TRI-Z Q&A with driscoll

[dannyortega117]

tjsb1 hey this is danny ortega brett driscoll and i were talking sounds i know you but who are you? Iam in az but going to mccall in a couple days .....dano

[Bryan Raffa]

hey brett hows it going ,, do you have any pic's with that pipe in it ,, what did it look like? was this before the klemm pipes?

[dannyortega117]

since thee fun old days of racing 3 wheelers i have been racing jet skis snowmobiles flying airplanes off-road trucks......whatever puts a grin on your face dano

[Bryan Raffa]

:D danny whens the last time you were on a trike?

[driscoll333]

brian, the klem pipes sucked. especially on the long rods. the only pipe that really worked was factory tri. (yamaha USA) spechs.. the klem pipe had no top end.

[dannyortega117]

bryan it has been probably 15 years.......

[Bryan Raffa]

brian, the klem pipes sucked. especially on the long rods. the only pipe that really worked was factory tri. (yamaha USA) spechs.. the klem pipe had no top end.

was it a sectional pipe? or like the stocker? I hope you have a picture somewhere..:)

do you rember what else UFO made for the Z? I recently got 2 shroud's sets new and they look killer.. I think they made a airbox also?? Here's a pic of them shrouds..

[driscoll333]

dan , more like 20... u old turd

[Bryan Raffa]

bryan it has been probably 15 years.......

come on dano sturr up some old memory's:Bounce :Bounce

and :welcome: to 3 wheeler world!! glad you joined us!!;)

[driscoll333]

the first ones were sectional hand built. but we had them stamped soon after. the stamped one looked stock. i think the stamped pipe was better. and stronger. just not as trick looking. i will look for a close up pic , in the next week or so. ufo made everything that was plastic for the tri-z . not sure about the air box. why would u run an after market box?

[Bryan Raffa]

the first ones were sectional hand built. but we had them stamped soon after. the stamped one looked stock. i think the stamped pipe was better. and stronger. just not as trick looking. i will look for a close up pic , in the next week or so. ufo made everything that was plastic for the tri-z . not sure about the air box. why would u run an after market box?

it was a re- locator box to mount a filter down buy the carb.. I would think to use with the klem top mount tank... a member here has one

did the UFO fender look like the stock ones?


brett and dano,, Have a merry christmas!! team yamaha:naughty:

speaking of that .. you guys ever race on a christmas? you ex die hards..

[Bryan Raffa]

did that pipe have the heat sheild on it?

[driscoll333]

i never used ufo plastics, the stock plastics were better. (and free). i did run the srp fiber glass lowered rear fender. (short course). danny built a tank out of a 6" aluminum irrigation pipe. sometimes we didnt run an air box . just a k&n off the carb..

[driscoll333]

no heat shield.

[Bryan Raffa]

srp fiberglass huh.. find a picture of that ..that would be intersting to see for shure..good luck on finding some pictures .. and have a Happy Holiday! Raffa..

[tjsb1]

tjsb1 hey this is danny ortega brett driscoll and i were talking sounds i know you but who are you? Iam in az but going to mccall in a couple days .....dano

Sorry Brett, didn't mean to hi-jack your thread. Danny was (and I am sure is still is) fast and fearless, had lots of fun both on and off the track.

Hi Danny, small world isn't it. TJSB1 is short for Tim Jordan (snow bike one). We raced Tri-Z's back in the day. Man it has been awhile. Last time we talked you were in McCall looking at sleds but that was like six years ago I think. Hows it going?

Moved recently to Portland from McCall. Got tired of snow for six months of the year, now I get rain for 8 months. Sold the rights to my snow bike patent and I am trying to trade snow for sand and go play in the dunes. What are you up to these days?

PM me some time and I will send you my contact info.

[radrandy2001]

randy, post that pic on here , so everyone can see what happens when a rookie rides over his head. haha..that crash hurt . i can still feel it

Heres the scan. Pic #2 from 3 Wheeling Mag November 1982. Score Off Road Race.
Randy

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/DriscollCrashsmall.jpg

[driscoll333]

i was pinned wide open , when i went over the bars. then harry mcdermont (i think) ran over me . my helmet crushed his pipe. thanks for the pic. .. raffa srp (sundahl race products). made those for yam and hondas. they were bitchin

[driscoll333]

sundahl is about 50. i heard he just over-alled a atv desert race here near el centro.wow! it would have made me crazy if a 40-50 year old would have smoked me when i was in my 20s...

[radrandy2001]

sundahl is about 50. i heard he just over-alled a atv desert race here near el centro.wow! it would have made me crazy if a 40-50 year old would have smoked me when i was in my 20s...

It sure sounds much better now doesn't it? You ought to get out somewhere and race something and get your licks in while you can. I race Vintage MX on old dirt bikes from the '70's (Hodaka's) and Post Vintage MX on bikes from the early '80's (Yamaha's with drum brakes) and I get to race against all ages. Whipping up on the young'ins is fun but getting beat by some of these older than me guys, some of them now 60 still sucks :cry: Thats cool about Dean.
Randy

[radrandy2001]

Brett, here you go. I was digging through my old mags and found you on the cover of Dirt Wheels December 1982. Also mentioned inside for the Supercross at the Coliseum. All on the Husky. If you haven't done so already, can you tell us how you went from being a regular guy to having a factory ride? Were you kicking butt as a privateer? Or did you have Mafia connections :naughty:
Thanks!
Randy

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/DriscollFrontPageHusky.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/DriscollHuskyatSupercross.jpg

[driscoll333]

randy, it was speed,politics,timming,location,and tracey dickson..

[driscoll333]

SPEED... im sure there was alot of guys that thought they were as fast, but there was fast and the next level of fast. i would say there was only 30-40 guys that were capable of that next level. POLITICS... yes it does matter who u know,and who likes u .. LOCATION, 90% of the fast guys were from So Cal. the roots of ATV racing started here, and baja was only a few miles away. TIMMING.... my timming couldnt had been better. the perfect age , i had the bob hannah, rick johnson, brock glover look (they said). TRACEY DICKSON... tracey and his pops took me under there wing, they always looked out for me and let me in on race tips and mechanics. and gave me a prototype husky to start my career. u dont find people like that very often...

[driscoll333]

those pics are bitchin. the collosium was bitchin too! those pics also let me know how fortunate i am too. chris white (passed away?) dan lamey and mike chester (paralized?) waxx (?) i hear m. hart is doing good.. if i am wrong with any of those facts please correct me.

[radrandy2001]

QUOTE> TRACEY DICKSON... tracey and his pops took me under there wing, they always looked out for me and let me in on race tips and mechanics. and gave me a prototype husky to start my career. u dont find people like that very often...[/QUOTE]

Brett, please tell us more about Tracey and his Dad. Tracey's name appears throughout the articles in mags of that era but as far as I know, he never was quite the brand name in racing like Marty Hart, Jimmy White etc... Tracey and his Dad made a big mark on this sport but now would be a great place for you to tell the "inside story" on them, their machines, the support they gave you, updates on where they are now and if you still have contact with them. If nothing else, a internet thanks from you to them if you feel so inclined. I would like to hear the story if you have the time.
Thanks!
Randy

[radrandy2001]

those pics are bitchin. the collosium was bitchin too! those pics also let me know how fortunate i am too. chris white (passed away?) dan lamey and mike chester (paralized?) waxx (?) i hear m. hart is doing good.. if i am wrong with any of those facts please correct me.

I just did a google search for Waxx and came up with this and it has a pic. Looks like him to me and he is still in California restoring cars. Go to
http://eldercare.uniontrib.com/srzone/musings-car.cfm to see it.

I remember reading about Mike Chester being paralized but didn't remember Lamey's story.

I know of a couple local 3W racers that broke necks and as I got older, I swore off the big tracks with lots of speed. That was where the big injuries came from. Before nerfs there was a lot of tire climbing and wick'd flips. The 3W's would always chase you down and pound you one last time before it was over. Controlled insanity at best :crazy:
Randy

[driscoll333]

the firt time i met tracey, was in el centro(fair grounds race). i thought the race was going to be a little POE-DUNK race. wow was i wrong. tracey , marty hart, steve wright and a few other showed up. i think steve 1st, tracey 2nd , me 3rd. not sure what happened to marty. wow what a rush. one of my first races and im out there with the best. after the race the boys knew i was a local , so i showed them around that night. cant remember everything , but i know we had a blast. after that he came to el centro alot, for racing and a couple of hot dates . haha. we became really good friends, he was even in my wedding.. i dont know exactly where he is or what he's doing, the last time we talked was about 5 years ago. he sounded good. i think he was in colorado, but thinking about moving. i heard he might be doing something with nascar. his pops was deep in indy/nascar before helping tracey and I with our careers. and the husky push...

[driscoll333]

yes that pic is of WAXX, it looks like it was from 2002. i hope he is doing good. i have a good race story about WAXX. i will post it in a couple days

[Bryan Raffa]

in your wedding..lol you pro's need to keep better track of each other!
Your guys Roots Run deep here!!!!! You remember the spec's on that husky... how was that to ride?? did you ever have a big boy to race coe's 480?

[radrandy2001]

the firt time i met tracey, was in el centro(fair grounds race). i thought the race was going to be a little POE-DUNK race. wow was i wrong. tracey , marty hart, steve wright and a few other showed up. i think steve 1st, tracey 2nd , me 3rd. not sure what happened to marty. wow what a rush. one of my first races and im out there with the best. after the race the boys knew i was a local , so i showed them around that night. cant remember everything , but i know we had a blast. after that he came to el centro alot, for racing and a couple of hot dates . haha. we became really good friends, he was even in my wedding.. i dont know exactly where he is or what he's doing, the last time we talked was about 5 years ago. he sounded good. i think he was in colorado, but thinking about moving. i heard he might be doing something with nascar. his pops was deep in indy/nascar before helping tracey and I with our careers. and the husky push...

Thanks again to the Net and Google, I think I found Tracey Dickson. I found a Tracey Dickson (same spelling) that is a fabricator for the Woods Brothers NASCAR Team. You can click on this link http://www.woodbrothersracing.com/crew.cfm and read the names and there he is mentioned, no picture that I found but I didn't really look. Maybe you can tell him his ears are ringing again in 3 Wheeler land.

