Topic: CB160 Vin Number and Year

[r6100mph]

I recently picked up a CB160, From the VIN # I believe it's a 1969, as the vin ends in 9 which is in italics.  Different from all the other numbers in the vin #.

But when I go to look up parts, all the parts schematics only list the CB160 as being made in 1965.

I'll look up 1969, and the CB160 is not even listed for that year, not listed for any year except 1965.

Can anyone out there clear this up for me?

The engine is definitely a CB160, and the frame i believe is a CB.  The Vin # is B-........9.  I guess there is a possiblity that the 160 engine was put into a 1969 CB175 frame, but not real sure.

This bike was picked up from a salvage yard, and they had no documentation. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[bryanj]

If you want to PM me the full numbers i will look them up in my US I.D. book for you

[myhondas]

Near little site for info...

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0160/sport160/sport160.htm

[Hinomaru]

See if these links will help:

http://www.spookytoms.com/CB160-IDPlates.html

http://www.spookytoms.com/CB160-PaintColors.html

[r6100mph]

I think what's throwing me off, is the front fender is from a CL, not a CB.  But now I'm trying to figure out which parts are what, either CB or CL.  

The engine does have both kick and electric start.  Possibly the CL - D?

But the bike did not have any pipes which would have been an obvious sign.

I also hear that the front forks are little more beefy on the CL vs the CB.  Is there a way to tell which ones they are?

So the frame # is B160-.....9  There is no C before the B
and the Engine # is B160E-.....69

Did they leave off the "C" in the numbers just because both the CL and CB start with a C?  ie, CL = L160-.......?

Anyway, I appreciate eveyone's help on this little mystery, here is a pick when I picked her up

[bryanj]

According to the ID bok the CB 160 ran from65 to 69 with no way of telling which year it was made as they just start with1000001 and go consecutive, suggesting that all parts are the same and modifications are on frame/engine number

[jack1980]

Thanks for the help!

I have been hearing as well, that the CB's were shipped to dealers, and then the dealers had the option of adding a CL package, then selling them as CL's.  This probably included fenders, pipes, forks, etc.

This should be an interesting process, of finding out what is exactly what.

Thanks again for the help!

[TwoBigCats]

This probably included fenders, pipes, forks, etc.

i converted a cb to cl 18 years ago with an nos kit.  iirc, the cl kits consisted of: tank, pipes, pegs, seat, "scrambler" handlebars and rear shock covers (though i'm a little fuzzy on the shock covers...).

i'll see if i can locate my 160 reference materials and locate some info for you.

best,
hal

[tbpmusic]

So the frame # is B160-.....9  There is no C before the B
and the Engine # is B160E-.....69

Did they leave off the "C" in the numbers just because both the CL and CB start with a C?  ie, CL = L160-.......?

Anyway, I appreciate eveyone's help on this little mystery, here is a pick when I picked her up

You may have a non-US model, and the numbers don't follow the same format as we're used to seeing.

The engine should have it's own number, indicating whether the engine itself was born as a CL.

[hahnda]

Many times the bikes from the 60's had the year on the wiring harness if you are looking to pin it down a bit closer.

[Old Scrambler]

What is the big secret? I don't think any of us is going to use you serial numbers.  Anyhow.....If the C is missing its bogus.  All Hondas were C something in the 60s. CB = Cycle Supersport, CL = Cycle Land (off-road), CA = Cycle America (Dream Type Models). Use the motor ID for motor parts and the frame ID for all other parts.

Kevin is correct about the ID on the wire harness. The scrambler kits were sold as conversions as well as original models in all years. The factory forks on the scramblers have gators.....so yours is more likely to be a CB model. Also, all CBs have electric and kick, only the 67 CLs have both, but they also have chrome fenders.  Your gas tank is a CB style, different from the CL tanks. 

[OakBehringer]

from looking at it I note the following:

Tank - CB
Handlebars - CL style, not original though
Headlight - no speedo, not original
Fork Covers - CB
Fender - CL
Start - Most likely CB
No rock guard under motor - CB

I'm guessing CB.

[artifact1313]

I just picked up a CB160 as the "third" owner (last one had it for 25 years in dry storage). It is complete with a few "storage" dents and has a black California plate last registered in 1965. It was sold to me as a 1964 which doesn't seem plausible since they ran from 65-69 but then again they were manufactured in 1964. The condition of paint and chrome all seem very representative for a bike with only 951 miles on the odometer, which works. The numbers are Frame: B160-1070139 and the Motor: B160E-1069957. Can someone shed some light on the 1964 or 1965 question? I will post some photos once the rain stops and I can get decent lighting and space.

Regards

New to the forum but impressed with the feedback