Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
Had some custom Uni-Trak swingarm decals made up by Bruce @ Blue Line graphics. Not only do they look good, but they should increase hp about 1%.
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
Looks and sounds great!
Current Ride (Purchased new in Oct. 84) - 1985 Honda ATC 250R w/ ESR 310cc big bore kit
Wife's Ride - 2009 Polaris RZR 800
Kid's Rides - 2009 Yamaha Raptor 700, 2008 Yamaha Raptor 250
Former Rides - 1975 Honda XR 75, 1979 Yamaha IT 175, 1978 Honda ATC 90, 1980 Honda ATC 110
got sand?
We finally have some more progress to report! Not much has been done to the Tecate after the previous videos of the initial startup, and getting the idle dialed in. That happened way back in May 2024, and Summer was ramping up here in Las Vegas. The next step was to get the rest of the jetting worked out, but we were waiting for the weather to cool down, before tackling that job. Unfortunately, the summer temps dragged on well into late October.
After it finally cooled down here, we couldn't get our days off work to align, until mid-November. Mr tecate picked up the Tecate, and transported it to his storage facility, where we can test ride it, and not have to worry about disturbing anybody, or any police hassles. The first day of testing was basically a bust. First off, mr tecate bruised his foot, trying to kickstart the Tecate in some weak-ass tennis shoes. He did a couple laps around the storage facility, and it sounded a bit sluggish. When he came back, and performed the first plug chop, he said there was a noticeable hesitation in the mid-range transition. So, after reading the plug, we decided to bump up the main jet, from a 170, to a 175, and drop the clip on the needle 1 groove. With a Tecate, this is all easier said than done. To do this, the rear fenders need to come off, and we should have removed the tank as well, but there was just enough room to get to the carburetor, so we decided to save some time, and leave it on. I was able to get the cap unscrewed, and the slide removed from the carburetor. Adjusting the needle clip, and changing the main jet were accomplished easily, but getting the slide re-installed, proved a bit more difficult. I finally got the slide back in, but it just didn't seem right. Note to self, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! The twist-throttle action was smooth, and it sounded like the slide was fully closing, but it turns out, it wasn't. The rear fenders were then bolted back on. On start up, the bike revved to the moon, and neither the kill-switch, nor the key switch, would kill it. I quickly turned off the fuel and hoped it would run out of gas & die, before it blew up. Luckily it did. Tired, hungry, and dejected, we quit for the night, got some dinner, and watched some basketball.
Fast forward to 12/8/24, we finally pulled off the fenders & tank to see what was going on with the throttle slide. We removed the clamp-on air-filter as well, and could clearly see the slide was not closing completely with the throttle closed. As it turns out, when I re-installed the carburetor cap, with the tank still installed, the throttle cable became unseated from the top of the carburetor cap, which prevented the slide from closing completely. Once the cable was slid back into the carburetor cap, the slide was able to close completely once again. For a main jet change, we can rotate the carburetor sideways and get access to the float bowl plug. But, if we need to do a needle clip change, the tank needs to come off. This time, we decided to leave the rear fenders off for the test-rides, and mr tecate wore some better shoes to kickstart it. After startup, the key switch & kill switches were tested, and they function properly. With the main jet & clip changes made, it ran & sounded much better. After multiple laps, plug chops, and a few more main jet/needle clip changes, we are pretty pleased with how she is running now.
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
Video #2
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
Now that we are happy with where the jetting is, we decided to finally install the airbox, otherwise, the airbox would have needed to come off as well, to gain access to the carburetor. All of the jetting was done with a UNI, clamp on air filter. With the airbox & rear fenders installed, this bike is getting very close to being complete now.
Last edited by Red Rider; 12-09-2024 at 02:25 PM.
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
Nearly eight years from the project's beginning. It's always nice to see them in a finished state and to be able to go back through the tread to revisit the progression. A project like that shows the dedication. Well done and thanks for sharing.
Builds like yours bring up the question of what would've trikes become if they had been produced for another 10-20 years, or longer. Jut like modern bikes as far as performance, there's no comparison to vintage or classic machines, the progress is amazing.
Man, where did the time go? Doing the math, you are absolutely correct, nearly 8 years working on this, but from memory, it seems like it's only been 4-5 years.It will definitely be over 8 years when it is finally complete. Seeing how little traffic this site seems to get lately, I was tempted to not take the time to write up the details of the latest progress, and maybe just post the videos. But, this thread, like the Tecate build, must come to completion. I always hated reading someone's build thread, and then the story just stops, and we are all left hanging wondering what ever became of it. Thank you for the motivation to keep on going!
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
I'm still here. The forums are the real place for know how. However I know there no traffic here when no one comments on my full suspension and modified motor for a 83 chain driven bigred. WTF? I'd think mens pants would drop and droll over how to's.....cnc machined parts designed in 3D with drawings to mass produce. Nope, a few cools looks good and the catch all...nice!
To us who really know the struggles behind a build lets keep the forum alive. If not lets me up and go ride what we built and drink corona premier and grill hot dogs......
I know I’ve been guilty of the “thumbs up.” We would all probably prefer a gushing, written response to validate our hard work, but that “thumbs up” button is just so much quicker and easier.
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14
I'm very guilty of the thumbs up. I enjoy checking the progress on builds without throwing my 2 cents in. Hope to see footage of this in the sand!
Red Rider's Sand Machine Updated 07/23/14