If the motor is gray, it's a 85
If the motor is blue, it's a 86 and up
for the frame i dont know

 

the 86 will still have a grey motor. blue started in 87. the only way I realy can think of to tell the difference is do a title search. The motor and frames were the same in both years, not as good as future models, but still hauled *****!

 

he this is gonna sound dumb...but how do i know if my lt is an 85 or an 86??? i have always said it was an 86 cuz that sounds better but i have nver really known for sure. help me please.

 

i knew about the engine thing but the thing that makes me wonder is the hood color. on mine its a really dark shade of blue, almost a charcoal black. on the other ones i have seen it is a lighter shade of blue, like the seats color. i don't have a title for it so i don't know if that wil work...isn't there some way to tell the year by the serial number on the engine or the frame?

 

the fact that your hood is almost black makes me think it is an 85. There really is no way to tell just by looking at it. Factory, the 85's had more black paint on them (i.e. bars, frame, a-arms) and the 86s were more blue. That probably doesn't help.
...freddie

 

Look at the adjustment on the rear shock. It is on the top under the seat. The 85 has a wheel type adjustment. The 86 has a pin that moves back and forth (left to right) through the top of the shock. The only other changes are cylinder porting, 85 carb is a 32/86 carb is a 34, the 86 tranny gears are a little higher, and the stock silencer is changed. Hope this helps.

 

juggalo
check the serial number on the frame there are 17 numbers/letters the last nine characters will tell you look at the second character in the last nine characters it should be a letter if it is a 85 it will be a "E" if it is a 86 it will be a "G". here are the rest of them 87 "H" 88 "J" 89"K" 90"L" 91"M" 92"N"

 

hey thanx i looked on the frame but i can't see it cuz one of my nerf bars are in the way. its a pain in the butt to take em off and its tipped on its side right now too so i can't take it off. i'm puttin a new clutch in it. but i looked at the engine number it has a J on it... duz that mean its an 88? i don't think it is cuz the engine isn't blue and there doesn't appear to be any traces of blue paint on it anywhere. maybe trhat tells you something??

 

the frame number is the vin number and the motor number is a serial number. the motor number has nothing to do with the year, the frame will tell you. as far as if that motor goes with that frame i dont know how to tell you that but the frame number is the only one that will tell you the year.

 

damn...well i guess i'll have to wait till i get my new clutch to find out.