How do I know for sure what yr my Z's are??

[mywifeknowseverything]

Can you tell by color?? I just got a frame and it is yellow. The person I got it from said it was an 86'. Darius1502 says judging by the color it is an 85. I have one that is running and is yellow that I also got with no paperwork and had the CHP come out to make sure that it wasnt stolen. He ran the #'s and it wasnt. DMV gives me paperwork that says its an 85. I go to Yamaha to order a new rear grab bar for an 85. It doesnt fit. Yamaha had me bring them in the #'s and tells me its an 86'. It does however have a 5spd. All I have to say at this point is WHAT THE HELL!!! Here is a pic of the frame

[TimSr]

If thats the original paint, I think it would have to be an 85. I dont think they used yellow in 86, but I could be wrong.

The reason you are probably running into so many problems is that so much is interchangeable. Whiteman is dropping a 6 speed gear train into his 85. Imagine some guy figuring that one out based on his motor sn#! Mine has an 86 gear train, inside of one 85 case half, and an 86 case half, on an 85 frame. Ive also coverted my throttle to an 86 one piece cable.

As far as I know, the grab bars should be the same, because the frames are the same - someone correct me if Im wrong.

Youve probably got what a lot of us do, which is a conglomeration of parts from both years.

[mywifeknowseverything]

Well if it is an 85 thats fine with me. I'll still love it like an 86. Ha Ha!! Thanks for the reply!!