Author Topic: CB500/4 K0 UK bike  (Read 3129 times)

Offline Trigger

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #30 on: October 13, 2017, 08:43:12 PM »
That's fantastic Trigger and something to aim for. I have the same engine crash bars and a period 'screen flow' topbox (think i'll give that a miss)
Should i rechrome the rims which are corrosion (and chrome) free, or go for new with stainless spokes? Now the questions have started ha ha.
 Huge gratitude for all your input. David M

The K0 in the picture was built as a usable bike, rebuilt the engine as the gear box had failed. The crash bars were a extra and the non STD parts are the stainless spokes, painted black hubs and the mirrors and it is still regularly in use today.

Offline Bryanj

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #31 on: October 13, 2017, 10:46:18 PM »
The vin quoted was probably BUILT in 11/71 as one starting 1048 was (US bike confirmed by vin plate)

That means it could be a late K0 or an early K1 as the model build year usually started late the year before so they could be on the sales floor early in the model year. My ID book gives start of model year numbers but i don't got it to hand

EDIT 2

Just found book, anything starting 1 is K0, 2 is K1 (starts 4/72), 21 is K2(unless in UK)
« Last Edit: October 13, 2017, 10:56:49 PM by Bryanj »

Offline Trigger

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #32 on: October 14, 2017, 07:25:36 AM »
The vin quoted was probably BUILT in 11/71 as one starting 1048 was (US bike confirmed by vin plate)

That means it could be a late K0 or an early K1 as the model build year usually started late the year before so they could be on the sales floor early in the model year. My ID book gives start of model year numbers but i don't got it to hand

EDIT 2

Just found book, anything starting 1 is K0, 2 is K1 (starts 4/72), 21 is K2(unless in UK)

The VIN quoted is 1014 Bryan, I would put that in around May 1971 build. Out of interest as you have number 36, what is the VIN build on your bike mate.

Offline Bryanj

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #33 on: October 14, 2017, 10:09:31 AM »
No 36 was 2/71 and I misread the post number as 104 so 1013 was 5/71 and 1016 7/71 so yes may would be somewhere handy. Apologies for mistake, i had been awake 28 hours by then!!

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #34 on: October 14, 2017, 10:42:46 AM »
Is this numbering scheme and dates only applicable to UK bikes?  If not, I'd like to throw my bike's numbers into the mix so to speak!
 
Andy

1971 CB750K1
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
1978 Suzuki GS750E
Previously....
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1979 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline Bryanj

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #35 on: October 14, 2017, 12:31:56 PM »
No it isn't just UK bikes, in fact later UK bikes are bloody awkward as they are all K1's made alongside K2's for the rest of the world and what looks like a 72/73 number is in fact 75/76.

Please add your details, obviously you wont have a build date only a registered date but I can give you an estimate of build date although with the new rolling 40 year exemption it is now getting a bit academic as all the 500's are over 40 years old except for maybe a few imported 500K3(which never was officially imported to UK)

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #36 on: October 15, 2017, 08:00:29 AM »
Engine: 2153097
Frame:  2064562

Seems to suggest I have a K1 frame with a K2 engine, but I honestly have no idea how AUS bikes were originally set up.
There is no compliance plate on the steering yoke, but I believe these didn't come into play until 1973 in AUS.
Andy

1971 CB750K1
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
1978 Suzuki GS750E
Previously....
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1979 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline Trigger

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #37 on: October 15, 2017, 08:48:47 AM »
Engine: 2153097
Frame:  2064562

Seems to suggest I have a K1 frame with a K2 engine, but I honestly have no idea how AUS bikes were originally set up.
There is no compliance plate on the steering yoke, but I believe these didn't come into play until 1973 in AUS.

I don't think you had a K2 in Australia ? So, the numbers worked the same as the UK. Frame 20 identifies it as a K1 and the Engine 21 is because it is a 1973, 1974 or 1975. Very common to see this and is original   ;)

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #38 on: October 15, 2017, 09:38:13 AM »
Thanks for that Graham!  It's nice to know the bike isn't a "bitser"!
According to CMSNL's list, only the US got the K2.  I don't know how accurate that list is.  I imagine Bryan would have a pretty good idea though. :)
Andy

1971 CB750K1
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
1978 Suzuki GS750E
Previously....
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1979 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline deltarider

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #39 on: October 15, 2017, 11:49:44 AM »
Quote
Thanks for that Graham!  It's nice to know the bike isn't a "bitser"!
According to CMSNL's list, only the US got the K2. I don't know how accurate that list is. I imagine Bryan would have a pretty good idea though. :)
CMSNL's list is not perfect. For instance, there was a CB500K2 (ED, F, G) marketed in continental Europe in 1976 that is different from the earlier CB500K2 marketed in the US in 1973. Unfortunately CMSNL doesn't provide the fiches nor the Parts List, but... there's Honda4Fun that does: http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac500/CB500-76/CB500-76_1.pdf
When I compare the numbers you posted to the serial numbers on p.4 of that Parts List, yours is not a CB500K2 (ED, F, G). Nevertheless I thought it a good idea to inform readers there was such a model. At http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb500 you'll find all CB500 Parts List. The serial engine- and frame numbers are in the first few pages of every list, so you can pick the right one. When you go through the list, there's the area code to observe. They are also listed in the first few pages of every list. The area code for Australia is "U".
« Last Edit: October 15, 2017, 11:54:01 AM by deltarider »

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #40 on: October 15, 2017, 12:04:15 PM »
Just out if interest Delta, do you own Honda4fun or work on a commission from them?, as you reference them regularly. I have rarely found anything on the site that I haven't been able to find elsewhere, and as with most other sites their information can be totally misleading at times.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline deltarider

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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #41 on: October 15, 2017, 12:21:00 PM »
Quote
Just out if interest Delta, do you own Honda4fun or work on a commission from them?, as you reference them regularly.
No, I don't own it and as far as I know nobody works on a commission. It's a site just like this here. IMO they're best in providing documentation. They have proved me to take this very serious from the beginning. What a strange question, if you allow me to say. 
Quote
have rarely found anything on the site that I haven't been able to find elsewhere,
O, there's lots. Here's an example: scroll down http://www.honda4fun.com/home/faq/generali/111-cb500-differenze-k0-k1-k2 Apart from that, they offer the most comprehensive collection Parts Lists for the CB500/550 series. Most of them are in paper edition on my desk, btw. But maybe you're right. By now a lot must have been copied by others.
Quote
and as with most other sites their information can be totally misleading at times.
I'm confident you'll give us examples to substantiate you allegation. In the meanwhile can I be of any assistance with a specific question you have right now? Do you happen to  speak/read Italian? French maybe? I have a very good 100p. document about the CB500/550 in French. It's 163.879 kb however.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2017, 12:42:35 PM by deltarider »

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: CB500/4 K0 UK bike
« Reply #42 on: October 15, 2017, 12:29:45 PM »
My question was not an allegation, it was a question, it is how I learn. No, I don't speak Italian, I find I can gain enough information from the English written language, and no, I do not wish to provide a specific example or for you to provide a specific answer as it was a generalised observation.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2017, 12:45:48 PM by Nurse Julie »
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

 

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