Topic: Paint Schemes.

[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.