Porterville Foils

[Tecate250]

Ok so I seen one on a 86-87 tecate and my jaw dropped. This litterly was the best looking mod to do to a bike. Im just curious if anyone has some pics for these. Mabey for red yellow and green trikes?

[dcreel]

The best I can do right now.. I had more but the links are now broken.

http://www.3wheeler.org/random/ctracing-tecate.jpg

[Tecate250]

Yeah I seen that. But the fuzzy ones on team green looked mean. Did honda and yamaha use them too?

[dcreel]

Yeah I seen that. But the fuzzy ones on team green looked mean. Did honda and yamaha use them too?

I've only seen them on Tecate's... But I'm sure somebody tried it out on a 250R or Tri-Z

[HondaHarry]

One on the R in the background and pretty sure thats one on a Z in the front. HH

[HondaHarry]

Different style foil on a 200X. Thats pretty much all of the foil pics. :cry: Thanks WC. HH

[dcreel]

Those pictures are awesome.. You must have one crazy collection of vintage pics. Thank you for sharing.

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

i have a pic of one of ronnie hopkins first tri-z 's , with a custom allumuim one on the front.i have no way to scan the picture of it, and you guessed it, its full of STICKERS!!

[xrider]

What exactly are porterville foils, are they just an air foil for the front end? They are cool looking tho, does anybody have one that could be reproduced?

[Bryan Raffa]

DANG HH!!!! nice collection of pictures...

[Billy Golightly]

Those would be sooooooo easy to repro with just some posterboard to mark out a template from..

[Curtis-Tecate3]

111692111693I spy something up on the top shelf patiently waiting for me....

[phantombiker]

111692111693I spy something up on the top shelf patiently waiting for me....

a box?!?!?! dude, i love boxes!!!!!!! lol

[dcreel]

I spy something up on the top shelf patiently waiting for me....

Couldn't find a ladder, huh?? :lol:

[Red Rider]

a box?!?!?! dude, i love boxes!!!!!!! lolI believe he's referring to the AT&T 4G digital ignition system that's inside that box! :naughty:

[Maico]

I'm sure I'll catch hell for saying this but in my opinion...that porterville foil looks like chit. A big ol' oversized number plate pointed up towards the sun.

Definitely more of a cosmetic part than an effective performance part.

But hey....to each their own.

[ezmoney1979]

111692111693I spy something up on the top shelf patiently waiting for me....

Dude..... thanks for the un-warranted torture :lol: I'm glad you are patient.......... the rest of us however........

[fabiodriven]

I'm sure I'll catch hell for saying this but in my opinion...that porterville foil looks like chit. A big ol' oversized number plate pointed up towards the sun.

Definitely more of a cosmetic part than an effective performance part.

But hey....to each their own.


:lol::lol::lol: I'm glad to hear somebody else say it first! I'm jumping on your wagon Maico!

[HuffieVA]

Definitely more of a cosmetic part than an effective performance part.

But hey....to each their own.

Ya, I hate to let the cat out of the bag, but trikes aren’t exactly aerodynamic wonders, so I don’t see a little spoiler creating enough of an advantage to make up for the drag caused by the back wheels let alone the rider hanging off to one side so far that he effectively doubles overall width of the machine in the corner, I could see one possible giving some little advantage to a flat track bike when the riders are all tucked in on the straights running close to 100+ but I think they were all show and no go especially on a flat track/tt trike that may be hitting 50 going into the turns...

[Tecate250]

Hehehe.We have a few haters. I guess this is just like a +2 swinger. Why do you need that extra 2 inches anyway. Cant keep the front end down. Learn to drive.JK. I like this topic because I have seen 3w.orgs foil pic and no one has ever posted anything like this. There are lots of mods that to me look gay. But each to there own. Some people like team green. And then there were the other guys. MOAR!!!!

[Bretmd94]

I can see that foil adding some traction to the front tire at speed. When i ride with my go pro on top of my helmet I can feel it yanking my head back and its much smaller than that foil. I'm sure it works for flat track racing.

[Curtis-Tecate3]

I own it and agree that it is not the prettiest part available which is why I never mounted it I guess.
It actually looks better if you dont run a front fender and just the foil.

Curtis.

[Tecate250]

Post some pics up of it. Is it the one that is on 3w.org tecate 3 or another one. Id like to see the difference in designs.

[tecat-z]

Functional:crazy:, Unique:rolleyes:, Ugly, without question.:naughty: Not all ideas are actually good ones. Downforce at oval track speeds "maybe 55-65 mph" amounts to a fart in the wind.

