Topic: "Honda Motorcycle Code #"?? Supersedes?

[greasespot]

Hey, can anyone explain this? When I look at websites for OEM parts, sometimes the part will have three different "Honda Motorcycle Code" numbers which I presume are part numbers.

For instance, a battery strap for my '76 CB400F ("BAND F, BATTERY") has three parts, all for the same price, but each has a different SKU (of course) and "Honda Motorcycle Code" number: 0191924, 0255646 and 1303544.

The first one has a "supersession history" that lists the last one (in a highlighted yellow), and the second one has a "supersession history" that refers to the first AND last, but highlights only the last one.

Further confusing me is that all three ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

A) what does it all mean, and

B) How do I decide which one I need?

Okay, maybe it's not a question of the numbers, but supersession...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

How do you know all 3 are still available? Usually if you order any of the numbers you only get the latest. AND they may have changed in appearance but not functionality. 2 for instances: the clutch lever on my 75 750F - the latest superceding does not have the clear coating or the rubber tip ; the rear master cylinder had a reservoir made out of some type of resin up to serial number 104xx then was superceded by an all aluminum reservoir.

[greasespot]

Ah, point well taken.

I do not KNOW all three are available, just that they are orderable and are not marked "NOT AVAIL."

M.

[333]

Honda codes are somewhat useless.  Every part has a part number and a Honda code.  The part number tells you what the part is(first of 3 parts of the number), what bike the part was originally  designed for(the second part of the number and the most important with parts like exhaust and other "model exclusive" parts), and manufacturer and design change codes(any change of these).  The exceptions are with hardware and carb jets, and the difference is that the last section of the part number has to do with size.  The Honda code is an arbitrary mathematical number that tells you nothing, and the only advantage of using it is for dealers that still use the old,old,old ordering system of using a phone and keying the code in on  the phone keypad.

I am on the wrong computer, so I can't get the link to the list of "center codes" listing what bikes have which identifier.  Having that identifier in the part number, for the 3 parts you have the Honda codes for, will tell you which is the newest, and more importantly, which is most likely to be still available.  A lot of the online parts houses don't really know what is still available until they actually place an order or otherwise check with Honda.

[Jonesy]

The Honda code is an arbitrary mathematical number that tells you nothing, and the only advantage of using it is for dealers that still use the old,old,old ordering system of using a phone and keying the code in on  the phone keypad.

It can also make it much easier to label your parts department stock. The Honda dealer I used to work at labeled the parts bins by H/C. (But yes, we used the old phone order system back then...)

[SteveD CB500F]

There's some stuff in the FAQs:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=2894.msg197940#msg197940