Topic: CB500K Frame Paint - Which is Closest to Original?

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Hi guys - I'm working on a '72 CB500K. I have it all taken apart but am forecasting which paint I should use to get an original looking finish. In the past, I've used Rustoleum Satin Black on frames, but I'm wondering if the original frame for this bike was a bit glossier...?  Any thought/ideas?

[HondaMan]

It was originally a satin-finish black. A lot of riders would wax it, making it then shine, and of course the 50 years' worth of washing-and-drying it has made some of it shinier than it once was.

But, they, and the 750, were a satin finish in the beginning. The 350/350, 305/250cc twins, and many other Hondas were a glossier black frame finish. I suppose this adds to the confusion today?

[newday777]

I have a NOS replacement K2-K6 750 frame that I bought at a swapmeet 16 months ago that was from a dealer inventory, sold off as part of the dealers not having to stock a parts room anymore.
It has a bit of shine to it but isn't high gloss, maybe a semi gloss. I read a post a few years ago where that person had mixed satin and gloss black 50/50 to get a very good result.

[HondaMan]

That mix sounds a lot like what it looked like, back when. Just a little shine, not much. It hid dirt better that way!
Mine is still mostly the OEM paint, but from years of hand-polishing after hi-pressure carwashes it is pretty shiny now, except under the seat where it's largely untouched.

[Stev-o]

Semi-gloss black will be very close to the original

[beemerbum]

I have used Rust-Oleum appliance epoxy black. An old timer friend, who assembled CB750's from shipping crates back in the day, pronounced it super close to what a factory fresh frame looked like. Not totally glossy. Don't know if other SOHC's had a different frame color

[jlh3rd]

Hi guys - I'm working on a '72 CB500K. I have it all taken apart but am forecasting which paint I should use to get an original looking finish. In the past, I've used Rustoleum Satin Black on frames, but I'm wondering if the original frame for this bike was a bit glossier...?  Any thought/ideas?

Cb 500 K1 frame color was honda NH1.. black.
partzilla sells this OEM honda paint, color NH1.
the frame color isn't satin, or semi, or gloss. But restorers have used them, close enough I guess.
The only other paint I've come across that matched the "black" on the clock cases , 1975 550, is Eastwoods Underhood Black which seems to mirror the frame.
FYI.

[HondaMan]

Hi guys - I'm working on a '72 CB500K. I have it all taken apart but am forecasting which paint I should use to get an original looking finish. In the past, I've used Rustoleum Satin Black on frames, but I'm wondering if the original frame for this bike was a bit glossier...?  Any thought/ideas?

Cb 500 K1 frame color was honda NH1.. black.
partzilla sells this OEM honda paint, color NH1.
the frame color isn't satin, or semi, or gloss. But restorers have used them, close enough I guess.
The only other paint I've come across that matched the "black" on the clock cases , 1975 550, is Eastwoods Underhood Black which seems to mirror the frame.
FYI.

Good to know, thanks!

[Dr. Frankenstein]

"...the frame color isn't satin, or semi, or gloss. But restorers have used them, close enough I guess."

True; I mean, black is black, and it's not like I'm going to take her to a Concourse or anything. I've used Rustoleum Satin Black before on some builds and they came out just fine, but I noticed that the CB500K 'black' is a bit glossier than Satin, but less so than Gloss - but maybe a bit more so than Semi...?? I don't know yet, although I'm leaning towards the Rustoleum Semi Gloss right now, because Why Not, y'know...? Right now I'm just pre-planning - I have her stripped down, pressure washed the frame and still have to drop the engine and clean some more before I make any decision - although I'm psyched to start cleaning because I finally have my vapor blaster up and running and plan to see what I can do to brighten up the engine cases.

[jlh3rd]

for sure. I'm kind of a stickler for OEM original so if someone asks, I answer as if they are also.
honestly, I don't know of any " judge" who could actually tell.

but eastwood does seem to match at least this honda black. The speedo is NOS and the tach was redone .