what would you rate the 84/85 tecate

[kasuki]

o.k guys what would you rate the 84/85 tecate 3.what are the good things about it and the bad. performance wise how is it pretty quick can it keep up with a 85/86 250r. post some pics of your 84/85 tecates and what you like about it and what kind of riding you do thanks for the help

[madisonsdaddy99]

From what I understand one of the downsides is the vibration they put out which leads to lots of wrenching keeping eveything tight.

[1984kxtTECATE]

The first generation Tecate is a breed of its own, To start out it is a very fun but serious machine. It handles alright, I cant say its great but I cant say it is poor, Jimmy White used one for racing for a long time so it cant be all that bad. It is quick, very quick, it will take a 85-86 250R through the gears but the 85/85 250R has a higher top speed. I really dont think it would make a good trail bike becuase it is a top end motor. Some of the down falls to it are.....parts avabilty, looks, vibration, semi unreliable, swing arm not long enough. I myself love it too death, I ride in the sand and easy trails, I have a extended swinger and axle spacers. I have no probelm slidin the rear around at all. It also has a very comfortable feel too it, im 6'1" 200lbs and the geomatry feels good.

[Meat-BoX]

I like the Tecate because its a Beast, its look is Unique and you know what it is right away when one rolls up. Another cool thing and allso not so cool thing is that its more rare than the Honda 250 R. So when your out riding people just cant help but to comment on the Mean Green Machine. "Unless your is Red" Thats even more rare. Trikaholic I believe is selling his Red 85 and that is a Beauty.
Another problem is finding Parts. Good Tecate Parts are kind of hard to find, you will need patience and some luck. My Tecate Project should of been called Project E-Bay
The Tecate is wicked fast and if you were to tweak the sprocket sizes to your likeing you will be happy. It never wants to keep the front wheel on the ground and is a bit tippy while turning slow. There are a few Aftermarket Parts you can get for the Tecate to make her fast enough to scare ya and some other parts for better handling and allso Fenders.
Heres mine I bought it for $300 for a winter project, this will be the 9th year of trying to get her finished but its well worth it. Need the rear shock rebuilt by a Professional, Install my Cal-Fab +2 swingarm for better handling, and find my damn Headlight

[kasuki]

so you dont think it would be a good woods/trail bike for the north east i live in buffalo,ny.most of are riding is woods with some open fields. would a 250r be better for what i want to do.

[1984kxtTECATE]

so you dont think it would be a good woods/trail bike for the north east i live in buffalo,ny.most of are riding is woods with some open fields. would a 250r be better for what i want to do.

Depends on how technical the trails are, if they are pretty nasty you will be working the clutch quite a bit, they really do lack the low end. Open fields on the other hand, you would have a blast becuase you can really ride it hard. But since I live no where near the Buffalo area I couldnt give you any help on how the trails are up there.

[old honda dealr]

How does the 84-85 compare to the 86-87?

[1984kxtTECATE]

How does the 84-85 compare to the 86-87?

The 86/87 is a greater bike in comparison. Handles better, has more power, parts are easier to find, has a powervalved motor, greater suspension travel, along with being a little bit lighter. 84/85's are good but the 86/87 are perfect, they are "genetic perfection" compared to the first generation Tecates.

[BigGreenMachine]

Not trying to sound like TimSr but the Tecate can make an excellent trail bike with only a gearing change. Go ahead and put some 20's and a 44 tooth sprocket on it so your not using the clutch and you'll have a blast in the trails. The short swingarm will mean the front end will be easy to loft over obstacles and yes it will run an R though the gears but the R will walk away eventually. Great bikes and I do not find parts hard to find at all, I have no problem locating all the aftermarket parts I need and used parts from ebay are always plentiful. Buy it, dont like it then sell it and try another.

[Jeb]

Yeah, my experience was 84/85 Tecate parts are easier to come by than 86/87.

I had a red 84 for years. Mine had a +2 West Coast Swingarm and a wider aftermarket axle. I definitely recommend those mods. Even though it's a little wider and a little harder to get through tight woods, I appreciated the less tendency to two-wheel. And I also appreciated the less tendency to wheely with the +2 Swingarm. I ran 8" rear rims allot with 18" Turf Tamers. I also ran 22" tires on 10" rims. I rode mine on trails allot. It's true they don't have allot of low end compared to a Tri-Z and they do vibrate though you get used to it. Mine also had a DG pipe and a flat-slide carb. Also keep in mind they have a twist throttle. If your not used to one, it can be intimidating.

Gear it down, slap on some flat-profile 20" rear tires and if you can, have two inches added to the swingarm.

[kasuki]

are these trikes shorter than most race trikes .they seem to look that way

[ATCWRENCH]

yea which makes them real wheelie prone

[BigGreenMachine]

Yupp but these things are powerhouses anyway. I've got 20's and a 45 tooth rear sprocket on the way to compliment my Champion swinger...it should kill everything around here up to about 60mph lol

[BigGreenMachine]

Jeb I love your old Tecate. Too bad ya parted it out. Theres a nice red fender set on eBay now that includes a cherry tank. Should nab it and do a new 85 for yourself or buy Holics red 85!!!

[Jeb]

Yeah, I had an NOS Tank with decals, a NICE rear fender with rear decal, and a cherry front fender. NOS drum brake/fork covers too. Sold it all! Well, I still have the bare frame and an 85 front rim/tire/hub/disc assembly. Maybe some day I'll resurrect it, but it will be green.

The first three pics show the nice plastic and stripped/polished engine I had when I was in a process of restore. The last pic is another pic of the way I preferred it with the 18" rears.