need frame help ASAP

[ehorst33]

I have a few cracks on my 86 250r and Im looking to get a new frame. I found a stock 88 on eBay,,, will I be able to switch everything over to that frame? or should I get an 86 to avoid incompatibility?

[Ruf Racing]

I just bought a 250r it has a 86 motor on a 88 frame. It looks to me like everything bolted up. But there is one motor mount on the rear of the motor that isn't mounted to the frame. I do believe I counted a total of (4) mounts. It seems to work fine.

[All250R]

Originally posted by ehorst33
I have a few cracks on my 86 250r and Im looking to get a new frame. I found a stock 88 on eBay,,, will I be able to switch everything over to that frame? or should I get an 86 to avoid incompatibility?
No, I think you're better off getting an 86 or 87 frame.

The swingarm (and possibly a-arms) will give you trouble. You'll need at least the 88 swingarm and linkage to make the change. From there, I the seat and seat latch are different. I want to say most everything else will work, but I'm not giving that advice because I have been through it myself.

[86 Quad R]

the a-arms may be an issue. the pockets(where the arms are bolted) on the 88-89 frames are shallower and may nawt receive the 86 type. i cant see any reason that the swinger wouldnt work other than you'll need to trim the "upper" portion of the rear(swinger) engine mount(to clear the factory "frame" mount in that area. the grab bar mounting is different. the seats i'm not sure about.

[KP250R]

why not just weld up the cracks?
I found a couple of cracks on the tail section of my 86-R and it took about 30 minutes with a TiG welder and its good as new.

my .02

[1989trx250r]

Yeah, I would just tig the cracks. Also, Bare performance makes a pre-cut gusset kit that you can weld into your frame to help strengthen it up. Hard to find a stock frame without a crack nowadays!!!

[jhtrx250r]

If you need a new frame, I have a very nice 1987
No cracks,bends, welds, ect still stock paint.
I was going to use it for a restore I never did.
Every thing from a 1986 will bolt up to a 87
they only made a few changes to the motor mount style and some more factory gussets, 87 is a much better frame than a 86 and still accepts all the same parts.
E-mail me at jhtrx250r@yahoo.com I can get you some good pics you can blow up.
shipping may be spendy if you live far away

[norcalduner]

You will also need to get 88/89 footpegs .

[k10seibel]

Just a note: any '87 frame will have the same A-arm issues as the '89-'89s. Though cosmetically the '86 &'87 are similar, they are very different. 1987 had a slew of updates. Not many are a big deal for the frame swap, but the A-arms are "pocketed" and mounted the same from 1987-1989. Not to mention '86 was the more beefy frame in my opinion. Honda was on the diet plan and looked to shave any weight possible, thus lightening the frame in certain areas in the following years. Just my 2 cents! Good luck!

[ehorst33]

thanks for all your help guys, after looking at your responses I decided to go wiht the gusset kit. My dads a welder and hes going do it, I was seconds away from buying a frame and just thought Id save some money, weld it and get some a arms and new steering stem instead

[Honda 250r 001]

good choice, unless your a hard core racer, you will be fine.

[rigger]

Sounds like your best choice.

As far as parts bolting up, I have an 86 frame that I am building. It originaly had 88-89 a-arms on it. No problems.

It also ran an 89 swing arm with 86 linkage and 86 shock. No problems.

It has some really beefy front and lower motor mounts and it was run with out any rear mounts. Use to have an ESR 370 motor in it with no problems.

I have welded up one rear motor mount to act as a cross brace and a mount. Also welding in a few gussets where I think it could use them.

You can make just about any parts work as long as you are willing to do a little fitting work.

[woodsracer144]

you can get what ever chassis you want 86 to 89. if you get a 88 or 89 tho you will need a new swinger and your rear motor mount on the chassis you have wont be used....