Thanks for the great story. Can you continue the story on how the support/sponsor rides came about and how Husky came into the picture?
Thanks!
Randy

[Bryan Raffa]

good diggin Randy ...now find the rest of them guys..:naughty: :TrikesOwn

[Billy Golightly]

Hey Brett, I just wanted to let you know I tried that anti-persperint deoderant trick of yours this morning before my 14 mile loop XC race and it worked AWESOME. I've always had issues with my hands getting blisters, being sore, and just overall tender even with gloves on after extended periods of riding and this for whatever reason solved it. And I think it also helped with general hand cramping I usually get, cause I was fine almost all day. Awesome tip, thanks a ton!

[driscoll333]

hey billy, thats a speed secret dont tell anyone... oh ...we are on the inernet. now a million people know.. hahaha.

[Billy Golightly]

So my next question is, what I can do to keep the end of the seat/gas tank from slappin me in the nuts every time the front tire goes down in a hole? :shiftyeyes:


:lol:

[driscoll333]

my waxx story... a few of us pro's showed up a national desert race. there was about 50+ 3w riders. it was about a 100 mile race. near the superstition mountains (imperial valley). me and waxx traded positions several times, 1st ,2nd. i never rode so hard before! at about 60 miles i was wide open on the dry lake bed. i looked over and waxx was waving one hand trying to get me to stop. i didnt know what was going on so i stopped. he pulled up next to me and told me to shut the motor off. so i did. waxx started talking to me very calm like nothing was wierd about this whole thing. he basiclly said we were way out front and to stop pushing so hard because the race was only between us. i said ok, started up my 3w and took off. i rode even harder after that. haha . after the race i asked him what the heck he was doing. he said, just f--in with u. haha. 25 years later and i still think about it. i guess he got in my head with out me even realizing it. i took this as a huge compliment/respect.or maybe it was typicall waxx. thanks waxx. brett

[driscoll333]

move your nuts. hahaha. seriously... are u riding sitting on the seat too much? practice this. slide your ass back farther than normal. and let your legs do the work. your ass should barely touch the seat (in the rough) .

[Billy Golightly]

Yeah honestly thats what my issue was, by the 3rd lap I was so fatigued I couldn't stay up off the seat for long, so I kept sitting, and yup, I kept gettin smacked. :lol:

[driscoll333]

when i get fatigued. i try NOT to ride slower or different. stay low(especially on a 3w). and tell your brain youre having fun. hopefully youll get a second wind. it usaully takes about 5-10 min. works for me , i hope it make sense .

[az350xer]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to the forum but I remember the #33 Tri-Z like it was yesterday. All I wanted to do back then was race 3 wheelers but by the time I was old enough to have a job so I could afford to buy a 250R, it was 1987, the writing was on the wall, and it was all over but the cryin'. I was so pissed that I sold my 200x in 1989, went to street riding and never even thought about getting another atv until recently. I just picked up an '84 200X and a '85 350X as a pair for a song. After a quick tune and carb rebuild I am back in the desert enjoying it just like I was a kid all over again.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane Brett. I see a lot of names I recognize mentioned in this thread. I was always first on line as a teenager whenever the mag hit the stands. You guys were the reason I wanted to race!

[driscoll333]

az350, thanks for the post. i hope your new 3wlers give u lots of good times.too bad theyre both honda's.. haha

[Tecate250]

This thread just gets better and better. Good to hear you might be going to trike fest.

[WLL]

such a sweet thread. i love this place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[driscoll333]

thanks. its been fun, remembering the 80's

[Tecate250]

How does it feel to have the "GOD" status , you never knew you had? Did you ever think that you would have such a profound impact on so many people?

[driscoll333]

im definatly not the 3w GOD. but if i helped inspire someone to ride or race, thats awsome...the internet is great in so many ways..

[Tecate250]

When you first heard of this site or seen it for your self you probably never thought it would be this big. All the memories you may have forgotten about if not for some members remembering you and others in the "GLORY DAYS"

[driscoll333]

yeah, this is a cool site, its great that we can use it to remember the 3w days.

[Bryan Raffa]

Hi brett.. thought you would like to see a few pictures of the event I did at my house a few weeks ago...You ever race on the ICE?:p :TrikesOwn

[driscoll333]

the pics a great. it looks like a good time.. i never did get to race on ice. i always wanted to.i bet the tri-z works good on ice.

[swamp]

hey i could really use some help i need to no where i can get a pulley to get the generator off of my 1985 tri z i cant find it anywhere pleaze help also where is the best place to get one

i cant even tell whats wrong i cant get the pulley off

[lndy650]

NOTHIN BUT TWIST THROTTLE. i dont remember one pro riding with a thumb. especially on long desert races.

on my tri z my thumb would always get caught between the lever and the handlebars anyone else ever have this problem?

[njeffery]

This thread has moved me to put a VHS movie from 1983 of atc's and dirt bikes on a dvd and put it on the web, you guys would love it. my dad raced in those days and this is a movie of cross country race's. I wish I could have been there well I was in a way. I was born in 1985 and that's when my dad stopped race'in. After reading this thread I called him and asked about his story's from the day.:) Good time's keep you all posted!

[driscoll333]

id like to see it. keep us up to date how its going...i have been super busy the last few months , but im back .

[njeffery]

Well I got it on DVD but now I'm trying to get it on "youtube" but I'm that good with that stuff so I have to find some one to help me.

[Tecate250]

Wow! what happend to this thread? 2008??? Where ya been Brett?

[driscoll333]

anymore questions ?? I still check in . oh ,,,,i saw dean sundahl at a d38 race . still winning races. his banshee sound wicked. if you 3wheeler lovers never been to a desert race, you're missing out ... its worth a plane ticket to SO CAL. the races are posted on www.amad38.com (http://www.amad38.com). im personally inviting anyone interested. i will even pick u up at the SD airport!!!!!!

[firefirefire90]

Hey Brett, i'd be down to rock it with ya to the 4/19/2008 IV Racing Superstition/Dry Lake. And man you remind me every time I open up a packet of "Driscoll's rasberries" hahaha. How's D-Drisc. doin? Still footballin it up or is he completely done? He was in the same grade as Jason Forcier and I know he's graduating from Stanford this year...

[driscoll333]

yeah. sounds good ,I will be there. i run #88s. my son,dustin is still playing football at arizona state. he isnt the same age as jason. he is considered a frosh this year. so starting next year he still is elligable for 3 years. watch ESPN jersey #17. unless he changes it. might get some P.T. next year. driscoll berries are no relation,but they have the best strawberries ever!!!!

[Bryan Raffa]

good to see ya brett! tell your boy to go with #33;)

we got a ICE Video comeing out soon. I'll make shure you get one:D

[rdlsz24]

my son,dustin is still playing football at arizona state. he is considered a frosh this year. so starting next year he still is elligable for 3 years. watch ESPN jersey #17. unless he changes it. might get some P.T. next year.

So he will be catching passes from Elway's kid in a couple years?

Rob

[firefirefire90]

yeah. sounds good ,I will be there. i run #88s. my son,dustin is still playing football at arizona state. he isnt the same age as jason. he is considered a frosh this year. so starting next year he still is elligable for 3 years. watch ESPN jersey #17. unless he changes it. might get some P.T. next year. driscoll berries are no relation,but they have the best strawberries ever!!!!


ah so he redshirted? I knew he messed up his... ankle(?) or something a while back. Wow I thought for sure him and Jason graduated the same year together. Sweet deal dude. Is he playing wide-out or DB there?

[driscoll333]

yeah . elway is there , hopefully he will be the guy soon. dustin had hip surgery. but hes good now. correction # 18. slot reciever. go sundevils!!!!

[driscoll333]

no UofA fans allowed to post on here!!!! hahahaha ,,,,not really. love you all...

[Tecate250]

Hey Brett. Good to see you still check in. Any luck finding a tri z yet? Or mabey you want to go back to your roots with an airfooler. Find anymore pics of the good ol days? I have never been anywhere there is sand. Just good old canadian bed rock. Have you considered going to trike fest? I can almost see a tear in your eye when the group photo is taken.

Oh and speed does not kill stupidity kills.

[driscoll333]

tacate,, I need to buy a tri-z... i am looking for a clean one. i have some more pics. I'll get them on here soon.come on down to SoCal, and I'll take u to glamis and our local desert. and yes I'm interested in trikefest this year. it will be tough but I'm trying...

[Beerside]

Hey Mr. Driscoll,
I still remember walking to the 3rd ave. news stand in chula vista, ca. sometime during summer vacation in 1986 to buy that magazine with you on the cover doing the tire tests. I grew up down the street from the Weixeldorfer's in Bonita, ca. and lived, breathed, and dreamed about 3 wheelers. Back then it used to be all undeveloped canyons between my house and all the way to otay mesa and the Mexican border which was where speedway 117 was. There was like hundreds of miles of canyon trails to ride on back then. Now it's all been developed and turned into about 1.2 million homes!! Half of which are in forclosure now :wondering I was in Jr. high during those times and I at 1st had an '84 110 and then steped up to an '84 200X. But of course all I ever wanted was a 250R. I read where you said you own your own surf and skate shop in El Centro, ca. That's ironic, how the east shore break at the Salton Sea :lol: I'd love to stop by and buy some shirts and stuff and get my Sept. 1986 edition of 3Wheeling autographed:p
One more thing, on my UPS route I saw a yellow Tri-Z (85 right?) inside a garage. It looks like it's been sitting there for awhile, just for fun, the next time im there im going to sneak a picture of it with my blackberry and I'll post it here. I don't think its in the condition of something you would want but it looks cool. It's the same as the one you're riding on the 3wheeling cover. Jeff in San Diego

[Tecate250]

SWEET BRETT. Why kind of tri z would you perfer? black white or yellow? 6 speed or 5? Moddes right out or stock? I can't wait to see an article like this...

Retired Factory 3 wheeler racer Brett Discoll still has it after 24 years away from the sport.

Too cool. Id like to see you Marty hart Jimmy white and dean sundal going at it once again.

