[ridingmusician]

HI Guys, been reading the forum for a bit. Long time Honda owner and picked up a 1966 Honda CB450, but are all 1966 models considered the K.O. model? If not, what will it say on the vin number or other part of the bike whether it is a KO model or not? What is the difference if any? Thank you,.

 

[mike in idaho]

It'll just say"CB450" on the vin. Honda didn't start the "K" designation until later.

 

[ridingmusician]

Got ya, so is a 1966 the same as a KO? Even if it does not say K on the vin?

 

[Rizingson]

Yes, a 1966 CB450 is a K0.

 

[12ozPBR]

The only distinction I can think of on a 450 is a K1 general export model. Those actually have “K1” in the vin number. However, if your bike is truly a ‘66 CB450 then none of this would apply to yours.

 

[Honda John]

HI Guys, been reading the forum for a bit. Long time Honda owner and picked up a 1966 Honda CB450, but are all 1966 models considered the K.O. model? If not, what will it say on the vin number or other part of the bike whether it is a KO model or not? What is the difference if any? Thank you,.

Hello, Honda motorcycles did not have "model years" until 1974 or later.
The CB 450K0 model was a 4-speed model sold from 1965 to 1968, all 3 years of production were a CB450 Super Sport, (CB450K0). Model years were not assigned to this model, and little changed during 3 years of production.
The CB450K1 was a 5-speed model sold in 1968 and 1969.
The CB450K2 was also sold in 1969.
The CB450K3 was sold in 1970. CB450K4 sold in 1971. CB450K5 sold in 1972, CB450K6 sold in 1973.
CB450K7 was the first with a "model year" assigned by Honda, it is a 1974 model.
Models with a "K" series designation do not have a VIN that shows a "K" in the VIN.
"Model Years" were not designated by Honda to any models prior to 1974.
"Sell date" and "release date" are published in "Honda motorcycle identification guide".
Correct replacement parts ordering required the frame or engine number, as many small changes were made "on the fly" during production, and a "model year" did not apply.
Photo has CB450K0 Good Luck, HondaJohn

 

[12ozPBR]

Models with a "K" series designation do not have a VIN that shows a "K" in the VIN.

Except the example that I mention, but I digress.

 

[Pete W]

HI Guys, been reading the forum for a bit. Long time Honda owner and picked up a 1966 Honda CB450, but are all 1966 models considered the K.O. model? If not, what will it say on the vin number or other part of the bike whether it is a KO model or not? What is the difference if any? Thank you,.

HI Guys, been reading the forum for a bit. Long time Honda owner and picked up a 1966 Honda CB450, but are all 1966 models considered the K.O. model? If not, what will it say on the vin number or other part of the bike whether it is a KO model or not? What is the difference if any? Thank you,.

Hi i just thought id say. One of the best Hondas I've ever owned was a 1966 cb450. Back in 1973/4. Although mine was not black it was originally red. but known as the black bomber. It was the most reliable bike never failed to start. Wish i still owned it.

 

[ridingmusician]

Hello, Honda motorcycles did not have "model years" until 1974 or later.
The CB 450K0 model was a 4-speed model sold from 1965 to 1968, all 3 years of production were a CB450 Super Sport, (CB450K0). Model years were not assigned to this model, and little changed during 3 years of production.
The CB450K1 was a 5-speed model sold in 1968 and 1969.
The CB450K2 was also sold in 1969.
The CB450K3 was sold in 1970. CB450K4 sold in 1971. CB450K5 sold in 1972, CB450K6 sold in 1973.
CB450K7 was the first with a "model year" assigned by Honda, it is a 1974 model.
Models with a "K" series designation do not have a VIN that shows a "K" in the VIN.
"Model Years" were not designated by Honda to any models prior to 1974.
"Sell date" and "release date" are published in "Honda motorcycle identification guide".
Correct replacement parts ordering required the frame or engine number, as many small changes were made "on the fly" during production, and a "model year" did not apply.
Photo has CB450K0 Good Luck, HondaJohn

HI Honda John, that is really neat thank you for the clarification. Is the 1966 also considered a "Super Sport"?

 

[ridingmusician]

Hi i just thought id say. One of the best Hondas I've ever owned was a 1966 cb450. Back in 1973/4. Although mine was not black it was originally red. but known as the black bomber. It was the most reliable bike never failed to start. Wish i still owned it.

HI Pete, red sounds really nice. I did not know they made them in red. What are you riding now?

 

[Honda John]

HI Honda John, that is really neat thank you for the clarification. Is the 1966 also considered a "Super Sport"?

Hello, my Honda books show the CB450 K0 (K-zero, not K- oh), and all the following CB450 models thru K7 as a "Super Sport", as were a number of other Honda models, including CB350, CB400F. Most CL models are referred to as a "Scrambler".
To the 12 oz PBR guy, thanks for the photo of the Vin with the "K1", I have never seen a K1 in a vin, and I started as a Honda dealership tech in 1968. Do you know if that is a non USmodel? Good Luck, HondaJohn

 

[12ozPBR]

To the 12 oz PBR guy, thanks for the photo of the Vin with the "K1", I have never seen a K1 in a vin, and I started as a Honda dealership tech in 1968. Do you know if that is a non USmodel? Good Luck, HondaJohn

Yes it is a General Export K1 450. These could be “generally exported” by Honda from Japan to undesignated other countries unlike the USA K1 which had components specific to the US market. It is not common to find the General Export model in the US nowadays but they do show up from time to time. I surmise that ones found in the US could have possibly been brought back by servicemen who had bought them while stationed overseas In the late sixties.