Lee Rodgers pre-pro kawasaki kxt info

[phantomtracer]

Anyone know where these trikes are?
I remember the kawasaki 3 wheeler on the cover of a mag and thinking how cool it was. This was long befor the 84 kxt was released.
Any stories out there about Lee or the kxt development?

[onformula1]

Are you talking about the Kawasaki air cooled 250 3 wheeler prototype that raced against Team Honda in 1981 and/or 1982 in Baja & the Parker 400?

When Kawasaki would only take it out of the truck for practice and the race and tried to keep it covered up?

[phantomtracer]

Yes, the air cooled version that raced at Riverside in 81 or 82



Are you talking about the Kawasaki air cooled 250 3 wheeler prototype that raced against Team Honda in 1981 and/or 1982 in Baja & the Parker 400?

When Kawasaki would only take it out of the truck for practice and the race and tried to keep it covered up?

[onformula1]

I think there is some info and a pic or two on this forum (It may have been on airfoolers).

Was it dean?

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/18171-Long-Live-3Wheeling-Magazine

I will look it's only 50 pages. :lol:

I do remember it was one of the 3 wheeler legends talking about it.

[onformula1]

You seem to have a knack for the rare-vintage-old school-custom trikes....Just like me!

[phantomtracer]

Yeah, I was totally into the race scene back theN.

[onformula1]

My great grandma lived across the street from- Ascot Raceway (Gardena, CA)

We went over there a lot when I was a kid, great dinner then run across the street for the races, they were friends with her and let us in for free, full access too.

[onformula1]

Found it-

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/18171-Long-Live-3Wheeling-Magazine/page19

Post #281, 282, 284

[phantomtracer]

Yeah, there it is, I wonder what Lee is sound now. I bet he would have some great stories!

[phantomtracer]

Yeah, there it is, I wonder if Lee is around now. I bet he would have some great stories!

[onformula1]

Notice its a KDX not a KX 250

KLT 200 rear fender with that bump that came up to the back of the seat, KDX side panels, forks, frame, tank.

KX250 front number plate.

Probably had a KDX shock, I think the rest was custom unless they used part of the KDX swingarm.

Front fender is strange looking.

[ironchop]

"so they ditched it right after the race was over"

I wonder what Dean meant by "ditched it"

tossed over a bridge?....left in an alleyway in Compton California?

rode over a cliff in Baja?

turned into a yard sculpture?

how does one "ditch" a top secret proto racer?

[Red Rider]

I took "ditch" to mean, they hid it from prying eyes right after the race.

[christph]

Somewhere on this site there is a picture of the prototype 2nd generation Tecate. I'll see if I can find it. It looked cool but let's just say I'm glad they changed it to what it ultimately became.

[86T3]

"Ditched" has a whole new meaning nowadays.