Tri-z UFO Airbox

[techguy]

I got lucky and found one in pretty good shape. Is there any interest in having it reproduced? I emailed DC Plastics but haven't heard back from them. Also, does anyone know what filter it takes? Thanks.

[Xowner]

I got lucky and found one in pretty good shape. Is there any interest in having it reproduced? I emailed DC Plastics but haven't heard back from them. Also, does anyone know what filter it takes? Thanks.

is this the one that goes under the seat when using a top mount tank?

[techguy]

Yes it is. The bike had a top mounted gas tank and low profile rear fender with a 40mm carb.

[oile]

Is that the one that was on ebay about two weeks ago?

[techguy]

Yep, I got it from eBay. I wanted the JT top mount tank, the other stuff was a bonus. I will try and get some pics up sometime this weekend, busy with remodeling my home.

[Xowner]

Yep, I got it from eBay. I wanted the JT top mount tank, the other stuff was a bonus. I will try and get some pics up sometime this weekend, busy with remodeling my home.

I have the pictures of the airbox from the auction i could post them up if ok.

[techguy]

That's fine Xowner. Thanks

[xrider]

Definitely need to repop it. I couldnt bring myself to pay the 800 for it

[Xowner]

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z119/Xowner350x/tri-zairbox.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z119/Xowner350x/tri-zlowerairbox.jpg

[oile]

If you can get some made up I'd buy 2 of them.

[bkm]

That looks a lot easier to repop than the Tecate UFO box I have. I would also love to get the Tecate box done, but I think it has to be dissected in order to mold all the pieces and I don't feel right cutting it apart.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

I think it would be really awesome if DC plastics could make the JT top mount tank re-pop. I dont know if they have to cut it up, I dont think so....

[christph]

Does it only work with the gas tank repositioned to the airbox? I would buy a reproduction so long as it doesn't. I suspect the stock setup is not as free flowing as it could be and this might be a good solution. I would definitely buy a reproduction of a UFO airbox for the first generation Tecate.

[just ben]

I think it would be really awesome if DC plastics could make the JT top mount tank re-pop. I dont know if they have to cut it up, I dont think so.... I don't think they do aluminum fabrication

[Xowner]

Thing with the tanks i took it to a place to have a perfect rep made they wanted 5-550 to redo the alum tank. The dang bung for the cap was the most $$$ part.

[techguy]

I got a email back from DC plastics and he wants some pics of it. I will get some sent this evening...

[Bryan Raffa]

tell him i got two hole UFO tri z shrouds ill send him also!!!! send him this picture also!!!!!!!! thanks!;) PS... really cool!!!

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Yes, it would be awesome if they could re-pop the UFO airbox.
What I was getting at before was if they could re make the tank, I was wondering why they couldnt make it a plastic one? Does it have to be aluminum? Is it cooler that way, yes, but plastic could be had for a LOT less than the cost mentioned above, for 500 dollars, and it could be mass produced. Maybe something to look into?

[250rs-neva-die]

Thats a really cool piece. If you are able to get it re-produced I would be in for 1. Please ley me know. thanks

[techguy]

Hey Raffa, I have a set of those UFO shrouds somewhere too... I finally got those peg mounts welded on that I got from you. Thanks again. I will let Tom know at DC. BTW... Nice Bike :drool:

[Bryan Raffa]

get em both going!!!

[nstyle73]

Might as well repop those low pro fenders too right?

[3 Wheel Drive]

Since you've got their attention, why not ask about doing a plastic top mount tank? You can always race cut your fenders, the tank is more desired I believe...

[Bryan Raffa]

too big for him too do.....

[Tri-Z 250]

Who's got the UFO front fender:wondering
(Is thats too big?) he offered a re-pop at one time I thought.
The package deal would be nice...but any reproduction is a good thing.

[techguy]

Looks like it's a no go with DC Plastics... Here's the email I got.

Hi Brent,
That's got a few too many curves for us to make. It looks like it would have to be a two piece design which I'm not sure how that would work out. If you would like to send it to me, I can take a better look at it. However, from the pictures I doubt that we can make it.

[Bryan Raffa]

Shroud's?,,,,,,

[Xowner]

Looks like it's a no go with DC Plastics... Here's the email I got.

Hi Brent,
That's got a few too many curves for us to make. It looks like it would have to be a two piece design which I'm not sure how that would work out. If you would like to send it to me, I can take a better look at it. However, from the pictures I doubt that we can make it.

Plastic guy i know says it would cost a lot to have a mold made of that size, and that you would have to sell quite a few of them to make it worth wild.