[driscoll333]

beer...your post brings back alot of memories,, i was told the tire test cover shot was there most sold edition for 3w magazine. dean kirsten can confirm that.. I do own a surf and skate shop in el centro. but still spend alot of time in SD. the area near otah ranch was an area we did photo shoots for JT racing. to bad its gone.. speedway 117 was one of the first pro races for me. come by the store and would like to BS and sign that mag ... thanks for the post... brett

[driscoll333]

tacate,, i think a yellow 5 speed ,, as stock as possible.. or as close to my race 3w as possible.. like the profile picture.. that would be too much to ask for .. probably a rare find..and It would be great to hang out and ride with hart,white,sundahl again.. I hear none of those guys lost their speed. brett

[Beerside]

Mr. Driscoll
I went to that house today that I mentioned in my 1st message to you. About the Yellow Tri-Z that I saw there. It has been about 6 months since I last saw it so I wasn't sure. I walked up to the house and there was an old guy sitting outside, he No habla ingles. But just then a lady walked outside and I asked her if she still had the "yellow Motorcycle". She said "ooh yeah, it's in the garage, let me get the keys" Awesome I thought!! She opened up the garage and what a dump! There was laundry hanging on the hadlebars and biclyles leaning all over the fenders! She said it was her husbands and that he is trying to sell it ($1,000.00) It's not going to win any beauty pagents but it does seem to be mostly complete. Looks like the fenders had been sitting in the sun alot. If I could go to the Yamaha dealer and buy all and any OEM part it need then I would get this. But of course that's not the case:( If you've ever gone to Mexico and bought insurance right before you crossed the border then you've been to San Ysidro, Ca. That's where this "Z" is. Well, I hope these pictures don't blind you too much :D I also included some pictures of my machines. I couldn't have them when I was 14 so I got them when I was 36 :beer
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/DriscollTri-Z.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/DriscollTri-Z2.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/DriscollTri-Z3.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/DriscollTri-Z4.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_0514-1.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_0677.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_1015.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_0661.jpg

[Dammit!]

The plastics on that Z could be sanded and buffed back into shape. $1000 is too much money though. I bet it could be had for a lot less.

[Beerside]

The plastics on that Z could be sanded and buffed back into shape. $1000 is too much money though. I bet it could be had for a lot less.

You're right, I bet they would take $600.00 for it. The lady said they really needed money right now and I don't think there going to find another buyer

[Tecate250]

Cool find beerside.
Someone find Brett a bike. I can see it now. Brett almost squealing like a school girl when he gets one. Ever drive the big reds and ytms? You know the go anywhere anytime bikes? Did they ever race them? And the yt 125 and 175.

[driscoll333]

thanks for taking the time to go take pics. the tri-z could be a diamond in the rough. your restored 3wlers are beautiful. very nice. doent UFO still make plastics for 3wlers? or does it make more sense to sand them. we never sanded becuase they were free or very cheap. does sanding really work? like wood? ok.. I NEVER have screamed like a girl.. been excited ,yes.. haha

[Dammit!]

You can wet sand and polish plastic. Looks like new if you're patient. Tri-Z plastics can still be bought new for the most part. I think maier makes everything but the rad shrouds which you can get from other sources (moshman355 here on the boards and aussieduner on 3wheeler.org). Don't know if the headlight plastic is available yet. They weren't when I was looking for them.

Go pick that bad boy up and have it ready for next dune season. :D

[Bryan Raffa]

$1000 I say is not that bad.. could be a little cheeper

Check for the foot pegs bent down/ loose,stripped,,thats a bad area for these frames,cracks in swing arm,around the curved area,by the shock.. headlight guard looks strait!..stock front tire and boots, All 3 gold rims a plus.. but can easly find..,nice cooler rack..OG skid plate also..with a DG..nice bike to start with!!! go get in the truck:)

[Beerside]

Mr. Driscoll
Now this looks like the kind of Tri-Z you should have sitting in your office/cigar room :-)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010005.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010006.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010007.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010012.jpg
Jeff in San Diego

[driscoll333]

thats my 3wler !!! give it back!!!! haha .. mine only looked like that for 1 hour!! haha... very nice.

[Bryan Raffa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lgYwmFfvoU&feature=PlayList&p=BE1CA15FC4EBD0BA&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=81

come on spill the beans...mr 33 lol.. what happend?

[driscoll333]

where do u guys find these video's??? yeah thats me getting beat... haha..I blew that turn, because i lost my rear brakes..I ended up taking 1st for the day.. it sucked, because i never want to lose a moto.. especially with a mechanical failure..hey u like the pink helmet and boots??

[Tecate250]

Got to be fast wearing pink. More and more vintage racers comming around. How does it feel to be "vintage" Dosent sound old just bad ass.

[Bryan Raffa]

where do u guys find these video's??? yeah thats me getting beat... haha..I blew that turn, because i lost my rear brakes..I ended up taking 1st for the day.. it sucked, because i never want to lose a moto.. especially with a mechanical failure..hey u like the pink helmet and boots??

hahah love the pink:( I wore it also back then...:lol:

[Mosh]

Driscoll,

If you could post some good close-up pics of a vintage Flat tracker, or vintage mx'er Tri-Z, I would appreciate it.

[mjquadracer]

some pics of brett

[Mosh]

^^^ Thanks^^^

Keep em coming please!
I have.........................................


A "plan".

[driscoll333]

Wow... where is the pic on the left from??? Ive never seen that one...Good pic ... i wanna see that one bigger.... and the middle pic isnt me..... the one on the right is from the famous tire test... right? i will try to see if i can get some others posted too.... thanks guys...

[The Goat]

Mr. Driscoll
Now this looks like the kind of Tri-Z you should have sitting in your office/cigar room :-)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010005.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010006.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010007.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/P1010012.jpg
Jeff in San Diego



:eek: :eek: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

[driscoll333]

very nice .... thats what im looking for.....

[Red Rider]

.... and the middle pic isnt me.I didn't think that was you, but that's always been one of my favorite Tri-Z pics ever. If I remember correctly, that's Greg Hunsaker.

[oldschool521]

Mr. Driscoll
I got a hold of a 86 Tri-z a few weeks ago and just noticed today that the front forks or on opposite sides. It rides fine. Is this something from back in the day to extend the wheel base or did previos owner just put them on wrong and left it.
Here is a few pics.

[driscoll333]

I have never seen the forks swapped like that... i would take it out the way it is.. ride the piss out of it.... then swap the forks back to stock... then decide what works... my first thought is that its better back to stock.... but Im more of a , set it up for all types of riding... not just all out in a straight line...besides those japaneese now there trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro... it hard to beat the stock set up....

[driscoll333]

those japaneese know there stuff

[Tecate250]

Sweet pic Brett. How high were you in that pic? I love how you look perfect in the air.

[driscoll333]

I think all those pics are really good..... i dont know where the "air" pic was taken... i dont even know if it was a photo shoot or during a race......so i dont know how high it was.....i wish i could see more of the pic... maybe it would jar my memory... the back ground looks like saddleback in california... or maybe a JT racing shoot in san diego???

[old-yellow]

Driscoll,
Did they ever race or mod out any YT 125's or 175's?

Thanks, Alex

[driscoll333]

i never rode the 125 or 175... but 3b lightning did alot of fabrication and kits for them....the stuff they did was pretty much use the plastics only.... they made some real fast 3wlers... and they had guys like marty hart and steve wright riding for them.... (before honda picked them up)....

[Tecate250]

Really? Thats cool that you racers "jumped" around different brands. Do you get anyone that comes to your shop and ask for an autograph? Ever thing about getting back into racing? I hear a few of you guys are racing again.

[driscoll333]

tacate,,, once honda signed a rider they seemed to do what it took to keep them... there wasnt alot of jumping around... it was the same with yamaha and kawasaki too.... in 6 years of racing i started with mugen then husquvarna, then yamaha...and hart was 3b then honda... and i believe that was it.... i think there was more loyalty back then... and yes i have signed a few autographs in my shop... but its not that often...i will sign anything they put in front of me....haha ,,titts too!! I still race strictly to stay in shape and fun... MX ... i know sundahl still races quads... i see him every so often..

[chris200x]

Yo driscoll! you see this man??

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=98921

GREAT FOOTAGE!!! ..but I only seen one Z :D

[Bryan Raffa]

thats great brett.. did you have #33 your whole career.. and do you still use it?:D I think I spotted #33 in a 1985 Miami race..

RIGHT AT 33 SECONDS...:twisted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRg3VeEe4HY

[driscoll333]

that is really cool video... i never raced in florida..so that #333 wasn't me... besides do u really think I would be in the back of the pack??? haha... dont answer that!!!.... i think steve wright was running 3rd on #22... that 200 class looked really fast... it still blows me away at how fast we ran those machines... yes i always ran #33 or #333... on the west coast everyone respected the top guys #s... even the new up and comers seamed to respect that un-writen rule....i still try to run #33 on my MX,... but most promoters assign #s... and they usaully have a letter to determin class...

[Tecate250]

SAAWEET. Would you sign mens boobs?:lol: :lol: :lol:
Did you sign a few in your hay day? What is the story behind 33?

[driscoll333]

man boobs are not going to happen!!!! but real tittys are always a possibilty..... 33 just stuck... al my life 3's would pop up.. my first assigned # was 13... and this will sound wierd ,, but a had a ghost wake me up at 3:33 am almost every few nights... Im serious..then we i started racing pro.. i took the 33 and nobody else ran it... just like u would get the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro kicked out of u if u tried to run22,31,34,43,...can u match those #s with the riders? 31 and 34 are too easy... who ran 22 and 43?...

[Dammit!]

man boobs are not going to happen!!!! but real tittys are always a possibilty..... 33 just stuck... al my life 3's would pop up.. my first assigned # was 13... and this will sound wierd ,, but a had a ghost wake me up at 3:33 am almost every few nights... Im serious..then we i started racing pro.. i took the 33 and nobody else ran it... just like u would get the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro kicked out of u if u tried to run22,31,34,43,...can u match those #s with the riders? 31 and 34 are too easy... who ran 22 and 43?...

43 was definitely Curtis Sparks.

[Billy Golightly]

22 Steve Wright, right?

[Tecate250]

Sweet. That is some juicy info there Brett. I had a feeling there was a good story behind that. :w00t:

So what about this ghost? Anyone you knew? I take it you believe in paranormal activity.

[driscoll333]

i never believed in ghosts... and to this day Ive never seen one.... but Ive been woke up by one !!! and Ive been spooked by one , more than once....It all staarted when i was about 16... we moved to an old dairy and farm ground... this property has been in our family for about 100 years... it all started one night when i was sleeping... the door started shaking and the stairs made sounds of boots walking up and down them... this happened about every 3-4 nights ... just kinda got use to it... i kept telling my parents there was something there,,, but they just laughed at me... one day our maid came in the house, and she said she say a spirit that was dressed in cowboy attire...and then just vanished..... the maid never wanted to come back.... we call him "bryant".. the only real cowboy we knew... he was a ranch hand that past away.... i guess he is still taking care of the place... 3:30 am... u guys watch out !!!!!!! haha

[Tecate250]

Too cool. Thanks for the story.

