99 vs. 05 Frame ?

[Waynes400ex]

I have a 99 400ex that I cracked the frame on and need to get a new frame. On servicehonda.com a new 99 frame is $610, I went to my local dealer today and they told me a new frame for a 2005 400ex is $515.99 . The only problem is I dont know if there is any difference between the 05 frame and my 99? Cause I would like to buy the cheaper 05 frame and put my 99 parts on it. Thanks for the help guys.

05 frame honda part #

50100-hn1-a402a

[Waynes400ex]

No one has bought a 2005 frame? Or knows if it will work the same as a 99 frame?

[TheFontMaster]

The only thing that might have changed was the mounts for the front plastic, with the 05's haveing the 450r front plastics. Other than that there have been virtualy no updates to the 400ex since it came out.

[Waynes400ex]

Thats what I thought but I wasn't sure. I wonder if I used the brackets from my 99 to mount the plastic if the older style plastic will mount?

[benbuilt4u]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
Thats what I thought but I wasn't sure. I wonder if I used the brackets from my 99 to mount the plastic if the older style plastic will mount?

should work since you can update an older 400ex with the 2005 stuff with no frame mod

[Waynes400ex]

Hope this picture works. The reason I'am looking for a new frame is cause mine broke. In this picture I have circled where my frame broke.
The 1st circle shows where the frame completely seperated.

2nd circle, is also where the frame completely seperated from the rest of the frame.

The one piece that I'am worried about "fixing" is what is in the 3rd circle. The top brace that both of the front shocks mount too. On the side of the frame where the frame broke, that brace is slightly bent upwards about 1.5 inches.

Lastly the 4th circle. It has not seperated here yet, but it is starting to crack.

If you have read all that thanks! My question is, "Is this frame work trying to fix?" Our should I try to get a new one? The rest of the frame seems to be in great shape with no cracks anywhere else. Thanks for you opinions!

[Chino886]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
Hope this picture works. The reason I'am looking for a new frame is cause mine broke. In this picture I have circled where my frame broke.
The 1st circle shows where the frame completely seperated.

2nd circle, is also where the frame completely seperated from the rest of the frame.

The one piece that I'am worried about "fixing" is what is in the 3rd circle. The top brace that both of the front shocks mount too. On the side of the frame where the frame broke, that brace is slightly bent upwards about 1.5 inches.

Lastly the 4th circle. It has not seperated here yet, but it is starting to crack.

If you have read all that thanks! My question is, "Is this frame work trying to fix?" Our should I try to get a new one? The rest of the frame seems to be in great shape with no cracks anywhere else. Thanks for you opinions!

after reading all that and looking at your picture, I am guessing that it would be less costly to have your frame fixed by a welder, you could also have the frame and subframe gusseted at the same time.

[toby400ex]

Just find a used frame, u could possibly find a frame already gusseted and powder coated for $300.

[Waynes400ex]

Ok I've decided that I'm just going to buy a new frame. Now the 05 frame is about $130 or $150 cheaper then the 99 frame according to my dealer. I was wondering if anyone is 100% sure that all of my parts from my 99 400ex will fit the 05 frame? If not what is different? The way the plastic mounts? Thanks for the help!

[fastrider450r]

does your honda dealer or Service honda have a 2004 frame? because from 99-04 nothing was changed on the 400ex except for plastic color

[Waynes400ex]

My dealer doesn't have either frame in stock. They are just going off of the part numbers and giving me the prices. I think the 04 frame was the same price as the 05. This post have been on here for quite a while now, I'm starting to believe that no knows for sure if the 99 hardware will fit on the 05 or what problems I might run into with trying to do this. Thanks for the reply though.

[fastrider450r]

if u can get an 04 i'd try that if I were u

[Waynes400ex]

Ok I dont know why I typed what I did, but the 04 frame is over $200 more than the 05 frame. So I can get the 05 frame for over $200 less than the 04 frame. Is there anyone on here who has done this switch? I dont have to have to pay a restocking fee on the frame if it doesnt work!! Thanks in advance!

