'Bout to start my Tecate project... few Q's

[Brad200X]

Bought my '84 Tecate in Dec, and I'm getting ready to get her going. anyways, I have a couple questions:

1. Is there anyway to run my vin number to determine if my T3 was red or green?

2. Are the 250A T3's known to have any frame weaknesses? Mine is cracked between the square rear fender mounts, but I was wondering if there are any other areas where they may crack.:wondering

3. If you were to describe the rear suspension on the 1st gen Tecates, what word would you use? To me it feels soft, but not "blown soft."

Thanks in advance.

[dcreel]

I don't think there is any provision in the vin # for the color of plastic. I have an 84 and an 85 Tecate and neither have any cracks in the frames or swingers. I cant really speak for the 85, but I have personally beat on the 84 for the last 20 years with no problems.

For the rear suspension I would say pretty basic and gets the job done. My 85 has a +2" swingarm with a works rear shock and the difference between the stock shock with a rebuild is huge.

Good luck.

[Brad200X]

Thanks a bunch man. I heard somewhere that the red T3's were special order? As for my suspension, I know the font forks need to be rebuilt, but as for the rear, I'm 125# and it sinks about an inch when I sit on it. It could probably use to be rebuilt but it isn't blown. Our '85.5 KX250 had a blown shock, and it would basically bottom out when sat on. Turned out that the "bladder" in the rezzy was ripped, and the seals were gone. I think we ended up buying a KDX200 shock, that we rebuilt and put on the '85 KX125, and put the old shock off that on the 250. Surprising that they all used the same shock.

[Tecate250]

Well personally I have a piece of frame missing from my tecate.
In this pic you can see the piece missing. And there are placees that I do believe have been comprmised. Also the 84 had very little gussets around the cross bar, where the air box sucks from.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll148/Tecate250/IMG_1441.jpg
Im hopping to repaint my frame and see if it has cracked or just peeled the paint back.

[dcreel]

Well personally I have a piece of frame missing from my tecate.

Are you sure that piece of frame wasn't cut out to fit the taller shock?

[Brad200X]

^ That is kinda scary. Was it cut to clear some kind of suspension mod, or was it broken when the shock gave or something? Do you think the other areas were compromised because that piece is missing?

[cr480r]

I'm 125# and it sinks about an inch when I sit on it. It could probably use to be rebuilt but it isn't blown. Our '85.5 KX250 had a blown shock, and it would basically bottom out when sat on. Turned out that the "bladder" in the rezzy was ripped, and the seals were gone. I think we ended up buying a KDX200 shock, that we rebuilt and put on the '85 KX125, and put the old shock off that on the 250. Surprising that they all used the same shock.

a KX shock is too long for a Tecate.. The spring holds the weight of the rider and machine...The charge in the rezzy isnt much and hardly affect ride height.. Spring rate and the spring preload adjustment dictates how much the bike sags when sat on... ride height has nothing to do with the shock itself...a blown shock has little or no dampening and will "pogo" or "bounce" rather than having controlled compression and rebound over bumps.. IMO riding a machine with blown suspension is worse than no suspension at all and can actually be dangerous..

[tecat-z]

That frame was definately cut to accept a shock that was clearly too long. And imo that is :crazy: . Git the correct length shock on that bike and weld some quality tube steel back in there. I'd break that frame, as it's been seriously compromises from twist.:confused: