Trading 250sx plus cash for 84 Tecate 3 Opinions?

[MulletMan420]

So recently i decided i was going to sell my 85 250sx. Its a great runner, but i prefer my 86, and I am running out room! Anyways, i receive a text the other day about a 1984 Kawasaki Tecate 3. Now im not very familiar with the Kawis at all, but I do know the Tecates are mean machines. The guy seems alittle steep on his asking price, $2000. He agreed that he would trade the sx and $900 for the Tecate. Now what is the value of the 84 Tecates? Its really the first one ive seen in my area, Upstate New York. The Tecate is also missing brake and clutch levers and the bars are apparently bent. Any input ASAP would be much obliged!

[MulletMan420]

243478 243479 243480 243481

[6bt]

Looks fun lol. Nice to see another upstate NYer. I'm in A bay every weekend crossing the border.

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[Eric250R]

Prices vary alot by location, not sure what those machines are worth in upstate NY, but here that's a $800-$1000 SX and a $1200-$1500 Tecate. My .02 cents...

[MulletMan420]

That was my original thought. $900 still seems alittle steep to me. I'd really like to get one, but can't screw myself over.

[MulletMan420]

Is there anything particular to look for in the Tecates? Like I said, I'm not familiar with them at all. I paid very little for the SX, so if I so give 900 that gives me alittle piece of mind

[3 Wheel Drive]

Thats a $400 Tecate if it ran in my neck of the woods. I would not do that trade at all. His bike has bent bars, missing levers, probably bent forks... Barnett says the 84 T3s suspension bottoms out easily. Plus it has a lame drum brake in front.

Sell your bike and save your $900 cash for something good.

*** edit, it looks like an 85 t3.... it may be worth another 5 bucks....***

[barnett468]

.

There is nothing out of the ordinary that goes wrong with the Tecates other than the flywheel magnets occasionally "purportedly" fly off from the massive g forces generated by uber powerful Honda killing engine of "The TECATE...The Most Powerful 3 Wheeler In The World!". https://www.mustang.org.au/forum/Smileys/smilies/bolt.gif



PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[JacobMonster]

Even trade, maybe. Trade plus a grand, naw.
Your SX looks original and very clean. I don't know anything about the Tecates. I don't know if those are original plastics or not, but it looks like it is missing some OEM parts.
I've learned that if your going to trade a good bike or spend a decent chunk of change on a bike, it needs to be solid. I made the mistake of paying $1400 for 2 82 250rs that needed a lot of work. Keep the SX and wait for something nice.

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[86T3]

Im a tecate guy and wouldn't do that trade. I agree with eric's pricing. I'd give 2 or 300 extra but not 900. That does appear to be an 85 with the disk brake front and 4x156 hold pattern on the rear, but those could be easily changed. The 6 pack rack on it is pretty nice. The forks on those year tecates are prone to pitting and are very hard to find. If he wont come down on his price inwouldnt even look at it though

[atc007]

If you are fairly close to him... Go ride it, Look it over with a fine tooth comb. WIggle it at the pegs with your feet, feel the bearings give. It will most likely need swingarm and axle bearings. If you can't judge compression by hand, take a gauge. While a very cool part of history, these shake themselves apart. The flywheel coming apart is an absolute guarantee. If it has an encapsulated flywheel, it has been taken care of. If it still has 4 magnets, it needs fixed. Look it over really good. Take your time looking ,wiggling and riding. If your SX diff is good,and it's a straight bike. You are very close in value. 9 bucks difference? Not unless he has legit receipts for a new engine top to bottom with a new flywheel and stator.

[atc300r]

You have the upper hand he contacted you. I wouldn't do the trade unless everything atc007 mentioned is verifiable.Iv seen nicer Tecates for what hes asking or less. You can get a nice liquid r for $2500ish.

[Ghostv2]

86T3 couldn't of said it any better. Take the advice from the tecate gurus. They are worth about the same in my eyes. If you really want it throw out $200-300 extra if you MUST have it. Regardless you will have to put money into it and be in it for even more. $900 more? That should be a another whole running bike lol.

This guy must live in PA with the stupid prices I see here.

[barnett468]

recently i decided i was going to sell my 85 250sx.

i receive a text the other day about a 1984 Kawasaki Tecate 3. his asking price, $2000.

