Damn Tri-z

[turftaimer]

I have had nothing but problems with my tri-z. Here is the story. I talked to a kid at school for like 2 years, he said it was his dads 250r, and was all modded and kicked all kinds of ass. He said he wanted 300 dollars and fucked me around for 2 years. Finnally I found his number and talked to his dad and scored it for 100bucks. The tires are alone worth that. Well it turned out to be a 1986 tri-z basket case. I tore the motor all apart and found that shift fork three was bent. That turned out to be discontinued, and I sat around for a year looking for one on ebay. FInnally i found a 1986 full tranny for 70 bucks. Well the mofo screwed up and it turned out to be a 1985, and just the 5 speed. It still worked, but i was pissed because I like the rareity, and that kills it. Shortened, I have split the case 3 times for bs shit that wasnt my fault, been screwed over 4 times on the 85-86 difference and lost 100 bucks on restocking fees. FInnally got it together, and now the tranny oil is gray and its gettin a shitload of anti-freeze in the oil. Now its tore apart, and i got to search for the seals.
Im thinking of giving up. I want to collect all the trikes over my years, I have many old hondas (but not a 250r), and would much rather have the 250r. I think im going to look around and see what offers I can get. Might keep it, but im tired of it now. Would be nice to find a trade deal.

COuld use advise for next plan of action, should i keep it, or scrap it? pros and cons plz.

I know it needs the following:
Complete rear brake system, it was rusted solid
Shock, its blown (gonna buy a warrior shock)
Axle bearings and seals
Powder coating, frame looks nasty, but not to bad,
Rear fender, the dude fliped it down a dune
front brake work
Front bearing
fork rebuild

[Groundworx]

The water pump seal on the Z is right behind the impellor. I don't believe you have to split the cases on the Z to replace it. I have owned 4 TRI-Zs over the past 3 years. I haven't been very pleased with them. I used to own an air cooled 84 250r and I was more pleased with it than the water cooled Z. The Z had a short life span of only 2 years. I don't think Yamaha really ever got a chance to work out all the bugs. I had tons of trouble with all of mine. I know the bottom end of the Tri-Z is known to be weak. I actually considered looking for a late model YZ250 engine to drop in. You can go to 3wheelerworld.com and there is tons of threads about motor swaps on the Z.

If you are really wanting a 250R, better get one soon. Prices of those keep going up and I doubt it is going to stop. I am in the market for one myself.

[RichM1983]

You should check out bikebandit.com for your parts. I would keep it. You could get some of the parts I seen you needed on that site except the rear plastic.

http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandi..._id~632533.asp

[Groundworx]

Bike Bandit does have a good supply of parts for the Z. You should keep it if you are wanting to get a bunch of the old trikes. The Z just isn't very dependable so I wouldn't make it my main ride. But I would think since they were only made the 2 years, thier value should go up too. Mabey not like the R or Tecate.

[Ed Gein]

This is the problem w/ older machines, the replacement parts can kill ya on price or availability. But I think if you can find them and not go broke doing so, keep it

[Kane]

Actually, the 250R's value was more based on it being the number one winner for so long. Since it was banned the cost of parts, pieces, and whole machines has dramatically dropped both in local arena's and especially on eBay. Since the introduction of the new 4-stroke racers all the 2-stroke racers have lost in value. All the kids want the new stuff. Hell, there are mint 250R's in my local paper selling now for $1500-3000 whereas 3 years ago they were in the 4-7K range. As the 250R sat so high in the limelight it recieved literally millions of aftermarket parts and vendor/manufacturers. As a direct result, with the availability of so many parts, it will never be considered a "rare find".

The Tri-Z is a fine machine. It was never known for a weak bottom end. The life expectancy of any wear part is not going to be in the decades. Seeing wear after 10yrs is to be expected, nevermind 20. Being of a basically original design and only lasting 3yrs, not 2, you're obviously going to have a difficult time finding parts. Many Z owners toss in the YZ250 engines as that is a much simpler solution to not only finding parts but the ability to build more power is greater. Even so, properly cared for the Z will give just as much enjoyment as any other 3-wheeeler in stock or slightly modded trim.

[350xbomb]

Availability of parts does not make the bike any less of a rare find. The main reason the 85/86 Rs have so many aftermarket parts is the TRX is considered by many the greatest bike ever and it has basically the same engine and rear end.

[Groundworx]

Originally Posted by 350xbomb

Availability of parts does not make the bike any less of a rare find. The main reason the 85/86 Rs have so many aftermarket parts is the TRX is considered by many the greatest bike ever and it has basically the same engine and rear end.

I agree. I also haven't noticed a decrease in price of the ATC250R. I have been looking for the past 5 years. I have lost 2 in the past 2 years just because I couldn't get to my bank and back with the money in time. Both trikes were almost $3k and were literally sold out from under me. Sorry, but I don't see the Honda 250Rs ever coming back down.

The Z was not built as good as the Honda's and Kawi's. 2 of the 4 Zs I owned had bottom end trouble. When I went looking for someone to rebuild it, I was told by numerous different ATV mechanics that the Z is known for bottom end failure. That is one reason you can get them cheaper. Most Zs on ebay don't get over $1200 unless they are just imaculate. I haven't seen many Rs under $1500 unless they were dogs and ragged out.

I have owned both a 250R and Z's. The Z is straight up not as good as an R.

[turftaimer]

I got the seal removed for the water pump, Im gonna get a new one. I decided to keep it, Im never going to get out of it what I put in it. It just I got the banshee all torn apart now and all my money is going into it. Im gonna get the new seal for the z, and if that wasnt the problem Im gonna stick it in the barn and worry about it later. I got many hours into it already, and I never like to quit what i started, expecially when it comes to trikes and quads.

[tecateboy]

yea, you will learn, with something as fun as these old trikes it doesnt matter how much trouble they give you, you never want to get rid of them, i know from experience with that tecate iv got, most of the problems were from my own fuckups, but they costed a shitload of money already.