My Tecate KXT540 build

[tecaterob]

Well here's my build.

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This is what I started with.

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He said it needed some TLC but boy that was a lie.

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Had my Pipe made by Nick and had it ceramic coated.

Got my motor back from Pinsonnault Racing, installed a decompression release valve from Larry, and had Performanceatv finish the porting, head work. Might lower the compression a little more after testing on the dyno.

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Had to buy another frame and notched it for the spark plug. Powder coated frame, axle parts, shifter, brakes, etc.

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Had my inverts done by Jason Hall. All I can say is Wow.

My rear shock was done by onformula great work and awesome person to deal with.


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This is how it seats right now.

[John_Neary]

That looks awesome, did you by chance get the crank balanced? Something i really regretted about not doing with our Nicholson CR480 and the 85 250R with the 85 CR500 motor in it and both vibrated so badly my hands would go numb.

onforumal1 has been working on my Ohlins shock and he has been great to work with, nice guy and he knows his stuff. Now if only the flakes who sell the vintage shock parts we need for it would stop saying "looking up some part numbers and prices then ill call you back" and then i never hear from them again.

[onformula1]

Wow, that thing is Awesome!

Excellent work, nice color combo too.

[tecaterob]

That looks awesome, did you by chance get the crank balanced? Something i really regretted about not doing with our Nicholson CR480 and the 85 250R with the 85 CR500 motor in it and both vibrated so badly my hands would go numb.

onforumal1 has been working on my Ohlins shock and he has been great to work with, nice guy and he knows his stuff. Now if only the flakes who sell the vintage shock parts we need for it would stop saying "looking up some part numbers and prices then ill call you back" and then i never hear from them again.

Yes I had my crank balanced. I'm also thinking of doing some rubber, Teflon, motor mounts if it's really bad. I'll let you know.

[86T3]

I had my crank balanced by crank works and it vibrates less than a stock tecate. I could ride mine all day if I had to, it's night and day. Pinsonnault specializes in kx 500s (which you know) so I'm going to say you won't need bushings. The build looks great, can't wait to see some dyno numbers

[Dimitris]

Amazing build with a lot of attention in details. Congr. buddy

[tecaterob]

Thanks guys. I should have my tires by Thursday. So I will have a roller by this weekend, then I can mount the pipe. I'll take some better pics outside this weekend.

[tecaterob]

On the KXriders they use the vforce 2. That's what I'll be using. Here's a link of what they do to modify them.

http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=484

[tecaterob]

Who's the one that makes the decals on here. I need the rears, cuz the ones I have say 250 On them.

This

[onformula1]

Who's the one that makes the decals on here. I need the rears, cuz the ones I have say 250 On them.

This

That talent would be- blue27 Killer work.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/member.php/4019-blue27

[tecaterob]

I'm on the fence on the rear decals. Should I go with the 87 that says Tecate or 86 and put 500???? What do you guys think?

[fieldy]

This trike is highly modified ....... I would put 540 instead of 500 if you go non stock graphics route. I have only seen 250 & 500 before. I like the 87 style best where it says Kawasaki across back fender. This is a unique trike so stock 87 with a twist is my vote.

[Aulbaugh]

I like them both but the 500 would definitely make a statement. If the decals aren't to expensive maybe get them both and see how they looked mocked up. Its going to be sweet whatever you decide.

[tecaterob]

That talent would be- blue27 Killer work.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/member.php/4019-blue27

Do you have a phone for him? I sent him a PM but haven't an answer.

[barnett468]

.
he looks great.

is the exhaust that is on the bike in the first photo the same one that is laying on the ground?

how much was the pupe on the ground without the coating?

does it tuck up in the bike like the one n the first photo?


delrin or nylon bushings will do virtually nothing to reduce vibration and they may get beat to crap . . you need rubber ones with a steel inner and outer sleeve like a lot of the e70's bikes had . . i think the kawi H1 and H2 also used them.

.

[barnett468]

.
you can further reduce handlebar vibration by installing the bar dampers below or something similar . . you can also try filling the inside of the bars with lead shot if you have access to some.

http://www.vibranator.com/default.asp
.

