Tecate suggestions

[ATCT]

OK, so it looks like I'm going to keep the Tecate and "restore" it. So, with that said, what do you guys think I should do with it?

Seeing as Maier plastics and inavailability of original Dunlops don't really allow it to keep an original stock look (they look more like the Jimmy White racer cut-style), I'm thinking I might turn it into a TT/Mickey Thompson style track racer.

Or should I keep it stock-looking, aside from the plastic and tires?

So, questions are:

1) The rear rims are slightly rusted, so it's safe to assume the finish is ruined on them. I could sand and have them recoated, but I can get OEM Tecate rims for probably for only slightly more than having them redone, so it's probably not worth it. OR, should I look for some aluminum rims? My only problem with this is, a) the forks will still be gold on the bottom, and b) I really didn't want to have to replace the front rim. I guess the thing could just look kind of goofy 'til I got a new front rim as well. So, new OEM gold rims or new lightweight silver rims?

2) Depending on the rim choice, what tires do you think will be good for riding track and trails here in the Northeast? I love the flat track tires, but it's really not practical for the mud and loose dirt I'll inevitably encounter. I was thinking maybe some ITPs.

3) Obviously the rims will have to fit the Tecate hubs. If I keep it stock, are there rims out there that will fit the bolt pattern?

4) If they don't fit, is there a good aftermarket axle and hubs out there? Or should I go with an aftermarket axle and hubs anyway?

Lastly, has anyone out there attempted to build a Jimmy White replica as stated in the Kawi manual? I suspect it's near impossible to get a Bassani pipe and fairly difficult to correct/lower the rear suspension as stated. I was thinking of doing sort of a hybrid.

Anyway, your input is appreciated.

Thanks.

[scooterroo]

well first off, no the miaer rear fenders arent what jimmy white ran on his bike. they are the most ugly rear fender i have ever seen. kawi oems are hard to find in good conditon...but they are around. the rim...well if you have the gold front forktubes you must have an 84 t3, with drum brakes? basically all three wheels on the trike are the same. 10inch, 3x5 offset, 4"on 4" bolt pattern. itp makes some nice chrome rims for that size. kenda max seems to be a favorite among t3 owners on here, for a front replacement. there are no extended axle choices for the 1st generation t3, unfortuantely. i have a line on an old one off an old school racer, but have bbeen waiting forwever for it.. so durablue makes wheel spacers to compensate...an easy 5 inches in the rear. it is possible to make a jimmy white replica, i am in the final steps on mine. i have basically everything in the manual done to mine, with the exception of the calfab swinger, which i have a inside scoop on one, nos, in the box still.... but aside fromt hat i have everything else done to mine, and yes i have a nos bassani on it as well. kx cylinder, ignition, the works. heres a few pics of mine project, will be done shortly after christmas and ready for lake riding come mid janurary.... any more questions please ask.

[ATCT]

Well, I hate the Maier fenders as well. But, mine is red, so i'm probably not going to find much out there and I'm stuck getting those. If they weren't cracked (with repair), I'd just try to restore them the best I could.

And yeah, I have an '84.

[digity x]

you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.

[ATCT]

you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.

I'd turn it green if it weren't for the awful green gas tanks and the rarity of the red. And my red tank is actually quite nice. Didn't discolor at all.

But the disc brakes is an idea.....

[cr480r]

I would get aluminum wheels for the rear at least... the steel ones weigh a ton... I would run a stock wheel in the front, its hard to find wheels that will work on the front without being shimmed.. The factory used a goofy 3+5.5 offset...

[ccdhowell]

I think the Tecate is a good candidate for an alternative restore. I didn't use any old pattern for the rebuild of mine. I thought of an idea and went for it. The Tecate lends itself well to lots of changes just because there aren't many NOS parts available, it makes us get creative and come up with a myriad of fixes to the problems. All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.

Check it out.


Chris

[cr480r]

All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. Chris

Don't you love that?? I sure do... Its like the biggest perk of T3 ownership..lol...

I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.
Chris

I always loved your tank and wondered what matching fenders would look like... I have had thoughts of getting vinyl printed with a kawi green camo pattern... and doing my whole bike...

[ccdhowell]

Hey cr480, I picked a camo pattern with lots of green, green is pretty close to the Kawi green. I've thought about camoing the fenders, but rulled it out after I had those custom fender decals cut; don't want to waist those sweet decals.

[cr480r]

Maybe try it on an old set of fenders??

[ATCT]

I think the Tecate is a good candidate for an alternative restore. I didn't use any old pattern for the rebuild of mine. I thought of an idea and went for it. The Tecate lends itself well to lots of changes just because there aren't many NOS parts available, it makes us get creative and come up with a myriad of fixes to the problems. All the Tecates on this board look great to me and none of them are the same, most not even close. I have a unique solution to the tank problem; I had it professionally covered in camoflauge vinyl.

I'm checking out ITP rims at the moment. I think I might go with the black aluminum. I think that'd look pretty cool. So a new 10 x 10 rim wouldn't fit for the front?

What size rear tires do you have on there? It's hard to tell by the pic, but I do like the way it looks.

Also, anyone know where I can get good deals on ITP tire/rim combos?

[ATCT]

I would get aluminum wheels for the rear at least... the steel ones weigh a ton... I would run a stock wheel in the front, its hard to find wheels that will work on the front without being shimmed.. The factory used a goofy 3+5.5 offset...

Ah, got it. It's the offset that would mess things up. OK, that makes sense. I guess I could always get the front coated down the line to match with the rear rims I get.

[cr480r]

Yeah the aftermarket selection of 8.5" wheels is very poor... A 3+5 offset wheel needs to be shimmed a .25" to be centered... thats easy enough though..

[TwoHundredEx]

you could change it all together to if you want,mix up some parts make the front with discs brakes and you could put 86 plastic on it turn it green so many opptions with the t3.a little time and money it could be sweet.

Did you paint the portion of fork tube in the middle of the triple clamps or is it just a cover?

EDIT: forgot to reply to your post too

I'd go with the lightweight rims in the rear like others said, I don't think it'll look too goofy with the different colored rims, and I really like the way the aluminum's look on the T3's.

[ATCT]

Yeah the aftermarket selection of 8.5" wheels is very poor... A 3+5 offset wheel needs to be shimmed a .25" to be centered... thats easy enough though..

How does one shim a wheel? Sorry for the ignorance, but I've never had to deal with doing that.