Identification Help

[Chrisbo]

Hi Guys,

I'm new here and wondered if any of you could help me determine the exact year of manufacture of my old KTM 250.

The frame number is 855-08*** and
The motor number is 7-5417***

Many thanks guys
Cheers
Chris

[rob w]

Hi Chris,

855's were a 1978 model.


Bob

[flattracker23]

What would a KTM frame number 110 32279 be? It is a frame only, twin shock. What size motor would go it it?

Spencer Gaydon
Lubbock, TX

[Chrisbo]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply. I thought it was a 77 or a 78 the only thing confusing me was that the motor number started with a 7 which I thought was a 77? or is that not exclusively the case?

Cheers
Chris.

[jj]

Spencer,

I have '82 twin shock KTM 420 GS (enduro) with serial # 110 32250 (110 means it's a GS). The frame does not have a brace between the 2 lower motor mounts. If yours is like this, then a 420 or 495 would fit. If there is a brace connecting the two lower motor mounts, then a 250 would fit and if ther are no lower motor mounts at all, then a 125 would fit. The engine case syle for all of these has the swing arm bolt going through the back mounting hole with the 2 swing arm pivots positioned between the frame and motor.

John J Slivka

[tofriedel]

John,

What you probably have is a 1981 GS frame.  KTM usually used the leftover frames from the previous year on that model year GS units.  

They eliminated the dual shock frames on their 82 MC models.  On the 81 frames, identified as "104" in all 1981 495 MC's and "110" in 1982 GS, however there is a difference in the frames depending in the engine size.  The 350, 390, & 420 frames have a shorter steering head (150mm in length), while the 495's had a 180mm length, therefore the steering stems had the same dimensions. Some forks were 35mm and others were 38mm in 1981.

Accurate frame numbers in the 1981 & 1982 years is a grey area.  There is little documentation available (at least that I can find) for these bikes.  

I have found the following information for 82 models, but cannot vouch for its accuracy.

Frame numbers 1982 Models
103 28000 to 104 29300  250 WR
107 30169 to 107 30648  250 WR
109 30950 to 109 30999  400 WR
109 31013 to 109 31816  125 LC/125 WR
110 32000 to 110 32400  400 WR
202 32479 to 204 33146  420 WR
 
It does get a little confusing.

Tony

[jj]

Tony,

My 420 has a 180mm steering head length.

Here are few more serial numbers to add to the confusion.

011 24239 GS twin shock 125 RV WR

011 24784 GS twin shock 250 II WR

Both of these have a 150mm steering head length, the 125 has 35mm forks and the 250 has 38's. Both frames are very similar with the exception of the motor mounts.

I wonder if the group would mind allowing twin shock KTM's on the production year serial number list?

John J Slivka

[flattracker23]

I pick up two more twin shock KTM's today. I want to know what they are.

The first one is an enduro model. Frame number is 908-08749. There is not a motor in this one.

The other one is frame number 001-10212. It has a 250 motor in it.

Spencer Gaydon
Lubbock, TX

[tofriedel]

Spencer,

The 908-08749 would be a 1979 model and the 001-10212 would be a 1980 model.  Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what motors were installed when new but, I suspect they were 250's and/or 400's.

Tony

[OUCWBOY]

Spencer,
According to KTM the 110 frame should be a 1982 frame with a 400 cc engine. Yes it was a GS. KTM says that the frames 110 32000 to 110 32400 were 1982 400 cc.
Just what the book says, as we all know, they didn't always go by the book.

Donny Smith