[hang&rattle]

Hey, I respectively like the fact of my 'unique'(freaky) looking A1 Tecate 3-wheeler. They aren't pretty like the Tri-z or 250r. It's an acquired taste and just cause' they look a little like the red-headed step child of performance, don't mean they aren't nice, lol. But to see classic parts is so cool. To see history is so cool. But it would look cool on some one's restored flat-tracker, just not my rides. I really like the grill on mine, not even a # plate till' I can figure out some sort of light setup. I guess I like the nostalgia of it, so I like seein' it too.

[scooterroo]

the foil is in my book totally useless for anything other then boldly displaying the numbers. however, i have for some reason always liked the look of the porterville foil on the 86 t3 flat trackers. it's different, and stands out from the rest of the common number plates. draws attention to you and your bike. i have seen them on the r's and on the z's as well, so tecates werent the only ones to use them. i have my 86 i am doing up as an old school flat tracker, and i have been on the search for one of these foils for a while. someday i will get one hopefully, and then it may or may not end up on the bike. my aim is to have the bike look almost like the pic on the other page. i have the low profile maiers fenders for the 86 already, and i am still actively searching for moth the foil, and a green 85 250r front fender.

[whipit]

I remember when I first started seeing those things on 3 wheelers in dirtwheels in the 1980's. my initial reaction 25 years ago was that they were very very gay...and I have not warmed up to them at all. having said that, it is a legitimate piece of 3 wheeler racing history and many a flattrack or TT resto would be correct with the foil. Those things remind me of those bloated cowls that a lot of GNCC and off road guysused to put in place of the headlight on 88-89 TRX250R's. It killed the lines of a beautiful machine and looked like a huge, hideous schnozz
http://www.gnccracing.com/images/stories/69_atv_tn.jpg

[Mosh]

I too think they looked horrible. But they are a piece of history. So I do appreciate them when I see them.

Kind of like everyhting else of that era. There was some dumb fashion statements.

Like the whole Madonna style, The Neon Loud colors, Giant Z Cavaricci tops with huge collars, Parachute pants, the whole Flock of Seaguls hair style...Ugghh.
Those air dams brings back those memories. I did sport a rather vain mullet though..LMAO

[Tecate250]

Come on where are some pics. For Us who like them. Some people are attracted to dumb Blondes and others to brunetts. Its all about taste hehehe. I just want to see what one looks like not being on a bike.

[pablo]

Many years back someone posted a cool pic of a 70 with a foil scaled to size. Complete with numbers.

Personally, I think the Tecate foil looks goofy but I would like one for my 70.

[BWard]

Those foils were used at Little Valley New York and Ashtabula Ohio as I recall, probably other places, Flat Tracking and TT's.
I too would like to find some for my R's and Tecate. Someone let us get dimensions to have some made.

[scooterroo]

little valley? you mean lebanon valley?

[Tecate250]

Pics pics. Where is that pic Of Moar?

[jrush]

112800112801112802
OK, dug through my old magazines and found a few pics. The one on Neary's bike looks like a custom aluminum job. Other pic at the top has several different brands running them. Then a CT Racing ad with one. I love those things but I've always been a TT guy. If anyone out there has a red or white one laying around PLEASE let me know!!!

[Tecate250]

man that foil looks mean on the Honda without the fender. Moar pics :)

[code200k]

i have a pic of one of ronnie hopkins first tri-z 's , with a custom allumuim one on the front.i have no way to scan the picture of it, and you guessed it, its full of STICKERS!!

send me a pic of the pic,Ill post them up fo sho

[Tecate250]

Im really digging the look of these. I also might be getting my Tecate back. So a little insight to these would be very helpful. The different styles also.

[Tecate250]

Bump!!! Come on guys post them up.

[Xowner]

send me a pic of the pic,Ill post them up fo sho

here it is

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs013.snc6/166388_1719399417506_1013894625_31878429_7188244_n .jpg



YAMAHONDAMAN

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

sorry for the bad pic, best i can do with what im working with. i have a few close up pics ill be posting on facebook over the next few days, check over there....

[Tecate250]

Hmm. A totally different design. Seems a few people thought about this mod.

[sx250heath]

i do not like that last one

[Tecate250]

No more pics? Come on guys. These are another piece of history.

[Tecate250]

I guess people who have these dont want other people to see them. What ever happened to a trike friendly site? Look what i have but no one can see.

[whipit]

I am curious about the name of these things. where is this porterville, anyway. If I had to guess I would say it is a suburb of san francisco because I personally think these things are gay...but I suppose in theory the aerodynamic shape could be of some benefit and that was the name of the game

[Tecate250]

Yeah. Some people think skinny front tires on trikes are gay too.

[Tecate250]

Still no new stuff on this? Come on guys.

[Tecate250]

Bump. Anyone put one on yet?

[D-dub]

I also think the foils are wicked, and id love to have one for my flat track build!.....If anyone has a vintage one at all, Ill pay you good and proper for it..... By the way great thread with awesome vintage articles.

