Original 6 Speed 85-1/2 Tri-Z??

[Tri-Z 700]

There is a local guy selling a black/red Tri-Z that he claims is all factory original. He says he bought it from the original owner that worked at a Yamaha dealership back in the day. He says it is an 85-1/2, but it has the "rare" 6 speed transmission option. What I do know, it does have the radiator overflow bottle in the '86 location, and it has an '86 swingarm. I haven't been to look at it personally, I've just seen pics. What I need to know, did Yamaha make some 85-1/2 Tri-Z's with 6 speed transmissions and 86 frames? Or is this guy pulling my leg. I've never seen this setup before. To me, it looks like an '86 with 85-1/2 plastics. Either way, for $1700 it seems like a good deal, but if this guy is lying, what else is he lying about?

[Yamaha_Rules69]

It could have been an option. If you had the money at the time, you could get anything you wanted on your new 3 wheeler. If I remember correctly someone on here also claimed to have a 85 1/2 that they bought new, and it also had the 6 speed tranny. I guess it could easily be possible, but for the most part the 85.5 match the yellow and black 85.

[tecat-z]

Post up frame and engine #'s. That'll tell the true identity.Transmissions were not optional as far as # of gears. "as originally equiped" Engine #'s will either begin with 38w, or 1rx depending on year of manufacture..

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

38w is a 85 5 speed
1rx is an 86 6 speed

[Xfile]

Ha ha....when I bought my Z project, I talked to the guy on the phone. He said he had owned it for 7 years, it was a 1986 model, and had a 6 speed tranny. I get there (2 hr. drive) and it's a 1985 1/2 with a five speed. Oh...and of course he claimed mint condition. I asked him if maybe after 7 years of riding he would have counted the gears...he said "yes I did...5 speed + neutral = 6 speed tranny". Holy s**t, here we go! Long story short..I took it home for $200, runs great...not an 86 and not mint,,,but still a good deal.

[greenhuman]

One of the YZ250 six speeds fit. I think it was the YZ250G. I did the 6 speed conversion back in the day but it was so long ago.

[rickybudz]

So is 1-5 plus reverse considerd a 6 speed transmission?

[Xfile]

7 speed...you forgot to count neutral. Unless you have high and low range...then I'm pretty sure you count neutral twice, but reverse only once....unless your reverse speed changes with high/low range...Crap...I give up.

[rickybudz]

1 down (netural), 1-5 up and reverse= 6 speed, right?

[ATCeeya]

6 forward gears = 6 speed

[Xfile]

Right, you only count forward gears. My last post was meant to be a joke...I didn't know if rickybudz was asking his question seriously or not.

[Tri-Z 700]

Thanks for all the replies, but what about the 86 frame? Did Yamaha still offer the black/red 85-1/2 Tri-Z after the '86 came out that had some of the same components as the '86?? I realize anyone could convert a 38W 5 speed (5 forward gears not counting neutral) to a 6 speed, I've seen it done.