[onformula1]

Do you have a phone for him? I sent him a PM but haven't an answer.

717-201-7901

http://www.bluelinedecals.com/

[onformula1]

I would go with Tecate 200, that way they think you really have a 250 or 300 :lol:

[tecaterob]

No the first pipe is FMF all bent up. I forgot how much the pipe was, but there's a thread on the pipe build for the KXT500 guys. The pipe does go in like the FMF.

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I plan on taking better pics outside this weekend

[tecaterob]

.
you can further reduce handlebar vibration by installing the bar dampers below or something similar . . you can also try filling the inside of the bars with lead shot if you have access to some.

http://www.vibranator.com/default.asp
.

I might try that if it's bad. I'll keep you posted if I use them. Thanks for the info..

[86T3]

I've got an analogy about your vibration concerns. Say you're overweight and have high blood pressure, you could either go on a diet and start exercising or take pills to lower your blood pressure. Obviously, the better option would be diet and exercise which would eliminate the problem, the pills only mask the symptoms. Having the crank balanced is the diet and exercise, you eliminated the problem at the source. Don't even worry about vibrations, they will be a non issue now. I'm not sure if you ran it before you built the motor but you will be shocked at the change if you did.

Also, I have bruce's 500 decals on my machine, I could take some pics if you want to see how it looks. Let me know, don't want to steal your thread

[tecaterob]

Yea, I'm just going to do both and go from there. I still need a few more things before putting the plastics anyway.

[onformula1]

Are you going to run a head stay?

[tecaterob]

Yes, the first ones I made didn't match up on the holes. So when I take the bike to the shop we are going to do the other set.

[tecaterob]

Took some pics outside before it starting raining. Also took apart my T4 to redo the top end.

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[86T3]

I really really really like that frame color. Great work

[tecaterob]

Thanks 86T3. Man I did both frames the same color but different times and they're so different. So if you were to ever do the color I recommend doing all your parts at the same time.

[3wheelrider]

Very nice work on that T3!- Do you go ride any of those T3s anywhere down here???

[tecaterob]

I live in Broward, but yes I ride them everywhere I can. I don't going muddling with them. I'm always at performanceatv. Let me know when you want to go for a ride. I should be ready in about a month or so. May do a few races at Monkey farm with it.

[fieldy]

Thats cool that you are wanting to do some racing. I like the idea of you getting to use something you have built and let the knicks and scuffs land where they may. You obviously can restore and rebuild. I saw somewhere a guy said" restore, ride, repeat - that's my motto". Excellent.
Did you choose the year of 500 you started with or was it kind of had this one, used it. Anyway how did you pick your 500?

[tecaterob]

My 500 is a 2002, from what I have read on kxriders you want from 89-04 motor. They r the same.

That's one of the things I'm enjoying about this build is that almost everything is from 2002 and above, so parts won't be hard to find. It's getting tougher & tougher for us Tecate guys in getting parts. (I can't imagine what the Tiger guys go through)

[3wheelrider]

I live in Broward, but yes I ride them everywhere I can. I don't going muddling with them. I'm always at performanceatv. Let me know when you want to go for a ride. I should be ready in about a month or so. May do a few races at Monkey farm with it.

Sounds good- but I need to get a job here VERY soon before I lose my R!-& more.....- later...

[towboater]

You going to run kx500 rads or tecate over size rads,im wondering if tecate over size rads will keep kx 500 motor cool?

[tecaterob]

Yea I'm using the T3 radiators. It had the KX500's on but they are smaller. I modified the water pump for cooling also.

[86T3]

You're running a tecate radiator on the left side? How did you get the outlets in the correct positions? I've been having nothing but problems with the Chinese "30% larger" radiator I put on the left side. All of the mounts broke off once and after I got it fixed the mounts pulled again and now it's leaking. It looks great but seems to be made real thin

[tecaterob]

I didn't really like the 500 left side being much smaller. I heated the left side and bent it upwards little by little. Here are some pics of before, after and then hose installed.