[Grindin' Gearz]

Love the vintage articles, have mixed feelings on these, would love more input and pics, gonna float around the web and see what I can find... Lol

[Tecate250]

There are a few people on here with them. Seems this site is getting more and more less informative and more spam. IE my bike wont go why threads. The sad thing is peope own them but wont show them.

[Buster Brown]

Thinking this was OC's when he ebayed it a few years back. Just saw it in a folder while digging for other pics.
They're cool, wish I'd bid on it back then... Had no game though :(

134662

[Tecate250]

Very cool Buster. Not too many people have pics of them. I think they look trick on a 3 wheeler.

[BWard]

I would LOVE to have one for my Selvy R
Anyone have one for sale??

[Tecate250]

Cant be too hard to make. Im still waiting to see more pics.

[BWard]

139159139160139161139162139163

[Tecate250]

So Bward. Get that one down off of there and lets see it on a 85 Tecate.

[250x]

I believe he's referring to the AT&T 4G digital ignition system that's inside that box! :naughty:

man, I haven't heard of a cordless home phone in YEARS, thought they were antiques by now...LOL

[BWard]

That one is not mine, Someone in Florida owns that,
I do not own one Yet, I may have to make one.

[Tecate250]

Yeah. Just realized Bward. Stupid me.

[dcreel]

So Bward. Get that one down off of there and lets see it on a 85 Tecate.

Unless it has holes drilled in the foil (negating any of it's effectiveness) you won't see one on an 85 Tecate.. Unless it's just for pics..

[BWard]

Thats what would be hard, Find a mint one and then start drilling holes etc. I would like to see one again, At least I have pics,Someday in my spare time, I may make one

[Keith Salyer]

Yes, they are way cool.

[just ben]

Yes, they are gayso you dug up an old thread to say they are gay? whats that say about you? looks like someone put "gay" in the search box:lol::lol::lol:

[Buster Brown]

...good one! :beer

[bkm]

What material were these made from and how did they mount to the forks? There seems to be limited information on these, save for vintage photo's.

[fabiodriven]

This one is aluminum .Last October some of us members went to Paradise Speedway in Geneva NY.This 200x was there. 163955 163956

Kill it with fire!!! My eyes!!!

[El Camexican]

Kill it with fire!!! My eyes!!!

Hang on a second! That may just be the perfect gravity tank for a Tri-Z! Looks like it could hold at least 3gal.

[fabiodriven]

Hang on a second! That may just be the perfect gravity tank for a Tri-Z! Looks like it could hold at least 3gal.

As long as you're cool with hippopotami attempting to mate with your machine.

[TheBlueWale]

I don't know if this counts, but I think these # plates did share some similarities with a porterville foil.

[El Camexican]

Those are some spiffy looking clamps! What are they off of?

[bkm]

Those look like Tiger # plates?

[TheBlueWale]

:w00t:..................
Those look like Tiger # plates?

[Keith Salyer]

Don't mean to offend anyone. just never liked them. Tested one back in the day and my lap times were no quicker and my sight picture was enough different it was not comfortable. Just my 2 cents.

[atc007]

Don't mean to offend anyone. just never liked them. Tested one back in the day and my lap times were no quicker and my sight picture was enough different it was not comfortable. Just my 2 cents.

I could not possibly agree more !! I Loved most all of Johns work,,and the idea here was right. Just wasn't my cup of tea!

[Tecate250]

Wow. A little bit more infomation on these. And as far as putting one on a tecate. The big ol front end hinders sight a bit. And if you use the stock head light is even worse.Aluminum is out of the question tho. They dont seem that hard to make as long as you have thin sheets of plastic to mold with.

[cochran]

Something maybe Swinehart would be interested in reproducing? :)

[atc300r]

John Neary did your foil look like the one on this 200x #71. This one was made by Bobby Bay. 218196 218197

[John_Neary]

@atc300r - yeah that is exactly like the one i had that CT Racing made out of aluminum. Also to the guys who commented that it was just a ugly number plate...you are 100% wrong. It cut two seconds a lap off my times at Porterville and would of handed me a easy victory if not for Wes McCoy having his payed employees at AATVA ban the airfoil by the time practice had ended.

I never tried the plastic version as i had stopped racing three wheelers to focus on quads by the time those got released.

[atc007]

I could not possibly agree more !! I Loved most all of Johns work,,and the idea here was right. Just wasn't my cup of tea!

So, who actually came up with this John? I gave you credit, but was it Alan, your Dad,,, or a team thing?

[John_Neary]

Allen gets all credit for the airfoil.

