Topic: Paint Schemes.

[Nachtderuntoten]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

[newday777]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

The youtube link doesn't work.

EDIT.... I copied without the asterisk at the beginning (the link shouldn't have the asterisk at the beginning) and it worked so hit the modify button and remove your asterisk.

That bike has a 71 paint scheme with the painted headlight bucket and ears, (not found on a K2). The guy speaking said it was restored and it was repainted. Was it done correctly having the painted bucket and ears? I'm not sure when exactly the change to the chrome ears and black bucket happened if that is what you want to know??

This chart shows the K2 started 11/71, not 9/71 as the guy speaking said, I would say that the bike in the video was more likely a late K1, not a K2 as was marked on the auction sale.

I took a screenshot from the video of the vin numbers, it has a late K1 vin number, 1116657, and not a K2 vin number which started with 2000000.
If your bike vin starts with a 2000000 and up, go with a K2 paint color, K2 still had the small stripe like the K1, just a different gold color and black bucket and chrome ears, if that is what you are going with or that you already have??(you haven't posted a picture yet of your bike?) The big stripe didn't start until the K3 model release in 9/72, so you don't have to worry about that, the guy miss spoke bringing up the big stripe in the video, not saying anything about it being on the K3.
What are your plans on your bike?

[M 750K6]

Paste it into your browser and it takes you there. 👍

[newday777]

K2 paint colors are in this thread

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=35257.0

[jlh3rd]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

This is the official U.S. Honda guide. Model identification , if you want correct specs, then use frame/engine #'s, not year, especially before 1973. Even after 1973, those #'s are the best way for ident.
As seen, the KO,K1 had color matched shell, fork ears, etc.
Your frame "manufacture" date may be Nov. '71, but as stated, if your #'s start with "200...", you have a K2.
My '75 550F has a frame date of 12/74.But it's not a '74, as there never was a 1974. So you can't go by frame date . Actually,from a Honda ad I found, ( and only this ad) they were not to be released until spring '75.

[jlh3rd]

and.
Prior to 1974, Honda sell dates/ release dates were all over the place.

[Laids]

Interesting that the chart with models and manufactured numbers shows the sandcast as 7414 made and the KO (diecast) as 53,400 made. According to actuall vin numbers there was 44,649 sandcast and diecast as the K1 vins start at 1044650. If you subtract the 7414 sandcast there was 37,235 diecast made.

[Nachtderuntoten]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

The youtube link doesn't work.

EDIT.... I copied without the asterisk at the beginning (the link shouldn't have the asterisk at the beginning) and it worked so hit the modify button and remove your asterisk.

That bike has a 71 paint scheme with the painted headlight bucket and ears, (not found on a K2). The guy speaking said it was restored and it was repainted. Was it done correctly having the painted bucket and ears? I'm not sure when exactly the change to the chrome ears and black bucket happened if that is what you want to know??

This chart shows the K2 started 11/71, not 9/71 as the guy speaking said, I would say that the bike in the video was more likely a late K1, not a K2 as was marked on the auction sale.

I took a screenshot from the video of the vin numbers, it has a late K1 vin number, 1116657, and not a K2 vin number which started with 2000000.
If your bike vin starts with a 2000000 and up, go with a K2 paint color, K2 still had the small stripe like the K1, just a different gold color and black bucket and chrome ears, if that is what you are going with or that you already have??(you haven't posted a picture yet of your bike?) The big stripe didn't start until the K3 model release in 9/72, so you don't have to worry about that, the guy miss spoke bringing up the big stripe in the video, not saying anything about it being on the K3.
What are your plans on your bike?

The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker.

Yes, i'm trying to find if the K2s Exclusively had black buckets and chromed ears, or if the early ones carried leftover K1 buckets and ears.

¿Which gold colour did the K2s have, i.e. did the gold have Two shades which were used, or just one? I've posted a photo as my avatar, but i'm unsure how excatly to post a photo properly (¿Is that in the the ’Gallery’?)

