86 Tri-Z Project

**gutterworks129** · 08-11-2009, 07:51 PM

I'm putting together an 1986 red/white Tri-Z YTZ250 that I've been collecting parts for about 3 months. Well at first I was going to powder coat a 85 1/2 frame and use a 6-speed trans, but the frame I had was a little jacked up and needed some welding and hilla coils installed to bolt the foot pegs on. Well I met "Screwball" on 3WW(the best site) and got a lot of good usable parts like a swing arm, frame, clutch basket, carb, 6 speed main shaft with gears, and shrouds, all 86 stuff. Hella of guy and he loves Tri-Z. Well I got the 86 frame, swing arm, front rim, fender brackets, and stuff powder coated. The motor I found on craigslist in PA, the ad said " complete Tri-Z disassembled with an extra motor". I was happy as all get out to buy this stuff. It was dirty but I knew it had potential, so took it home and started cleaning and dissembling. I used one motor for the yellow and black 85 I just built, it did not need much just cleaning, painting, piston/rings, honing, head decked, shift shaft, water pump seal, and gasket set. The second motor got sand blasted at my shop, 6-speed transmission, shift shaft, complete clutch kit, crank bearings/seals, decked head, cylinder bored, new piston/rings, boost port drilled on right side, and gasket kit.

**Kerick** · 08-11-2009, 08:27 PM

wow looks great

**jcorkin** · 08-11-2009, 08:28 PM

looking like she is going to be a good looking build keep up the good work

**gutterworks129** · 08-11-2009, 10:29 PM

Thanks guys, I'll keep the pics coming! Fun stuff lol!

**Yamaha_Rules69** · 08-11-2009, 11:07 PM

Have you used the 6 speed transmission beffore? Which do you prefer? I havn't ridden either, but would assume the 5 speed tri z is much like my 1990 YZ 250 tranny with a wider gear ratio, and the 86 Z would be like a banshee I rode, real close together and fast shifting, is this right. Let me know, as I have a chance to pick up an 86 to used instead of my 85 destroyed motor but dont know which is better. Thanks, -- Jon.

**honda250sx** · 08-11-2009, 11:24 PM

Don't you just love bolting on shiny new powdered stuff! Looks like its going to be a really nice ride gutter.

I am envious of the 6speed.

**gutterworks129** · 08-13-2009, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by honda250sx

Don't you just love bolting on shiny new powdered stuff! Looks like its going to be a really nice ride gutter.

I am envious of the 6speed.

Yes sir, I love the new stuff. You inspired me to use a white swing arm from watching you on your project. Good luck with yours and keep the pics coming dude.

**gutterworks129** · 08-13-2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Yamaha_Rules69

Have you used the 6 speed transmission beffore? Which do you prefer? I havn't ridden either, but would assume the 5 speed tri z is much like my 1990 YZ 250 tranny with a wider gear ratio, and the 86 Z would be like a banshee I rode, real close together and fast shifting, is this right. Let me know, as I have a chance to pick up an 86 to used instead of my 85 destroyed motor but dont know which is better. Thanks, -- Jon.

Hey Jon, yes the 6-speed feels way better to me! I have another 86 and it is a blast to ride. The gears are a little different then the 5-speed. The 5-speed is spaced a little to far a part, the 6-speed is just right. Some trans have a extra gear spaced in to have an extra gear, each gear has a different ratio in the 6-speed. I would for sure buy the 6-speed, any way they are like gold!

**Yamaha_Rules69** · 08-13-2009, 01:59 PM

Alright sweet, 6 speed it is! I will be picking it up this weekend. My 85 Z has come a long way since I picked it up a few months back. It had been sitting outside for the last 10 years from the guy who had it, and was a shame to look at. The connecting rod broke in half from him riding it out of time (flywheel key was sheered when I pulled it) and thats what caused it. The broken rod came back up and took out both center cases, and broke off the sleeve on the jug. Right now I am working on putting the front tire/rim from a 83-85 200x on the front to get rid of that really tall tire and rim. I figure I would drop it 3 inches by using this set up. I picked up a good warrior rear shock to use instead of my rusted shafted z shock, along with some center cases. I was thinking about doing the stage 1 yamaha wrench report mods and porting to start off with, then see what happens. I hope to get it up and running real soon. Your progress/restore looks great. Thanks for the advice. Keep the pics of progress coming!!!!!!!!

**gutterworks129** · 08-14-2009, 05:42 PM

Well I've been playing with it and added some parts on. I'm waiting on the swing arm bearings to come in. I wanted the plastic bushings but PM the guy on 3WW but no response. That sucks! Its not the end of the world. I can't wait to get that sweet white swing arm on with the axle and black rims.

**gutterworks129** · 08-23-2009, 11:29 PM

Well the Tri-Z factory was on shut down due to family visiting for the last week lol! But things started going again until I went to do a compression test on the new engine and the kicker would not move! I took off the clutch cover and kicker gear but was still jammed up. I took the engine back out, split cases and found I had one of the shift forks were wrong! I had placed a 5-speed fork in with the other two (crapp)! I replaced it with the right one and started over. That was a whole day wasted but it is right now. I added the swing arm, axle, wheels, and pipe. I'm waiting for chain &front sprocket, washer for clutch basket, some varies bolts to complete this one. I can't wait to ride this machine and feel this engine and trans!

**Yamaha_Rules69** · 08-24-2009, 12:22 AM

That thing is really coming together and looking awesome! Bummer about the shift fork, but at least you got it right. Is that a DG extreme exhaust pipe? Looks great. Keep us posted, and keep doing what you are doing. Great job!

**gutterworks129** · 08-24-2009, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Yamaha_Rules69

That thing is really coming together and looking awesome! Bummer about the shift fork, but at least you got it right. Is that a DG extreme exhaust pipe? Looks great. Keep us posted, and keep doing what you are doing. Great job!

Hey man, glad you enjoy it. That is a DG Extreme pipe but it was the third one that was shipped that did not have dents in it. I got it from my local dealer and they are super cool dude. I'm trying to get it done but it takes a lot of time to clean and scrub parts lol!

**gutterworks129** · 08-24-2009, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Yamaha_Rules69

That thing is really coming together and looking awesome! Bummer about the shift fork, but at least you got it right. Is that a DG extreme exhaust pipe? Looks great. Keep us posted, and keep doing what you are doing. Great job!

Hows your Tri-Z coming a long? Do you have any pics, show us!

**Kerick** · 08-24-2009, 10:03 PM

what kind of wheels and tires are on the rear?

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86 Tri-Z Project