[mjquadracer]

I think all those pics are really good..... i dont know where the "air" pic was taken... i dont even know if it was a photo shoot or during a race......so i dont know how high it was.....i wish i could see more of the pic... maybe it would jar my memory... the back ground looks like saddleback in california... or maybe a JT racing shoot in san diego???
ya i scanned it from a jt racing ad

[driscoll333]

ok... a JT ad... i dont think Ive ever seen it... was the ad in a mag or a catolog ?? I really like that u posted it.. thanks a million!! oh yeah,,,, i just printed this years trike fest tees... they are really sik !!! billy chose me to do the are artwork and print the shirts... i was really honored they let me do the work....

[Tecate250]

Too cool. Too far away for me to go. You like to draw Brett? Another hobby of yours.

[driscoll333]

i dont do much drawing anymore..... I own a silkscreen and embroidery business.(25 years).. so I have artists that give me ideas... then i decide what i want the tee-shirts too look like.....billy might post the tee-shirt on here soon.... im not sure, so u guys need to ask him about that....

[mjquadracer]

some old pics

[Bryan Raffa]

that was invatation Only.....? how far did you slide them forks up..

[driscoll333]

yes..... i think it was invitation only..... and if i remember right it was a huge success with the fans and racers...i think me and jimmy white tangled in the first turn...the tri-z was awsome on speedway tracks.... and i would usually slide the forks up 2 inches or so.......

[Bryan Raffa]

now was that with the tri z front end? or the other wink.. wink.. was there a issue with the tire rubbing on the pipe... Ive gone 2" but dont think any farther than that. you runnin a axle there or spacers? back of the fender cut off.. that by choice?

[driscoll333]

just by looking at the pick... im really sure they are the honda 200x forks... they are silver... the stock yammy's are black... and i never took the time to paint them... and nobody ever caught it... 20 years later it is seems to be a huge interest....i never ran spacers or experienced any rubbing...just slid them down and ran'em !!! i really dont remember cutting the fender... i think the back fender is a fiberglass SRP... sundahl didnt produce very many of those... i bet they i mpossible to find now... i loved the SRP,s ... they alowed me to really hang it out... alot firmer and lower....

[driscoll333]

in the second pic... i recognize Jeff Hoskins #72... he is still racing quads at most of the D-38 races here in so cal...that kid was really fast.. we ran alot of Hemet Ca. speedway together... we would travel up together every thursday night... and race and turn around and drive back home the same night... i think he was only 15 or 16, so he had to be at school in the morning... those were along night... it was hard but i will always remember those old race days....

[Bryan Raffa]

school the next morning.. you think he was sleeping in study hall ..lol GREAT STUFF..

[Tecate250]

Sweet info. I find it very funny that no one caught on to the forks. Stupid Honda. lol

[driscoll333]

at the time i was worried my friend from factory honda , might get in alot of trouble for selling them to me.... but nobody ever questioned it... i also thought the $hi+ was really going to hit the fan when sundahl and i won the parker 400... but again , nobody asked me about it....

[Tecate250]

So could a privateer swap parts from different machine? Or was it "suspose to be stock"?

[leadfootedone]

hey I remember you Brett. I bet i even have old dirt wheels with your pics in it. I even had a Factory tri sticker on my old Z!!!!!!!

[driscoll333]

privateers could do anything they wanted... and i could too.... its just a big NO-NO to buy a factory honda front end and bolt it on a factory yamaha..... but i wanted to win races , and i worked with the yamaha font end for months... i gave up... and asked a honda rider for parts that he was just going to give back....we kept it a secret , and nobody ever questioned it.... it was legal to run at any racetrack ... it just would've pist honda off..... and maybe even got the rider fired... i will never give the riders name.... that will be a secret forever..... those old TR-Z stickers were pretty cool... i still have a few laying around..... yes, i was in dirt wheels a few times... the good'old days

[250rAL]

it just would've pist honda off.....

I imagine Yamaha wouldn't have been too happy either!

[driscoll333]

i dont think yamaha would've fired me, but they sure wouldn't want that to get out to the public....i complained about the forks alot... but they didnt do anything about it to help me.... but Kieth McCarty (yamaha chief mech.)helped me out a ton..motors mostley.. kieth worked with bob hannah and other racing greats... he still works for yamaha today.... awsome guy, very down to earth ...i felt like yamaha treated the whole TRI-Z thing like a bothersome step child.... kieth always made me feel important, and he would do anything to get yamaha wins....

[Tri-z addict]

This is one of the best threads i've ever read!!! I can't wait to get the motor rebuilt and back into my 86' Z!!!

Thanx for the time to post all the cool stories, i XC race my kfx 450r in the U.K. so i can relate a bit, i aint no pro but i'm pretty quick currently 4th in my class for the year with one race left in the series not too bad out of 36 in class.


I did technically race a threewheeler this year after i lost a hub nut on the last lap, i still came 15th out of 36 in class after riding the last 4 miles on 3 wheels!!
Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHk1sCAHPgE

[driscoll333]

im glad u like the thread... if u have any questions , i will do my best to jar my memory... keep up the racing...i still like winning, but it all comes down to competition and fun now.... it keeps my fit and young at heart... i never lost a hub in a race, just broke axles....

[driscoll333]

never give up !!!!!! haha ... love it ... that video is great.... u turn left good , but the right turns sucked .... haha

[Tri-z addict]

never give up !!!!!! haha ... love it ... that video is great.... u turn left good , but the right turns sucked .... haha

LOL, it was a nightmare to steer, as soon as your got on the loose or mud it would just spin to the left!!! if you watch it again you'll see when i'm going up the straight i've got both hands on the throttle side of the bars to keep it going straight!!! lol
Got myself on youtube though!! LOL

I've got my biggest race of the year in 14 days, Weston Beach race, its one of the biggest beach races in Europe, quads,trikes and bikes with sidecars on the saturday and solos on the sunday.

Its my 3rd time to do it this year, i came 117th out of 640 in 2007, and 85th out of about 600 last year, trying for top 50 this year!! riding against pros and all the top riders in Europe.

I get mega arm pump the first 3/4 of an hour when i'm racing! any tips???
Its been a little better the last few races, but still holds me back,
I'm hoping to do weston on a trike one year!!!
Its one of the only events in the U.K. you can still race on a 3 wheeler...!!

Check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cID17pXRYTM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmpA_gCWk3s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rLlaGZ_Hv4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7hwxhj2eIo&feature=related

ARM PUMP SUXXXXXX!!!

.

[Tri-z addict]

Tell us more racing stories!! i love it!!! :naughty:

[lndy650]

i never believed in ghosts... and to this day Ive never seen one.... but Ive been woke up by one !!! and Ive been spooked by one , more than once....It all staarted when i was about 16... we moved to an old dairy and farm ground... this property has been in our family for about 100 years... it all started one night when i was sleeping... the door started shaking and the stairs made sounds of boots walking up and down them... this happened about every 3-4 nights ... just kinda got use to it... i kept telling my parents there was something there,,, but they just laughed at me... one day our maid came in the house, and she said she say a spirit that was dressed in cowboy attire...and then just vanished..... the maid never wanted to come back.... we call him "bryant".. the only real cowboy we knew... he was a ranch hand that past away.... i guess he is still taking care of the place... 3:30 am... u guys watch out !!!!!!! haha

thats crazy man i grew up on a farm and the ghosts would do the same sh!t... walking up and down stairs and throwing doors open ect... 7 kids died from dyptheria in the 1800's and they kept them in the wood shed(attached to the house) until spring to bury them. freaky....

[driscoll333]

tri-z.... i raced in europe twice... u guys really love your racing... and your race promoters know how to put on races... i raced schavenigan beach race... the side hacks raced in the same moto as the 3wlers.. they even started in front of all the 3wlers...there were about 100 side hacks in 2 or 3 lines... the flag dropped, and somehow i was the first racer to the first turn.. what a fliipin rush... the side hack guys hated 3wlers from that day forward... i have some tips for arm pump... i will post today later

[Tri-z addict]

tri-z.... i raced in europe twice... u guys really love your racing... and your race promoters know how to put on races... i raced schavenigan beach race... the side hacks raced in the same moto as the 3wlers.. they even started in front of all the 3wlers...there were about 100 side hacks in 2 or 3 lines... the flag dropped, and somehow i was the first racer to the first turn.. what a fliipin rush... the side hack guys hated 3wlers from that day forward... i have some tips for arm pump... i will post today later

I know what you mean, those sidecar riders are menaces!!! and if you get in a tangle with the beasts gang up on you!!!! i've seen a few riders end up having a bit of a fight with some sidecar crews!!!

Any race tips would be awesome!

[driscoll333]

arm pump is tuff to over come....try these things ,and maybe one or all will help.... i get arm pump when im not physically ready ... your body core and lungs need training... i try to run a mile or 2 everyday or every other day...especially a month before any race...if u can , just riding hard for an hour will take the place of running... i pop 2-3 motrin 1 hour before race time... it really helps me with blood flow... the next tip would be to warm up one hour before race time too... 2 sets of 15 push ups and pull ups..or just a good practice session..relaxing 30 minutes before race time is important...listen to your ipod,, get in your own little zone...i get arm pump bad when i ride over my head and get too anxiuos early in the race... so ride your pace and get stronger at the end...

[driscoll333]

INDY... thats a crazy story... people really went through some tough emotional stuff back then...

[Tri-z addict]

arm pump is tuff to over come....try these things ,and maybe one or all will help.... i get arm pump when im not physically ready ... your body core and lungs need training... i try to run a mile or 2 everyday or every other day...especially a month before any race...if u can , just riding hard for an hour will take the place of running... i pop 2-3 motrin 1 hour before race time... it really helps me with blood flow... the next tip would be to warm up one hour before race time too... 2 sets of 15 push ups and pull ups..or just a good practice session..relaxing 30 minutes before race time is important...listen to your ipod,, get in your own little zone...i get arm pump bad when i ride over my head and get too anxiuos early in the race... so ride your pace and get stronger at the end...

My last 2 or 3 races the arm pump has got less hardcore but still there, but i'm enjoying the battles with other racers more, i can remember blowing a bend on a mxsection of the track last race and i started laughing as the dude i was battling with past me, we were pretty even for 3.5 laps 10 mile enduro course, i'd pass him then he'd pass me back every few miles all the way to the end but he passed another rider just before a woods section and he caught a big stump and spun accross the track in front of me with no route around him. and i watched my 3rd place ride away into the distance by the time i got past probably 30-45 seconds the gap was too big to get back in the 4 miles that was left.
Oh well 4th out of 38 in class isnt too bad!!