My plans are to restore it to original paint and to restore the gauges, frame, etc. With some, few, hidden modifications, i prefer the look of the original.

[newday777]

"The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker."

Then there needs to be a couple spaces between the asterisk and the link then so that the asterisk and the link aren't attached so that the link works when we hit it.

[newday777]

"Yes, i'm trying to find if the K2s Exclusively had black buckets and chromed ears, or if the early ones carried leftover K1 buckets and ears."

I wasn't around the shops then to have seen them come out of the crate and so I don't have an answer for you, nor is it easily found doing a search(I've tried several times the past couple days). Will you find that out? probably not.
You haven't even given your vin numbers to pinpoint how early your K2 is nor posted pictures of what you actually have. 🤔


"¿Which gold colour did the K2s have, i.e. did the gold have Two shades which were used, or just one? I've posted a photo as my avatar, but i'm unsure how excatly to post a photo properly (¿Is that in the the ’Gallery’?)"

Avatars are not enlargeable to see like a attachment picture.

The Gold was only known as Candy Gold. One shade by the painters at Honda back then, mixed by expert eyes. No paint codes are available for Honda paints from back then to get an exact to today's paints from your local suppliers. If you have an original tank or side covers paint(), then take it to a shop that has a paint scanner to get some mixed, but even then it may not be exact match.
Yamiya in Japan sometimes has painted tank and side cover sets available in the candy gold that are very close to original color. They use new tanks and side covers, @$1400 and cost less than getting a shop to paint here in the states today, @$1800+.

What I do to post pictures is I have to screenshot my pictures that I take with my phone camera from my phone gallery. Then crop the excess of the screenshot. That reduces them enough to meet the forum picture limit size. I'm not a techie and don't have the knowledge to use a photoshop type app or picture host sites. Hard to teach an old junkyard dog new tricks.....especially without someone to sit down with to get taught....

[newday777]

This is a fairly comprehensive resource for changes. Is it complete? Probably not. But close.

http://honda750expert.com/

Section 5 tells of the headlight and ears

[newday777]

Here is my friend's K2 in original paint candy gold

[jlh3rd]

The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker.

"Yes, i'm trying to find if the K2s Exclusively had black buckets and chromed ears, or if the early ones carried leftover K1 buckets and ears.

¿Which gold colour did the K2s have, i.e. did the gold have Two shades which were used, or just one? I've posted a photo as my avatar, but i'm unsure how excatly to post a photo properly (¿Is that in the the ’Gallery’?)

My plans are to restore it to original paint and to restore the gauges, frame, etc. With some, few, hidden modifications, i prefer the look of the original."





We keep trying to tell you what you have. People on you tube, and unofficial charts, and so called experts on the internet give half truths and false information.
You say you want original and the facts .....so here are the facts. It is not my opinion, or some half truth based on decades of false repeated beliefs......this is Honda:

