| March 2011 | Restoration Notes |
Preface
Note-Remember this.Restoration
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These notes are intended to pass on things we have found
out as restorations have been completed. This will include in depth
investigations into how HONDA did things back in the late 50s and early
60's. We have discovered that nothing is set in stone when it comes to
how the early Japanese motorcycle market behaved and what we in the west
think of as logical doesn't always follow for the Japanese. I have been
helped by many owners some of whom have had vast experience in restoring
all nationalities of motorcycle but by far the most help has come from
Mr Kozo Kadomoto san in Japan. He is my Friend and Mentor for all things
HONDA. I thank him Nothing can be taken for granted when restoring a CB92, just because it looks like it's never been touched that counts for nothing, nearly Fifty years have gone by and our forefathers loved to mess about with bikes just like we do, so unless there is an unbroken line back to the shop you bike is undoubtedly not as it left HONDA. BADGES - the original badges were Gold, I have done lost of experiments and now believe the silver ones are gold ones that have been in the Sun. This started because I had a bike on show in a dealer and couldn't understand why one badge was silver and one gold even though they were both gold when fitted, when the bike was turned around amazingly it had two silver badges. PAINT - Four Colours are available, Red, Black, Dark Blue, and Light Blue. and that's it. Parts painted include Frame, forks, headlamp shroud, rear tail light, and centre stand although we have seen stands painted black on late '64 bikes. Early bikes '59-'60 had alloy parts (Tank, Side panels, which were painted silver. Top shock covers and handlebar clamps were polished and lacquered like the later style of hubs on '70s bikes. Early front mudguard was finished in the same anodised way as the levers etc Although later fenders were painted, White front edge was for Japanese market where it denoted a 125.) See fender section SEATS - Black, Red, Blue and Yellow seats are known. RACE SEATS - Normally black suede type material but some red ones are known in the US. RUBBER PARTS - White, Very Light Blue and Grey/Blue front mud-flaps are known. Black, Grey/Blue, and a Very Light blue rear mud-flaps are known. White, Very Light Blue, White and Grey/Blue caps are known for the pump. Tank knee grips are Black, although we have seen three version of the knee grip. An early glue on with ears, the one supplied for most years with ears and the latest after production version with no ears. CABLES - Very early bikes '59 and maybe into 1960 had very thin Grey/Silver cables with alloy grease nipples. Later bikes have the thicker Grey/Silver cables with steel plated grease nipples. HORNS - See horn section Honda Model Codes - check out link below http://www.oscarmayer.net/atc/manuals/honda_tips/UNDERSTANDING_HONDA_PART_.PDF
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