CONFUSING ENGINE NUMBER ON MY 80 CBX

twinegar · Post by **twinegar** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:39 pm

The engine number SC03E-2003156 isn't even close to the frame number SC03-2011428. If there were only 4k+ 80's made why is the frame number so high and why isn't the two numbers closer together?

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:49 pm

They were never produced as frame/motor units to my knowledge. So many frames were built and so many motors were built. Matching numbers wasn't on their mind. On very early models some motors were used as test mules and never saw a buyer. It would be a real coincidence to have a truly matching number CBX.

twinegar · Post by **twinegar** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:53 pm

Thanks.

Don · Post by **Don** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:59 pm

twinegar wrote:The engine number SC03E-2003156 isn't even close to the frame number SC03-2011428. If there were only 4k+ 80's made why is the frame number so high and why isn't the two numbers closer together?

Your engine/frame number combination is pretty well within the 'expected range' . . . . numbers about 2000 apart

They made about 2000 '80's in Japan and when they switched over to production in Marysville, they started over with the frame numbers from zero (adding a '1' to them to indicate US production) but they just kept on going with the engine numbwers - So, a Marysville bike should have an engine number about 2000 higher than the frame number

From another thread on the subject (found using a search): It also confirms one of the things, Dave and I were contemplating. If the VIN-numbers on the U.S. made bikes switched from .. 0xxxx to 1xxxx but the engine numbers continued to run in their sequence, the Marysville bikes would have an engine number with the last 4 digits approx 2000 units higher than the last 4 digits of the VIN.

Don

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:19 am

Don explained it perfectly. Here are a few examples of Marysville made '80s where I have VIN and engine number:

SC03-20 10251 - SC03E-20 01866
SC03-20 11581 - SC03E-20 02887
SC03-20 11823 - SC03E-20 03551
SC03-20 12343 - SC03E-20 04494

The fact that they are not alwyas consistent as far as sequence is concerned is shown in the highest U.S. CBX VIN I have, which is
SC03-20 12721 which has engine number SC03E- 20 03611 which is quite a bit lower than the highest engine number on record.

twinegar · Post by **twinegar** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:25 pm

That clears it up so I have an American made CBX, pretty interesting. When I first glanced at the frame number I thought it was a 79 frame because of the ...20... in the number but the SC03 prefix belied that so I checked the Honda ID book and it showed ...21... in the 80 number so I came here for an answer.

The original side covers were missing tabs and someone had drilled holes and used alligator straps to hold them on so I replaced them painting them satin black thinking the glossy originals was wrong. On another post I was told that they are probably supposed to be glossy so I will just clear coat them.

Thanks for all the information.

daves79x · Post by **daves79x** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:27 pm

Look at your frame tag closely. It will say 'Made in USA of US and Japanese parts' . The Japan-made ones just say 'Made in Japan'. The details of the serial numbers have been explained quite well above.

Dave

twinegar · Post by **twinegar** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:27 pm

It does.
Thanks.

The International CBX Owners Association

CONFUSING ENGINE NUMBER ON MY 80 CBX

CONFUSING ENGINE NUMBER ON MY 80 CBX

Re: CONFUSING ENGINE NUMBER ON MY 80 CBX