If your frame and engine #'s begin with 200***, you have a K2 750, U.S. import. You do not have a 1972 750 as far as Honda is concerned. It's a minor point in most cases but it can cause confusion, as you are now experiencing. There is no such thing as an early or late 1971 as there is not a 1971 750. There is a K1 750 that was released in 09/21/70. That's 1970, and sold up until March 1972. That's because the K2 750 was released for sale on 03/01/72....Yes, a K2 could have been made in late '71, as per a frame tag...That does not make it a K1 or a 1971....This is according to the official Honda Identification Guide for U.S. models.
People can say they have a '71 or a '72, but that has caused confusion with registering and part identification, and model identification.
The frame tag date is not the defining figure. It is not a model year. Again, my '75 550F frame tag is DEC. 1974. There is no 1974 550F.
If you have a K2, U.S. model, they came in Briar Brown Metallic....Flake Sunrise Orange....and Candy gold. No different tints or shades.
The fuel tank stripe is gold.
Upper forks are chrome.
Headlight shell is black.
There was a change in the tailight and side reflectors from the K1. This change existed with the K2 up through the 1976 model 750. Yes, Honda started year model identification in 1974, which was reflected in the frame tag in 1976 by saying "1976 model".
This is not me or my opinion.....This is official Honda.
Now Honda paint:
You keep talking about different gold tints. There was a Candy Starlight Gold that  showed up on the 500 4's.
Maybe that's where you are getting this idea about different gold tints.
Now, look up Lubritech paint schedule. Lubritech had a licensing agreement with Honda to produce Honda paints in the U.S. They are useful in that they show the base, middle (if used) and final coat of some of the Honda paint schemes. Candy Gold had a candy silver base with a Candy gold final coat.....You will notice that there is not a mention of a clear coat. Nor is there any factual evidence that Honda used a clear on their painted parts in the '70's.  ( my '75 550F has no clear, I no longer wax the "supersport" decal as the edges want to lift).
I will say that Honda's paint jobs were so good that their candies looked as if they had a clear coat.
So if you want originality, you need to investigate my comments and paint as you want. Clear coating these candy paints make a beautiful appearance beyond the original factory.
Back to Lubritech -  they actually offered and stated to use a clear in their generic instructions. So there's that. But not in their "schedule" as that's supposed to be the official Honda procedure......It's your call.....
Also, they used Honda "year" model....and you'll see that the "'72" 750 doesn't show candy gold. Just goes to show the mis-information that's out there. This paint schedule was posted years ago in this website, as a matter of fact.

Not telling you what to do. If a person says they want originality, then I try to show what Honda says.

yes, there are mistakes even in the Honda guide.

[Nachtderuntoten]

"The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker."

Then there needs to be a couple spaces between the asterisk and the link then so that the asterisk and the link aren't attached so that the link works when we hit it.

¡Oh, sorry—my mistake! I wasn't aware it was going to do that. ¿How does one properly embed a link with text?

[newday777]

"The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker."

Then there needs to be a couple spaces between the asterisk and the link then so that the asterisk and the link aren't attached so that the link works when we hit it.

¡Oh, sorry—my mistake! I wasn't aware it was going to do that. ¿How does one properly embed a link with text?

Drop down the video description and hit the share button, the copy link and paste it to the post.

[Nachtderuntoten]

"Yes, i'm trying to find if the K2s Exclusively had black buckets and chromed ears, or if the early ones carried leftover K1 buckets and ears."

I wasn't around the shops then to have seen them come out of the crate and so I don't have an answer for you, nor is it easily found doing a search(I've tried several times the past couple days). Will you find that out? probably not.
You haven't even given your vin numbers to pinpoint how early your K2 is nor posted pictures of what you actually have. 🤔


"¿Which gold colour did the K2s have, i.e. did the gold have Two shades which were used, or just one? I've posted a photo as my avatar, but i'm unsure how excatly to post a photo properly (¿Is that in the the ’Gallery’?)"

Avatars are not enlargeable to see like a attachment picture.

The Gold was only known as Candy Gold. One shade by the painters at Honda back then, mixed by expert eyes. No paint codes are available for Honda paints from back then to get an exact to today's paints from your local suppliers. If you have an original tank or side covers paint(), then take it to a shop that has a paint scanner to get some mixed, but even then it may not be exact match.
Yamiya in Japan sometimes has painted tank and side cover sets available in the candy gold that are very close to original color. They use new tanks and side covers, @$1400 and cost less than getting a shop to paint here in the states today, @$1800+.

What I do to post pictures is I have to screenshot my pictures that I take with my phone camera from my phone gallery. Then crop the excess of the screenshot. That reduces them enough to meet the forum picture limit size. I'm not a techie and don't have the knowledge to use a photoshop type app or picture host sites. Hard to teach an old junkyard dog new tricks.....especially without someone to sit down with to get taught....

‘I wasn't around the shops then to have seen them come out of the crate and so I don't have an answer for you, nor is it easily found doing a search(I've tried several times the past couple days). Will you find that out? probably not.’

