Hi Tom,
The swing arm footrests were maintained right through production on all but European spec bikes..ie it was "only" Europe who got the frame mounted pillion footrests. My bike is a '77 F2 USA & indeed (as you know) has the swing arm mounted 'rests. Oz definitely had swing arm 'rests... which would fit in with NZ I guess.
Why Honda had to make it do complicated is anyone's guess... the differently mounted horn I can understand (facing forward USA)... the side-stand which flicks up on ground contact... yea understand,... the F2 fuel tank cap (USA)... yea understand... the steering lock (USA via ign switch) don't understand... these could have so easily been applied across the board & could have surely saved Honda significant costs.
Lights etc a different matter... appreciated.
Cheers,
Simon