R year model differences?

[Texan32]

Got a question for all you R lovers. I am planning on building an R this winter/spring. I really love my 400, but i think i'm going to give that to the wife. (thought about a warrior since it has reverse, but she like mine sooo much more). Anyhow, i eally want to find a beater and start from the ground up. I have every intention of starting with a bare frame and goingfrom there. So, here is my question. what main parts are interchangable for different year models? Were there any significant differences in suspension or motors? I though i have read somewhere about a few year models having a more narrow frame? Also, i know i saw something about the engines (short/long rods). Any help/ ideas would be appreciated.

[CFM Performance]

Try going to www.macdizzy.com for all the info you'll ever need to know about the 250R.

[AndrewRRR]

The 250r forum has the differences listed on their site http://pub20.ezboard.com/bhondatrx250r
Most things are interchangable. Swingarms/ rear motor mounts, connecting rod length, pistons, and plastic are the biggest differences. 86-87 usually sell for less since the MXers want the 88-89 swingam (its 1" shorter and aluminum instead of steel). You may end up paying more by starting with a beater or a bare frame. Most of the frames I see for sale are bent or welded up, but if you are going to use mostly aftermarket parts it could be the way to go.
86-87 use 5 motor mount bolts and the 88-89 use 4. They have different swingarms because of this (the 86-87 is split in the middle for the rear mount).
Frames are very similar between the years, www.servicehonda.com has exploded drawings. I'm not aware of any narrow factory frames, but aftermarket frames are often narrow designs to give more front end suspension travel.
The 87-89's had the "long rod" motor which was just a longer connecting rod and different piston wrist pin position. Whether it makes any power difference is really doubtful (its just a longer rod, not a longer stroke).
The plastics are pure asthetic preference. 86-97 had the handlebar mounted headlight, like a 300ex, 88-89 had the headlight in the plastic, like the 400ex. 99% of racers take the headlights off anyway.

[joeroadking]

go to macdizzy he lists the differances with the part#s awesome site

[Bean]

86-87 a-arms -1in, and swingarm +1in



88-89 a-arms +1, and swingarm -1in, better setup overall, they changed small other cosmetic stuff, bumper, skidplate, etc, also, the hub/spindle setup must hav been changed, in most mag's, u hav to order for a 86-87 R in one kind of hubs, and a 88-89 set in another kind

[airheadedduner]

Are you sure the a-arms are different bean???? I sold my old a-arms(86') to my friend who has an 89'. They looked identical cept for the 86's way of mounting and ball joints, they bolted right up.

[Bean]

the a-arms are differnt, they are back 1in in 86, im taking about the spindle splines, i think one of the years they changed it and 86 hubs will not fit on a 89 R, i could be incorrect, but i think i read that somewhere

[airheadedduner]

Okay I think I know what you are talking about now. The spindles are a whole lot different.

[oregonrider89]

I heard the '86 has the longest stroke and made a little more power, but I don't really know.

oregonrider89

[airheadedduner]

87' and up have the longer rod, I think. It adds 2hp to the midrange to an 86', I overheard that in the background when I was talking to Jason at LRD on the phone:p

Originally posted by airheadedduner
87' and up have the longer rod, I think. It adds 2hp to the midrange to an 86', I overheard that in the background when I was talking to Jason at LRD on the phone:p
you are on to something...hm,,..wonder what i am doing here ?

:D

[ThorChick]

Hey 2-R's, did you make that motor stand yourself or buy it? Something like that would be handy now that my quad is stripped down to the frame for some winter work.

[AndrewRRR]

Whoops, that was me. Need to start checking who's logged on before I post!:blah

Thorchick,..YES I did ,.. ..one of my better creations ..
& is handy as heck..:square

[Bean]

i had that socket wrench till i threw it out in my yard, lmao

[DESDAK4]

Texan a wife when did that happen.

Anyway my buddy over here with me jsut got an 86 on ebay that should be there soon after we get back and he had allot to choose from. You should look around in there.

Jay
USAF