Hey,

i've been looking for a cheap quad, and this week while searching the "bargain hunter" section of the local bargain trader, i came across an '87 Tecate 4, $1500. i tried calling the guy but he isn't home yet. i'm not expecting this to be in perfect shape, but what would you say is a fair price for this? also, i did a search for this (read like 2 full pages of posts!) and it appears that parts are getting harder and harder to find. i was curious what the current status is? who's still selling parts for them, or is your only home something like ebay?

and finally, i've heard that 2strokes (like the banshee) can be difficult to control in the woods. how does the tecate4 do in the woods?

i'll post more info on the condition of the tecate after i talk to the guy.

thanks,
bigmac

 

I'd say go for it as long as it isn't in too bad of shape. They are getting harder and harder to find.

 

Hey,

holly smokes boys, i may have stumbled on gold here. i just talked to the guy. he was listing stuff he'd done to it faster than i could write it all down. the motor was rebuilt down to the crankshaft less than a year ago, said he's got easly $2000 in the motor (w/reciepts to prove it), with a $500 racing ignition where you can change the timing for low or top end power. basically new tires, surtracs in the rear, duglas rims, new rear fenders, renthal handle bars. said he took it out of the barn yesterday and broke the new front sprocket on it, so i'm waiting for him to fix that and then i'm going to go ride it. he claims that some of his riding buddies have new raptors and they can't catch him. told me not to push it hard on the hwy or you'll tear something up. (chain, sprocket, etc). said he's selling to buy a Kawasaki 500 dirtbike. so it sounds like a deal if it's everything he talks it up to be.

btw: what's the shifting pattern on these? (don't want to look like an idiot when i go test drive it)

so any opinion/suggestion/comments?

thanks,
bigmac

 

Sounds like a really good deal. i'm not sure about the shift pattern but i would guess 1 down and the rest up?

 

That is a heck of a price - I'd buy it in a heartbeat. You could sell the motor for $1,000 so that tells you what kind of deal you have found!

 

Hey,

lol, don't tell me that, less i'll be think about selling it for a quick profit. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] hopefully the guy can get the front sprocket replaced by friday so i can go check it out. and hopefully it's everything i'm hoping it is. i'll let y'all know how it turns out!

oh yea, how does the Tecate do in the woods? (not super tight woods, but it's definitely not MX)

later,
bigmac

 

Hey man, that's an excellent deal. My brother has an 87 Tecate 4 with a kx500 motor. Very slick machine. Like you said, parts are hard to find, if at all. My brother has been pretty lucky with finding parts for them. If you get it and you need anything let me know and I can put you in contact with him. Everyone here knows him as 'killerkx327'. Also, I work for Parts Unlimited so I can get stuff at dealer cost if need be. Also, the shift pattern is 1 down, 6 up. Good luck with the purchase. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Hey,

thanks for the info. sounds like you've got some mean tecate's in the family! lol. but hopefully it's in good shape so that i don't have to buy parts for it anytime soon. but we'll see.

thanks again,
bigmac

 

Hey,

one more question: how much work would you have to do to a Tecate 4 to make it out run a Raptor threw the gears?

later,
bigmac

 

Those Tecate 3 and 4s were sure a mean two stroke in the day when they were new and stock . If its been done right when built it should be a very wicked beast . Front sprockets are cheap so maybe he will get it fixed quick for you. But dont get overjoyed and buy it without riding it just because its a GOOD DEAL , ride it first , go over it with a fine tooth comb , take a freind with you who knows two strokes and can hear piston slap , Myself I cannot hear it but I have buds that can hear it when it starts and rebuild quickly . If its in good shape and nice its still in a very good price range . Just be sure it works in all the gears , the clutch feels strong and it sounds good . Sometimes these 1500.00 ATVs get around 3000.00 plus after you fix all those little gremlins . Be careful and dont get burned . Let us know how it gos , we all like a good deal .