250es serial number questions

[tripledog]

Shouldn't the engine and frame serial numbers match on a 250es? And is there anyway to determine the vintage by the serial number? I have a pair of 250 Big Reds that I hope to make one rider out of, and neither one has matching serial numbers. Just one of many stupid newbie questions to come...

[dustrunner]

hi, i have six and 1 we bought new and i will check this weekend... but i dont believe they match...but well see..

[dustrunner]

hi again, nope the # dont match. guess honda wasnt that criticle hehe would of been cool though but as we all know if taken care of these engines will run a lifetime !

[tripledog]

Thank you so much for your help, 124356q! Now, if I could just identify the vintage of the motors.

[MonroeMike]

1985 te04e 5000001~
1986 te04e 6000001~
1987 te04e 8100001~

[tripledog]

Thanks, MonroeMike. Very thoughtful of you to enlighten a newb such as myself. I am now armed with just about enough info to get myself in trouble. Stay tuned!

[tripledog]

The motors both check out to be 1986 vintage. Anyone know how to ID the year of the frames? Obviously via serial number, but what numbers for what year? Thanks again, guys!

[redsled]

Hey tripledog,

Did a search and found this:

http://www.atvstyle.com/atv-vin-number

Says the 10th digit of your bikes # should be the year... hope it helps.

[tripledog]

Thank you for your help, redsled. Upon closer inspection, I have a 1985 with an 85 motor, and a 1986 with an 86 motor. And yeah, I feel stupid... there is a model year ID tag on each frame (DOH!). Is one year better than the other? I can only afford to build one of them at this time.

[redsled]

Well, stands to reason that the '86 would probably be the better trike as its newer therefore more updated. I'm not sure whether all the parts are interchangeable though.

I'm currently modding my own project, and I've found "bikebandit" to be useful looking up parts interchange between models/years.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1985-honda-atc250es/o/m1902 Your 1985

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1986-honda-atc250es/o/m1903 Your 1986

You'd have to compare parts between them.