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
Ok I dont know why I typed what I did, but the 04 frame is over $200 more than the 05 frame. So I can get the 05 frame for over $200 less than the 04 frame. Is there anyone on here who has done this switch? I dont have to have to pay a restocking fee on the frame if it doesnt work!! Thanks in advance!

I dont see why it wouldn't work, and if doesn't, then just make it work!:devil:

[Waynes400ex]

I would think it would work also, but I'm not 100% sure. What are the changes that have been made to the 400ex since it came out in 1999? Bigger carb?, New Plastic? Reverse? I havent gotten the chance to see a 2005 yet, do they use the say tank as the 199-2004?

[TheFontMaster]

The only thing that might be different is where the mounts for the plastic go. Plastic mounts are easy to make, so get the frame, and if for some reson your stock 99 mounts don't work, you can have some fabbed up in about 30 minutes.

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
I would think it would work also, but I'm not 100% sure. What are the changes that have been made to the 400ex since it came out in 1999? Bigger carb?, New Plastic? Reverse? I havent gotten the chance to see a 2005 yet, do they use the say tank as the 199-2004?

New bold look for 05, all they did was give it the 450R look and threw reverse on, neither of which would effect the frame really. Just plastic mounts but those wouldn't be hard to make at all. Plus I doubt that they changed the whole frame to accept new plastic, they would more than likely just make new plastic mounts.

[Waynes400ex]

Same things I was thinking, I could just use the plastic mounts from my 99 on the 05 frame. I think the only thing that is bugging me is, why would honda change the part number and make the frame $200 cheaper , if it is the same thing? I hate to be the guinea pig on this project.

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
Same things I was thinking, I could just use the plastic mounts from my 99 on the 05 frame. I think the only thing that is bugging me is, why would honda change the part number and make the frame $200 cheaper , if it is the same thing? I hate to be the guinea pig on this project.

Oh come on take one for the team!!:devil:

[Waynes400ex]

I wanted to try and order this frame tommorow (Friday) but not knowing if it is going to work sucks! Does anyone know someone who might know or who I should try to contact for the answer? Thanks

[400exrider707]

Go to your local dealer and look at the one on the floor.:ermm:

[fastrider450r]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
Go to your local dealer and look at the one on the floor.:ermm:
there u go^^^
i would think that you could also use your 99 plastic mounts on the 05. if they line up:ermm:

[Waynes400ex]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
New bold look for 05, all they did was give it the 450R look and threw reverse on, neither of which would effect the frame really. Just plastic mounts but those wouldn't be hard to make at all. Plus I doubt that they changed the whole frame to accept new plastic, they would more than likely just make new plastic mounts.

Does anyone know if this was the only change to the bikes since 1999?

[prepracing]

just wondering how you done that, I never seen one break in that many places at once. Or did that all happen over a period of time :confused:

[Waynes400ex]

All at once I was railing a corner when I heard it snap. Can anybody help!!!!

[benbuilt4u]

Originally posted by Waynes400ex
All at once I was railing a corner when I heard it snap. Can anybody help!!!!


just buy the stupid frame LOL it will work regardless i have an 05 and my buddy's stuff off his 02 fits mine perfectly. by now you could have been riding!
:blah:

[Waynes400ex]

Hey Benbuilt4U thanks for the advice. Have you put your buddys 02 stuff on your 2005? What have you put on it. Also can you do me a favor (please) and see if your back shock mounts the same and if the linkage is the same, cause service honda has different part #'s for the front rod on the linkage. Lastly are the motor mounts the same? I went to a honda dealer today and measured everything, they seemed to be the same , but I couldnt strip the plastic on there 2005 to give it a good look ever.

I know I could have been riding by now it the frame works. But I emailed Alba and asked them if it would work and this is what they told me:
"They could not tell me why it was different. Honda told me that it was definitely different. The 2005 will not work for your year."


Would honda tell them this cause they got caught making the same frame more exspensive, kinda like the crf cam chain that is cheaper and better than the 400ex one but will work perfectly on the EX? Thank again for the help and I apologize for the novel!