You must have got loads of stories like this!! I'm still trying to get some gears and a shift fork for my 86' Z, did you have many mechanical breakdowns racing the tri-z's???

.

[driscoll333]

donnie luce (team green) ... has a great interview on airfoolers,.com..... i do have some good race stories .. i will post some soon

[Racerguy381]

I ran across this video from one of our local tracks here in WA. Thought you might enjoy job a few memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4V7YoMMPkI&feature=related

[driscoll333]

thanks for the video... Looking back at these old video's are sic....they look alot faster than I remember... now I know why we had alot of people tell us we were either stupid or crazy........ Hey , is anyone going to the three wheeler get together this week??? I was wondering if I should go... Its less than an hour from El Centro.....

[Racerguy381]

Not me I live too far away all the way up in WA... BTW your welcome for the video. We still race on that same track today, its call Straddline ORV now right outside Olympia WA. Did you ever make it up to race there? If you still have a Z Im on another forum that puts on Tecate fest. Its all mosly T4 tecate's but there are a few T3's and 2 of us are bringing our Z's down. Its at Florence OR this year would be sweet to have a Tri-Z fest ever give that any thought?

[Billy Golightly]

Brett, PMed you some contact info for some guys that will be there this week.

[bigheadkolby]

Just read all 27 pages of this forum, very good stuff from everyone. I have a few questions brett, did you ever run a Phase Five pipe and the 200x forks will slide right into the 85 clamps? Thanks to everyone for all the posts. Also, I wouldn't mind having a few of those tri z jerseys that you whipped up last year if you could still crank them out.

[driscoll333]

Kolby,, U read all 27 pages? wow!! I never ran a phase five pipe... but it could be made from the same specs as my factory tri pipe... they were stamped, not custom built... they worked killer...Yes, the 200x forks slid right in.. they were the same diameter...but think about the front break set up too....I might be able to whip up a few more jerseys...brett

[bigheadkolby]

It would be pretty cool to have one to wear while racing my z. And the pipe is the only thing I have been able to find that is anywhere close to being what I want, looks like I better snatch it up.

[driscoll333]

yep... i would buy it if its priced right...the jerseys i can do are a basic long sleeve t shirt.. thats all we ran when JT made them ... I have the tri-z logo saved on a screen.. but if u want to put your name and # on back... u should be able to get that done locally.... my minimum order would be 3...... and they would cost 20.00 each and would take about 1 week + shipping ... u can PM me too....

[bigheadkolby]

Do the shirts look like the pics that were posted earlier on this forum?

[driscoll333]

yes, like "Raffa's"

[driscoll333]

just met gollotti, raffa, and the rest of the crew... a great bunch of guys,...... they are still at gordons wells having a blast... Im sure they will have lots to talk about next week.... I also saw a tiger,tri-z, some cherry tacates, 70's, conversions, a ton of 200x's,and 250r's.... a very nice collection in that camp....We had story time and a bunch of laughs.... brett

[Bryan Raffa]

Brett... was very nice meeting you and your father mike this week. Was super special hearing the story's!! I wanna hear Billy's story from that ride LMAO! Your dad was right there through it all ,wasn't he..he remembers alot!:D was he with you at every race?

[Billy Golightly]

Brett, was awesome to meet you and your dad. Great time hearing the stories, and the RZR ride :eek: You definitely had me white knuckled coming over some of those razor backs. It freaking soaked UP those whoops and jumps though. Maybe next time I wont be as much of a puss and we can get it up on 2 wheels and bicycle it around like you were talking about. Here is some of our pictures from the week. I'm sure more will be posted soon: http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?107331-Imperial-Invasion%21-Gordons-Well-CA-Dune-Ride%21

[driscoll333]

Yes... my dad was at every race that i can remember.... both my mom and dad supported it 100%... they were scared but figured if I was going to race , they would get into it too..... I'm a only child, so they were able to be there and help a ton.... plus I had a bunch of friends that would travel and help with the pits and wrenching too... and after a major victory we had one hell of a good time... Billy. I will learn how to bicycle the Razor by the time we meet again..I just hope the side of my dads razor isnt all scratched up from the roll overs... haha.....and we will spend more time doing some rides...We had a great time in the 30 minutes we tore it up...brett

[Bryan Raffa]

Dam...Wish I was born 10 years earlyer..LOL.

[driscoll333]

hey bryan,,, I will trade my 46 years for your 30 something...haha

[HondaHarry]

Hi Brett. Thanks for taking the time to come out, was great meeting you and your dad. I had a blast that week and am still grinning!
Too cool to have supportive parents. I spent tiime talking with your dad one on one for a while. great stories!
Im already planning for next year! Tell Craig that hes gotta go next year too! HH

[driscoll333]

honda harry... It was a pleasure...my pops was there almost every race and had a ton of input in the pits and between motos.... He remembers alot of stuff that I forgot about... Next year I will make sure he comes out with me again... maybe we need to write some notes down, so we can give u guys more history and experiences....I held back alitte bit because I didnt want to come off as arrogant, or a "know it all"....I will make sure Craig Corda makes the trip too... when I tell him how cool your Tiger looks .... He will come for sure....

[Billy Golightly]

Hey Brett! You and Corda need to go oldschool and check this out! http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?107741-Anyone-wanna-race-the-Mexican-%28Baja%29-1000-desert-race-on-a-trike-Details-inside&p=826279#post826282 Theres going to be a "Classic" Mexican 1000 race that's limited to machines 1989 and older.

[driscoll333]

I need to look into that... it looks like corda and I will have to make this happen....billy and your crew will need to start saving for a trip to baja......this would be the closest thing too the 80's as u can experience....

[Bryan Raffa]

still Droolin,, when you said you guys rode 400 miles WOT!....I was wooped after 50mi... ha..

[driscoll333]

400 miles was the most I ever sat on a ATV all at one time...i remember getting on the ATV around 10pm and racing all night long, and watching the sunrise come up just as i crossed the finish line.....we usually spread the miles out at the baja and desert races,, but for the baja 1000 thats the only way to do it without a hellicopter....the original baja 1000 starts in ensenada and ends in La paz.... it a straight shot,, not a 1000 mile loop or two 500 mile loops....the loop races are much easier and less expensive to race .... but every 5 years (i think).... they run the straight shot... its way more prestiguous to race the original baja 1000....

[John Wayne]

i just read all of these pages every post, and i have to say it was wildly interesting. Cool to hear the story's from the days before my time haha

[driscoll333]

I thought u guys might like this pic... its a dean kirsten photo... i dont think it made the mag. but its still one of my favorites... kinda different angle, and it was a slow speed one wheel wheelie... it was a balancing act.....notice the stock thumb throttle.. totally stock bike..

[nitrometh king]

When u say long rod what do u mean is there a long rod 250 tri z motor pls enlighten me

[driscoll333]

yes..back in 84-85,at that time i never even heard of a long rod.... but when I ask kieth mccarty (head yamaha mech)for more power... he bolted a "wanna be" duplicate bob hannah motor in my tri-z.....its funny because the day I picked up my 3wler... i noticed a plate bettween my cases and the cylinder......i asked kieth what it was.... he told me not to worry about it... "my job was to ride it"....Im not sure, but i think it was a yz 490 rod.... not 100% sure....that motor was a beast.... I ran long rodes on short course, speedway,and desert... it was an awsome all around motor.....I believe Kieth is still with yamaha and donnie luce works under him at yamaha......

[Tri king]

hey Brett,
I'm a big Z fan. I've have two TRI-Z shooters, all the model years and hope to make a racer someday.
I read the thread often and it is very inspiring. I'm just waiting for the book to come out. lol :)

Anyways I have a question for you. I bought a tri-z side case off e-bay and i noticed it had a big hole in the case from the tranny to the kick start
the guy wrote this back

"The case is good. The hole was to oil the kick start gear better. We raced these in the day and figured this out. We use to driil them but figured out it was easyer to just punch a hole in them. The zss were notorious for not getting enough oil to the kicker."

The more I look at it, it looks like it was punched in the only place it could be and it kinda makes sense.???

was this really a common mod done to the Z's?

[driscoll333]

I never thought that need to be drilled.. but maybe over the years that was needed... I only raced tri-z' s for maybe 2 years.. as soon as yamaha released the banshee they wanted my focus off 3wheelers and on quads...I never had a kick starter problem, but Ive read others had problems... I just tried to buy a bone stock tri-z on ebay... but someone out bid me... sucks.. i will keep looking...

[Billy Golightly]

Hey Brett,

Just a heads up, I'm gonna be giving you a ring sometime this week and get with you on the Trikefest shirts again :naughty:

[driscoll333]

Hey Brett,

Just a heads up, I'm gonna be giving you a ring sometime this week and get with you on the Trikefest shirts again :naughty:

good... I will be talking to u soon....

[Bryan Raffa]

Hey Brett how many different styles of racing did you do on a trike,, mainly MX and desert? and what the furthest you have jumped on a trike and what was it?,,mugen,,Z,,Husky...

[driscoll333]

Hey Brett how many different styles of racing did you do on a trike,, mainly MX and desert? and what the furthest you have jumped on a trike and what was it?,,mugen,,Z,,Husky...

I raced MX, desert, speedway, speedway on concrete, mx with wood jumps, grand prix out door, MX indoor..... just NO Ice racing..(sorry raffa)... the furthest jump on a 3wler was about 60 ft. ...it was on a tri-z....

[rasorroad250r]

killer thread here. Thanks for all the sories and insight. I was fortunate enough to race d 37 desert for 1 year on trikes before they didn't let us anymore (1987) I wouls have loved to have done baja but i was too young.

[driscoll333]

I dont think I ever raced d-37.... they only did it for 1 year? d-37 is the real deal.... they put out some super fast guys..... for all you riders that dont know, D-37 races are closer to the los angeles area... and d-38 is for the san diego, imperial valley, palm springs and yuma, az. racers.....

[Eric250R]

Wow, just read this entire thread ( for the second time). Seems like most of the questions I had have already been asked. But a real blast reading all these stories and seeing all the pics and vids. Got to love the internet. I've recently became friends ( on facebook) with Jimmy White, Sundahl, Donnie Banks, Chris Berry ( Cagiva racer from back in the day) Jackie Meadows, and Andy Lillard ( son of Jerry Lillard, the owner of Tricky Dicks racing ). I grew up in the 80s and all I ever wanted to do was race 3 wheelers, but like many on here, when I was old enough the end was near. I remember all you guys from back then. I grew up in the southeast so there was practically no television coverage. I stayed on top all the mag articles thou. The fact that I get to interact with all you guys know and hear your stories just blows me away.... I"m trying hard to get some of these guys to Trikefest this year, I"m pretty sure Jackie Meadows and Chris Berry are coming, would be awesome if you could make it out. I'm sure there would be no shortage of guys willing to lend out there machines for you to ride....including myself. Once again...honor to meet you. BTW, I"m wearing one of your TF shirts as I type this.

