My friend just picked up what was supposed to be a 1996 honda xr 100, after running the vin # it comes up as a 1989 frame. The sticker is on there really good so I was wondering if anybody has seen this before or did the peolpe pull a fast one on my freind.

So to the original question. Does the rear lower engine mount bolt tie the frame togther so the frame doesnt spread or is the frame supposed to flex. The bolt is missing and the rear lower frame mount is 1 inch away from the frame.

idahowildman, on 14 May 2012 - 08:58 PM, said:

Yes, both of the rear engine mount bolts are supposed to work with the two front engine mount bolts to hold the frame together.  Replacement frames (1985-2000) go for cheap on ebay.

Edited by theraymondguy, 14 May 2012 - 11:26 PM.

The vin should be stamped on and not a sticker. What year does the motor number come up as.
They are all virtually the same so the year model makes almost no difference.

4strokeridertt, on 15 May 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

Pre 85 engines have a much shorter kick shaft.  Otherwise the exterior is virtually the same 1977 to current XR/XL 75, 80 & 100.

Edited by theraymondguy, 15 May 2012 - 03:22 PM.

Ok he went to the dmv today and the frame #s according to them it is a  1996 xr100. So he has tried to pull the frame in to get ti to line up with the lower rear case bolt. It doesnt appear to be bent. So what else would case the frame and case not to line up. All the other bolts are in the frame so I do not know what to tell him now.

I had a similar problem with a 1980 XL250S some years ago. It seemed as if the frame had been "sprung" apart, and the only way I was able to get the lower rear engine mount bolt in place was to remove the gas tank and carb, lie the bike on its side on the ground, and use a ratchet-style tiedown between the two wheels to draw the frame together close enough to install the engine mount bolt.

the frame is stretched or bent downward under the tank