79/80 CBX Tank Decal Stripes - Correct Placement

[John S. (5594)]

When looking over a few CBX fuel tanks - I noticed that the tank stripe decal on my early model '79 Perseus Silver CBX is applied differently than the other four examples I have on-hand. Specifically - the lower tank stripe on the early model is positioned about a half-inch higher than all the others and with this stripe so positioned - it intersects the top-stripe at the tank's leading edge (actually overlaps a bit).

The other black '80 I own, and the three '79 tanks I have out for re-painting all have the decal stripes in the "lower" position (there is no intersection with the top-stripe at the tank's forward edge). Here is a photo showing the "lower' stripe position common to all but my early '79 tank:



And here is a link to some more crappy photos I shot this morning - please note the captions which show-up below each selected photo:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/34AC32CE2B740B2

It appears to me that Honda may have performed a "running change" in early production and moved the tank stripes to the lower position - visually more attractive in my opinion. I did not notice this until I parked my two silver bikes side-by-side.

I would appreciate learning if other owners have noticed this. Where are the stripes applied on your 79/80 original paint jobs?

Thanks in advance and all the best,

John
San Jose, California

[EMS]

John :you are on to something. I had the same experience with two (new)red tanks. On one, there was a gap between the stripes, on the other one, there was not. First, I thought the one tank was a repaint and I was concerned it was passed to me as a NOS. yhen I realized it would not fit my 79 frame, because the C-shaped mounting "hooks" on the bottom were closed towards the center of the tank and did hit the studs which were too long. Then I realized, I had an 80 tank.

[John S. (5594)]

Thanks EMS -

I too thought things were awry on my early '79 Perseus Silver tank - it is original for sure - not a refinish. But the stripes intersect - actually they overlap a bit:



I performed a search and pulled some stock photos (ncluding Cycle World's published road test of the '79) - none show this "high" and intersecting tank stripe placement. Based on everything so far - I would say that this decal placement is an anomaly (but it actually looks as though the designers originally intended it to be this way).

Maybe the assembler just had a bad/good day when they put my "overlapping" striped tank in for the clear coat.

And to think I actually used to pay more attention to my riding :)

Cheers,

John

[CRAZY DAVE]

I think you are correct about the high placement of the stripes on the one tank as a ' bad day' tank . I have both a 79 and 80 ( Oct. 78 and Sept 79) and they are both low. Just this weekend I went to an antique cycle show in St. Augustine and both of the CBX's in the show (79 and 80) had the low stripes and the early production ( April 78 ) in the parking lot was the same. I think it was just like when I worked at a Chrysler- Plymouth dealer in the early 70's and we received a Valiant sedan with Dodge Dart emblems on it! Somebody goofed and nobody caught it ( or said anything about it ) until it got to me. Man was the zone rep mad!

[Don]

John,



My '79 (which I'm 99.9% sure is not a reapint) looks just like the first picture you posted.



Comparing the two pictures you posted, the second one (with the stripes overlapping) sure looks to have much larger grained metallic in the paint than mine, or than the first picture you posted - The red stripe coming across the top of the tank isn't the same width as the one coming around the bottom either - They ARE the same on the first picture (and on my tank as well) - Are you SURE that the second photo isn't from a repainted tank??



Don

[John S. (5594)]

Hi Don,



The first photo of the Perseus Silver tank with "low" or more common stripe placement is a repaint - decals including stripes are from AFE Graphics in Canada. I had the paint shop place the decals exactly as the other four OEM tanks I have.



The second photo is indeed of an original 1979 tank - and this shows the "high" or uncommon stripe placement. Though a very nice low mileage example - the factory OEM paintwork does not match the quality of the tank which I had refinished (this - and my poor photography - may explain the apparent difference in finish).



It seems that the "high" stripe placement is certainly non-typical.



All the best,



John

[LarryW]

This bike is new and shows how this one left the factory.







A very nice, NEW silver 79 CBX.



I will posting more images of it at http://www.cbxsix.com

[LarryW]

This bike is new and shows how this one left the factory.







A very nice, NEW silver 79 CBX.



I will posting more images of it at http://www.cbxsix.com