[driscoll333]

thanks ,,, reading the posts and replying , gets my memory going and its great to share them... Im shocked there's so many people that are still interested.. I would really like to go to trike fest...we will see how it goes... brett

[shawnroy1971]

Awsome reading you're thread Brett,thank's for sharing you're stories and tip's.what was you're favorite form of racing,mx ,desert,or flattrack? the Mickey thompson series at the Coliseum must have been fun .jumping those peristyle jump's looked awesome! anyway,thank's for the memories.

[Bryan Raffa]

Brett,, Thanks for bringing Corda out with ya,, you guys are Awesome!!:D

talk to ya soon!;)

[driscoll333]

shawn, I did best at Desert and speedway.... But my favorite was mickey thompson and short course..... Flying Down the colussium paristyle was un-believable! I remember that like it was yesterday.....super scarey but loved it...... RAFA, hanging with u guys was awsome... I will be there next year for sure.....

[Chazz of Blades]

Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will have thrown the ball to Team Yellow. I'm trading a few things for an '86 Tri-Z, after reading all of this I decided to finalize the deal.
I might also end up with a Tri-Zinger too. That'll make a 125, 60, and 250. The honda's are getting jealous.

[driscoll333]

Congratulations! Go team yellow....I have been looking for a clean stock tri-z for a year....have fun with the new ride....

[Chazz of Blades]

Friggin owner of the Z and 60 decided today that instead of coming to me I should come to him, so it'll be a few more days. Oh well, I'll just ride the Tri-Moto for a bit.

[driscoll333]

I just got an 1985 tri-z.... Time to strip down and restore... I have a feeling this is going to be a job... but Im looking forward to it...Im open to any suggestions or ideas..The plan will be trikefest 2012...(road trip).

[Chazz of Blades]

Yay! Bbbbaaaccckkk in the saddle again!

[radrandy2001]

I just got an 1985 tri-z.... Time to strip down and restore... I have a feeling this is going to be a job... but Im looking forward to it...Im open to any suggestions or ideas..The plan will be trikefest 2012...(road trip).

Brett, glad to hear that. Let us know what you will need and what you want for the Tri Z and I am sure we will all dig deep to help out. So what kind of a build are you going for? I presume a Desert racer style Duner considering where you live and the use it will see. I just did a Tri Z swingarm reinforce thread on the 3Wheeler.org site. You will want to do that for sure as they all crack sooner or later. The thread is here
http://www.3wheeler.org/vb/showthread.php?t=43497

Those 85 forks will need to go. The 86's are bigger and better. Maybe you will do the Honda forks like you had back in the day.

Keep us posted.
Randy

[driscoll333]

I never thought I would ride or own a 3wheeler ever again... But the thought kinda grew on me.....and I figured it would be a good time to jump in.....I will be building a replica of my first tri-z.... 1985, yamaha yellow...race ready for short course.... like my profile pic...the forks gotta go... I wanna do something trick but keep the cost down....I think I will go with a basically stock motor... dg or cobra pipe and silencer , I need new yellow plastics including the shrouds....nice re-built shock.....I wanna get rid of the stock gas tank and mount one (aluminum?) under the plastic top tank cover (gravity feed)....and much more.... the swingarm would be a good idea too.....Im only going to ride it 1 or 2 times a year(trikefest/Imp Invasion)... so I want it very dependable....with this set up I could still throw paddles on it and do some sand riding....I also plan on displaying it in my surf and skate shop.... If I do another tri-z later , It will be a baja desert racing replica....

[shawnroy1971]

Glad to see you getting back into it.Can't wait to see the finished project.

[radrandy2001]

I never thought I would ride or own a 3wheeler ever again... But the thought kinda grew on me.....and I figured it would be a good time to jump in.....I will be building a replica of my first tri-z.... 1985, yamaha yellow...race ready for short course.... like my profile pic...the forks gotta go... I wanna do something trick but keep the cost down....I think I will go with a basically stock motor... dg or cobra pipe and silencer , I need new yellow plastics including the shrouds....nice re-built shock.....I wanna get rid of the stock gas tank and mount one (aluminum?) under the plastic top tank cover (gravity feed)....and much more.... the swingarm would be a good idea too.....Im only going to ride it 1 or 2 times a year(trikefest/Imp Invasion)... so I want it very dependable....with this set up I could still throw paddles on it and do some sand riding....I also plan on displaying it in my surf and skate shop.... If I do another tri-z later , It will be a baja desert racing replica....

Brett, now that you have a master plan, lets roll with it. How are the wheels on the machine? Looking for a nice set of original gold wheels? I have some.

I just bought a Works Performance shock for my 86 and it was $650 (gulp) but I went to the dunes in Waynoka Oklahoma and it worked perfectly just like Works Performance always delivers. I was using a stock shock with their "Heart Transplant" internals and it lasted 20 years. That route will save over $300. Rider weight and the stock spring is the only limiting factor. I weigh in right at 200-210 lbs in full MX gear so I always had the stock shock spring cranked up tight. Its nice to havethe correct spring rate now.

As far as the pipes go, get a Cobra if you can find one. I have tried them all and the Cobra delivers a true seat in the pants difference. Here is a interesting story you may or may not remember. I think I asked this or at least discussed this a long time ago of you. When I got into the Tri Z's it was early 1990's. I found a factory part number for a race pipe that Yamaha offered in their parts books. It was a hand coned works looking pipe and I wanted one bad. It was no longer available. I called Yamaha and after being bounced around many times I finally get someone that knew all about it and I think (?) it may have been Pete McCarthy or someone near that level of racing knowledge. He explained that the original hand coned pipe was too time consuming to build and sell so Cobra made a pressed/stamped version of it and if you ordered one through Yamaha when it was still available, you got a Cobra shipped so he said "Buy a Cobra" soI did. Later on I buy a buddies (Dennis Collinge, Carbondale Kansas) 85 Tri Z in which he bought from you, Brand New, a Factory Tri pipe. Your pipe and the Cobra are absolutely identical. Knowing the back story on how Pete helped design your pipe (Am I remembering this right?) I believe your Factory Tri pipe and the Cobra pipe to be one in the same. It only makes sense wouldn't you think? I can get you measurements and pics if you want as I still own three of these pipes.

Being a racer and go fast guy that you are, I think you will want some port work, pipe and carb to wake up a stock motor as you will become bored quickly in stock form. I have no reliability issues with my modified engines.

How about the tranny? I would slip a 1986 6 speed into the 85 cases. You can find them if you look far machines being parted out.

I think the radiator scoops will be your hardest to find plastic. Most everything else is available. If you don't know, the new Maier plastic is shiney like the factory stuff. It used to be dull but not now.

Shoot me a PM and I can give you my diect email address and I can share some more stuff with you.

Good Luck on your project.
Brett Rides Again!!!!!

Randy

[driscoll333]

Randy, the wheels are ok, but I'd rather have the gold stockers... shoot me a $ amount.....I think I should go with a works or ? better shock... If u say works is the way to go, I will go that route....I would like to be able to get one of my old factory TRI pipes...but figured there was no way... and yes, Kieth McCarty gave me all the contacts a specs to get them produced...(cobra) There is no better pipe ...Also.I'm doing a run of factory-tri stickers..125031

[Bryan Raffa]

I never thought I would ride or own a 3wheeler ever again... But the thought kinda grew on me.....and I figured it would be a good time to jump in.....I will be building a replica of my first tri-z.... 1985, yamaha yellow...race ready for short course.... like my profile pic...the forks gotta go... I wanna do something trick but keep the cost down....I think I will go with a basically stock motor... dg or cobra pipe and silencer , I need new yellow plastics including the shrouds....nice re-built shock.....I wanna get rid of the stock gas tank and mount one (aluminum?) under the plastic top tank cover (gravity feed)....and much more.... the swingarm would be a good idea too.....Im only going to ride it 1 or 2 times a year(trikefest/Imp Invasion)... so I want it very dependable....with this set up I could still throw paddles on it and do some sand riding....I also plan on displaying it in my surf and skate shop.... If I do another tri-z later , It will be a baja desert racing replica....

I have been lookin for a plate like you use to run I want them reproduced! DC plastic just made me a white set of shrouds for my 490.. the plastic is obtainable ,,NEW... oem ya just gotta watch ebay,,, billy can make tripples like mine to run the KTM stuff,, and jason hall is gettin ready to make a few sets..also around 400ish top of the line...you could have a K in the front end easy.. front fender is the hardest for oem.. you want a sprock intake and a sprock clutch basket!

you want all oem stuff? I want a neon tri sticker signed!!!

[radrandy2001]

Randy, the wheels are ok, but I'd rather have the gold stockers... shoot me a $ amount.....I think I should go with a works or ? better shock... If u say works is the way to go, I will go that route....I would like to be able to get one of my old factory TRI pipes...but figured there was no way... and yes, Kieth McCarty gave me all the contacts a specs to get them produced...(cobra) There is no better pipe ...Also.I'm doing a run of factory-tri stickers..125031

Keith McCarty not Pete McCarthy, I knew I had the wrong name. Thanks for clarifying.

Works Performance has all the specs for a Tri Z and I have used their shocks on my vintage MX bikes for a number of years. I think you would be very happy with them.

I will try to take some pics of what I have and want to sell for a Tri Z and let you know. Check your personal messages on this site and I will shoot you my home email. If you reply with your email I can send the pics there.

Factory Tri Stickers? HELL YA!!!!!, been wanting some of those for sure. Count me in for a few of them.

Do you remember back in January I posted pics of the flat track white & red Tri Z with the small Hoosier tires set up for coke on concrete racing? That is buddy Eddie Bergman and he won that race against a complete field of Honda's. Last night Eddie comes by for a few cold ones and a RZR blast around my property and we get to talking and I told him you were going to build a Tri Z. He tells me that he has one of your cylinders on his trike. I totally forgot about that as he bought the '86 new so its been a few years. He said when he bought the cylinder from you, you told him it was off one of your racers or practice trikes. He has a hand written note from you with the carb jetting to use and so on. Funny how he still has that and that machine of his is fast. The cylinder has a little Fractory Tri logo engraved in it.

Is Cobra still making pipes? Do you think they would make a small run of those pipes again? I agree, they are the best.

