TRI-Z Q&A with driscoll

[shawnroy1971]

I love it Brett !! Was that you're first 3-wheeler? Man,you had some cool toy's.

[driscoll333]

yes.. It was my first atc.... I worked in the fields all summer to save about 300.00 for a down payment... I bought it new from a guy called "honda bob".... i was 13 years old.(1976-1977)..made payments for about another year or two...(If Im remembering right) I think the total cost was 600.00....

[radrandy2001]

yes.. It was my first atc.... I worked in the fields all summer to save about 300.00 for a down payment... I bought it new from a guy called "honda bob".... i was 13 years old.(1976-1977)..made payments for about another year or two...(If Im remembering right) I think the total cost was 600.00....

Brett, what frame did your little ATC have? Some type of aftermarket tube frame it looks like. Was this added after you had it a while or was Honda Bob selling tricked out units. Bet it had some engine work too. So what kind of fields did you work in down in southern California? I am in Kansas so know trying to picture this :)

Hey, did you get that Tri Z running and riding yet? Last we talked you told me you had the cylinder re-sleeved and it was going all back together. Any progress or did it come to a halt in the summer heat?
Randy

[driscoll333]

randy..... I think it was a pauter frame, Italso had some motor work (cant remember what)....I bought it bone stock new....I worked in the fields helping with the leveling and marking.... The Imperial Valley is a huge agricultural area...thousands of acres of farming...We have a little of everything in So Cal., desert, mountains,farming,cities,and best of all, the beach......The Tri-z isnt done yet, but the motor is ready.. I cant wait to run it... The parts u got me will make it scream... I was super lucky to get the Cobra (factory tri) pipe...the build is going slow..... Thank You

[radrandy2001]

randy..... I think it was a pauter frame, Italso had some motor work (cant remember what)....I bought it bone stock new....I worked in the fields helping with the leveling and marking.... The Imperial Valley is a huge agricultural area...thousands of acres of farming...We have a little of everything in So Cal., desert, mountains,farming,cities,and best of all, the beach......The Tri-z isnt done yet, but the motor is ready.. I cant wait to run it... The parts u got me will make it scream... I was super lucky to get the Cobra (factory tri) pipe...the build is going slow..... Thank You

Brett, no problem on the parts, glad they went to a good home especially the Cobra/Factory Tri Pipe.

So your first little ATC went from stock to modified so am I right in presuming that this same root beer colored machine was the first 3 Wheeler you raced? Tell us about those first few races please.
Thanks!
Randy

[driscoll333]

randy, This was my first ATC, and I rode the piss out of it... But I never raced it... The first time I raced a 3wler was right after buying a 81 250r...I owned one 3wler and raced both desert and short course all of 81-82....when I saw the 81 250r, I fell in-love... I couldn't wait to test its limits.... I raced at glamis, speedway 117,Imperial fairgrounds, d-38 plaster city(ocotillo),baja, parker,san diego stadium, san diego sports arena, las vegas, etc... in 81-82 I was racing almost every weekend....

[radrandy2001]

randy, This was my first ATC, and I rode the piss out of it... But I never raced it... The first time I raced a 3wler was right after buying a 81 250r...I owned one 3wler and raced both desert and short course all of 81-82....when I saw the 81 250r, I fell in-love... I couldn't wait to test its limits.... I raced at glamis, speedway 117,Imperial fairgrounds, d-38 plaster city(ocotillo),baja, parker,san diego stadium, san diego sports arena, las vegas, etc... in 81-82 I was racing almost every weekend....

I too raced a 82 250R for several years and sounds like you beat the crap out of yours racing it that much. What do you remember obout the weak points of the old 81/82's? I had a PK +3" swingarm on mine and I cracked the lower shock mount once. I remember the chain adjusters were just bolts on one side of the pivot bolt and you could cock the rear end when landing hard and throw a chain so we added bolts to the other side of teh pivot to prevent this. Also had to run a spring loaded skate board wheel chain adjuster. Of course siezed it a few times getting it too hot but I never had to put a crank in it even after 3 years of abuse. Probably because I ran 25/28 to 1gas & oil mix. Smoked a bit more but it lived a long life. After you get your Tri Z built and dialed in you should try to find another 81 250R and restore it to your race setup. What swingarm did you run and do you remember "The Force" swing arm like Jimmy White ran? A buddy of mine had one of those and they were ahead of the times offering a linkage swingarm for the 81/82. Know where one's at now?

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

[radrandy2001]

Oh, I forgot to ask you Brett, what were your race numbers? Your avatar shows #33. Was that always your number even back on the 81 250R?

[Bryan Raffa]

Oh, I forgot to ask you Brett, what were your race numbers? Your avatar shows #33. Was that always your number even back on the 81 250R?

His race number was 333. Later shortend to 33.

[radrandy2001]

His race number was 333. Later shortend to 33.