[jeswinehart]

Brent, I get the feeling you like tinkering with new stuff + ideas. This technique has always intrigued my wife + I. Vacuum forming.
You already have the pattern piece(s) to form around, I would think you may have enough stuff around the garage to get well under way,,,, maybe not.
I have read/heard certain parts with large protrusions or intricate pattern (350x head light shell and Bigred side panels in my case) are virtually impossible to vacuum form ,,, but perhaps this may be something to investigate ,,, ?
My key word search was "how to make vacuum parts" and variations of that wording.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50-sR54UBgY

john

[Mosh]

Anyone think about contacting UFO? It's their piece and they may just be interested in running some new ones including shrouds.

[dcreel]

Anyone think about contacting UFO? It's their piece and they may just be interested in running some new ones including shrouds.

When I contacted UFO about the Tecate air box. They said they are a different company and know nothing about those days.. I was just wondering if they knew which air filter worked in the UFO Tecate air box. They were less than cordial..

I also contacted DC Plastics to repop the Tecate UFO airbox, and he said he couldn't do it, and he would have to take it apart to try.

[Mosh]

Well if that is the case that is a bummer. I noticed they pulled their ATV plastics from the line-up as well probably due to lack of sales. I still think that contacting them is still a good idea even if they disregard the order, but at least the more interest they get for trikes may eventually open their minds up to new projects if they continually get interest for items.

Also there is still other options out there for these to be repoped, although it may cost a little more, I think there are companies that can handle that airbox with ease, it is just gonna take some time to find the right people. Keep searching for sure guys.

[New2Tri-Z]

I heard that Hagen (greenboy) is doing some top mount tanks or mock ups anyway. You may want to contact Lucas1 on here he knows quite abit about it, as he is waiting for one. Similar to the one for the Trikefest Raffle Trike (although that one was built by Mosh's buddy Flyin Brian). There are some pics in the Build thread, but I have no idea how much they cost. Being the manager of an Aluminum Fabrication shop I can tell you that making that tank would be timely and tough. So I am sure any cost associated is probably justifiable. A Plastic top mount tank would be awesome though.

[techguy]

Shroud's?,,,,,,

He asked what the difference was in the UFO shrouds and I explained it to him but he hasn't replied back.

[nstyle73]

A bit off topic, but would someone happen to have pictures from that auction they could repost. I thought I saved the ones of the fenders, tank and airbox, but I can't find them.

[Xowner]

It would be cool if someone could contact Clark or another company about making a plastic top mount Tri Z tank! They don't look as complicated as the 250R's or the Tecate's.

Wishful thinking.... I'd really like a top mount tank in the future, alumin or plastic.

flying brian will make you one, Or if the interest is there i got a guy that will make them for about 550 each shipped to your door.

[techguy]

Hey Raffa, Some good news on the UFO shrouds... I got a email back from DC Plastics: OK, we may be interested but there would need to be an initial order of 10 or so to cover it. So who's interested in getting a set of UFO shrouds???

[Bryan Raffa]

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep me posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ill take 2 sets possibly 3 by the time he pops em... :Bounce

[3 Wheel Drive]

How do the UFO Shrouds compaire to the readily available ones made by Maire?

Do they allow more airflow into the rads, thicker, less expensive,, what's the main difference if any?

Inquiring minds wanna know...

[volfan537240]

i always get excited when i hear talk about top mount tanks. a plastic one would be sweet.

[xrider]

I am in for a set of Shrouds in red and an underseat airbox

[Bryan Raffa]

How do the UFO Shrouds compaire to the readily available ones made by Maire?

Do they allow more airflow into the rads, thicker, less expensive,, what's the main difference if any?

Inquiring minds wanna know...

the originals are thiner than stock and maire
Two hole design was for more air flow.... does it work? probley NOT...? :lol:
less expensive... from DC ..probley and probley be a flat finnish like the originals.
main difference is the two hole design and if redone will be thicker than stock..

the main thing is people like to be Different.. and have a different look.:)

[Mosh]

I remember when those UFO's hit ebay a few years back. Pretty sure people were paying around 175-200 per set on Ebay. That was back before anyone was even offering new shrouds and all that was left was polishing out old dull OEM's. Never got a set myself. I bought the 10$ OEM sets on ebay and polished them out.

[3 Wheel Drive]

the originals are thiner than stock and maire
Two hole design was for more air flow.... does it work? probley NOT...? :lol:
less expensive... from DC ..probley and probley be a flat finnish like the originals.
main difference is the two hole design and if redone will be thicker than stock..

the main thing is people like to be Different.. and have a different look.:)


Making or should I say re-making anything for 3 wheelers is a good thing! After all variety is the spice of life. ;)

[techguy]

I am in for a set of Shrouds in red and an underseat airbox

DC said that they would be in the same ballpark as the stock shrouds, $59.95 plus shipping and available in yellow or black. Still interested?

[techguy]

I will start a new thread on the UFO radiator shrouds in the next couple of days to see if we can get at least 10 orders in so they will make them. I will try to find the set I have and take some pics of them next to stock shrouds so people can see the difference. It's never ending... I have to run to Lowes after work and pic up my tub that came in and install it tonight so the tile guy can start.