I bought what I thought was a 2004 400EX only to find out it’s a 2005 frame. I’d like to get it to its original condition. I’ve found most of what I need but not sure how the reverse assist cable hooks to the motor or if the motor even is a 2005. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Frame number is wrong (18 digits - all VIN's are 17 digits)
All TRX400EX's VIN starts with 478TE230 and all engine numbers were from TE23E-8000001 until 2005 when it got a reverse - the engines from 2005 were numbered TE23E-8200001 and up.
An 05 frame would be VIN 478TE230(check digit)54500001 and up
I'm guessing the VIN is actually 478TE230X54110917
From what I have been able to garner; Honda never produced any vehicle with a VIN that started 1HFTE230
'1' and '4' indicate made in USA
'HF' indicates it is made by Honda in Marysville Ohio - only motorcycles were produced in OH before the plant was retooled to make automobiles
'78' indicates it is made by Honda in South Carolina - produces ATV's only - no motorcycles
'TE230' identifies it as a TRX400EX
'X' is a check digit - it is derived from an algorithm and is unique based on the production sequence
'5' indicates year of manufacture
'4' plant code
'11917' is the production sequence
They were all the same from 99-04 with few changes;
99-00 were red - 00 got different graphics than 99
01 - choice of red or yellow with BNG (bold new graphics)
02 - red & yellow & BNG
03 - red & yellow, red seat on red model and BNG
04 - BNG
05 - new body - headlights changed and relocated - still red & yellow, but seat black on both - first year for reverse
From the pic, it is a 99-04, the seat has been recovered, the front master cylinder is damaged and needs replaced and the clutch lever is missing the parking brake lever & lock, the parking brake cable is missing and the parking brake mechanism on the rear brake caliper is disabled or perhaps has been removed.
Based on what you have provided; I surmise you have an 05 frame with an 04 motor - 04 did not have a reverse so there will be no 'hooking up reverse'
BTW, I checked my 05 TRX400EX and here's it's VIN 1HFTE230754506632, but the ID guide does indicate 478
I'm going to contact my friends at Honda and inquire if it's a misprint.
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