Check you messages.
Thanks!
Randy

[driscoll333]

bryan..It seems like we (I) could get a plastic co. to reproduce the # plates in any color we want....Its all about quantity...about how many Tri-z guys would want # plates, shrouds, factory tri (cobra) pipes, tanks, westcoast replica swingarms? etc.... I can start contacting my old sponsors and connections.... If Im building one Z, maybe its just as easy to build 2 or 3....just a thought? maybe factory tri needs to come back.... haha

[driscoll333]

Randy, I feel the pain of being the only yamaha on the field of red...good job for eddie to win against all honda's.....I dont remember selling cylinders, unless it was off my personal trike... thats too cool... I wanna see that paperwork! ....can u take a picture of that cylinder? Im blown away! ...does anyone know if cobra is still in business? I will call them.... Im not scared to do a run of 50-100 pipes if the demand is there.....

[dcreel]

Wow.. This is awesome for sure.. Looks like I need to find a Tri-Z now.. lol Congrats on finding a Tri-Z to rebuild..

[shawnroy1971]

Just curious about the factory tri top mount fuel tank's,did you make them yourself or a fab shop? I'm sure it's been discussed already,sorry if I missed it..Any chance you or someone has the old dimension's? I work for a welding supply co. that also has a welding school,and possible could duplicate one. Unfortunatly I don't have a tri-z anymore to mock and fab a tank. Those sticker's are awesome!

[driscoll333]

I had a guy in arizona building them...The first 2 were built by Tim Orchard (OMF)... I just talked to him today about them....He said he could build more, but I would need to order 20 at a time ... But Tim dosen't short hit on his work... they would be sikk... but Im guessing 400-500 each....He said he still has some petcocks and caps laying around that Yamaha sent him when fabricating my first 2.....OMF still has the jigs for the tri-z swingarm skid plates... Stock, westcoast, and Cal fab...Yes, the could be fabricated at a school but the gotta be done right... Gas leaks are dangerous....With everyone on here, It seems like we could get 20 of them done somewhere...lets start a list... I want 2 now....Brett

[Bryan Raffa]

ya he does skids for $100 I got one...=) great guy! and they do not fit the Calfab swingarms... just sayin...hahaha

[Mosh]

We have already had Maier repop the Shrouds and air box covers.
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?82686-New-Tri-Z-air-box-and-rad-shrouds-PRE-ORDER!!
We should be ordering another run of them here mid summer.
Grab a billet water pump from Corey Sprock, and good luck with your build.

I agree that the Cobra/ or Phase 5 pipes run better than a DG. I run a Phase 5 on my 310 Z.

[radrandy2001]

Randy, I feel the pain of being the only yamaha on the field of red...good job for eddie to win against all honda's.....I dont remember selling cylinders, unless it was off my personal trike... thats too cool... I wanna see that paperwork! ....can u take a picture of that cylinder? Im blown away! ...does anyone know if cobra is still in business? I will call them.... Im not scared to do a run of 50-100 pipes if the demand is there.....

Brett, Here a pic of the side of Eddies cylinder. I will ask him to dig out the paper work.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/EddiesFTCylinder.jpg
Randy

[radrandy2001]

I had a guy in arizona building them...The first 2 were built by Tim Orchard (OMF)... I just talked to him today about them....He said he could build more, but I would need to order 20 at a time ... But Tim dosen't short hit on his work... they would be sikk... but Im guessing 400-500 each....He said he still has some petcocks and caps laying around that Yamaha sent him when fabricating my first 2.....OMF still has the jigs for the tri-z swingarm skid plates... Stock, westcoast, and Cal fab...Yes, the could be fabricated at a school but the gotta be done right... Gas leaks are dangerous....With everyone on here, It seems like we could get 20 of them done somewhere...lets start a list... I want 2 now....Brett

Didn't JP Racing also sell the gas tanks? Seems like I remember seeing ads for them.
Randy

[HuffieVA]

Didn't JP Racing also sell the gas tanks? Seems like I remember seeing ads for them.
Randy

Yes they did sell top mount tanks...
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc461/HuffieVA/85%20Tri-Z/DSC04555.jpg

[radrandy2001]

Yes they did sell top mount tanks...
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc461/HuffieVA/85%20Tri-Z/DSC04555.jpg

Huffie, is that you gas tank or just a picture you have? Nice find.
Randy

[HuffieVA]

Huffie, is that you gas tank or just a picture you have? Nice find.
Randy

Its the tank for my current project, I was supposed to make a set of templates for another member over the weekend but I got sidetracked... they will be coming soon though...

[radrandy2001]

Its the tank for my current project, I was supposed to make a set of templates for another member over the weekend but I got sidetracked... they will be coming soon though...

Well, that is what we need to hear. So does the other member have someone to build one? Might see about a small batch of them.
Very Cool

[HuffieVA]

Well, that is what we need to hear. So does the other member have someone to build one? Might see about a small batch of them.
Very Cool

I'm confident that i could make them out of steel (if someone has a source for the threaded filler tube) I just haven't been able to justify buying a tig yet, so aluminum is out for me...

[tecat-z]

Loving the idea of gravity tanks for reasons of simplicity. But for me, it's mandatory they be made out of tig welded alm sheet. I have nothing against the oem fuel delivery design, as i have never had an issue. But a re-make of an original would be a cool option to have... Threaded alm fuel tap bungs should be easy to source. They need to be built with intelligent placement for clearance, have readily availiable replacements, and flow lots of fuel for big cc high rpm engines too. On/Off only!

[driscoll333]

thanks randy for posting this pic..... That is one of my cylinders !!!! that is too cool.... does it still run good?

[NOSBIGSHOT]

The cap and fittings are easy . I used a Pingle petcock for a Harley .

[driscoll333]

the gravity tank was important ... we needed zero problems... bogging and inconsistant throttle response... we had issues with the pumps,... Back in 85 , I dont think there was a high output pump available....I want to have a tank built for my 85 replica... If anyone wants to build one , I will pay......The JP tank is not covered.... I cant be sure , but I thought the ones Factory-Tri (I) built were covered by the plastic cover... they didnt have to be a clean and pretty..... but I believe its important to be aluminum....

[NOSBIGSHOT]

I can make anything ....but money . I will check into making one to fit under the stock cover.Do you want a dry break or a cap ?

[driscoll333]

...cap for short course... we ran the stocker under the seat for the desert...back then there was no such thing as a dry break.....Eventually I would like to build a Desert replica....

[Billy Golightly]

I have an old stop sign I wanted to build one out of but I have no idea when I'll get the time to do it.

[NOSBIGSHOT]

...cap for short course... we ran the stocker under the seat for the desert...back then there was no such thing as a dry break.....Eventually I would like to build a Desert replica....

I went out and wadded up some newspaper and used masking tape and made what kinda resembled a tank .It did fit under the cover .I'm guessing it wont hold a gallon of gas if I made one out of aluminum . If thats what you want I can do it .

[radrandy2001]

thanks randy for posting this pic..... That is one of my cylinders !!!! that is too cool.... does it still run good?

Here is the paper work that he got with the cylinder.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/DriscollPaperwork1.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/radrandy2001/DriscollPaperwork2.jpg

Does it still run good???
Check out this video taken in January in Des Moines Iowa at The Battle In The Barn Coke sryup on concrete races. He is the only white machine out there and has a blue chest protector #7

http://www.youtube.com/user/Wegofast1?feature=mhee#p/u/1/1DyJfJWCI4Q

Here is some helmet cam footage from my 86 Tri Z taken in my back yard this past October when I have the Old Man 3 Wheeler Ride. The track is a mile long with lots of small terrace jumps and other fun stuff. Once I get past Mike Cooks Honda I catch up with Eddie and we are nip and tuck the rest of the time playing around with each other.

Part 1 I.m leading
http://www.youtube.com/user/Wegofast1?feature=mhee#p/u/6/8L99dC4UASo

Part 2 Eddie Leading and we are getting tired because we are old :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/Wegofast1?feature=mhee#p/u/5/qspYGh6TOfM

This last one was my attempt to get some footage of Mike Cook on the Honda and Eddie on the Tri Z and right off the bat Mike leaves his pet cock shut off. Once we get going you can tell Eddie has no trouble pulling away at will. So the answer is "YES, your old cylinder still runs good" and Fast Eddie is a good guy to use it properly
http://www.youtube.com/user/Wegofast1?feature=mhee#p/u/7/DeQudgSVxOI
Randy

[NOSBIGSHOT]

That was all amazing ...and it looks like fun too. I want to do that !!!!

[driscoll333]

wow...Im glad some people dont throw stuff away.... that's a note from my mechanic... I recognize the hand writing..... that M-F'er is still bad ass.....Like I always said.."yamaha motors are rockets"... `````` Nosbigshot, as long as I can get 1.3 gal... I think it will do 35min-45 min moto....If my #'s are off let me know..... what do ya think?

[NOSBIGSHOT]

wow...Im glad some people dont throw stuff away.... that's a note from my mechanic... I recognize the hand writing..... that M-F'er is still bad ass.....Like I always said.."yamaha motors are rockets"... `````` Nosbigshot, as long as I can get 1.3 gal... I think it will do 35min-45 min moto....If my #'s are off let me know..... what do ya think?

I will put 1.3 gallons in mine and flog it for 45 minutes or till it runs out of gas and let you know.

[Bryan Raffa]

I would be courious also on the total run time,, just make shure to dont stick past the frame ,, slappin your knee on that would, kill my knees,,they hurt enough..

[driscoll333]

haha... ok... do u charge for research and development? haha... I really appreciate it !!!! thanks....

[Bryan Raffa]

another member has one that stick out past the tube frame ,by less a 1/4 or less, he says it hurts like a mother!!!! .. its like a hatchet to the knee.

[NOSBIGSHOT]

haha... ok... do u charge for research and development? haha... I really appreciate it !!!! thanks....

I do not charge at all. My job is R&D . Next time I'm testing in your neck of the woods I will have you come check it out . To me its old but friends and family love it . This is the fuel petcock I'm going to use.

