85.5 Tri Z Identification

[Tas Wheeler]

Hi all,

Might be a silly question but anyways,
Am just about to start the search for and 85.5 Z and got to thinking, other than the colour is there any other way to identify that it is an 85.5, like vin etc etc??:wondering:wondering

Cheers Matt.

[HarrisoN*]

silver rims, 85 model swingarm, think theyre the larger dia' 86 model forks

[volfan537240]

85.5 has the bigger forks? I thought only 86's had them?

[oile]

Mine has the smaller forks

[HarrisoN*]

like i said "think", wasnt too sure.

do they run a expansion tank?

[Tas Wheeler]

As I thought, basically the 85.5 is exactly the same as an 85 just red and black with chrome wheels.

No other distingushing features or different parts and the same VIN and engine nubers as an 85.

Anyone have a sales brochure for the 85.5 or a brochure that mentions an option of a red and black colour with chrome wheels?

[Mosh]

Front hub is silver/grey. All other years gold. Engine serial number still starts with 38w.

[TimSr]

There is no such thing as an 85.5 model TriZ. That is a message forum creation. When Yamaha ran multiple color schemes they ran one first, and then the other. The mythical "85.5" Tri-Z is like 93.5 Blaster. Its the later run of the 2nd color. Good luck finding a parts schematic for a model 85.5.

What you will find is an 85 model parts list schematic that lists two color options for plastics, front hubs, and other color variables.

So in answer to the original question an "85.5" is still an 85 with different colors. It is not a bastardized mixture of two model years.

[volfan537240]

^^^^^ you just crushed all my hopes and dreams....

Seriously though I thought the 85.5 was supposed to be the 86 and the 86 was supposed to be called the 87 before the consent degree. So even though every thing is the same besides colors, it is in fact a different year model.

[TimSr]

^^^^^ you just crushed all my hopes and dreams....
So even though every thing is the same besides colors, it is in fact a different year model.


Um, no. Find me a Yamaha parts schematic for an 85.5, or anything from Yamaha other than a message forum that refers to an "85.5" model and I will humbly and publically declare my ignorance.

[volfan537240]

Maybe I should rephrase that. It was meant to be a different year model.

[Tas Wheeler]

There is no such thing as an 85.5 model TriZ. That is a message forum creation. When Yamaha ran multiple color schemes they ran one first, and then the other. The mythical "85.5" Tri-Z is like 93.5 Blaster. Its the later run of the 2nd color. Good luck finding a parts schematic for a model 85.5.

What you will find is an 85 model parts list schematic that lists two color options for plastics, front hubs, and other color variables.

So in answer to the original question an "85.5" is still an 85 with different colors. It is not a bastardized mixture of two model years.

Thanks again for all the replies guys.

TimSr that is exactly what got me thinking about this, I was looking a the parts schematics for an 85 and saw the reference to the so called 85.5 parts. I then did a Google search for a 85.5 Yamaha Tri Z 250 and what do you know all i got was references to 3ww and other forums.

I have sales brochures for both the 85 and 86 and neither of those make any reference to there being another colour option. If someone has a sales brochure that does I'd love to see it. I know on my 84 and 85 tecate brochures that I have they both make mention of the option to have wild fire red or lime green, where as on the 85 Z it only states there being one colour of Competition yellow.

Cheers Matt

[Tri-Z 250]

I believe the Limited Edition Tri-Z was a late run by Yamaha to get rid of unsold parts they knew were soon to be discontinued by the 86'model. The red frame was a prelude to the next color scheme. The rims were most likely a way to cut cost by offering them up with no finish. I like the 85.5 tag as a way to seperate the models, but agree it's not correct. I also believe Yamaha offered the Limited Edition for Browns fans across the Nation...who would never own anything Black&Gold:lol:

[Rigaman]

I've seen some cylinders bare metal, and some black.. which models had black cylinders vs bare metal?

[HarrisoN*]

all years were black however it wears of fairly easily from riding and washing.