Thanks for the info Bryan. I have lots of old magazines and ATV News so will keep a eye out for #333 or #33
Randy

[driscoll333]

the first 2 years 81-82 ,I ran all different #'s ... the race promoters issued #'s at the track. and when we raced desert SCORE they also issued #s... So if u are looking through old magazines its kinda random... but when the race promoters let us run what we wanted, the top 20 pro's had there favorite numbers and no body ever stepped on toes... everyone new coming into the sport knew 1,21,22,31,33,34,41 etc... they were taken... Also when doing photo shoots, we all ran our numbers unless we were doing a test on a new 3wler... and the magazine wanted to keep it stock.... I ran 333 more in the later days of my career..I just liked the way it looked and something different.... Brett

[driscoll333]

145561145562I've started on my tri-z... I gotta long way to go... Brett

[badass350x]

Off to a good start brett, lmk if you need anymore parts! Will also get that throttle off to ya..

[Red Rider]

I've started on my tri-z... I gotta long way to go... BrettBrett, I'm glad to see you've got a Tri-Z to build, and it looks like a decent start. Keep us posted on your progress, and above all, have fun with it. This ought to bring back some good memories from days gone by. Enjoy! :beer

[radrandy2001]

145561145562I've started on my tri-z... I gotta long way to go... Brett

Brett, looking good. Keep posting pics as you progress. I want to hear about it when you go for that first ride at full power.
Randy

[denn]

I know that I am a bit late with this post but I have a JP racing top mount fuel tank as well. I must say that it is the cleanest style I have seen. The lines blend so nice. If you powdercoated it glossy black and threw some white yamaha stickers on it you would think it was the air box cover. I would be willing to let someone have a crack at reproducing it. It holds a hair more than a gallon of gas. I was thinking of trying to find a way to add to the bottom of it. There is a bunch of room under the tank when it is mounted. you may be able to get in another gallon or so. The only thing that sucks about a top mount tank is getting rid of the air box. Not that the air box is so great but clamp on filters are really only good for the track and light trail. I like to have my filter in a box. I read in the wrench report and in a few magazines that PLASTIC WERKS used to make an airbox that goes under the seat. This was used when using the top mount tank. It is still open but offers a bit more protection for the filter. Maybe someone here can reproduce one of those as well.

[driscoll333]

The top mount tanks are hard to find... I've been looking for 6 months with not much luck... I cant remember how the JP looked , but Im sure its clean.Do u have a PIC?.. Let me know if U ever want to sell it....thanks Brett

[HuffieVA]

They look like this...

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc461/HuffieVA/85%20Tri-Z/DSC04555.jpg

[driscoll333]

nice tank...hard to find... I want one.. u guys let me know if anyone finds one for sale...

[HaggLE]

Hi
My father used to race flat track in the 80's in Australia. He rode on a tri-z and was Australian champion a few times and then progressed to Quads and was Australian champ on a Quad a few times.
I have some vids of the racing and a few quick closeups of it in these racing videos. He is #11 with red riding leathers and white helmet.

http://youtu.be/TnEH1JBmrVk

[Red Rider]

Love the sounds of the race, but the video hurts my eyes.

[HaggLE]

Yeah I know, it's on VHS cassette and the player is old and that's the best I could do with it. I plan to redo it when I get a chance.

[Red Rider]

Yeah I know, it's on VHS cassette and the player is old and that's the best I could do with it. I plan to redo it when I get a chance.Ahh, that explains it. At first I thought it was camera flashes going off, but some of the flashes lasted way too long. If only digital cameras & recorders were around back then. If you manage to get it cleaned up, please let us know. We'd love to see it.

[driscoll333]

147618
Here's the cleanest Husqvarna picture I could find.
I was invited to race in australia... never went. I was told
there was some fast guys over there...

[driscoll333]

Working on the husky...
Bob Dickson (hunched over)
Brett Driscoll (wrenching)
Mike Driscoll

[driscoll333]

147620
Tracey Dickson Wrenching on Husqvarna..
Very Rare pictures of the Husky ....."Preview page 35
for 2 other husky pics"

[Big Mike]

I really like the Husqvarna 3wheeler, thats nice

[shawnroy1971]

Thank's for posting the video HaggLE.Always fun to watch old racing video's,no matter where there from. Brett,those Husky's look alot more high tech than I thought,thank's for sharing.

[HaggLE]

Hi
My father used to race flat track in the 80's in Australia. He rode on a tri-z and was Australian champion a few times and then progressed to Quads and was Australian champ on a Quad a few times.
I have some vids of the racing and a few quick closeups of it in these racing videos. He is #11 with red riding leathers and white helmet.

I was talking to my dad about this video a little while back and he said he use to grab the thumb throttle from underneath with his fingers on the change of direction to keep it on. He said a lot of the guys would let go and grab again because when the right side of the handle bars came towards your chest you ran out of room to keep your thumb on and had to re-position your hands. Pretty clever! He also said those blue tires he is using were awful! Some salesperson talked him into them but they were all the talk in the pits because they stood out. He never let on how bad they were though lol.

