Topic: What's the story with the color of my CB500 K1?

[GGC]

When I got the bike I just assumed it was a custom paint job. Since then I've seen a 550 with the same somewhat distinctive color. Can anyone tell me if I have a tank from another model or how I can check?

[Greggo]

Not stock.  Looks like a nice custom paint job.

http://www.sohc4.net/cb500-model-guide/

[754]

Check which side the petcock is on on the early 500...might be different.

[Mo]

I'm pretty sure that's the correct side for the peacock. My '72 (and all others I've seen) have had it on the left side 

[brooze72]

From that angle the tank looks stock but of course the colour is not.  Petcock is on the correct side, you are missing the molding on the edge of the tank. There is no lock on the gas cap, only a latch.  The 500 was produced in three colours, brown gold & green & all had black inserts painted on the tank with pinstriping.  Red/burgundy colour was used on later 550's I beleive. Here are examples of the 500 in candy gold & green.

[GGC]

Thanks everyone. Here are a couple of pictures of 550s I've seen with the same/similar color.

[IndyFour]

Yes, as others stated above, it is not a stock 500/550 color....although it does seem to be a popular choice for new paint jobs on these bikes.  IIRC there was a stock color on the 550 that was more purple than it was red (Boss Maroon maybe?), but even then there would have been a black panel painted on the side of the tank along with decal stripes.

I think the old Hondas look good in this maroon/burgundy color like you show above.  A friend of mine has a CJ360T that came stock in a color similar to yours...