Converting 86R to 89 R

[Honda 250r 001]

Hey guys ive been thinking of buying a frame for my 250r since my old one is all cracked up. If i were to buy a 89 frame, what all would i have to change when bolting my parts on a 89 frame.

Thanks

[siderbox]

The rear motor mount bracket is not used in the 89 frame. Along with that the rear swing arm is different.
It's solid all the way across where the swing arm bolt goes.
You can use the 86 swing arm and motor mount bracket but would have to modify the 89 frame, removing the upper rear mounting point on the frame.

Foot pegs are different.

Seat/plastic mounting to the subframe is different.

[Honda 250r 001]

So do i have to get a 89 seat pan for it to work on the 89 frame? or will the 86 still work on the 89 frame?

[Ruf Racing]

I have a 86 engine on a 88/89 frame. Basically the engine is the only thing that isn't 88/89. There is a lot of differences.

[C41Xracer]

I think the rear shock and linkage is different

[mfr422]

honda,
the motor mounts are different, the easiest way is to eliminate your rear mount and bolt it up using the 89 mounts. You will need to make a spacer for your swingarm where the mount used to be.
Your rear shock and linkage are different, however using it all will work and bolt right up. (the 86 shock is longer and uses a longer dogbone than the 88-9)
Your a arms won't work, the pivots are larger and won't bolt to the newer frame.
The footpegs are different as yours bolt on and the newer ones are held with pins. Good time to upgrade to rolls!
the 86 seat latch is different but you can swap to the 89 rear latch easily. your front mount bolts on where the newer style is cast in but both are in the same location on the pan.
Also depending on what pipe your using, you may need to get the newer style, alot of the older designs were made 86 only and may or may not fit.
really it's an easy swap with a minimum of parts easily obtained the a-arms are your biggest expense.
good luck and roost on!!

[Honda 250r 001]

Are you sure a arms wont interchange? Do i have to have different front motor mounts?
Thanks

[C41Xracer]

Yeah they are different. The pivot on the 86 is larger

[Honda 250r 001]

Originally posted by C41Xracer
Yeah they are different. The pivot on the 86 is larger

The pivot is bigger? can you please explain?

[mfr422]

the pivot bearing in the attach points are larger on the 86's, meaning the brackets are larger to attach them to the frame. They went to a different style on the later bikes, you could bolt 88-9 arms to an 86 but not the other way because the attach points are almost a 1/4 inch larger.
You won't need new front motor mounts, they're the same. I looked them up to be sure.

[Honda 250r 001]

Originally posted by mfr422
the pivot bearing in the attach points are larger on the 86's, meaning the brackets are larger to attach them to the frame. They went to a different style on the later bikes, you could bolt 88-9 arms to an 86 but not the other way because the attach points are almost a 1/4 inch larger.
You won't need new front motor mounts, they're the same. I looked them up to be sure.

So could i grind down the mounting points on the a arms and they would work fine?

[mfr422]

No, you would be into the bearing before you had them small enough.

[woodsracer144]

ok on the 86 you wont use the rear motor mount bracket, you need a 88 89 swinger. the links are differen as stated... but you can run the 86.. the dog bone is a little longer...

other then the motor mount you wont have any problems... if you do just post pics on here ane we can help you on it... i have a 85 ATC motor in a 88 89 style aftermarket chassis...

[Honda 250r 001]

Originally posted by mfr422
No, you would be into the bearing before you had them small enough.

mine just has bushings, i think i can make my a arms work, they seem to be for a 88-89 style frame anyway.

[woodsracer144]

Originally posted by Honda 250r 001
mine just has bushings, i think i can make my a arms work, they seem to be for a 88-89 style frame anyway.

post a pic of you set up if you can... thanks

[deathman53]

I'm confused here, if 86 a-arms don't fit a 88/89 then why does a-arms say 86-89? going from a 86 to a 88/89, the only things that won't fit will be the foot pegs, front motor mounts, air duct tube, and grab bar. I did this, went to a 88 frame from a 86. If you want to keep the 86/87 swingarm cut a length of pipe and stick it between in the center of the swingarm. Also the shock/linkage setup will work, you just have to keep for the correct year setup.

85 atc and 86 atc won't fit w/o mods and are nearly the same for the 2 years. The difference between them is the thick bottom shock bolt, 86(hence bolt hole in bottom of the stock is drilled alittle bigger) and different linkage bushings. Then 86 trx used the same length shock, swingarm and same linkage stuff as 86 atc. 87 trx used the same swingarm, had a slightly shorter shock and shorter dogbone(same as 88/89), 88 got a shorter yet shock(only difference) and 89 was nearly the same.

[red88r]

Originally posted by deathman53
I'm confused here, if 86 a-arms don't fit a 88/89 then why does a-arms say 86-89? going from a 86 to a 88/89, the only things that won't fit will be the foot pegs, front motor mounts, air duct tube, and grab bar. I did this, went to a 88 frame from a 86. If you want to keep the 86/87 swingarm cut a length of pipe and stick it between in the center of the swingarm. Also the shock/linkage setup will work, you just have to keep for the correct year setup.

85 atc and 86 atc won't fit w/o mods and are nearly the same for the 2 years. The difference between them is the thick bottom shock bolt, 86(hence bolt hole in bottom of the stock is drilled alittle bigger) and different linkage bushings. Then 86 trx used the same length shock, swingarm and same linkage stuff as 86 atc. 87 trx used the same swingarm, had a slightly shorter shock and shorter dogbone(same as 88/89), 88 got a shorter yet shock(only difference) and 89 was nearly the same.

Very well put....I have also done this before.

[woodsracer144]

Originally posted by deathman53
I'm confused here, if 86 a-arms don't fit a 88/89 then why does a-arms say 86-89? going from a 86 to a 88/89, the only things that won't fit will be the foot pegs, front motor mounts, air duct tube, and grab bar. I did this, went to a 88 frame from a 86. If you want to keep the 86/87 swingarm cut a length of pipe and stick it between in the center of the swingarm. Also the shock/linkage setup will work, you just have to keep for the correct year setup.

85 atc and 86 atc won't fit w/o mods and are nearly the same for the 2 years. The difference between them is the thick bottom shock bolt, 86(hence bolt hole in bottom of the stock is drilled alittle bigger) and different linkage bushings. Then 86 trx used the same length shock, swingarm and same linkage stuff as 86 atc. 87 trx used the same swingarm, had a slightly shorter shock and shorter dogbone(same as 88/89), 88 got a shorter yet shock(only difference) and 89 was nearly the same.

*Thumbs up*

[atvmxr]

i have 86 arms on a 88 frame... :ermm:

[factoryX]

okay, what about 400ex a-arms then..

[deathman53]

they will fit also, but you need spacers on each side, as the spacing is something like 1/2" wider on 250r's.