[driscoll333]

147751
found a rare pic of sundahl . 1985 ,on my 3wler...
taken a few months before we won the parker 400,
it was a huge win for yamaha.. I wonder how many Tri-Z's
were sold the year following that win ?...

[Mosh]

147751
found a rare pic of sundahl . 1985 ,on my 3wler...
taken a few months before we won the parker 400,
it was a huge win for yamaha.. I wonder how many Tri-Z's
were sold the year following that win ?...
Hello,Driscoll. Just wanted to mention that Angry Neighbor did get top mount tanks built. They mimic the stock airbox cover and hold 2.2 gallons. 2 have been completed with a few more on the way in the near future.

We had talked about them a while ago and just wanted to show you the product.

[shawnroy1971]

Just checking in on you Brett to see how thing's are going.Haven't seen any updates,hope all is well.

[badass350x]

Just checking in on you Brett to see how thing's are going.Haven't seen any updates,hope all is well.

Like wise Brett,,, where you hiding?

[driscoll333]

Thnx guys.. I'm still kicking... Turned 50 today!!! Wow... Hey Mosh , how do I get a tank? My tri-z is still a long project.. It's in a million pieces but still searching for parts .. Thnx Brett

[badass350x]

Happy 50th Brett..

[Bryan Raffa]

Happy Birthday!!

[Mosh]

Thnx guys.. I'm still kicking... Turned 50 today!!! Wow... Hey Mosh , how do I get a tank? My tri-z is still a long project.. It's in a million pieces but still searching for parts .. Thnx Brett
Happy B day.
Flyin Brian has a new job that is working him stupid and at last check he had no definates on how many more tanks he was going to do. He does not do internet, so contact to him generally is just local via phone or face to face. You would be at least 4th in line for a custom aluminum tank. I will contact him and see if he can still make one for you. I know the last we spoke of one specific for you he was very excited to do the project. He will probably just make it and then have me contact you when it is finished. It will be awhile before it gets done. Maybe even as long as this fall, it just depends on how hard his job is working him. these do hold a legit 2 gallons also and run a modern replaceable petcock.

Here is a better pic for you on the raffle trike 3ww is giving away this coming summer.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m40/cosmicquads/Z%20tribute%20build/DSCF1030.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m40/cosmicquads/Z%20tribute%20build/DSCF1034.jpg

[radrandy2001]

Thnx guys.. I'm still kicking... Turned 50 today!!! Wow... Hey Mosh , how do I get a tank? My tri-z is still a long project.. It's in a million pieces but still searching for parts .. Thnx Brett

Brett, welcome to the AARP Class :) You are in good company. Just this past weekend, 1-25 & 1-26-2013 there were some Coke Syrup on Concrete Oval races in Des Moines Iowa. In the main event of the 3 Wheeler class on the front row was three guys all were ages 54 & 55. Fast Eddie Bergman (age 54) won it on a 86 Tri Z. And that was with a "Factory Tri Cylinder too!!!

I am editing vids and pics that I am posting on this and the 3W.org site if you want to take a peak at what you could be doing in 4 or 5 years when you finally grow up :)
Have a great day!
Randy Smith

[driscoll333]

Hi mosh,,, He does a nice job on those tanks... Plz let me know if he needs a deposit or whatever.......thnx
Hi randy,,it's totally incredible that people are still running my factory-tri cylinders.. I'm blown away... Ps.. U really hooked me up on the parts a while back.. Thnx... Brett

[driscoll333]

Hey badass and raffa ... Hope all is good.. Who all am I going to see out here at glamis??

[Bryan Raffa]

your gonna see me ... HA! ill call ya!!

[Tri85]

WOW! Just read through this whole thread and was reaffirmed as to why at 41 I'm getting back on my tri z and tearing up
the trails! I never raced anyone but friends but that love of riding has always been there. Would love to see how your build
Turns out. Good luck

[badass350x]

Brett Invasion this coming year will be march 16th through the 23rd hope to see you out there this year!:beer

[driscoll333]

Hi all. Just checking in . I noticed there has been 3wheelers on some of the race venues out here in Southern California. I never thought we would see 3wheeler racing make a come back. Very cool !!!!!

[phantombiker]

Hi all. Just checking in . I noticed there has been 3wheelers on some of the race venues out here in Southern California. I never thought we would see 3wheeler racing make a come back. Very cool !!!!!whats the biggest air you've gotten on a trike?

[BenSchlimme]

This thread hasn't been very active but was recently made aware of some sad news.

Brett passed away in October at the young age of 56.

Here is the obit:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ivpressonline/obituary.aspx?n=michael-brett-driscoll&pid=194235205

Here is the services on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCAdUbB4HQs

And a cool tribute on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOSs3Dt88-E&t=455s

Race In Peace my fellow racer.....