....:w00t:

[fabiodriven]

Seems like a lot of work for a 500 that is already built......just MO. Run the 86....:w00t:

yeah, I hear ya Paul. The last thing I need is more work on this project, too! I just like the 84-84's so much better.

[jeffatc250r]

yeah, I hear ya Paul. The last thing I need is more work on this project, too! I just like the 84-84's so much better.

Who says you cant have both?! After you finish your 86, you will need a new project to work on right?? The battle never ends, we just get better at it! shens

[fabiodriven]

Who says you cant have both?! After you finish your 86, you will need a new project to work on right?? The battle never ends, we just get better at it! shens

That is true, Jeff!

[tobys 2 strokes]

The 85 Tecate frame is a little more work but worth the bigger gas tank . The 500 pipe can be cut and reversed with a little work, not to hard a mod . I set one up and the things I noted were the frame was a bit small for the power and it vibrated (not bad enough to stop riding ). The 500 was way more fun then the 250. :Bounce

The one you set up wasnt by chance for a kid with the last name Wilder was it?