Twisted Tecate

[CLM]

Greetings and salutations all,

I've been messing with my T-4 for a bit lately and came across some tweaked pieces, what I am most worried about however is the Tecate's steering stem, it has a definate about 4-5 degree twist to the left. Anyone have any suggestions on straightening it? I would just buy another but... well.. this bike has not really got many parts available aftermarket or oem

Or maybe... anyone know if a stem from another model might fit?

the other parts that I have found tweaked so far is the subframe and the left spindle, the spindle I don't think I'm going to try straightening it because.. well.. I'm afraid it will weaken it being aluminum and all And the subframe... it is really slightly pretzled, I have gotten the arms straight but the center is still twisted.. *&%^%$# I think I just need another person and two bars about 6-8 feet long applying preasure in opposite directions on each side of the twist. ;D

Chris with the Twisted Tecate.

[CLM]

Oh yeah... Reason I'm trying to straighten everything is I need the parts straight before I can start disassembling to have items powder coated

[4strkepwr660R]

Call up East Coast ATV and see if they have any stuff...They have a huge inventory of used parts and machines.

[2fun]

Don't know about the other parts mentioned, but as far as the steering stem, you might be able to heat it up with a torch and bend it back straight.

I HATE bent parts!:

[CLM]

Cool, I will try the heat thing, All I know is I don't have enough umph to do that without the heat... I've already tried ;D

Chris

[Billdog350]

Are you able to adjust your tie rods to get the steering stem straight again?

[TRXman86]

no if you move tie rods, it moves your tow in or out. DONT DO THAT! lol you want the front tires the same distance apart from left to right. measure the back, then measure the front. adjust accordingly. just a litt FYI

[CLM]

I know about the tie rods.. and I know how to adjust front toe, it's that with the twisted stem if I were to adjust to have the bars straight I would get more steering one way then the other where as if I straighten the stem before adjusting the toe, I will have equil steering both directions

After all there's nothing worse then a bike that only turns right when life seems to always be throwing me left turns :

Chris

[CLM]

Well the twists are out of the spindle subframe and steering stem... the stem was actually easiest to straighten... hear it with a hot wrench and turn slightly past the stops

Time for more exploritory tecate surgery

Chris

[2fun]

Glad to hear you got it straightened out!

[CLM]

Well the spindle would not accept the brake components... so it much have some more bend that we did not see... oh well, on the flip side I did win the auctions for a used set ( [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ) that should save me needing to try again.

Chris

[2fun]

Congrats on winning the items!