Ezmoneys new 500 Tecate

[TecateDan]

Ahem.. you mean on our 500 buddy!!!

With that compression release it literally kicks over like a 125. I don't know if you've ever tried one, but I was blown away when I first tried mine. The guy who installs them said it would kick over like a 125 after he installed it and I was like "Ya, OK buddy". Well he wasn't lying. As a matter of fact, I'm actually going to use the Tecate kicker on mine which is substantially shorter because it's that easy to kick.

[Team ATC]

dude im so jealous i have an atc 500 frame i want to build with all oldschool parts make it look like it belongs in the dunes in the 80s lol nice find thats too cool and as far as the cal fab they did a nice job extending it and its prolly the only one around

[lazybiker79]

nice tecate 500.. All you need is a compression release in the head.

[jb104]

I think that you scored a good one. You can tell they had some good skills. What shop did the guy used to own? Was it in Central Point? Back in 85 my friend lived off of Tolo rd. right by Blackwell hill he had 2 brand new Tecate's. Used to ride right next to the freeway in the fields.

[ezmoney1979]

I think that you scored a good one. You can tell they had some good skills. What shop did the guy used to own? Was it in Central Point? Back in 85 my friend lived off of Tolo rd. right by Blackwell hill he had 2 brand new Tecate's. Used to ride right next to the freeway in the fields.

This was more than likely the same people. Their name was Mcgrath Racing. He bought the first two 1986 Tecates that came into the valley. This is one of them, and I picked it up on Tolo Rd. Small world..........

Ok guys, I got some progress made! I put a new Clark gas tank on my 87 threw the old one on the 500. I tried to revive two different OEM front master cylinders, but they were too far gone (I wish I could get back the hours wasted drilling the stripped screws that hold the covers). I ended up buying a Kawasaki Prarie master because it looked close to stock and was 25 years newer. Resealed the forks, new clutch cable, chain rollers, outerwear, chain, painted some stuff blah, blah....... I polished the forks, tripples, swingarm, silencer, wheels, etc. I'm no G-King but I'm trying lol. Here's a pic of the mess.


I got it put together and drug it outside and proceeded to kick it......... with a boot on of course. I left the rear fenders off knowing this was not going to be easy. I had sprayed some oil in the top end when I got it so it fired up and immediately fouled a plug. Put another plug in it and got it running. Damn this thing sounds mean, revs very quick with awesome throttle responce.


It warmed up and proceeded to spring a leak from the lower radiator hose. It was also pouring oil from the countershaft as it was spinning (didnt have the chain on). I fixed those issues and put it back together-


This is where I'm at now (damn I need a decent camera). I still need to get my other G-Force hubs put on to make it a bit wider (I will probably sell these). I'm fairly certain the compression release is not working, I wore myself out kicking it. The cable looks a bit suspect and I'm afraid to unscrew the assembly from the cylinder as it seems very tight??? What exactly moves when you pull the cable? Sounds stupid but I can't really tell what part is supposed to move. Fabio? I'm headed to the dunes in a few days to give it a shake down, wish me luck!! I will have some video for you guys if all goes well!

[thestud25]

SEXXXXXXY!! Looking good EZ!

[falloutboy]

can't wait to see 'er

[Buster Brown]

Awesome find and craftsmanship. Congrats! Jealous for sure.
I'd bet your CAL FAB is an A+ for the power that thing will sling. Pure old school is really fun to see. Thanks for sharing!

[userj8670]

nice progress man! good luck

[hondawasaki]

Any ride reports?

[falloutboy]

he might still be in the garage...

[ezmoney1979]

Any ride reports?

Well I will get this out of the way, ITS FAST. Not as "scary fast" as I thought it may be, but it pulls very hard with lots of topend power. It is geared pretty high (14-36) and with the sand being really tore up and its poor handling (I will get to that) it was hard to get it even into 4th. The clutch works beautifully and it launches great, sit back and wheelie every gear or lean forward and throw a roost! The rear shock is awesome, almost as good as the LT250/Tecate shock on my 87 (oh BTW the poor 87 locked up this weekend).

The bad-
The forks are messed up, I only put new seals and fluid in them and never took them apart. It feels like maybe they have been modified for less travel for drag racing??? Its a rough ride.
This thing sucks to start, to the point where I even muttered "I'm selling this thing" while I was sweating like a fat guy on a treadmill trying to kick it. I probably just dont have the feel for it yet, the compression release is working (yay!) but having size 12 riding boots on and kicking through the tunnel in the fenders it gets a bit annoying. I think any Tecate guy can relate.
It has a very badly bent rear wheel somehow, not a mark on it though???
Developed another leak in a hose, the one between the cylinder and waterpump, not a big deal but it did cut my second ride short.

About that video.............. On Friday, having never ridden this thing, I tell my three wheeled hooligan friend Bret (bretmd94) I just want to take it out for a quick ride and bring it back and look things over. He grabs his gopro and gets on his 350X to shoot the maiden voyage. I pull onto the dunes from our access and head up Saunders Hill, at the top of the hill I look down to the right (an informal drag strip) and there is the sheriff about 100 yards out. Since I just planned on going for a quick spin I never even put my flag on.......... ooops. He sees me so I turn around and head back at good pace to avoid having a conversation I was not in the mood for. We get back and the bike is leaking coolant and the weather is changing so I decide to put it up for the time being and ride my trusty 250 so we can get the most out of riding before it rains. We got four minutes of video.
It rains all day Saturday but Sunday it clears up and becomes one of the best riding days I have seen in a while. I fired up the 500 and Bret gets on his 250R (350X was way too slow for shooting video) and we head out using his gopro. We drag race here and there, having a blast in the sunshine. We record tons of footage, different roost shots, launches, high speed runs, etc. We take a break and that damn hose is leaking a little so I play it safe and head back. We get back excited to watch a little video before we go back out for another ride and Bret says "You wont believe this".................. he had left his SD card in my camera and wasnt capturing anything We are in the process of completing a video from this weekend, it will have a little 500 footage in it. I hope we can get it posted up tonight!
We went back out for a short 250 shootout before Bret had to pack up and head home. We met up with falloutboy and his brother, shortly thereafter (thats right FOB, I'm blaming you), while minding my own business, my 250 decides its piston would not like to travel up and down any longer. Then while out on a ride with my wife on the beach I get a flat tire on my 450. It just wasnt my weekend for trouble free duning, it was however, very, very fun

[86T3]

One thing i ve found out in my 28 years is that fun is directly proportional to money. Gorgeous tecate, hope things go smoother next time

[falloutboy]

Yup all my fault. lol.

[crazyflights]

That is how a 500 Tecate should be. Very nice.