He agreed that he would trade the sx and $900 for the Tecate.

what is the value of the 84 Tecates?

Its really the first one ive seen in my area, Upstate New York.


The reality is that there are around twenty 85/86 250r's for sale for every 84/85 tecate, and as you stated, it's the first one you have seen that is near you, therefore, you need to decide if you are willing to travel a long, long, long, way to look at a different one, especially not knowing if it will be as the seller described, or wait another 2 months or 2 years or more until another one comes up for sale that is near you . You would then need to hope it is decent and that the seller wants to take another 3 wheeler in on trade unless you have sold your honda by then.

Here's a couple more for sale and i doubt that any of them would take a partial trade but you don't know until you ask.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195682127133313/forsaleposts/



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[MulletMan420]

OK! So, an update on the situation. I ended up bringing the Tecate home this evening, but for a much different deal then originally made. I kept my SX(which i do have for sale if anyone is interested :p), and brought the Kawi home for $1200. It seems to run strong, all the bearings are solid. I ordered new bars, grips and twist throttle, and kill switch for under $100. And I can get the clutch and brake lever from a buddy of mine. It appears the motor has been gone through, it has V-force reeds, seems like a very solid machine. I will know whether or not when i ride it. Pretty excited for my first Kawasaki!
243513

[barnett468]

do a compression test.

if it has a stock silencer and you want it to go faster, install a straight thru silencer and you will then need to go up 2 size on the main if it is jetted properly for the stock silencer . might also need to put the needle clip on the 4th slot down.


PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[jb2wheels]

Sounds like a good deal for $1200. I love riding my 85 even thought my 85R is superior in every way. The Tecate brings out my inner hooligan.

[atc007]

You brought home a Tecate without riding it.. Ok. I hope it serves you well :)

[MulletMan420]

Sounds like we have some tecate haters here! :p The machine does seem pretty solid, and for the extremely limited market of them here in Upstate NY I figured 1200 was fair. No, I didn't ride before buying, but I do know the kid I bought it from, and he told me it rides and drives good. I know, take it with a grain of salt. We will see if I was screwed or not when my parts arrive. Thanks for the input guys!

[oldskool83]

Check it out well once your home, that's when you b nd the dumb stuff like bent forks and frames and oddly matched American and metric hardware. I've never bought a running used you but a few times. I like bascjet cases.

[russhud]

Seems like a cool deal to me, I would buy another one for $1200. These aren't new machines, they are all going to need a little work. Bought these for $1200 each-243534 and I would do it again too.

[86T3]

That seems like a good deal, congrats

[250rmanfmf]

Tecates go for about 1,000-1200 bucks for running decent shape machines here in Washington. I have never found a $400 running tecate here in Washington or Oregon (Or maybe 3 Wheel Drive is always beating me to the punch :) . This reminds me of 83-84 250r owners and how I see ads all the time for them asking $1400-2500 for there machine. Last time I checked a good air cooled R was in the 800-1200 range.

I too would not do that trade. I would do a trade straight across and maybe 200 bucks.

My 2 cents

[thornton]

looks like a good deal to me. plus there getting far and few. i just saw one posted local near me and he is asking 2000 and it looks pretty rough

[3 Wheel Drive]

Tecates go for about 1,000-1200 bucks for running decent shape machines here in Washington. I have never found a $400 running tecate here in Washington or Oregon (Or maybe 3 Wheel Drive is always beating me to the punch :) . This reminds me of 83-84 250r owners and how I see ads all the time for them asking $1400-2500 for there machine. Last time I checked a good air cooled R was in the 800-1200 range.

I too would not do that trade. I would do a trade straight across and maybe 200 bucks.

My 2 cents

My last 1985 Tecate was $500.00 it ran perfect and came with a West Coast swing arm and +6" Durablue Axle. :D

[jb2wheels]

My last 1985 Tecate was $500.00 it ran perfect and came with a West Coast swing arm and +6" Durablue Axle. :D

You suck. And I mean that in the nicest way ;)

[Dan-k]

IDK .......take the $12 hundy out of da bank .......i`ll take you out back ......kick you in da nuts ......and give you $8 hundy back and we`ll call it a day ......what a you say ?

See this glamy how not one person said anything to you about your post. Because it was useless absolutely useless like every post from you. Let’s see what else I can find