Where to get parts to rebuild the 85 T3

[penguin]

Well, Im looking to rebuild my 1985 Kawasaki tecate and would like to know where is the best place to get engine parts. Like clutches, piston, rings, gaskets and maybe bearings. It runs but clutches slip bad and it has a weird noise when running. Sounds like dry bearings but all fluids are good. It did sit for 10 years or so and maybe the bearings might have got some moisture on them or what, I dont know. Just want to start off fresh with it. What do you think?

[BigGreenMachine]

Wiseco for piston kit, Cometic is the only brand gaskets I use, Barnett makes a quality clutch but you have to buy the plates, fiber plates and springs seperate to make your own kit. Also OEM clutches are quite good if not the best. I just installed an All Balls crank bearing kit in my 85 last week. The noise could be the clutch itself squeeling, they were known for that. I'd replace the crank bearings while your at it just for piece of mind. These trikes were also famous for sucking water into the stator/flywheel housing (through the wire hole going into it) so some silicone around that wire on the inside would be wise.

[penguin]

sounds good. i will check on the parts

[scooterroo]

i am about to do the same myself, how hard is it to change the bearings and seals in the bottom end? is something the everyday backyard mechanic can fix or should it be done by a qualified shop? also i am in need of a few parts, like stator cover and an intake boot, mines dry rotted bad. i have seen a few websites that offer oem kawi parts, and their websites say you can order these parts, but i have heard that alot of the 85 t-3 parts are discontinued, is this true?

[BigGreenMachine]

The boot you can buy OEM. I haven't run into much that was discontinued besides some nuts and bolts. If your confident in your wrenching abilities its not a hard or long job. Trick is to leave the tranny gears in one case half while you change the bearings in the other. Then put the cases back together, flip it over and remove the opposite side case half and change those bearings.

[1984kxtTECATE]

Got to https://www.tecateconnection.com have a lot of stuff.

[Jeb]

great tip James on the tranny flipping!

You know, speaking of water and Tecates, a long time ago I sunk my 84 KXT up to the seat in a creek crossing and would have made it across but got hung up on a log at the bottom. i had the KXT cranked wide open and spinning like mad with the exhaust under water for a few seconds until water finally crept into the air box and drowned it out. Me and a buddy wrestled it out of the creek. When we got it out, it would not kick over. I plugged the crank case vent tube with a screw to prevent losing oil and I lifted the Tecate up verticle, setting on the grab bar and water poured out of the muffler like coming out of a bath tub facet. I left it draining while I pulled the fender off, pulled the air filter out and hung it up on a tree limb to dry. We set for a while on a summer afternoon and let the Tecate dry up. Then let it down, put it back together and it started back up and I got it back to the truck which was great because we were way out in tight trails. Got it home, changed the oil and gave the filter and things a good cleaning and it was fine for years after that.

It's kind of funny my 84 handled water that well. Because my 86, you could just point it in the direction of water and it would die! It sure does not like water.

I think my 86 KXT is do for some crank seals.

[BigGreenMachine]

Cool story. Last time I was out in the pouring rain on my Tecate it was fine. Ran strong the whole time. Next day it died a minute after I let it warm up. Pulled the side cover and water pours out. Was grounding out through the water in the case I guess.