1987 Tecate wheels - Painted steel or Aluminium?????

[nik0708]

Hi Guys,

Can you clear this up for me. I am led to believe that the 86 T3 was the only year that had alloy rims, the 87 T3 went back to using painted steel rims???

Thanks,
Nick.

[dcreel]

The 84 was the only year to use steel wheels painted gold, 85, 86, and 87 were aluminum.

[3or4wheels]

What Nick and I are trying to establish is were the 87 wheels painted or anodized?
Cheers

[nik0708]

Hi,
If you google an image of an 87 T3, The finish on the wheels is totally different from that on an 86 T3. It looks to me like the 86 T3 had anodised ally rims and the 87 had painted rims. I just cant understand why Kawasaki would decide to paint ally instead of anodise if this is the case.
I'm maybe speaking rubbish, just want to know what finish the 87 T3 wheels should have on them.

Thanks,
Nick.

[Red Rider]

I used to have a set of '87 Tecate wheels on my 250R. They were definitely an aluminum alloy, and painted a metal-flake silver color.

[nik0708]

Hi Red Rider, That's the answer I was looking for!!

I have found 4 87 T3's and they all have the same finish.

Cheers,
Nick

[Red Rider]

I'm glad I could help out. It sounds like you might be restoring an '87?

[nik0708]

Yeh, I'm at least starting to figure out what I need for my Tecate. I know nothing about Tecate's and where to get parts, what's available, what's not etc etc.
I have all the main parts, it's just all the small detailed parts that I think it will be hard to find, tool box, grab bar, clutch perch boot, handle bars and so on.
I have another three bikes to finish before I even think about actually starting the Tecate, I just want to have most of the parts sitting waiting when I am ready to start.

Any info on hard to find OEM tecate parts would be much appreciated.

Nick.