'85 Tecate Cross Reference's,Help...

[sandpuppi101]

The Kaw's are all new too me and I have too say I do not ,at all like the set-up on the rear suspension and swinger set-up.Looking at the swinger on a stock tecate,is there any cross reference ,such as a blaster and or other swinger.I ain't afraid of modding a bit ,I'm just looking at some of my option's to change the set-up a bit.

[BigGreenMachine]

Nothing I am aware of will swap. The rear suspension isn't bad when you have a good shock. 300EX shock is almost a bolt in.

There is a group of us ordering stock style swingarms with a 400EX carrier housing if your interested.

James

[scooterroo]

86 swinger will bolt right up, and give you 2inches extra length. the 85 bearing carrier bolts right up to the 86 swinger as well.

[BigGreenMachine]

Bolts up but you must use the 86 dogbone linkage piece and offset it in the upper mount for it to work.

I do not see the point in doing this. The cost of a 86 swingarm and a good bearing kit for the pivot would be about the same as having someone lengthen your stock swingarm.

The 85's swingarm is chromoly btw.

[cr480r]

Keep in mind that changing the rear suspension to a custom set-up could cause issues with the intake tract... which would likely make it more trouble than its worth... My biggest gripes with the tecate swingarm is the steel material, the hoakey carrier adjustment, and the lack of axle and hub options... At one point I was going to swap to a Lt250 swingarm, carrier, and axle... the chain alignment is only off by .100" , but you still have a cushion lever style rear suspension... I was planning to use an LT rear shock, and also alter the LT cushion lever to fit the tecate frame... and if I remember correctly the LT swinger is 3 or 4 inches longer.... It is also aluminum, and still has some aftermarket axle options

[BigGreenMachine]

Sandpuppi, what have you got going on Tecate wise?

[ccdhowell]

cr480r, tell me more about the LT250R swinger swap. Did you ever actually try to fit a QR swinger to a T3 frame? I won both and have looked at them, similar set-ups. I swaped the nice, setup for me Works Ultracross rear shock off my Tecate and onto my Quadracer this past weekend. Tecate shock is about an inch or so shorter, but I have an adjustable cushion on my QR so I just lengthened it a bit. I haven't ridden it yet, but it will be much better than the rebuilt stock QR shock I had. I must have been set-up for a flyweight rider...and I'm no flyweight. Bottomed badly when pushed. QR shock is too long for the T3. The front of the pivot hits the frame crossmember well before it angles up enough to bolt on the QR shock.

QR swinger on a T3, very interesting.

Chris

[cr480r]

Did you ever actually try to fit a QR swinger to a T3 frame?
I never actually tried it as I was riding the LT at the time, but I took a few measurements and I know that the engines are the same exact width as I have mocked up a kx motor in my LT before...


Tecate shock is about an inch or so shorter.... QR shock is too long for the T3. The front of the pivot hits the frame crossmember well before it angles up enough to bolt on the QR shock.


Remember that the quadracer has the lower shock mount on the swinger not on the frame like the tecate, so the overall lenth would change some... I was going to make the LT lever fit the tecate so that the Lt shock would be working against the same rising rate as intended stock...


QR swinger on a T3, very interesting.

Chris
I know it could work, and I would have done it if hadn't won an extended T3 axle... I still might do it actually... as I hate the tecate carrier set-up even more than the LT's... It would probably have some details to work out, but it would be worth it as it solves many problems.... It would be easy to find chain sliders, brake calipers, axles, a stronger and longer swingarm, and a simple hub swap would allow 4/110 wheels, etc..

[sandpuppi101]

Sandpuppi, what have you got going on Tecate wise?
__________________
I am in midst of changing out the whole suspension on an '85.I have'nt worked on these machine's before and I was astonished to see how much of an anchor the tripple tree alone was ,soooo I started from there.I am on the rear now and revamping that.Be working on it more today ,maybe I'll put up some pic's later if I get the time.

