1971 CB500 K0 Colours

[gvhbiker]

I'm looking at an early CB500 K0. The paperwork says it was sent from Japan in September 1971, first registered in the UK in early 1972. I'm told it was in the first batch to reach the UK. The bike is original and unmolested. Just 2 owners & seems to have excellent provenance.
The paintwork looks totally original and is in black. I can find photos of black ones on the internet but I can find no reference of this being a standard colour scheme for the K0. Does anyone know if it was, or have an explanation?
Many thanks
Geoff

[AshimotoK0]

Seems it was but not in USA. so if JDM it could well be correct

Here's it's press release (you need Google translate )

http://www.honda.co.jp/news/1971/2710302.html


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[Trigger]

Need  to know numbers and pictures to confirm.

[JamesH]

If it's JDM it'll have the red speed warning lamp built into the steering stem top nut, and the rear tyre decal will be in Japanese...show us some pics / numbers and we can help more...

[Bryanj]

September 71 is probably a K1 and UK had black

[AshimotoK0]

September 71 is probably a K1 and UK had black

Won't the manufacture date be earlier though Bryan , say July, August 1971? Sounds an interesting bike we need pics though.

[Bryanj]

Model year build usually starts July/August of year before Ash

[AshimotoK0]

Model year build usually starts July/August of year before Ash

It still will be interesting to see pics / numbers Bryan... he is describing it as a K0 so we can only assume it's correct unless the numbers/pics prove otherwise. The usual give away is the seat cover pattern and very shallow grab-rail /rear mudguard & lamp holder I believe. I would imagine there would have been all sorts of individual imports by people fed up of waiting for Honda U.K.  to officially import it.

[deltarider]

http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac500/CB500_76-K-K1-K2/CB500K-K1-K2_05.pdf
p.73 denotes which markets had that colour: D, E, ED, F, G, H and U.

[Trigger]

The 500K0 was never officially imported for the UK market 

[deltarider]

The 500K0 was never officially imported for the UK market

  As demonstrated in that parts list.

[Trigger]

The 500K0 was never officially imported for the UK market

  As demonstrated in that parts list.

But, there were a few 500K0's imported to the UK as press bikes, they don't appear in any parts lists but do exist....here is mine

[gvhbiker]

Need  to know numbers and pictures to confirm.

Can't do pictures yet - I've not got access to it as, at this point, I've just said I'll have it if the provenance is correct, but the numbers are as follows:

Frame:CB500 1015193
Engine: CB500E 1015492

[Trigger]

Need  to know numbers and pictures to confirm.

Can't do pictures yet - I've not got access to it as, at this point, I've just said I'll have it if the provenance is correct, but the numbers are as follows:

Frame:CB500 1015193
Engine: CB500E 1015492

Numbers are saying it is a early K0, we have a member on here that has a 1015***
Still need pictures to say if is correct or not

[Kev]

Hi, my 1972 K1 is black and not an American import.