Project 86 Tri-Z: A day at a time. UPDATED WITH PICS

**ama009** · 02-19-2011, 02:31 PM

Man 200xMichigan ! that sucker looks nice!! Sounds like it has arrived to a great home! Im glad for you! It was an incredible feeling when I got my 200x home, now it feels like 10X that feeling with the Z. Looking forward to pics of your progress with it.

**200XMichigan** · 02-19-2011, 03:43 PM

For as hard of a life as its seen its still in really good shape, I was surprised the back fenders are good. And everything is there, minus that one foot peg and the stock rear wheels. I am hoping for a break in the weather again. It was really warm, not so much now.

I don't know how they did it with that foot peg but I guess the old owner used to drive it all over with his girlfriend on the back. Just wondering how that worked with only one foot peg.

**JasonB** · 02-19-2011, 04:07 PM

The pegs on those bikes are notorious for bein weak if you didn't already know. Not the pegs but the actual frame. And nice find! Looking forward to progress picks!

**muthey** · 02-19-2011, 04:34 PM

I really wasn't talking about any oil passages, I was kinda hinting at blown gaskets and a fuel/ oil seepage from the cylinder to the bottom end, and building up there, I might be all wrong, but was just concerned about you being like so many people I know who just hop on something and go without ever really looking it over, and making sure it's ready to rock and roll. I'm glad you aren't one of those people and are planing on turning that trike into a real beauty

**Kfx-xc-racer88** · 02-19-2011, 05:38 PM

The footpegs aren't that bad on the tri-z's it's usually the bolts into the case nuts in the frame that are junk!!
check the swingarm around where the shock goes though it for hairline cracks, it's a common fault. i've had about 10 tri-z's

**200XMichigan** · 02-22-2011, 09:58 PM

Made a little progress today. 26 degrees so I guess it was a good day to at least check things over and give it a PB Blaster bath in hopes of not breaking any bolts. The guy who had it before me was really not a fan of maintenance, he told me (about the crank case oil), "That oil there, I check it but it never seems to need any". Also the air box was filled with the best filter medium ever made, leaves. Fortunately that actually filters out the mice from going directly into the piston at TDC. And of course the one time I don't check out the shift lever, it's welded on. But who was I kidding, for $215 I was going to buy it no matter what. This is the first Tri-Z, 250R or Tecate I have ever seen with my own eyes. If I didn't know better I would swear I was in Canada. So how was I not going to buy it. I'm going to drain and change all the fluids and clean the carb in the next couple days to hear how it runs.

**tommerp** · 02-22-2011, 10:18 PM

Yeah.. I'd say you have (had) a bit of a mouse problem there....

**jmax857** · 02-22-2011, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by 200XMichigan

If I didn't know better I would swear I was in Canada.

i hear ya!

**90guy** · 02-23-2011, 01:11 AM

really nice find for the price id love to find a sports model. I still have to pick up my free big red once spring break rolls around.

**RideRed250R** · 02-23-2011, 01:24 AM

215 and he threw in a midget.. with clothing? sick... stick that thing in a closet with a wire brush and the bike... bet yah you will have a looker by morning..

**Bryan Raffa** · 02-23-2011, 08:20 AM

Nice SAVE on the 86 for that price!

**k00leo** · 02-23-2011, 09:24 AM

man oh man,

what a steal, you did good.

Only if i could find one around here for that price

**200XMichigan** · 02-23-2011, 10:21 AM

All in all its going to be a great trike. Its amazing that there's not anything missing. I guess that's the good thing about someone who doesn't do any maintenance vs someone who does it half-assed, at least they don't remove parts and loose them. Every bit of the bike was intact, I was hoping to find the factory tool kit but that was missing.

Actually come spring that midget will get his own midget ride, a little YF60 I picked up on trade (actually got two). Always thought I was a Honda man but these Yamaha's are really growing on me.

It has a flat slide carb on it? Was that stock? Also has an aftermarket silencer on it.

If I am lucky its going to hit above freezing today and I can wash it down and get a bit more done.

**Eric250R** · 02-23-2011, 01:03 PM

Great score man, really glad you saved it. And Honda, Yamaha, or Kawasaki, you're still saving one of great ones. I have all 3, although my current Z is in Michigan, the Z is my favorite. Love the way they ride... you won't be dissapointed.

**200XMichigan** · 02-24-2011, 09:57 AM

Getting it all cleaned up. Fortunately it was warm enough to give it a good wash today. Years of grime were crusted on this thing. I don't think its been washed since sometime in the 90's. But some Simple Green and elbow grease and the engine is really cleaning up well. I can now at least see what I have to work with. Next for all the real stuff, changing fluids, and rebuilding the carb. I couldn't even bring myself to work on it before it was so dirty.

Here's a before an after pic of the engine. Its got some more cleaning needed but I could only work while it was above freezing.

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