Project 86 Tri-Z: A day at a time. UPDATED WITH PICS

[200XMichigan]

I have had my eyes on this Tri-Z for over 6 months now. It is sitting behind my friends house and has been there for a long time. He saw me driving a 3 wheeler one time and told me he had an old three wheeler behind his house, he thinks its a Honda 250R, but whatever it was it was so fast it scared the crap out of him. Eventually he says he think's it actually might be a Yamaha. I went over a few times to try to buy it and every time he just changed the subject. Well finally I got to talk business and he said he would take my $215 for the Tri-Z. It looks like its in real good shape but I haven't got to check it out fully since everytime before I asked to buy it he didn't want to have me go look at it or talk about it. He just had no interest in it and every time I was there he didn't feel like showing it to me. It's a red and white one which I believe is the 86 six speed. The fenders look pretty good and it looks like everything is there and it was running great when parked. I'll put some pics up tomorrow or the next day when I get it back to the house.

There are so many types of anti-freeze no days, what does everyone run? Just standard coolant or are any of the extended life ones better?

I am going to run it 32:1 since that seems to be the agreed safe mix level.

What are the other things to check for on the Tri-Z (I know all about the fuel pump). I figure I'll change all its fluids, rebuild the carb, re-jet for winter, tighten my chain, fork fluid, spark plug, check swing arm and carrier bearings. Is there anything specific to the Tri-Z I should look for? I mean at that price I'm buying it no matter what. It will finally get some shelter. I almost went over this winter and tarped it for him because I couldn't stand to see it outside.

[sugarhead]

The tri z i WAS GONNA BUY FOR 900 WAS SOLD,BUMMER!You want to see some cool tri z stuff go to you tube and look up brian raffas Z,his whole yard looks like a trike and powersports haven:D hes got a real sweet Z.

[bigworm626]

200xMich,
You lucky dog you, finally that trike goes to a better owner. way to rescue that Z kid kash.

[sugarhead]

Where the hell are all the trizs and tecates in NJ?The trailer park trash w the flip flops and backwards baseball caps either let them rot or trashed them w there stupidity probably.

[200XMichigan]

Man every time I was over there I felt bad for it. Plus after having my first 2 stroke trike, the YT175, I needed more. I took the YT175 up some big dunes a couple days ago and was arching this bowl but with no rear suspension and limited front it was pretty getting a bit scary on the way back down. I can't wait, the real deal, 250 cc's of liquid cooled 2 stroke.

They aren't common around here at all. I have only seen one Tecate and maybe a couple Tri-Z for sale within 150 miles or so. I almost got a Tecate last winter but I was already in the dog house for buying my 200X. Been kicking myself ever since for not getting the Tecate. But now I'll have the Tri-Z and it will all be good again.

[Trikeboss]

Ill buy your tri-moto for $215 :)

[wisconsinite]

your rear shock is probably gonna be shot, if it is watch for one from a warrior. i'd also sugest a case saver if you're gonna ride it hard, you can get one from member sblt500r for a fair price.

[Just-Tri-It]

Find a manual or download one. Next to fuel and oil, you need a manual. Tons of info that will be helpful. You can find them on eBay, at good prices sometimes and at higher prices all the time.

[200XMichigan]

Already have a service manual. Downloaded it the day I found out there was a Tri-Z for me to get. But I noticed my manual is for the YTZ250N, and was printed in 84. Will this manual still cover everything except for the tranny gears? Or did they change a lot of things for the 86 Tri-Z?

[200XMichigan]

UPDATE: I went to get it yesterday and man it has had a hard life but its going to clean up really good. There are no cracks in any of the plastic, except one tiny crack in the front fender. They still seem flexible, so some wet sanding and the plastic should look real good.

The rear wheels are stupid steel wheels, he told me the front its the wrong wheel, the backs are correct. I started to tell him that wasn't right but why bother, he also said it was a 4 speed. When I got there I had a spark plug wrench and some PB Blaster and I was going to pull the plug before I tried to kick it over, spray in some PB Blaster, go in and have a beer and let it sit. I get there and he had been kicking it over all day to get it to start. I told him not to worry about it I would just pull the carb when I get home, he told me don't bother with that just try some fresh gas. I am thinking this thing has been sitting so long and its a Tri-Z, there is no way I am not rebuilding its carb. But its at my house and as soon as the weather allows I am going to clean it up and change all the fluids, and clean and re-jet the carb.

[muthey]

I saw some old oil on the motor you might want to chack and see if it's got blown gaskets before really running it I want a tri-z pretty bad myself and would hate to see yours blown just by starting it

[200XMichigan]

Its going to get a lot before I run it. Looks to me that oil is just blowing back from the exhaust. He said he mixed it 20:1 the last time he ran it and it was smoking really bad. There not any oil that could leak out of the head of a 2 stroke, no oil passages or anything. But don't worry it is going to get some major attention.

[90guy]

im liking the home made foot peg back yard work FTW!

[200XMichigan]

It was funny, he made sure to point it out to me. Like somehow I wasn't going to notice this jagged cobbled foot peg. That needs to go.

[tommerp]

I have a set of footpegs Ill send you for cost of shipping.

PM me and let me know if you are interested... They are a just a bit bent, but still better than a piece of old bed-rail (ala bcredneck LOL)

[ama009]

Man 200xMichigan ! that sucker looks nice!! Sounds like it has arrived to a great home! Im glad for you! It was an incredible feeling when I got my 200x home, now it feels like 10X that feeling with the Z. Looking forward to pics of your progress with it.

