hello i think i jsut bought a 86 lt250r.. not shure what year it is... is there any way of tellin the years apart noticeably? what are all the difrences "motor wise and frame wise" beteween a 87 and higher lt250r compared to my 86...im looking into hopping it up but i dont know much about it at this time.... what is a good pipe for it? why dont any aftermarket companys make high performance reed cages for the 86? can u get away with putting pipes and reeds from a 87 or 88 year on it? do all lt's have the 5 lug pattern and if not what years have them becasue mine does please e mail me back with any answers
thanks
andrew
webeldude@aol.com [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

87 and up had the "T" shaped seat, rather than the "straight" one. Reed cages don't interchange from the early ones. 87 has it's own. 85-86 had a real small looking intake, and no powervalve on the exhaust.

 

You should be able to notice simply by engine color. The '85 & '86 models had a grey color and the newer models have a blue engine. The '87 on up also have a six speed tranny rather than the 5 speed on the 85 and 86 models. The 87 on up also have an exhaust valve which you can notice on the clutch side of the engine, it is a little sight glass. Also, the 87 on up have external reeds rather than internal as on the 85 and 86 models. You should still be able to find plenty of performance accessories such as pipes, reeds, etc. to make it scoot a little quicker.
The 5 bolt pattern on the rear hubs is the same as far as tires and wheels are concerned. The newer LT's have rebound adjustments on the front shocks as well and have different frame geometry and are a little more durable.
Hope I have all that right, I have owned an 86 and two 92 models.

 

On my lt it has a t shaped seat, and the sight glass for the exhaust valve. My engine is also painted blue but on the frame by the vin numbers it ses it was made as a 12/86 model this also has a 6 speed mine also has internal reeds so im really confused about what year it is. thanks for your help

 

Sounds like an 87. They start making each year model way before the year actually starts. That’s why people already own 04 quads now.