Author Topic: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?  (Read 3603 times)

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Offline Scott S

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What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« on: August 08, 2010, 06:03:23 PM »
 Specifically can you tell me what years these models are? I already know a few of them, so fill in the blanks, please.

 CB550

 550K  ('76)
 550K1
 550F
 550F ('76 & '77)
 550k ('77 & '78)

 CB750

 750A ('77 & '78)
 750K ('76)
 750F
 750F ('76 - '78)*
 750K ('77-'78)
 750KO
 750K1
 750K2
 750K3
 750K4
 750K5

 What do all these bikes have in common? They all share the same points plate, for one thing. The parts fiche list some of them separately or multiple times (such as the 750F and 750K). I take it these are model years? But what years total do these models span?
 
 
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Gears

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2010, 06:36:42 PM »
I'll put down all I know, but I'm only familar with some of the 750 suffixes.
 
CB750
 
 750K1 ('71)
 750K2 ('72)
 750K3 ('73)
 750K4 ('74)
 750K5 ('75)

As to the differences, that's too much to list really(not that I know all of them). All of the info is probably on the forums in one place or another(check the FAQ section and search) but generally (on the 750's), the K models is the standard version of the bikes, while the F models are the super-sport models. The 750A was a model that had an automatic transmission.

Offline Scott S

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2010, 06:40:44 PM »
 Thanks. That tells me a lot. So, basically, any CB750 or 750A from '71-78 used that same points plate, right?

 When did the 550 start? 1974?
 I've got the CB500 down already.

 The CB350 and 400 were not listed as matching in that parts fiche. What's different about their points plate?
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Stev-o

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2010, 06:51:56 PM »

 When did the 550 start? 1974?
 
Yes, the 550 was made '74-'78 and there were 2 models, K & F. The F was the Supersport and came from the factory with a 4 into 1 exhaust.

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=content/honda-cb550-1974-1978
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline mcuozzo

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2010, 07:04:35 PM »
Probably, but not necessarily...(actually I just checked and it looks like the points plate is the same across all models or can be used in all models. The diagram for the K0 looks like a different part)

Basically for the K model the number indicates the year the bike was produced (roughly).  K0 = 69-70, K1=70-71, etc.
For cb750's there are three models K (69-78), F (75-78) and A (76-78).

But it's not that easy...

The K's are basically 4 generations more or less K0, K1, K2-K6, K7-K8.  While a number of parts are similar across all K models, there are differences.  For example, the K7-K8 seats hinge on the left side and lock on the right.  Earlier K's were vice versa.

The F's are basically 2 generations F&F1 (made in 75-76) and F2&F3 (made in 77-78).  Why they didn't call them F5-F8, I don't know.  To confuse us 30+ years later I guess.  The F models had rear disks (75-76 were spoked, 77-78 were comstars), different seats\cowls, engines painted black and some differences internal to the engine.

The automatics were made in 76-78 and were called the A1 (76), A2 (77) and A3 (78) that's about all I know about 'em.  Sorry.

To further confuse things sometimes the F models of the same year have more in common with the K bikes than earlier K models.  For example the F2, F3, K7 and K8 have longer output shafts.  Hence they have different front and rear sprockets and use different chains than the earlier K bikes.  Clear as mud???

You can see all the different models and the years they were produced here...

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=content/cb750
For the 750's, just click the model and you'll get the info you are looking for...

For the 550's same thing...
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/203

Now as far as parts go to a place like CMSNL and use their fiche/parts lookup and check the part numbers...
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb-four_model7148/

And when you definitely need to know if a part will interchange, just post here and ask.  
Hope that helps...
« Last Edit: August 08, 2010, 07:13:30 PM by mcuozzo »

Offline Scott S

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2010, 07:16:49 PM »
 I used the fiche at motogrid to get my list. I just wasn't sure what the designations meant.
 You think more models used the same points plate?

 Still wondering about the CB350 and 400....
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Kframe

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2010, 07:20:51 PM »
I used the fiche at motogrid to get my list. I just wasn't sure what the designations meant.
 You think more models used the same points plate?

 Still wondering about the CB350 and 400....

Scott, click on the "Website" tab in the menu bar on the forum here.
There are sections for each engine sized model, for example:
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/184

Lots of great info over there.
:)
-K
2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, ARK'd, Pods, TOR's, Napoleon's, Innovate G5 Air/Fuel Gauge, Ignition Relocation by D9, Stebel Nautilus, Avon Roadriders
1984 Honda Shadow VT700c, Stock
1974 Honda CB550K, In rehab
1986 Honda Helix

Offline 754

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2010, 08:00:37 PM »
It takes a while to learn what fits what.. a lot of parts interchange can be figured out online.. myself luckily I have a lot of partsbooks for early 70s models, and check that way.

 Once you know what used it the search for used or NOS gets easier..
 will give an example.. front hub for 750 from 71 -76.. also used on 500 models, and 450s
 I think K1 =71 only is valid on very few models.. lucky for a lot of us, it is true on 750s
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It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

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Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2010, 08:45:21 PM »
The 75 CB750F was actually designated by Honda as the 1975 CB750 K0 Super Sport.

F means F A S T  8)
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Kframe

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Re: What do all the F, K, K1, etc., designations mean?
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2010, 08:49:32 PM »
The 75 CB750F was actually designated by Honda as the 1975 CB750 K0 Super Sport.

F means F A S T  8)

Yep, my buddy says it means "F***! Another speeding ticket!"
 :D
-K
2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, ARK'd, Pods, TOR's, Napoleon's, Innovate G5 Air/Fuel Gauge, Ignition Relocation by D9, Stebel Nautilus, Avon Roadriders
1984 Honda Shadow VT700c, Stock
1974 Honda CB550K, In rehab
1986 Honda Helix