—That's certainly understandable. I asked around once trying to find if i could source the Original Factory paint colour my bike worn off the assembly line, but i was quick to learn that Honda just painted them [not randomlike like Jackson Pollock] without tracking Which serial numbers received Which paints. Oh, well.
I figured that with the Honda nerds one here that the chances that Someone Might know would be rather high.

‘You haven't even given your vin numbers to pinpoint how early your K2 is nor posted pictures of what you actually have.’

—That might Actually be Important, ¿wouldn't it? My frames serial no. is 2000494.

‘Avatars are not enlargeable to see like a attachment picture.’

—Yea, i can see that being unhelpful.

‘What I do to post pictures is I have to screenshot my pictures that I take with my phone camera from my phone gallery. Then crop the excess of the screenshot. That reduces them enough to meet the forum picture limit size. I'm not a techie and don't have the knowledge to use a photoshop type app or picture host sites. Hard to teach an old junkyard dog new tricks.....especially without someone to sit down with to get taught....’

—Yea, i understand That struggle, so i know how you might feel. I'll have to look into that with my meagre means.

‘Yamiya in Japan sometimes has painted tank and side cover sets available in the candy gold that are very close to original color. They use new tanks and side covers, @$1400 and cost less than getting a shop to paint here in the states today, @$1800+.’

—Yea, i've been eyeing ‘Yamiya’ for a while, especially since my sidecovers are cracked, but they always seem sold out for the golden sets.. :/

‘The Gold was only known as Candy Gold. One shade by the painters at Honda back then, mixed by expert eyes. No paint codes are available for Honda paints from back then to get an exact to today's paints from your local suppliers. If you have an original tank or side covers paint(), then take it to a shop that has a paint scanner to get some mixed, but even then it may not be exact match.’

—The reason i'm asking about the different hues/shades for gold is that one, my bikes shade looks [but isn't necessarily] off from the Bright golden hue most golden 750s seem to wear; that two, i've gotten mixed indications that my paint could or could not be original, mostly just opinions from speaking to persons i've met and know; and that three, there forum itself herein references as being Two paint schemes for the gold [see below].


Paint Scheme References:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=160524.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152606.msg1744072.html#msg1744072
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=152606.0;fs=158323;attach=307793;image

Even Further References:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=106645.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=76923.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100453.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=174818.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=150356.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=139207.0

Post Scriptum:
I know some of those links reference other models of Honda fours, but they do often reference the 750 four.

[newday777]

Send Yamiya a request to get a paint set when they come available.
My friend just got his set in February.

[Nachtderuntoten]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

This is the official U.S. Honda guide. Model identification , if you want correct specs, then use frame/engine #'s, not year, especially before 1973. Even after 1973, those #'s are the best way for ident.
As seen, the KO,K1 had color matched shell, fork ears, etc.
Your frame "manufacture" date may be Nov. '71, but as stated, if your #'s start with "200...", you have a K2.
My '75 550F has a frame date of 12/74.But it's not a '74, as there never was a 1974. So you can't go by frame date . Actually,from a Honda ad I found, ( and only this ad) they were not to be released until spring '75.

Wow—great information in that guide! That's really interesting that Honda was holding back the 1974 models unto the following spring 🤔

[Nachtderuntoten]

and.
Prior to 1974, Honda sell dates/ release dates were all over the place.

¿That's also when many bikes were titled based upon the year of sale, ¿Correct??
¿Why were bikes released seemingly haphazardly and ad hoc?

[Nachtderuntoten]

Interesting that the chart with models and manufactured numbers shows the sandcast as 7414 made and the KO (diecast) as 53,400 made. According to actuall vin numbers there was 44,649 sandcast and diecast as the K1 vins start at 1044650. If you subtract the 7414 sandcast there was 37,235 diecast made.

Yea. I've been finding some other references to that, too.

[Nachtderuntoten]

The YouTube link has an asterisk to match the one in my text, i.e. it's a footnote marker.