[moose 53]

"as I hate the tecate carrier set-up even more than the LT's... It would probably have some details to work out, but it would be worth it as it solves many problems.... It would be easy to find chain sliders, brake calipers, axles, a stronger and longer swing arm, and a simple hub swap would allow 4/110 wheels, etc.".[/QUOTE] by cr480r
I was curious if the problem you have with the tecate set up is how it works or availability of parts? :confused: I used it on my KTM540 Tecate because it was simple ,strong and easy to use a tecate front brake on it (the back brake is junk on the 84-85).Also has a good adjustment range and won't jam up with sand.:Bounce

[scooterroo]

the back calipers are different between the 84 and 85 model also...the 84 being much smaller with a different mounting bracket. the 85 calipers are the same front and back and can swap around, as well as the 86 caliper will bolt right up and work on the 85, but not the 84 because of the smaller mounting bracket. this is interesting about the qr swinger, hmmmmmm i think i know someone that has one!!!

[moose 53]

the back calipers are different between the 84 and 85 model also...the 84 being much smaller with a different mounting bracket. the 85 calipers are the same front and back and can swap around, as well as the 86 caliper will bolt right up and work on the 85, but not the 84 because of the smaller mounting bracket. this is interesting about the qr swinger, hmmmmmm i think i know someone that has one!!!

I was wondering about that . My 85 tecate must have had a 84 carrier swapped out on it .:Bounce With a little metal work you can exchange the small brake for the better larger one.

[cr480r]

I was curious if the problem you have with the tecate set up is how it works or availability of parts? :confused:

My problem with the tecate set-up is mostly the weight and the carrier style... It flexes way more than I think it should... noticable especially with an extended axle and a 215lb rider... I can never seem to keep the carrier in adjustment no matter how tight the bolts are.... I also dont like the available bolt patterns, the discontinued chain slider, loose 20 yr old sprocket hubs, etc.... I would swap to a '86 swingarm, but that would only solve half the problem


(the back brake is junk on the 84-85)

What problems are the brakes known to have? How much better is the '85?

[tecat-z]

If you're having problems with the rear brakes. Then upgrade master cylinder, and use newer hose or go to a braded line. The original masters do seem weak, and rubber hose deteriorates and balloons over time. My brakes are great.

[moose 53]

My problem with the tecate set-up is mostly the weight and the carrier style... It flexes way more than I think it should... noticable especially with an extended axle and a 215lb rider... I can never seem to keep the carrier in adjustment no matter how tight the bolts are.... I also dont like the available bolt patterns, the discontinued chain slider, loose 20 yr old sprocket hubs, etc.... I would swap to a '86 swingarm, but that would only solve half the problem



What problems are the brakes known to have? How much better is the '85?

Every 84 rear brake caliper I have is sprung . The outboard brake pad does not make full square contact with the rotor. The 85-86 caliper does not spring out of square . I have never had my carrier loosen up, even on my KTM540 Tecate. I still have enough rims that I don't worry about bolt patterns and I drill my steel rims for Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki . All my sprockets and hubs are still tight . First photo is1984 calipur and second photo is 1985 calipur

[moose 53]

My problem with the tecate set-up is mostly the weight and the carrier style... It flexes way more than I think it should... noticable especially with an extended axle and a 215lb rider... I can never seem to keep the carrier in adjustment no matter how tight the bolts are.... I also dont like the available bolt patterns, the discontinued chain slider, loose 20 yr old sprocket hubs, etc.... I would swap to a '86 swingarm, but that would only solve half the problem



What problems are the brakes known to have? How much better is the '85?

If you can, send me a good close up photo of your carrier and bolts it sure sounds like something isn't right

[cr480r]

If you can, send me a good close up photo of your carrier and bolts it sure sounds like something isn't right

I am using all factory components... I have to tighten the bolt every couple rides or it will lose adjustment... its just an outdated design with way too many forces working against it... It may work fine for some, but its far from ideal IMO...