87 Tecate Question for the Gurus

[brrcuda]

I am going to look at an 87 Tecate hopefully this weekend. It has a blown shock but all original otherwise - you know how that goes. All original means to me a complete rebuild. Runs and drives though. Stator replaced already. The owner knows what it is worth - so I need to be smart with this one.

My question is what are the golden parts from these bikes that everyone is looking for? I know the rad shroud is obsolete but any other parts worth their weight in gold?

This is so I can have a heads up on what to look for when i see it.

Thanks -

[ATCWRENCH]

the rear fender support is also obselete. various rubber pieces, decals, and a lot a nic pikity parts.

[ScottZJ]

Actually Hornetpowersports makes killer replicas of the shrouds and headlight plastic. So I consider those parts not as hard to find. In fact I have OEM ones next to the repro ones and I feel the repro ones are much nicer.
The parts that are harder to find are the key iginition, over flow bottle(as it gets heated up and broken over years), chain rollers, OEM grab bars, and OEM tires.

[Orangecnty250r]

If you are looking at the 100% OEM thing

Add:
Both chain and disc guards
Tool Box
Owners Manual holder for under the rear fender
Intake boot
OEM fork boots
Switches ETC
Air box lid
Stock rear silencer

All HARD to find Nice

[250r'en +TCB]

I personally would just buy it if you got the $$$ Paul!!! We both know how rare those damn things are around here!! As for parts you can just find them as you go along....... I wouldn't miss this oppertunity unless the guys wants crazy money for it.......

Oh and by the way, GET SOME PICTURES!!!!!!!!

[Orangecnty250r]

My question is what are the golden parts from these bikes that everyone is looking for?
Thanks -

Actually 250r'en+TCB is right!!! the whole damm think is golden being its an 87!!!!

[69HemiGTX]

Yup. 87 KXT250 Tecate = Hen's teeth. Buy it!!!

Speaking of the rear fender support, anybody got one they would part with? I know, shameless want ad. :rolleyes:

[brrcuda]

I know - I will call him on saturday to setup a time to see it. I will be bringing cash in hand to seal the deal. I chatted with him yesterday about it and he seems to be a good guy that likes trikes but doesnt care about how nice they look. Just wants to ride and fix up mechanics.

If all goes well with some timing here - I will have it in my driveway this weekend. I tried to convince him to sell to me so I can restore to new condition instead of putting it out in the street and any *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**E dited* buying it to ride and ruin.

He was actually at the hospital with his wife having a baby when i called - well waiting to start. If they have the baby before saturday - then i can go down to see - I figure he will be needing some extra money.

Then I will have my big 3 collection i always wanted.

I will have pics when/if I buy. Also I will let you know the price when I buy it as well. keep my fingers crossed.

As for the golden parts - it is missing the keyed ignition - i Already asked and i know it is missing the rear skid plates. Airbox and on/off switch are there and original tires as well. The shrouds are all there intack as well.

[OZQUAD44]

The rear fender support is just a steel bar with some brackets welded to it. If that was missing or broken a new one wouldn't be hard to fabricate, might even end up with a better than factory looking bracket.

The fuel tank is an issue for all 86/87 Tecates. Time hasn't been kind to them and a replacement one is as rare as hens teeth, and big $$ I suspect.

Depending on the use it has recieved, The cylinder barrel will be up for replating if your going to ride it. I wouldn't recommend a cast sleeve as they never seem to run right after being resleeved.

Despite those two problems, 87 Tecates are certainly eye catchers. Mine allways attracts heaps of attention everywhere it goes

[Jwood]

Buy it if the $'s are available!! These are rare and used parts go for gold plated! If you are going to restore it--you might have to wait around for a little while to find parts--but it would be an eye catcher, and a valuable one at that! Been in the bike business since '72, and even sold a bunch of the Tecate's. Wish I still had a few now!!

Jwood

[250r'en +TCB]

It will look great in your living room I'm sure!!!

You will simply have to check ebay and the boards and wait for parts to pop up, but in time they will....... what the hell it's an 87 Tecate, what do you have to loose?!?!?!?!

[brrcuda]

Well thanks for the insight on the parts. I have good and bad news on this update.

The Good News - I bought the tecate. I just could not let it go and since they are so rare around here, i figured i had to get it while I can. The guy said he was going to part it if it was not sold soon. So I took one for the team and kept a bike together.

The bike is complete with most parts still on it just like original - minus toolbox and grab bar. This tells me a few things about it. With being still in original state, it was most likely not raced or ridden too hard - the pegs are straight and the original tires intact. Perfect for a restore.

Seat has no rips, headlight/tailight is intact and working with excellent plastic. Rear fender bracket is also there. Complete Tecate pipe and muffler with spark arrestor.

Another big plus is that that the illustrius right shroud is intact with no cracks and no fading with original stickers on it. Thats one part I don't have to search the nation for. Both shrouds are in great shape for 20 years. This also tells me that it wasn't beat up too much.


The Bad News - Its not an 87 - god dammit its an 86- I was pissed when i looked up the vin last night and the G code appeared as an 86 model- that explains the missing ign key module. I contested him when we negotiated the bike and he swore up and down that it was an 87. BS

The main problem with the bike is purely cosmetics. rear fenders need replace, bolts are rusty, tank is faded white (not brown)from being left outside in the sun. If the bike was stored inside, it would be near mint right now because it doesn't look like it was ridden all that much.