"Yes, i'm trying to find if the K2s Exclusively had black buckets and chromed ears, or if the early ones carried leftover K1 buckets and ears.

¿Which gold colour did the K2s have, i.e. did the gold have Two shades which were used, or just one? I've posted a photo as my avatar, but i'm unsure how excatly to post a photo properly (¿Is that in the the ’Gallery’?)

My plans are to restore it to original paint and to restore the gauges, frame, etc. With some, few, hidden modifications, i prefer the look of the original."





We keep trying to tell you what you have. People on you tube, and unofficial charts, and so called experts on the internet give half truths and false information.
You say you want original and the facts .....so here are the facts. It is not my opinion, or some half truth based on decades of false repeated beliefs......this is Honda:

If your frame and engine #'s begin with 200***, you have a K2 750, U.S. import. You do not have a 1972 750 as far as Honda is concerned. It's a minor point in most cases but it can cause confusion, as you are now experiencing. There is no such thing as an early or late 1971 as there is not a 1971 750. There is a K1 750 that was released in 09/21/70. That's 1970, and sold up until March 1972. That's because the K2 750 was released for sale on 03/01/72....Yes, a K2 could have been made in late '71, as per a frame tag...That does not make it a K1 or a 1971....This is according to the official Honda Identification Guide for U.S. models.
People can say they have a '71 or a '72, but that has caused confusion with registering and part identification, and model identification.
The frame tag date is not the defining figure. It is not a model year. Again, my '75 550F frame tag is DEC. 1974. There is no 1974 550F.
If you have a K2, U.S. model, they came in Briar Brown Metallic....Flake Sunrise Orange....and Candy gold. No different tints or shades.
The fuel tank stripe is gold.
Upper forks are chrome.
Headlight shell is black.
There was a change in the tailight and side reflectors from the K1. This change existed with the K2 up through the 1976 model 750. Yes, Honda started year model identification in 1974, which was reflected in the frame tag in 1976 by saying "1976 model".
This is not me or my opinion.....This is official Honda.
Now Honda paint:
You keep talking about different gold tints. There was a Candy Starlight Gold that  showed up on the 500 4's.
Maybe that's where you are getting this idea about different gold tints.
Now, look up Lubritech paint schedule. Lubritech had a licensing agreement with Honda to produce Honda paints in the U.S. They are useful in that they show the base, middle (if used) and final coat of some of the Honda paint schemes. Candy Gold had a candy silver base with a Candy gold final coat.....You will notice that there is not a mention of a clear coat. Nor is there any factual evidence that Honda used a clear on their painted parts in the '70's.  ( my '75 550F has no clear, I no longer wax the "supersport" decal as the edges want to lift).
I will say that Honda's paint jobs were so good that their candies looked as if they had a clear coat.
So if you want originality, you need to investigate my comments and paint as you want. Clear coating these candy paints make a beautiful appearance beyond the original factory.
Back to Lubritech -  they actually offered and stated to use a clear in their generic instructions. So there's that. But not in their "schedule" as that's supposed to be the official Honda procedure......It's your call.....
Also, they used Honda "year" model....and you'll see that the "'72" 750 doesn't show candy gold. Just goes to show the mis-information that's out there. This paint schedule was posted years ago in this website, as a matter of fact.

Not telling you what to do. If a person says they want originality, then I try to show what Honda says.

yes, there are mistakes even in the Honda guide.

Fair enough. One cann't get ‘more original’ than the procedure Honda themselves used. I'll definitely will be checking up on all of this, so i do supremely thank you for all the words of wisdom.

[Nachtderuntoten]

Send Yamiya a request to get a paint set when they come available.
My friend just got his set in February.

Okay, i'll do that!

