Topic: CB parts interchange

[MotoRico]

Is there a resource available that lists what parts of these machines are interchangeable?  In my scouring the web I see items and wonder if they would fit on my latest obsession.

[Zane]

I haven't found anything specifically for that purpose.  I'm working on a combined list for myself, but it's really difficult, slow, and painstaking work.  If anyone does have any info on that sort of info though, I second MR's appeal, that's for sure.

I'm sure you've figured out the way to do it with what's at hand, though.  I start by cross-referencing parts lists from different models and years.  The payoff is that I've been able to find really good deals on some parts for my 1976 CB 400F.  The first good deal I found was for a rectifier.  The 550 parts list (on honda4fun.com) showed the same part number for a 550 as for my 400.  It was listed (on ebay) as for a 550, and practically no one saw it.  I was able to buy it for very little money, even including shipping.

The CB400F parts list(s) are relatively simple, compared to the other Honda models, but they're still complex.  Although all three (North American) years are similar, there are quite a few differences just within the 3 years.  You've got to be careful - since everything is not totally interchangable.  Then add in the European differences and it starts to get even more complicated.  AArrrgghhhh!

And that's just all in the same 3 years of the same motorbike.  When you start adding parts lists from other models and other model years - well, you know - it's a s**t fight, for sure.  The payoff though, is being able to find stuff at a bargain or find stuff you just can't find otherwise; period.

Currently I'm trying to find out if the rear fender from a 550 (listed on ebay) will fit my 400F.  It sounds simple, and if I had every Honda parts list for every motorcycle they made between 1970 and 1980, it would be a lot easier.  I've been reduced to comparing diagrams (from Partsfish) but that's hard because they don't use the Honda parts numbers, they just use their own numbering system.    Again - Aarrrgghhhhh!

[supersport_CB400F]

Zane that 550 rear mudguard wont fit a 400 but your US/Canada 350F rear mudguard is the same as a UK 400 but not the same as the US/Canada version 400 it has two bolt holes and a hump at the botom for the rear light mout...yes it's complicated stuff, but you can get a good deal 

Dave

[Glenn Stauffer]

csendker posted this in the MC links thread in the open forum:

"I've been living on crotchrocket's microfiche files lately.  I'm trying to compare parts from different years and/or models to see if they are interchangeable.  The schematics are easy to load & fast.  I open up two windows, one for each model and do a side-by-side, as the part #'s rarely match right-on.

http://www.crotchrocket.com/fiche_select.asp"

[csendker]

Also, there's a 'print' button available when you have an exploded diagram open.  For my models, I printed to Adobe and got all of the exploded diagram and their full parts lists saved for future reference.  Helps a lot when you try to put something back together again.

[Zane]

...  that 550 rear mudguard wont fit a 400 but your US/Canada 350F rear mudguard is the same as a UK 400 but not the same as the US/Canada version 400 it has two bolt holes and a hump at the botom for the rear light mout...yes it's complicated stuff, but you can get a good deal....

Yikes!  Thanks gents.  My sense of it all is that the thing to aim for (somehow) is to integrate original Honda part numbers into the mix somehow.  If someone had a great working ability with a program like Exel or some good spreadsheet, it might be possible to get a cross-referenced parts list for a whole swack of different machines.

I'm making mine manually, and it's almost ludicrous how slow a process it is.  I really only get done those parts which I'm actively searching for at the time.  And I still use a numbering system for the diagrams that's once removed from the part number. 

Oh well, assuming I live another 35 years, I should have it about 1/3 done by the time I'm toast.....

 

[bryanj]

To be honest Honda do it for you. If you look at the part number the "middle" number is a modle code:-
300=cb750original
323=cb500
333=cb350
374=cb550K1-2
375=cb500twin
377=cb400f
etc

[csendker]

Look here -->> http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=2894.msg64438#msg64438 <<-- for the decoding of the part numbers.  Generally speaking, the first number is the 'function' code or a system grouping code, the second number is the 'product code' or the bike model & year it was first used on (important for cross-referencing) and the third is some sort of manufacturing code. I recommend lots of beer with this.