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[tecaterob]

Put the decal on the shrouds and now receive both rear decals but still don't know which one to go with. Kind of like to Tecate so no one know what she is but the other hand who gives a Shiite if they know. I can't remove the cover of the sticker but here the image I have. What do you think

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[phantomtracer]

I vote for the 540, awesome build


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[OZQUAD44]

Go with the tecate


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[Dimitris]

Go with the Tecate buddy

[86T3]

I like the tecate sticker as well

[OZQUAD44]

Any more pictures of the build? What's it like to ride a 500+ tecate, is it even possible to trail ride without fouling plugs or doing constant wheel stands?


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[tecaterob]

I've been mocking everything together before I take it to the shop. They're going to finish the head mount, bar clamps spacer, electrical and put everything back together to dyno tune.

Just waiting on my ASV levers, Front master cylinder, brake lines and thumb throttle to arrive. Slowly almost there. Here are some pics.

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[ironchop]

Wow! That's come together quite nicely. What a beast!

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[Jmoozy27]

That's one hell of a green machine right there...

[fieldy]

It would be cool to see video of it on the dyno for the whole 3wheelerworld to see. Maybe see the graphs too. To see the results of timing and jetting changes have on power would be a treat to witness, sell tickets!

After you dial it in i bet you could dig a dual trench a mile long and shoot dual 75' rooster tails while doing it! I bet she will be a drinker, that's not a bad thing though, in this case.

[OZQUAD44]

Looks fantastic. The expansion chamber is a work of art. The decals look awesome, and turned out better than I expected although the seat no longer works. If the green material on the seat was change from green to white, and the "Kawasaki" was changed to black it may flow a little better. But this is a minor point in an otherwise top notch build.


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[tecaterob]

Thank guys I appreicate it. About the seat I was thinking the same thing. I might change it. Their cheap anyway. Thanks your inputOzquad44.

[86T3]

I love the blacked out forks on this. Actually, I love everything about it. If we put ours side by side it would be like a good vs evil with the color contrast. A couple guys from up north may be coming down for a ride in the national forest the beginning of January, do you want me to keep you updated on it when the details get figured out? There will be a couple 86 tecates, a triz and some Rs. Unfortunately I couldn't bring my 500 down but I do have my 450. This trike would be in good company

[tecaterob]

in January I can do a weekend ride. I'm going to North Carolina on the last week of December. Sounds good to me if you guys will be there. It's a 4 hour drive.... Keep me posted.

[tecaterob]

Christmas theme ASV Levers!!!!!!! Just kidding. You can only order the big dial in Red. So I'm taking it apart and going to anodize it green. But good news I got my levers, thumb throttle, master cylinder. Just need little things to finish. I'll take to take better pics outside this weekend.

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[barnett468]

Put the decal on the shrouds and now receive both rear decals but still don't know which one to go with. Kind of like to Tecate so no one know what she is but the other hand who gives a Shiite if they know. I can't remove the cover of the sticker but here the image I have. What do you think

Just saw your recent postings . . bike looks killer and quite flashy, but now the plain front fender looks a little plain . . you could put some type of two color thin graphic on it outlining the front and sides of the recess or something if you like that type of look.

if you dyno tune it, don't forget to a little less and a little more ignition advance.


.

[tecaterob]

I don't know if I'm going to put any stickers on the front fender yet..

[tecaterob]

Well I was going to wait to get the HRE swingarm, but I few good guys here have advised me not too wait. So I'm ordering it tmw so my build will wait a little longer.

[onformula1]

Well I was going to wait to get the HRE swingarm, but I few good guys here have advised me not too wait. So I'm ordering it tmw so my build will wait a little longer.

Don't you already have a nice swing arm?

[cochran]

Joe,
Same with the Tecate first gen alum radiators. All the tabs will eventually break off.

[tecaterob]

Don't you already have a nice swing arm?

The guys with 500's are telling me that carrier can't handle the power and will twist. I don't want ruin my motor or my west coast swingarm. I wanted to wait so I figure out which length I wanted.

[tecaterob]

Ordered my HRE. I went with a +4 and Lonestar axle. They said I should have before Xmas. I guess it's my Xmas gift to my self.

