Hello- 85 250es early vs late questions

[edman87k5]

New here, been away from 3 wheels for a long time, but recently got a 85 250es that needs some work. I have searched this forum over and over and every where else but cannot find a definative answer to a question. I have an 85 250 es big red, manufactured in december of 84 according to the tag. I cannot figure out if this is an early or late 85 to get rear wheel bearings ordered for it. I found 1 reference to serial numbers, but not sure if it is even correct and it didnt directly relate to the wheel bearings anyway. I need to get them ordered. I would assume it is earl 85 because of the dec 84 production date, but not sure.
Is there a fail safe way to decide which it is? Can I measure the bearings and figure it out? Is there a serial cutoff to decide by?
Sorry to post this here, but it seems to be the only place I can start a thread.

[edman87k5]

Well, after much searching I found a place with sizes listed for both. The difference is on the brake drum side, inner diameter could be 28mm for late 85-87 or 35mm for early 85. Mine is an early 85. Maybe this will help someone else out.

[cjh]

glad you found it out.

[Latitude42]

Hey thanks... I have an 85 es big red also... didn't know there was an early and late...

[Thorpe]

Dec of 84 is an early 85... Sept of 85 would be a late 85

[roonie]

wow did not know this either

[brian376]

This is good information.

[edman87k5]

Dec of 84 is an early 85... Sept of 85 would be a late 85
True in most worlds, buuuttttt. I have no idea when production years start for atvs, especially back than. Car production years are sometimes almost a full year early, depending on the vehicle.
Some RV production years end before half of the year, so if you buy a travel trailer that is a 2010 model, and it was manufactured in dec of 2009, it could still be in the second half of the production year.

Anyway, problem solved, hope it helps someone else out.