Topic: Paint Color in VIN?

[Jim Harris]

Good morning!
We are trying to re-paint a 74 CB750 and put it back in showroom condition, but it appears that both the tank and the side covers have been replace and we are not sure what color the bike was when first manufactured. Is there any code in the VIN that would tell us what color the bike originally was?   

[Greggo]

No.

[Stev-o]

No, there is not. Only 3 colors, do you feel lucky picking one?

Boss Maroon (mine), Sunrise Orange or Freedom Green. Which do you like??

[Bankerdanny]

If the tank and sidecovers aren't original the 'factory original' boat has already sailed.

Pick which ever of the period correct colors you prefer and paint away. The result is a "factory correct" look.

[Dave Voss]

I remember reading once a long time ago, that Honda assembled these motorcycles in small 'runs' using the same color tanks and side covers, as particular colors of those items were delivered to the assembly line in small quantities.  So, it stands to reason that your VIN and other adjacent VINs would probably have originally shared the same color, unless through dumb luck yours happened to be the first or last of a batch produced.

It might all be academic, but sharing your VIN might get the attention of another owner with a VIN that is very close, which could help determine what your original color *might* have been.  Or just pick the green, since it looks the best and is seen less often (at least around here...)

[phil71]

Most states registration documents list the color. By nature people are lazy, and oftem, even if the color was changed, no one bothers to do the paperwork for a color change, but just renew the registration.
   

[Dimitri13]

^Good thinkin! Sadly mine was changed.

[Jim Harris]

OK, thanks guys!
I'm too lazy to search for bikes with neighboring VIN numbers, so I think I'll just pick one of the stock colors offered that year.

[Dream750]

OK, thanks guys!
I'm too lazy to search for bikes with neighboring VIN numbers, so I think I'll just pick one of the stock colors offered that year.

Do you like silver? The Japanese market K4 had a color called Armor silver metallic. It retains the earlier style tank stripe style found on the K0/K1/K2 models.

Japanese silver K4 part numbers (in case anyone wants to challenge the color authenticity)

17500-341-810UF Fuel tank
83600-341-701UF Side cover, left
83700-341-701UF Side cover, right
 
バイクショップ　ＺＥＴＡ－ＯＮＥ　CB750FOUR　K4

[bryanj]

Not even Honda can tell you what the colour was off the line, they only recorded frame numbers and day of build

[kghost]

Like this?

[Dream750]

Kghost, that looks like a silver K2 in the pic which is close to the silver K4. The difference is in the color codes and names when comparing part numbers. Those silver bikes were not sold in the USA by American Honda.    

K2: Silver metallic custom

17500-341-670NQ  Fuel tank
83600-341-701NQ  Side cover, left
83700-341-701NQ  Side cover, right

K4: Armor silver metallic

17500-341-810UF Fuel tank
83600-341-701UF Side cover, left
83700-341-701UF Side cover, right

[kghost]

I know.....They didn't sell a black one either......

I just wanted a set lol

[Don R]

Since my honda's all hot rodded, I was thinking black with the silver stripe to go with the lester mags. the silver/black stripe works too!