[atc300r]

Couple more pics of Bobby Bay foil.218198 218199

[bkm]

I absolutely love these things. I would put one on my R in a second.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[John_Neary]

They only helped on the fast 1/4 mile tracks like San Jose, Porterville and Mike Kidd's Track in Boyd, Texas. The reason they helped so much was on the full speed sweeper turns it would press the front tire down allowing the rider to focus more on the rear traction so you could not only go faster thru the turns but you would come onto the main straight going a couple mph faster allowing you to slingshot past other riders and it seriously worked for that.

Like all wing devices you gotta go fast to increase the air pressure before it made any difference and on jumps it could be a bit scary cause it was like a hand forcing your front end down (Porterville had a big, fast TT jump where i would noticed that effect).

Honda knew right away this was a game changer and i was meet at my truck by Doug and Roy from AATVA telling me it was banned as i rode off the track from first practice. They knew we had this in the works because of a earlier race at Porterville where we first tested it and i had won the 200 class against a bunch of the fast guys on my Sevly Honda 200 with the CT wing on the front.

You can see the aluminum wing where my number plate would be.
218209

I passed both Freddy and Roger down the main straight, not because my bike was faster (Fred's Selvy was a twin to mine) but because i could come out of turn 4 and into turn 1 going a couple mph faster every lap.

All these clips from my Dad's folder have ink marks so he could flip thru the stuff fast while talking to a sponsor and get quickly to the key bits.

[bkm]

Has anyone checked to see if Bay will still make these? I thought he was still in business??

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[fabiodriven]

Once again, thanks so much for posting. I'm not big into racing but the pictures combined with the dead nuts facts that accompany them is a very powerful combination. In all honesty I've not been on the site much as of late, but these threads are not to be missed.

I had my buddy (Craig) pull up this thread two weeks ago on our ride home from Trikefest as he had never previously heard of a Porterville foil. I might imagine I probably told him it "didn't do anything", and I'm pretty sure I said that years ago in this thread. Actually I did say that to Craig and then he dug up my comment from years ago when I said pretty much the exact same thing. Here you are today telling us just how much of an effect these things had after all these years without anyone to tell me otherwise, and for that I thank you.

[Orangecnty250r]

Thinking this was OC's when he ebayed it a few years back. Just saw it in a folder while digging for other pics.
They're cool, wish I'd bid on it back then... Had no game though :(

134662

I hate the fact that I sold it!! It was trimmed a bit. I have a build that it would be perfect for that didn't exist back then!! 90% of what I sold that I wouldn't mind having back Ttunes bought! I should have had a buy back policy..LOL

[John_Neary]

Chris White using the production plastic version CT racing sold.

218271

[bkm]

I hate the fact that I sold it!! It was trimmed a bit. I have a build that it would be perfect for that didn't exist back then!! 90% of what I sold that I wouldn't mind having back Ttunes bought! I should have had a buy back policy..LOL

I would like to see Tri-zTunes stash. I bet he has one awesome collection.

[Tecate250]

I just love these. If I was any good at fiberglass id try to make one.

[John_Neary]

@Tecate250 - The foil i used that Allen first made for me was fairly simply, just three pieces of alloy sheeting with the middle rolled to form the lower part that acted as the scoop & front fender and the upper rolled back so you would not cut your head off if you did a face plant and then the sides where cut to a sort of half tear drop shape to fit the bend and it had raised side ridges so the air had to channeled down the center and then it was all held together with rivets.

Mike over at the machine shop part of CT made it, it was a clean design but by no means complex or hard to reproduce. The alloy one worked much better than the plastic ones, no flex. The big center plastic part would just bend and defeated the whole idea, but AATVA outlawed the aluminum one after Honda protested me so the plastic was what Allen had to bring to market.

[OZQUAD44]

Great story John, those sort of tactics undertaken by factory backed teams would end up in negative publicity in our day and age of social media. Just goes to show that those things were more than just a styling statement. Very cool.


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[OZQUAD44]

I just love these posts about racing back in the day, just imagine if the sport was allowed to run its natural progression. I imagine it would look similar to the European speedway scene, those speedway bikes have stood the test of time, and always put on a good show.

They had speedway trikes racing here in Perth in the 80's and I use to drag my non ATC riding friends just to go watch them. I was just a little too young to compete at the time, then it all died in the arse.

I raced quads in Australia from 2001 thru to 2007, which was great, but not what I dreamed of doing as a youngster.


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[Tecate250]

Yeah it dont look too hard to make one. Just have to have mine louvered for my 85 tecate. Id love to find a way to mount a head light and grab bar on it too. I love my grab bar on the front end .

[OZQUAD44]

Pictures Tecate250


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[Tecate250]

I dont have any idea how to make one. I have green plastics but with the wide front end. I made one out of card board and it dosent look good

[jrush]

232340232339232339
Finally got my hands on one.