First Full Build -86 Tecate

[nstyle73]

I have put it off long enough, and have been using valuable information from this site for too long without giving back. So, I am going to post on the build of an '86 Tecate. It is my first full build, as my 250sx was my first trike 15 years ago and has just been freshened and updated, and the R and X are mostly in stock shape. I've never had a captive audience before, so bear with me. I started collecting parts with a $100 parts lot and eventually bought a roller from Basket. The first pic is from before basket broke it down and shipped it to me UPS in several big boxes. Its been over a year since it got here and I finally got the frame powercoated, so let the T3 be.

The guy that did my powdercoat lives about 3 miles away and, let's say I should have driven farther. He's not the kind of guy you want to be "your guy" for something, so that was disapointing. Also disapointing was when I got the frame and he had switched the color I picked out for it, with the color I picked out for parts for my car. I matched the decal colors from the stock Tecate to a powder color, and matched my car parts to my car. Anyway, we came to an agreement, namely a cheap one, and I can live with the color. ( I apologize for the dark pics, right now I only have time to work at night)

One other thing, this is my first post with pics, so I don't know how to imbed the pictures, because right now they just show up as an attachment.

[posty2100]

good start, ill be watchin this tread as I love these 86 T3's

[nstyle73]

The roller I purchased from Basket was a good starting point. The frame wasn't beat up too badly, just a couple welds on the subframe to clean up. The axle was straight with new bearings and seals and it came with wheel spacers. The bad included a blown shock and a leaking front fork seal. Here is a pic of the frame after powdercoating. I love the color with the metal flame, I had just intended for it to be on something else. The frame is a little dusty in a couple pics, which makes the finish look funny.

Today I dropped off the engine bottom end to get the crank rebuilt and main bearings put in. I split the cases and put new seals and bearings in the transmission before taking it down to the shop. The KX250manual is far more helpful than the Tecate manual. Also, FYI, Wiseco rod kits are on sale for $68 from Dennis Kirk right now.

Yes, I am already well started before I started posting as the suspense of year long threads kills me, so I'm aiming for a short build, hopefully done for Trikefest. If farming season goes like last spring, that may not be realistic, but I'm to the point of polishing, prepping and rough assembly. Most parts have been ordered, so its just putting bearings and seals in everything, polishing, painting, test fitting,....you know...the time consuming stuff.

[Tbcoplin]

I am in the process of restoring my 86 tecate too. I powder coated everything back to the original silver with blk shock spring. I got it all together and I would not start. Idk, it's getting gas, air and fire. Not sure what the problem is. I pulled the flywheel to make sure the wood drift key wasn't sheered. It was fine. How much do u know about the KIPS system?

[atc350xer]

looking real good... and is that a MoPar in the background? Looks like an early 70's Charger

[MonroeMike]

Good luck on the build.

[JohnR.]

Definitely a good start. I guess you could say I'm starting on my T3 too but before I do anything else to make it pretty I'm building the motor. Then once its dialed in and I got some use out of it I'll treat the frame to a powdercoating.

John

[scottyms]

seams as though it's tecate time.... i know of atleast 5 86/87 tecate builds going on right now... plus my 2.... no wonder parts are going so high latley....

we need to get a page of every one working on these and the parts they need and have to sell or trade.... it would save us all some bucks and frustration ...

other wise it looks like a good start....

game on!

scotty

[MIK6]

im making 86/87 tank covers. JohnR has1 on his rite now. let me know if you T3 guys are interested.

MIK6 / Mike

[nstyle73]

That's a 73 Charger in the background. One of the too many irons in the fire right now. I'm pretty much done buying parts other than some custom stuff from sblt500r and some maintenance items so I'm not contributing to the high prices anymore. Mine is mostly used and budget parts like a $20 front wheel and tire from a 350x. Some 300EX hubs, traded labor for a set of 450R rims and some blemish Fast Trekkers are in the works

[3wheelmecca]

very cool, this Tecate is going to be quite colorful with the PC job on it.

[rickybudz]

I thought that was a Charger, 15 years ago I had a 72 and gave it to my buddy for $500. It needed a lot of work, I didn't have the time. Not to mention it had a 318 that was blown, I much would of prefferd the 360. Thanks for the memories!

[nstyle73]

I am in the process of restoring my 86 tecate too. I powder coated everything back to the original silver with blk shock spring. I got it all together and I would not start. Idk, it's getting gas, air and fire. Not sure what the problem is. I pulled the flywheel to make sure the wood drift key wasn't sheered. It was fine. How much do u know about the KIPS system?

Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to learn much about the KIPS yet. I have the top end off but haven't really looked into it. However, from my understanding the KIPS is the two shafts on either side of the exhaust port that are rotated by the governor according to engine speed in order to increase exhaust port area so that you can get that top end scream, while retaining backpressure at lower engine speeds to help torque production. Don't take that to the back, but I think thats the over-arching principle. That being said, I would think it would start even if the KIPS wasn't timed correctly, or was disconnected for that matter. I'm sure there are more experienced and qualified guys on here or at kawie.riders.com that can clear up the whole KIPS issue.

[nstyle73]

I thought that was a Charger, 15 years ago I had a 72 and gave it to my buddy for $500. It needed a lot of work, I didn't have the time. Not to mention it had a 318 that was blown, I much would of prefferd the 360. Thanks for the memories!

Its a 73 Charger SE with that dreaded 318, but I have a 440 on a stand waiting for this Tecate build to get done. I spent too much time at the Mopar swap meet in Indy this weekend to get much done on the Tecate. I got the front forks taken apart, new seals put in and am putting a light polish on them. I smoothed the gouges and nicks before dissasembly and since this will be a rider, am just sanding with 220-800 grit paper and buffing with steel wool. I'll post some pics when I get them close to polished.

Tip: To get the forks apart you can buy the Kawasaki tool or use a bolt with a 1" (or 26mm) head and two nuts either welded or jam-tightened together. My 26mm socket would not fit past the bevel of the inner tube, so I had to dress the nut in order to make the 1" socket fit the nut and slight inside the fork tube.

[scottyms]

an easier way to dis-assemble the fork tubes.... drain the oil but leave them together. gently heat the bottom of the tube with a torch or heat gun... make sure the hex driver fits good in bolt.... use an impact... 2 or 3 cracks and the bolt will come right out...

i had one i couldn't get appart years ago so i took it to the dealer to ask if i could borow the kawasaki tool. the guy ther said "you can have the dam thing i havent used it in years" he told me to do the above... hasn't failed me yet and its a hell of a lot easier than trying to hold everything and turn the bolt....

scotty