[Nachtderuntoten]

This is a fairly comprehensive resource for changes. Is it complete? Probably not. But close.

http://honda750expert.com/

Section 5 tells of the headlight and ears

Thanks for this; i've been reading it and realising how complex tracking all this changes is. My bike wears a K1 seat and has a K1 ignition switch, for instance 🤷

[jlh3rd]

lol...not at you, just with you. With Honda, the more you search, the more questions that pop up.
Seriously though,... go by your frame/engine #'s....start there.

[jlh3rd]

and.
Prior to 1974, Honda sell dates/ release dates were all over the place.

¿That's also when many bikes were titled based upon the year of sale, ¿Correct??
¿Why were bikes released seemingly haphazardly and ad hoc?

yep. Just talking U.S. here...Depended on what the dealer put on the bill of sale....and then maybe what a state's DMV states. That was the problem. So Honda was "forced" (in the U.S. anyways) to start designating "year" model. Prior to that, dealers could/were selling new, holdover, two year old bikes as current year.
This is why newbies come here and say they have a '71 because that's what the paperwork says....no, it's what frame/engine #'s say the model is........
and fifty+ years later anything could have been put on a bike.
this is a short answer...🙂

[jlh3rd]

"Wow—great information in that guide! That's really interesting that Honda was holding back the 1974 models unto the following spring 🤔"


well, that's the point. It wasn't a '74 model. It is/was a '75 model, according to Honda. The frame tag "production" year is not a "model" year. At least not until 1976.
There may be a frame tag that says "75 model", but I haven't seen one.

[Nachtderuntoten]

¿Does anyone know when, i.e. for which serial numbers, paint schemes (‘colours’) were used for the Honda fours?

Specifically, i reference this* video which shows a September, 1971 manufactured, 1972 K2 CB750. I have a K2 made in November of 1971, so i'm wondering if my bike may have worn painted ears & bucket such as the one in the video.

*https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnJVcmrsYg&pp=ygUkdGhyb3R0bGUgY29tcGFueSB2aW50YWdlIG1vdG9yY3ljbGVz

This is the official U.S. Honda guide. Model identification , if you want correct specs, then use frame/engine #'s, not year, especially before 1973. Even after 1973, those #'s are the best way for ident.
As seen, the KO,K1 had color matched shell, fork ears, etc.
Your frame "manufacture" date may be Nov. '71, but as stated, if your #'s start with "200...", you have a K2.
My '75 550F has a frame date of 12/74.But it's not a '74, as there never was a 1974. So you can't go by frame date . Actually,from a Honda ad I found, ( and only this ad) they were not to be released until spring '75.

¿Have you ever had any of the same/similar issues with the Honda Identification Guide as Rizingson on ‘Honda Twins below relates?

Here's what I wrote about that book (which I also own) quite a few years ago.
The Honda ID guide (red book printed in 1988) was written by a young guy named Chuck Nix in the late 80's while working for American Honda. Much of the guides info is also being used on sites such as wiki and cyclechaos. Unfortunately there is a lot of errors in the guide, primarily with Engine and Frame numbers on models that were in production prior to 1965. It appears that Chuck simply stated the model number followed by a dash and started most with 1000001. This is easy to verify that it is wrong, using old parts manuals, microfiche and actually owning some of the models. I've also noted several errors in component color changes from year to year. Still a good book for identifying bikes especially after 1970ish. Just don't take it as gospel.

https://www.hondatwins.net/threads/honda-identification-guide-1959-1988.73401/

[jlh3rd]

Interesting.
there's an old honda shop I visit frequently. The guy assembled bikes from the crates as a kid. He knows 60's-70's hondas well. He has the "Red" book. He has pointed out to me some of the mistakes in his book.
My book says American Honda as the author and has a disclaimer also regarding mistakes.
It just goes to show that when researching facts about vintage Hondas, you have to double, triple check things, even if it comes from an official honda source.
It is my first "go to", then an original, first edition parts book. An original parts book usually is king.
I like doing the research most of the time, especially if it helps someone.
As a qualifier however, now I'd have to research Chuck Nix.

the only bike I know extremely well and have researched extensively is my '75 550F.