All in all, i paid 1100 for a running/driving 86 Tecate 3 bike that just needs cosmetic TLC with some polish and paint to make it near perfect. Some will think that is a lot as I do too, but i figure I will never have another chance to get one under $3000 in New England.

I figure it will take about 800 dollars to get it the way i want. If you guys think the 250r is cool - the 86-87 tecate is the coolest looking bike - i just love the giant elephant ears for rad shrouds. Looks badass

I will post pics tonight when i get home before i start the tear down.

Paul

[MIK6]

CONGRATS on the T3!! Welcome to the 86/87 T3 club!!
Good luck w/ the rebuild let me know if you have any questions. I just finished my 87 rebuild and am now into my 86 rebuild.

MIK6 / Mike

[Orangecnty250r]

- i just love the giant elephant ears for rad shrouds. Looks badass

I will post pics tonight when i get home before i start the tear down.

Paul

Congrats...cant wait to see the pics..I laughed when I read the elephants ears thing because when you stand behind the machine they look huge... I always admire and love those big fat shrouds also.

[OZQUAD44]

I would be pissed with that guy for not telling the truth.

But I still believe that you got a fair deal. Any running 86 or 87 Tecate in fair to good condition is worth at least what you paid for it. One restored will be worth no less than $2000USD in my books

The difference between an 86-7 Tecate is neglegible, I'd say good deal.

Can't wait to see the photos

[brrcuda]

here are a few pics of the new ride. It looks worse than it is. Like I said all the cosmetics will be redone very soon. I already started taking all the plastics off and cleaning up the good pieces.

Heres the plan -

replace all plastics except right shroud unless i can find repro shrouds for a fair price. Then i will save that piece for a future ebay sale.

tear down to bare frame and powder or paint depending on money. I have an autobody specialist in the family so painting is cheap. tank will get a new ceet cover - i will sand it down to see what that does- it mostly has mold embedded from sitting so long and looks white underneath.

needs a rear shock rebuild and needs a new rear brake rotor. put a aftermarket grab bar on. motor starts on second kick every time and sounds great - so i will not touch that til last. Previous owner replaced the flywheel with new ricky stator.

overflow bottle will be removed and thrown out- it looks kicked in and completely cracked. Anybody got any options from another bike?

I am not going too crazy on this restore. I will not be scouring the earth for the rare oem parts like i did for my 250r.I just want it to look new and fresh. If it doesnt have a toolbox or chain guard, no big deal. I would rather spend my money on the basics to get it up to par.

I will have a lot of questions on parts very soon as I discover this bike and what it needs.

orangecnty - its your bike pics that make me want to find and restore these bikes. When i am bored i start looking at your old posts of your fleet -just amazing.

oz- its nice have enthusiasm from other members that share the same feelings i do about these damn trikes. Thats why we are all here - right.
thanks alot

[brrcuda]

a few more - sorry it is raining up here in the northeast

[brrcuda]

one more pic

[69HemiGTX]

$1100 for that? You're a thief! THIEF!!!! :beer

[MIK6]

I think you got a GOOD DEAL w/ what you paid!! Neither of my current T3s were in 1/2 that nice of shape. Good luck w/ the rebuild. You are going the way I did. NOS T3 parts are tuff to find, A nice T3 will turn a ton of heads.
I did see a aftermarket inline fuel shutoff, check your petcock and/or needle+seat to make sure you don't get into a fluid lock situation. ALSO (if you did not know) WATCH OUT FOR THE LEFTHAND THREAD NUT, its part of the powervalve system under the little 2 bolt coverabove the waterpump. I know alot of people brake them off.

NICE FIND
MIK6 / Mike

here are a few picts of my T3 at TF06
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30491&d=1152053340
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30492&d=1152053362

[brrcuda]

Neither of my current T3s were in 1/2 that nice of shape. Good luck w/ the rebuild. You are going the way I did. NOS T3 parts are tuff to find, A nice T3 will turn a ton of heads.


MIK6 - It be close to yours - your bike is outstanding. I love the blue tank cover. I think i will go with 20" 250r dunlops or razrs for rear tires. silver frame, basic prm grab bar, eliminate overflow bottle, polish evrything i can and new bolt kit. I really don't want to spend a year finding parts but i have learned from my tri-zs the pain of finding parts.

I will have a ton of questions in new posts soon as to where to find items outside of ebay.

thanks for the comments - you guys make me feel good about the purchase.

Paul

[firefirefire90]

WOw, i agree with everyone. You scored! By the looks of the frame/swinger and also the rear axle, that trike lookes babied. Good Deal.

[Red Rider]

It looks worse than it is.Yeah, that bike looks like a piece of crap. NOT!!

All it really needs is a thorough cleaning, some new rear fenders, a tank cover, and some fork boots, and your set, but it sounds like you're already planning on doing more than that. I think you got a great deal. Make us all proud. :beer

[Hornetpowerspor]

Verry nice score! I am a Honda fan, but the 86-87 T-3 is probably the meanest looking trike out there. Good luck with the restore and nice find!