tecate with kx 500 engine?

[trimoto55]

How hard would it be to fab up a kx 500 engine in a tecate? I have a motor laying around with carb and pipe ,all i would really need is a chasis, the electricals and prob weld up the frame a little different?

[Jeb]

I believe the KX500 motor will bolt right into a 1986/87 KXT Chassis. and then you have to clear a cross member in the upper frame for the spark plug.

There's been a couple guys come across this board in the past that have done this and should be able to give you details.

To put one in the 84/85 takes a major frame modification.

[90nut]

86-87 tecate's are realatively "simple" from what I have read. That is if you have the tools and skills to do it. Like a welder, torch, metal fab skills, etc. The 84-85 tecate is an entirely different story. You are going to have to cut the frame in the front and make it like the 86-87 frames fromt end.

[tecatemantodd]

What year KX500 motors are best for the conversion? This sounds interesting. I have an 86 with a +3 swingarm now and a 285 kit and it does just fine. I would love to just shoehorn the 500 in and have unlimited potential.......hmmmmm

[250tecates]

No frame modifications , the 500 bolts right in!!!

[RideRed250R]

i believe its like wat 250T is saying... drops right in... the frame should hold the power just fine... cause it already rattles like a jerk... i know that all kx500's can go in... i would personally go for a late 90's one as they had the most technology into them and they are reasonably affordable...
Adam

[CoeShow]

I have seen a couple of these translants completed. The end results were quite stunning visually but the owners eventually changed back to the 250 engine because of serious vibration issues.

One owner claimed that the frame had as much welding rod as tubing from welding up the recuring and constant cracks that developd anytime the trike was ridden.

Good luck and ride safely.

[OZQUAD44]

There's one on ebay right now. Here's the address

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-Kawasaki-Tecate-W-KX-500-Motor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42590QQitemZ46249 25914QQrdZ1

[Tecate4life]

86/87 direct bolt in...Jeb is correct with the spark plug clearance issue, the cross member must be notched...

[3Razors]

I have seen a couple of these translants completed. The end results were quite stunning visually but the owners eventually changed back to the 250 engine because of serious vibration issues.

One owner claimed that the frame had as much welding rod as tubing from welding up the recuring and constant cracks that developd anytime the trike was ridden.

Good luck and ride safely.

Same here. I have seen this also. The KX500 motor vibrates even MORE than the CR500. It snaps mounts, and vibrates things apart at an unbelievble rate.

[BigGreenMachine]

Vibration aside you could do it and do it right by bracing, strengthening the frame and not just slapping the motor in and calling it done.

Negatives aside it is one bad ass conversion.

[hrc85250r]

3 razors, is it as bad on sand as it is on a hard surface?

[3Razors]

Hmmm I would say its about the same either on sand or hardpack. At lower rpm's its not so bad but when you really rev it out is when things start to not hold up on the tecate frame.