[200XMichigan]

For as hard of a life as its seen its still in really good shape, I was surprised the back fenders are good. And everything is there, minus that one foot peg and the stock rear wheels. I am hoping for a break in the weather again. It was really warm, not so much now.

I don't know how they did it with that foot peg but I guess the old owner used to drive it all over with his girlfriend on the back. Just wondering how that worked with only one foot peg.

[JasonB]

The pegs on those bikes are notorious for bein weak if you didn't already know. Not the pegs but the actual frame. And nice find! Looking forward to progress picks!

[muthey]

I really wasn't talking about any oil passages, I was kinda hinting at blown gaskets and a fuel/ oil seepage from the cylinder to the bottom end, and building up there, I might be all wrong, but was just concerned about you being like so many people I know who just hop on something and go without ever really looking it over, and making sure it's ready to rock and roll. I'm glad you aren't one of those people and are planing on turning that trike into a real beauty

[Kfx-xc-racer88]

The footpegs aren't that bad on the tri-z's it's usually the bolts into the case nuts in the frame that are junk!!
check the swingarm around where the shock goes though it for hairline cracks, it's a common fault. i've had about 10 tri-z's

[200XMichigan]

Made a little progress today. 26 degrees so I guess it was a good day to at least check things over and give it a PB Blaster bath in hopes of not breaking any bolts. The guy who had it before me was really not a fan of maintenance, he told me (about the crank case oil), "That oil there, I check it but it never seems to need any". Also the air box was filled with the best filter medium ever made, leaves. Fortunately that actually filters out the mice from going directly into the piston at TDC. And of course the one time I don't check out the shift lever, it's welded on. But who was I kidding, for $215 I was going to buy it no matter what. This is the first Tri-Z, 250R or Tecate I have ever seen with my own eyes. If I didn't know better I would swear I was in Canada. So how was I not going to buy it. I'm going to drain and change all the fluids and clean the carb in the next couple days to hear how it runs.

[tommerp]

Yeah.. I'd say you have (had) a bit of a mouse problem there....

[jmax857]

If I didn't know better I would swear I was in Canada.

i hear ya!

[90guy]

really nice find for the price id love to find a sports model. I still have to pick up my free big red once spring break rolls around.

[RideRed250R]

215 and he threw in a midget.. with clothing? sick... stick that thing in a closet with a wire brush and the bike... bet yah you will have a looker by morning..

[Bryan Raffa]

Nice SAVE on the 86 for that price!

[k00leo]

man oh man,

what a steal, you did good.

Only if i could find one around here for that price

[200XMichigan]

All in all its going to be a great trike. Its amazing that there's not anything missing. I guess that's the good thing about someone who doesn't do any maintenance vs someone who does it half-assed, at least they don't remove parts and loose them. Every bit of the bike was intact, I was hoping to find the factory tool kit but that was missing.

Actually come spring that midget will get his own midget ride, a little YF60 I picked up on trade (actually got two). Always thought I was a Honda man but these Yamaha's are really growing on me.

It has a flat slide carb on it? Was that stock? Also has an aftermarket silencer on it.

If I am lucky its going to hit above freezing today and I can wash it down and get a bit more done.

[Eric250R]

Great score man, really glad you saved it. And Honda, Yamaha, or Kawasaki, you're still saving one of great ones. I have all 3, although my current Z is in Michigan, the Z is my favorite. Love the way they ride... you won't be dissapointed.

[200XMichigan]

Getting it all cleaned up. Fortunately it was warm enough to give it a good wash today. Years of grime were crusted on this thing. I don't think its been washed since sometime in the 90's. But some Simple Green and elbow grease and the engine is really cleaning up well. I can now at least see what I have to work with. Next for all the real stuff, changing fluids, and rebuilding the carb. I couldn't even bring myself to work on it before it was so dirty.

Here's a before an after pic of the engine. Its got some more cleaning needed but I could only work while it was above freezing.

[ama009]

Good progress!! Looking good! I absolutely love the foot peg!! Is that thing custom?! Where can I get one?! Sorry, I had too. just having some fun! :lol:

[200XMichigan]

Actually as much as I hate to part with it, that foot peg could be yours. It was actually an old race foot peg, see how aero dynamic that bent semi-round rod is?

Seriously though I have got foot pegs, a new seat, and a twist throttle all on the way. Can't wait to fire this thing up and take it for a spin.

[200XMichigan]

Got some free time and started wet sanding the fenders. Amazing they were black with lichen but actually look pretty good. Got some more sanding to do but this thing is going to look great once I get it back together. I was shocked all of plastic was all cracked and busted.


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[yooperbanshee]

Cool thread. I'm from the UP probably not far from you. I just picked up a good running tri-z from downstate of CraigsList for 350.00 a couple weeks ago. Good luck with your build.
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-ZPics001.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-ZPics003.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-ZPics002.jpg

[200XMichigan]

Nice score man. Where in the UP? I'm jealous you got the gold rims. That looks real original, even has the sprocket cover and exhaust shield.

[tommerp]

I heard the gold rims were standard and the silver's were more rare... is that true?

[200XMichigan]

They might be but mine came with grey steel wheels on the back. Looked at some pictures of the 1985 and its rims were gold too. Guess it shouldn't be too hard to find a set for mine.

[yooperbanshee]

I'm in Gladstone, in the process right now of tearing down and going to go through and powdercoat everything. Have it ready ready for summer.
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-Zpics048.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-Zpics050.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd412/yooperbanshee/TriZ%20Pics/Tri-Zpics049.jpg

[200XMichigan]

Man now I am even more jealous, I swear I would kill for a garage about now. Going to have mine ready for spring too. But I'm gonna have to fight a lot more snow.