My son has managed to bend the frame on his 400ex and I would like to know if the frame is specific to the '07 model year. I ask as there are several on some of the auctions sites and it would be good to save some extra funds as im sure he will need them down the road. By the way, a great forum you guys have here. Thanks in advance.

 

99% sure there the same all they ever changed is put reverse in. but if you put a 2000 frame on it legally it will be a 2000 400ex becuase the year goes by the vin on the frame

 

There are minor differences in some areas,..mostly small item fasteners, but they will all swap from 99 to 07. The only difference requiring any "work" is only necessary when swapping the 99-03 frames with 04-07 frames. The newer models have subframes extended by 10mm requiring the rear mounting hole on the muffler to be elongated to compensate. But only if you are running a factory muffler. The aftermarket mufflers built after the 04 model and that are listed to fit every year model already have this mod done.
Ofcourse,...if it is the mainframe only that you are needing to swap, the subframe isnt even an issue. Just use your current subframe on the older main frame.

Regarding the VIN number issue,...
If it is resale you are worried about, cut the bar out of the bent frame and show it to a potential buyer down the road if you ever go to sell it so that the buyer knows it was indeed the year you say it is,..but with an older frame.

If you live in an area where registration is a matter that comes up after you first purchased it, or if for other reasons that your VIN needs to match your title,...then just swap the VIN plate bars on the frames. Yes, its illegal. But unless you are running a chop shop... enough said.

 

Thanks for the information. The main frame is what he needs as the rear sub frame looks ok. The VIN is really not important as this one will be handed down to the next smaller one in a year or so. So now its time to learn how to take this thing completely apart.
Thanks Again