[driscoll333]

I've been mountain biking lately ..... I'm finding out its way better than running....I wish I would have trained on one back when I was racing pro.....and I bolted some trick niterider lights on it.... I love all this new technology..... Now I can get a good hard work out in the dark.... I live in the SO CAL desert and it too flippin hot to train outside during the day..110-120+ degrees......Thanks NOSBIGSHOT for the advice on the lights......Brett

[radrandy2001]

This place makes aluminum dirt bike gas tanks. They could make one up if no members have the time.

http://tmracingmotorcycles.com/2010/09/aluminum-gas-tanks-available-as-option-on-tms/

This link is a Harley type place but if you scroll down towards the bottom you will see two types of gas caps. The cool flat one is not vented though :(

http://www.harleycustom.com/Prod-Parker_Fabrication_-_Custom_Motorcycle_Gas_Tanks-22-42.html

These are real cool looking and I think they do vent.

http://www.custom-motorcycle-parts.com/parts/custom-gas-cap-motorcycle-oil-plug/pop-up-gas-caps-for-weld-in-tanks/

This one is almost the same at the one above but in steel. Might be an affordable way to make a prototype out of steel. Heck a lot of factory tanks are steel.

http://www.viciouscycleworks.us/khxc/ccp0-prodshow/euro_gs2.html

NOTE: All of these links are the search work of Fast Eddie Bergman.
Randy

[NOSBIGSHOT]

When I made my tanks I did not use a vented cap , I vented the tank .( A trick I learned from a road race bike I had )

[driscoll333]

I just received my yellow fenders,.... the front fender is a shade of gold and the rear are yellow... They are both from maier ... has anyone had this same problem? If I send them back Im thinking thats just the way they are now.....anyone have info?

[NOSBIGSHOT]

Thats the way it is . When I restored my Maico every single piece of plastic was a different color .

[Mosh]

Flyin brian will be making a small run of top mount aluminum tanks for the Tri-Z here over the next few months.
He already made this custom one for a 70. He is very meticulous.


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s100/HondaATC/TF2011/100_0246.jpg

[radrandy2001]

Flyin brian will be making a small run of top mount aluminum tanks for the Tri-Z here over the next few months.
He already made this custom one for a 70. He is very meticulous.


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s100/HondaATC/TF2011/100_0246.jpg

Man, that is a nice looking gas tank and mini. I spotted pictures of it in the TF pics but the closeup is nicer. Good Job!

Post pics of the Tri Z tank when he gets a proto type built.

[Mosh]

Thanks. That is not my 70, but a friend of mine. I did see the tank close-up as it was delivered at my place. It almost came up "missing"..LOL
His attention to detail is first class. He just made these 250R quick pin seat latches for us.

I will keep everyone posted on the Z tanks, he is busy, and it will take him awhile, but the projected price is more than fair and I think he is going to get more volume than what the Old Vintage tanks did, but they will fit just like the airbox cover shape with no over hang.

[zmpolaristech]

here is a pic of the fuel tank I designed for my race bike. This is the first (and only) one built so far. I have 2 more in the works that should be done in a week or 2. They only hold 3/4 of a gallon, but that is MORE than enough for just about any race...even with my 310.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/zmpolaristech/330%20Tri-Z%20Build/163281_124860304248833_100001745924484_166412_6353 200_n.jpg
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/zmpolaristech/330%20Tri-Z%20Build/164114_124860414248822_100001745924484_166414_2032 47_n.jpg
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/zmpolaristech/330%20Tri-Z%20Build/165363_124860457582151_100001745924484_166415_7109 998_n.jpg
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/zmpolaristech/330%20Tri-Z%20Build/166808_124860274248836_100001745924484_166411_5527 439_n.jpg

[zmpolaristech]

oh, and thanks for the signed, repro, Factory Tri stickers!! VERY COOL! I got a signed silver and pink at TF!! and an un-signed silver to plaster on my race bike! Can't wait to see your bike!

[zmpolaristech]

Brett, I read that you are/were looking for a good shock replacement... well, when i wanted a fully adjustable one for my race bike, I called just about all the big name companies i could find, and only one company I spoke with had any experience building a race shock for a Tri-Z, not just a banshee shock with a different label. It was Wayne at PEP. I guess he and another one of his techs youst to race Zs. He put together a fully adjustable ZPS rear shock for my +2 swinger and I can tell you, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread!! No matter how crossed up I get on a jump, it pulls me out as if I know what I am doing! But it IS a race shock... trail comfort def not the greatest. But racing is what I had it set-up for.

[radrandy2001]

[QUOTE=zmpolaristech;1027441]here is a pic of the fuel tank I designed for my race bike. This is the first (and only) one built so far. I have 2 more in the works that should be done in a week or 2. They only hold 3/4 of a gallon, but that is MORE than enough for just about any race...even with my 310.

Looks good. I can see the front mount but how is it mounted in the rear? Brett needs one :)

Also, tell me how you got the TriZ up to 310cc's.

Thanks!

[driscoll333]

thanks guys... thats some cool stuff.... Yes, I need a tank and shock...

[2YELLOWZs4me]

Brett after reading all 33 pages of this thread all I can say is RAD! Growing up my uncle had an 85 Z and now 15 years later i just bought two Z's with in a month. One looks to be setup for the dez with two 7 or 8 inch dick cepek halogens mounted to the front, skid plates and some sort of pipe. Unsure what it is, can't find any markings. Looks close to stock though. The other is a stock bike. Both 85's. I got alot of good info from the thread. I'd love to get a couple of those jerseys from you brett. Also thinking about reproducing the light setup I have. Anyone interested? I'm new to the forum and can't figure out how to post pics but I think my profile pic has the headlight setup in it. I live in socal and can't wait to dune with some of you guys, 2011-12 riding season is so close!

I'll start a thread for headlight setup where it belongs....oops!

[badass350x]

Hi Welcome to the board!! would love to see your headlight setup!! honestly you should post this up in the for sale ads... Im sure you would have some feedback on these..

[phantombiker]

hey brett...i remember trailprotrailpro name from back in the day!! along with rick johnson and brock glover. what kind of stories you got on those 2?!?!

also, would i be able to get a cpl signed stickers from you and a cpl not signed for my z, please?!?!

thx...Mark

[phantombiker]

p.s. just read this whole thread....KILLER STUFF!!!

[driscoll333]

2Yellow.... sorry I havent responded quicker.... Nice light set up and Z.... If your pipe looks stock but doesnt have marking and no heat shield... there might be a chance its a cobra/factory tri.....in 85-86, That was the best pipe I ever ran....I will make some more jerseys soon... I will post when they can be ordered....If your coming through El Centro on one of your trips, Plz stop at my store.....If anyone wants stickers PM me with your address, and I will do my best to hook u up..... I will send free stickers with any jersey ordered....I dont know a price on the jerseys yet, but will keep ya posted....I would like input from the members(would u want DRISCOLL 33 on the back or blank? and put your own name?

PHANTOM, I dont have any dirt on Glover or Johnson... Ive only met Rick a couple of times... I know he is an awesome person...what was the word that got covered by the tires?....pm me for stickers

[Tri-Z 250]

I guess the value of my signed jersey just went down.:lol:

It was given to me as a gift from a good friend for some work I did. I'm kidding to the value because it's still going into a glass case...maybe a coffee table top, or wall hanger.
It's just plain cool to have...I'd just like to take a picture of you and me with my 3yr old for some History...Ever think you might make it to Ohio for a spin on the MX tracks...OTC style, for oldtime sake? It would be cool to get some of you'all to run with us....I'd kick a $10bill in on the gate for a chance to run against you and get some payout...if you beat me.:naughty:

[driscoll333]

Tri-Z 250, Did u get one of my signed jerseys? If so, I glad it went to a true 3w guy....I'd like to take a spin with u ... maybe one day?

[Tri-Z 250]

Yep! I was told it was one of those that were raffled off at TrikeFest. It was too nice of an item, but he wouldn't let me leave without it, a true 3WW bro. I think it's cool, and to meet you personally for a possible spin, now your talking. Maybe TrikeFest would be a better location....that way 3WW can share in the experance. I was actually thinking of the $10 I'd give extra just to be on the gate with you...might be a good idea of a fund raiser too. I'd just like to watch your lines and body positions while being roosted...sounds like a great experiance to me. I only kid as to racing you...I'm not fast, I'm just out for fun and work on Monday. I'm not holding you to your youthful speed either; but if I could or did pass you...I promise only to bragg about it when your not around. It truly is a treat to have you on the boards. I think one year if 3WW could get the ole' Great icons of our sport reunited...wow, I wouldn't miss that TF.

[tri-Z ripper]

This thread is one of the best stickies on the board! Can't wait for the Jerseys

[driscoll333]

130817The Husqvarna's getting ready for battle Riverside SCORE race...Dickson 53, Driscoll 52...

[badass350x]

Hey Brett, way cool those were the days huh? Dean
130817The Husqvarna's getting ready for battle Riverside SCORE race...Dickson 53, Driscoll 52...

[driscoll333]

Yep, Good memories.... I took a bad crash , minutes after this photo... Bob Dickson (tracey's dad) had it back in one piece for the next weekend...

[Remingtonsteel]

question question?!?! is the stock stator strong enough to run a set of hid lights? thanks

[phantombiker]

2Yellow.... sorry I havent responded quicker.... Nice light set up and Z.... If your pipe looks stock but doesnt have marking and no heat shield... there might be a chance its a cobra/factory tri.....in 85-86, That was the best pipe I ever ran....I will make some more jerseys soon... I will post when they can be ordered....If your coming through El Centro on one of your trips, Plz stop at my store.....If anyone wants stickers PM me with your address, and I will do my best to hook u up..... I will send free stickers with any jersey ordered....I dont know a price on the jerseys yet, but will keep ya posted....I would like input from the members(would u want DRISCOLL 33 on the back or blank? and put your own name?

PHANTOM, I dont have any dirt on Glover or Johnson... Ive only met Rick a couple of times... I know he is an awesome person...what was the word that got covered by the tires?....pm me for stickers



the covered word is "your" only abbreviated.

[Remingtonsteel]

does the tri z only have one chain tentioner on the rear? most others have two mine only had one and it only shows one on the parts finch like on bike bandit. thanks.

[driscoll333]

131241Here's a picture of a TV interview after the indoor race in Holland, Ahoy stadium...the Guy in the red and black jump suit was a factory yamaha mechanic that was assigned to me for the week....the guy in the clover black jersey got second(Name?) the guy in the white jersey (right) was 3rd, his name was david fletcher ... both of them were european riders.....hopefully u can see it ok?

[Iceracer]

http://otc.myfastforum.org/about875.html&highlight=

This may be on here somwhere, I didn't see it any wherewith I thought I share it.

[driscoll333]

I found this pic of my first ATC90 hopped up... .... the Pic was shot 1979.... custom rootbeer paint , gold pin stripe ,six pack rack , light bracket and after market high rise fenders with the metal plate brace in the back.....