86' Tri Z Forks. What to do??

[racernhra]

Oh boy, dont laugh fellas' as I am a newbie here. :)

I bought (actually traded for) my old 3 wheeler in a basket. I thought it was an 85' until tonight and I think it might be an 86'.

The Tri Z was in a serious accident in its past where a young kid was killed. The lower fork bracket and the wheel axle holder (sorry if my description is wrong) were broke and had to be re-welded to work. I am restoring this trike and am not comfortable running it this way.

Anyway, bought some forks of EBAY and a new lower bracket only to find that the forks that I bought (off of an 85'??) are smaller than what I have.

After reading and searching I learned that the 86's had 39mm forks as compared to 35mm on the 85's. This is why I now think my Tri is actually an 86.

I am new to this stuff and am wondering: Are the 86 forks and lower bracket going to be easy to find or should I just run the 85's? I am really torn here because I want it to be correct. However, I do not know enough to know if the 86 forks and bracket will be a real booger to find.

I am kind of glad because the 86's have the 6 speed. Are the 86's more desirable than the 85's? Is there anything else I can look for to determine if this is in fact an 86? Again, this thing is in pieces but I am determined!!!

Thanks fellas and sorry to be a little dense here!

[dcreel]

Where are you at in kansas? I don't know much about tri-Z's but I am pretty sure someone from here can help you with that.

[eyecekold1]

The 85's are black and yellow the 85.5 is black and red the 86 is white and red. The forks on the 85s are not as good as the 86. The 86 is more desired because of the 6 speed tranny and the better forks. Thats all I know about them.

[tecat-z]

86 forks are much tougher to find in straight condition, and bring LOTS more money that 85 units. They are generally more desireable too when in similar condition. Many changes between years.

[racernhra]

Where are you at in kansas? I don't know much about tri-Z's but I am pretty sure someone from here can help you with that.

I live in Oxford, south of Wichita about 30 miles. My Tri Z is black and red so does that make it an 85.5? Were the forks larger on the 85.5 than the 85?. Thanks for the help so far!

[dcreel]

Don't miss the Midwest rampage at Little Sahara the weekend of April 17th. I'm in Coffeyville.
http://www.3wheeler.org/vb/showthread.php?t=38960

[MonroeMike]

Welcome to 3ww.

[mike from long island]

86 only had the larger diameter forks.Also the radiator over flow bottle bracket mounted to the frame.Those are two easy things to check.There are many more parts different.A one piece throttle cable,6 speed tranny,front tire is a 23 inch instead of the 25. Take some pics and we can see for you.

I would like to see the repair job.I personally wouldnt run something fixed like that!!

O ya well to the board!! Mike

[Mosh]

Is the coolant bottle mounted down by the swingarm bolt? 86 model.

Or under the seat. 85 and 85.5 models.

The engine cases had a stamping number that started with 38w on the 5 speeds,
and the 6 speed 86 case numbers started with "3gg" I think. Or something like that.
I could be wrong about that. Bryan Raffa knows those numbers for sure.

The 86 forks and tripples were raked back 1 degree for better handling,and the 85 was raked out which caused a little more pushing in the turns.
The rake changes were made in the tripple design.The frame angle was the same on all Z's.

[torker]

Oh boy, dont laugh fellas' as I am a newbie here. :)

I bought (actually traded for) my old 3 wheeler in a basket. I thought it was an 85' until tonight and I think it might be an 86'.

The Tri Z was in a serious accident in its past where a young kid was killed. The lower fork bracket and the wheel axle holder (sorry if my description is wrong) were broke and had to be re-welded to work. I am restoring this trike and am not comfortable running it this way.

Anyway, bought some forks of EBAY and a new lower bracket only to find that the forks that I bought (off of an 85'??) are smaller than what I have.

After reading and searching I learned that the 86's had 39mm forks as compared to 35mm on the 85's. This is why I now think my Tri is actually an 86.

I am new to this stuff and am wondering: Are the 86 forks and lower bracket going to be easy to find or should I just run the 85's? I am really torn here because I want it to be correct. However, I do not know enough to know if the 86 forks and bracket will be a real booger to find.

I am kind of glad because the 86's have the 6 speed. Are the 86's more desirable than the 85's? Is there anything else I can look for to determine if this is in fact an 86? Again, this thing is in pieces but I am determined!!!

Thanks fellas and sorry to be a little dense here!

:welcome: to the boards. I know you want it to be correct, but the forks is something you don't want have doubts about. If your have an 86 Z and you need forks, chances are they will be very hard and expensive to find. You can use the ATC 250R front end and it will fit like a glove. This is the set up I have on mine, down to the 2 piston front caliper and 11" wheel. Honda parts are more plentifull and therefore some are cheaper.
Now we'll need some :pics: :pics: :pics:
TORKER.

[honda250sx]

86 cases start with 1RX...

[dansvan]

Not bragging because I haven't seen them yet, but I just picked up a set of 86 forks and tripples off ebay for 36 bucks. Keep watching, you'll find them.

[honda250sx]

I bought mine from a board member who advertised them with triples for $45 dollars... They are out there.