Changes from 87/88 to 89+?

[Coblue]

I searched but couldn't find what I was looking for. Is there a thread that documents in detail the changes from the first version to the 1989 on models?
I think some of the changes were to the frame, a-arms, swingarm. I want to know the details of those changes, and which parts could retrofit to the 1987/88.

 

[Gen1Pat]

The 87 and 88 have the same chassis, only the 87 uses a bushing instead of the bearing found on ALL newer models, for the steering stem. 87 was the only year to have replacable ball joints. However, 87 a arms will bolt to an 88. 87-88 had different caster angles than the 89-current, as well as different a arm mount locations. The 87-88 used a different carrier, and had a swingarm that was an inch longer, if I remember right. Headlights were mounted above the bumper on the 87-88, and later moved to below the handlebars on the 89-92ish, then they kept the location the same and made the lights round. The 87-88 used a different cdi, and had other wiring differences than the other years. I wanna say the 89 had it's own cdi as well.

Except for the a arms, all other parts will interchange or can be made to interchange with the 1st gens. There are some things that you will need it's "companion" componant for it to work. I.E. using a newer swinger you will need the newer carrier as well, and vice versa.

 

[Coblue]

Very good! I have two '87s. It also looks like the tire spec was one inch narrower in 89+,and then went to 20" rear for the raptor? Any idea why the a-arm castor and mount location change? How about tire spec change?

 

[Gen1Pat]

The tires were an inch wider on the 87's. My 88 had 22x11-9 when I got it, and my friends 88 has the 22x10-9. I don't feel any difference. They probably did it for handling purposes. The rapter got a gearing change along with the shorter tires. They changed the caster to provide better handling. I don't know what the specs are between years, and have not ridden a newer warrior in some time to compare. But, I would suspect they made the caster slightly more negative. the 87 and 88 have heavy steering, the only reason to really change the caster is to make steering effort easier, and to do that they would have had to make it slightly more negative. Their reasoning behind changing the mounting locations is probably due to the caster change, although I can't see why the couldn't do it with the arrangement they 1st had. Worst thing they did was get rid of the replacable ball joints. Luckily all 88 owners can benifite from them.

 

[beastlywarrior228]

I heard the motor is actually slightly firward in the older ones more

 

[Gen1Pat]

Hmmm... Interesting. Take some measurements from yours and I will do same. It would be wierd if they were because they use the same header, muffler, and the upper motor mounts are the same.

 

[beastlywarrior228]

Ill look at my 87