Anyone have a good pic of an 85 T3 W.C swinger?

[sean8231]

I've been looking into buying a westcoast swingarm for my 85 tecate, but I have the 86 rear end on it, and it looks as though the mounting points on the swingarm are different.. The 86 i have looks like the adjustable strut mounts towards the right, and on the pics i've seen of the westcoast swinger, it looks like the mount is way over on the left? Does anyone have a good up close picture of a westcoast swingarm mounted?? Heres an old pic of the 86 rear end..

I would like to stick with the 86 setup, but I dont like the way the chain is wearing out the front of the 86 swingarm.. Does anyone know of a chainslider that will fit, and cover the front of the 86 swingarm, so the chain wont wear it out? The stock one on there doesnt cover the front, just top and bottom..

[3WheelsForever]

Sorry to change the subject but I was wondering does the tecate handle better with the 86 front end and the 86 rear? Ive noticed a few people doing this conversion and it really makes the pre 86s look alot better and I was wondering if they handled better also.

[sean8231]

To be honest, i've never ridden one other than this one, so I'm really not sure. I would assume that it's quite a big difference, bigger forks, more travel, thinner tire, disc brake(84 had drum). Aluminum swingarm(compared to the 84-85 steel), 86 swingarm is a bit longer also, 86 rear shock is adjustable, 86 "dogbone" makes back end height adjustable.

[Jeb]

I've been looking into buying a westcoast swingarm for my 85 tecate, but I have the 86 rear end on it, ...

Sean, in my opinion your not going to gain anything by running an 84/85 WestCoast Swingarm on your Tecate. Your typical 84/85 West Coast Swingarm (should you be able to find one) is steel and is 2" longer than the stock 84/85 Tecate swingarm. Are they improvements over the stocker, yes. Over the 86 aluminum? I would say no other than maybe strength. Also the 86 stock swingarm is as long or longer than the 84/85 +2" WestCoast. So you've already got your + 2" length.

Now if you can find an 86 WestCoast (good luck), you can gain an extra 2" inches on wheelbase from where you are now. and obviously if the stock 86 arm will bolt right on so will an aftermarket 86 model.

Dont worry about things bolting up between 84/85/86/87. You have proved it will all interchange since you've already installed an 86 swingarm on an 84 frame. Also, the swingarm needle bearings that the westcoast needs may be different than stock if the swingarm you get has no bearings or bad bearings that need replacing. Also, the West Coast 84/85 swingarm has no mounts for the stock 84/85 front chain guide or rear disc & sprocket skid plates.

As far as the chain guides go, the 86/87 set up pretty much sux in my opinion because it leaves the swingarm pivot area exposed to chain damage. The 84/85 is much better, but won't bolt up on the 86/87 swingarm. You can hold one on like my pics show, with a zip tie toward the back of the guide.

The pics show a brand new 84/85 West Coast swingarm I sold last year.
I have a pic somewhere of an 86. I'll have to find it as they are allot different.

[Jeb]

The pics above were a spare swingarm I had.

Here's the one I had on my 84 Tecate for years and had recently restored it before I sold it last year. :(

[sean8231]

Thank you very much for the pictures and advice.. My main concern was the chain damage to the 86 swingarm, the slider setup sucks, the pivot is really getting worn by the chain... I think I'll try the 85 slider on there, with the zip ties, before it gets too bad...

Thanks again,


Sean

[ange]

those westcoast arms are pretty cool, just picked up this aluminum +2" one (new) for my '85
http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_db329abe85c071906266a585e5457dc2/i-1.JPG

[Jeb]

those westcoast arms are pretty cool, just picked up this aluminum +2" one (new) for my '85 ...


ange, can you tell me a little bit about that swingarm? The only aluminum ones I've seen for 84/85 were made by a company called Cal-Fab. I see it says BRP on the side. what is that? That swingarm sure favors a Cal-Fab 84/85 model.

Whatever it is, great find! And welcome to the board! always great to have another Tecate owner on-board!

[Trikeaholic]

that dude is my little brother, and yes, the 85 is "his" trike, I guess. He is away at school in Utah, but our trike collection is safe with me. He does sure like to drop coin on them trikes. I cant wait till he comes home, its hard to maintain 8 or 9 trikes alone!

[Jeb]

Holic that swingarm is awesome! My little brother likes trikes, well he likes to ride the hell out of mine and not buy any of his own. I say little, he's big enough & stout enough to whip on me and has been for about the last 7 or 8 years! :shock: We're only 3 years difference.

[200x Basket]

if that is the one off of ebay it was a great deal!!!

[ange]

the swing arm is infact a CalFab arm according to the guy I bought it from.

The BRP sticker is the orginal shop that sold them in the guys area (arizona)

[Ace Mon]

Trikeaholics got a little brother ????? I see the property value in thier neck of the woods taking a steep nosedive ! LOL.