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View Full Version : very confusing grab bar-Tecate



ATCT
01-04-2008, 01:41 PM
OK, so I've been searching for an OEM grab bar for my Tecate the last month or so. I find THIS on eBay, and win it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=290193019043

So I receive it today and I notice 2 things:

1) this hasn't been used at ALL. it's NOS, but just looks like it hasn't been in a plastic wrapper it's entire life, so there's some minor scuffing. Eventually I'll want to get it PC'd so it doesn't rust, but it's fine for now. (Man, Kawasaki used really cheap paint, as evidenced by this bar and the stuff currently on my trike--the handlebars, frame, etc....) But anyway, it's pretty sweet I got a discontinued NOS OEM bar for 41 bucks.

HOWEVER,

2) this bar isn't in the style of the original grab bars put on the Tecates in 84 (and I suspect 85). Although tough to tell by the pic, you can see that it's not bent up in a 90 degree angle like the original bars.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/ATCT_250R/66b7_1.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/ATCT_250R/a0987_1.jpg
So, I decide to do some searching for this. This bar is part# 55020-1179. I go to Cycle-Parts.com, look at their fiche, see the bar (bent at 90 degree angle like one originally on my Tecate) and put one in the basket (which gives me the full part#) and it is, in fact, a different part #. It's 55020-4026.

I then decide to check a couple of other Kawasaki online OEM parts stores, and do a search for 55020-4026. Nothing comes up. I then do a search for 55020-1179, and the search results, are indeed, a grab bar for both the '84 and '85 Tecate.

So, my question is this, does anyone know if Kawasaki, at one point, changed the grab bars for the 84-85 Tecate? I mean, the original 90 degree angle bar really doesn't stop the trike from toppling back onto you if you flip backwards, so I could see them changing the design. I just have never seen one.

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this. I'm going out to my storage unit this weekend to see if it aligns properly on my frame.

tecat-z
01-04-2008, 04:43 PM
Yes, they did use different styles in 84 and 85. The 84 has the big turn up like the one on the bike. The 85 used a more layed down traditional design. You seem to have a 85 style. Much better looking for sure. In fact, in the Jimmy White race manual says specifically to use a 85 style grab bar in place of the 84 design. I suspect it had to do with the fact that you could have been snagged by the tall upswept design of the 84, and possibly drug along in a crash.:eek:

ATCT
01-04-2008, 04:58 PM
Ah-ha! Well that would explain it. I wonder if eventually, for a replacement, they used this bar for the '84 as well because it's definitely a "safer" design than the upswept bar and seemed to be marked as an '84 replacement.

Seeing as there's no way I can (nor do I want to) go for a 100% 1984 OEM look (i'll never be able to find the original tires, at the least), i'd rather have the better designed and looking bar.

Thanks for the help!