A1 tecate barn find

[Swinger]

So two weeks ago i started building a barn for a guy that already has 4 barns standing. So I ask where are all the three wheelers here, cant have an old farm without an old trike lying around somewhere. The guy says, we had a big red and didnt run so we sold it to the neighbors and they cleaned the carb out and got it running again. Then tells me that his uncle has an old kawasaki katana in the barn right next to us but hasnt been run in probably 15 yrs. So my heart starts beating and didnt want to seem anxious and asked whats wrong with it and what year is it, hoping for an 87!! He knows that the clutch cable broke and its been sitting since, year unknown. Thats all I could think about for the next two days at work and at home. So I continued to ask the other farmers and kinda gave me the cold shoulder when I asked if they might sell it. Finally I couldnt take the suspence anymore and was putting the air compressor away and looked toward the middle of the barn and there she was, junk stacked on it and all. Got close enough to see its an 84,seems to be bone stock and in excellent condition. Plastics dont even seem to be more than scuffed up but hard to tell cause it was pretty dusty. Throttle cable was really stiff and missing the headlight. Noone would get back to me on this and how much they would sell it for so I grabbed a spare clutch cable and gave it to the old man and said if you want to get this running again you will need this and if not I would love to have this trike for my collection. He wanted to know how much I wanted for the cable and I told him nothing, I have a trike addiction and it bothers me to see them wasting away and maybe going to someone that doesnt appreciate them or will just destroy it, just keep me in mind if ever getting rid of it and gave him my number. Needless to say still no call and I know they are not going to do anything with it! DAMN, hate when this happens!

[oldtime3wheeler]

You never know. Now that you have him thinking about it you hopefully will get a call. Crossing my fingers for you!

[coolpool]

I think you were too nice in giving him the cable. He may have not known how to get a cable to sell it all this time? Who knows, maybe he'll come around and sell it to you because of your actions. I wish you luck.

[Swinger]

Thanks, was just gonna wave a few hundred in front of him but I would really like to look it over before I did that cause just wouldnt feel comfortable not knowing what I would be getting into. Thought about 2-300 would play it safe and if its a lost cause could just part it out but really dont think its a lost cause! I might let it go for a few days then stop by but dont wanna seem to anxious. What do you guys think, just forget about it and see if they call or be persistant ?

[oldtime3wheeler]

Give it a few days then stop by and offer him some cash.

[Swinger]

Ill give it a shot, I wouldnt even be mad if they got it out and running again. That would make me feel good knowing that my annoyance and spare part brought back a piece of history.

[Xpress]

Get him talking about it, maybe it was his track trike back in the day. Maybe it scared him so much he parked it. Who knows, maybe it was one of his passed relatives.

[just ben]

good to see you are working again. I would give it more than a few days. maybe a month or better and dont ask about selling it,ask him how the cable worked out for him. It will go from there and you will have to feel him out to see where it goes. If its still not for sale check in the spring. I doubt its going anywhere. If you seem too interested the price will go up when it is for sale. I had an 86 sitting in the woods 50 feet from my house that took 3 years to get. after all that time I got a sweet deal on it and an 85 that was on the other side of their I didnt even know was there.It can be had I'm sure but its all about the approach

[Swinger]

I thought about that Xpress, being a passed family members bike and that could be why its still around. I been doing some part time building when the weather cooperates Ben but nothing full time yet. I like the idea about the clutch cable too, gonna used that. I think if no go by spring Ill be moved on and hopefully getting my 500 powerplant but ol lady insists on her getting a boob job! WTF!!! What ever, that will be fun too!

[just ben]

but ol lady insists on her getting a boob job! WTF!!! What ever, that will be fun too!can you have your ol lady call mine please? lol

[yamaha driver]

thats a bummer. my neighbor has a 350x sitting in his garage for the past 13 years at least. but he owned it since new so he is never gonna sell it...

[Swinger]

can you have your ol lady call mine please? lol That might not be a good thing Ben, but then again!!!!!! That could get me up your way for some events too!! Driver, did you ever ask and see if he would part with it or even take it out riding with you, might put the spark back into him and at least get the machine out and about.

[yamaha driver]

well the cam bearing got f'ed up and chewed the end of the cam up... he is never going to fix it (but he is determined he will) thats the sad part.