[tecaterob]

Took a few pics outside.

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[Jmoozy27]

Took a few pics outside.

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Man that thing is an animal

[3 Wheel Drive]

Looking good!!! Anybody ask you where you bought it yet?

[tecaterob]

Looking good!!! Anybody ask you where you bought it yet?

Not yet LOL. I still have little things to do before I go for a ride like chain, rollers, grips, spacers, air filter, electrical to be hooked up and the new swingarm.... Can't wait !!

[OZQUAD44]

AWWWWWSOMME! [emoji14][emoji14][emoji14][emoji14][emoji14][emoji14]


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[tecaterob]

Someone Pm'd me but I deleted it by mistake. They wanted pics of the rear, but asI mentioned on the last page I ordered a HRE so I didn't really take pics of the rear. Don't know if this is good for you if you zoom in. Sorry

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[cochran]

Man that 500 is amazing. Nice work!

[BigGreenMachine]

Incredible! Great work.

[tecaterob]

Back to work. Got my HRE swingarm and Lonestar axle. Just need my brake bracket, caliper, and hose.

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[350xtrike.rider]

Awesome man! This is such a sweet build!

[fieldy]

Did HRE powder coat and assemble it as pictured. Also is that the chrome alloy or another metal, any comments on your decession of metal? Wanting to get one someday, not wanting to hijack your thread.
Probably a real conversation piece parked out by the street, slowed down traffic a bit?

[Dimitris]

Nice work buddy:-)

[tecaterob]

Did HRE powder coat and assemble it as pictured. Also is that the chrome alloy or another metal, any comments on your decession of metal? Wanting to get one someday, not wanting to hijack your thread.
Probably a real conversation piece parked out by the street, slowed down traffic a bit?

Yes, I had HRE powder coat it, Chrome Molly and it's the only metal offered. I had them do the 400EX chain slider and TRX450r carrier.

[tecaterob]

Thank you Dimitris !!!!!

[86T3]

Looks great! When you get the brake bracket you need to grind the tabs that are on the carrier side so you can get 360 degrees of rotation. I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't spin on mine, had to get a honda expert to come in and show me.

[tecaterob]

Looks great! When you get the brake bracket you need to grind the tabs that are on the carrier side so you can get 360 degrees of rotation. I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't spin on mine, had to get a honda expert to come in and show me.

I don't understand what you mean. Can you take a pic to show me? I got the bracket from Lonestar also. Thanks for the heads up again.
I guess your not going to Ocala this month??

[86T3]

I used a stock one so yours might not have the tabs. Im not around my T5, but my 450 has the same rear set up. Ill look tomorrow and see if it is and get a better explanation. A couple of the guys who were going g to come down had some issues that put a strangle hold on their finances so the trip doesn't look good. I'm down here though and am hoping to get some seat time in once work slows down in February

[86T3]

There used to be a little tab sticking out where I circled. Idk what it was for, but it prevented the carrier from spinning all the way back so I couldn't get my chain tight enough. I think there was another on the bottom side too. Jason cut them off at trikefest and fixed it.

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[tecaterob]

Thank you man, I appreicate all the help you have given me!!!

[Darius1502]

That is such a beauty! More pics please!! Can't wait for the ride report...

Nice touches on the black and green graphics...looks like a special factory edition.

[p500r]

that is nasteeey , rob

[atc12]

That is one very nice looking kxt!

[tecaterob]

I haven't worked on the T3 lately. I've been working on my car. My car should be finished this week and can finish the T3. Trying my make a racing event for the 20th. It's riding season for us here in Fl. Temp is between 60-70.

[tecaterob]

I was decided to sell my build. There's some minor things to finishIng like brake lines, rear caliper, tuning, air filter install, etc all minor. I have over 20k into this build so let me know if you're interested before I put to Ebay. I can be reached at 786-468-1942.

[tecaterob]

Bike was sold this weekend. The guy bought my T4 & T3. He's having me finish it for him so I finish thread with dyno #'s and pics.

Once I'm done with this one I will start my other ones. (Just needed quick cash for a new home)

[TCTE]

what forks were put on this bike?