VIN Matching
- Thread starter Epic_username
- Start date
The short answer is, yes.
By the numbers, ~185,000 CT70K0s were manufactured between 07/69 and 07/71. I'm rounding-up to consider the hiccups that occurred during June of `69 and since we don't know the exact date when production began...or the exact cutoff date in `71. Mathematically, that's ~7700 per month, ~46250 in six months. That doesn't take into account the H-model.
Bobby Cicc
New Member
I have a 1976 ct 70
Frame 2500188
Engine 2500017
Is that original or supposed to match
Frame 2500188
Engine 2500017
Is that original or supposed to match
airblazer
Active Member
That’s a match
. The numbers are almost never the same, and yours are close enough to believe they were paired together in the factory
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
1970-71 K2, Z50AE-431165 complete engine less stator cover. Last engine era of hardtails
I think this motor is from a K3.
If it has the manual cam chain adjuster...it's not from a hardtail.
monkeydad
New Member
I went by Mr Polson's book Honda Mini Trail Enthusiasts Guide
"1970-71 Z50A K2 Engine beginning and ending serial numbers: Z50AE-270236 - 999999"
"1972 Z50A K3 Engine beginning and ending and ending serial numbers: Z50AE-1000001 - 29999999"
If you have another source, I'd love to know about it. There are lots of sources out there.
monkeydad
New Member
Yes.
The author, Jeremy Polson, includes engine as well as frame number ranges for each "K" generation.
The quote I posted was for the engine, hence the serial number Z50AE (engine) versus Z50A (frame) prefixe.
Here is another source:
monkeydad
New Member
See @airblazer 's post #68 above. I can't speak of CT's, with authority but with Z50A's, engines/frames can be different and still original.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
I don't want to clog up this fine thread too much with a(nother) debate about matching engine numbers...but I will say that the books are wrong. I'm surprised that Polson didn't point it out in HIS book.
Ok...Polson DID mention it in his book...at least once. He's contradicting himself actually.
I'm not too well versed in early Softail engine numbers, but I don't think they starting using 7digit engine numbers until maybe the K5s.
Again...hardtail engines do NOT have manual cam chain adjusters.
When it comes to purist "correctness" of these bikes, matching numbers..."correct" parts, etc. We, here at lilHonda, ARE the judges and juries. We ARE the audience, AND the harshest critics. We ARE the collectors and the enthusiasts, and the folks who try, very hard, to KNOW what's right and wrong. We are often, the BEST place to find information that is correct and up to date.
Sometimes, the books are just wrong.
The very best proof that I can offer...
The books show CT70 HK1 engine numbers being 7 digits...but there are NO 7digit H engines...none.
Ok...Polson DID mention it in his book...at least once. He's contradicting himself actually.
I'm not too well versed in early Softail engine numbers, but I don't think they starting using 7digit engine numbers until maybe the K5s.
Again...hardtail engines do NOT have manual cam chain adjusters.
When it comes to purist "correctness" of these bikes, matching numbers..."correct" parts, etc. We, here at lilHonda, ARE the judges and juries. We ARE the audience, AND the harshest critics. We ARE the collectors and the enthusiasts, and the folks who try, very hard, to KNOW what's right and wrong. We are often, the BEST place to find information that is correct and up to date.
Sometimes, the books are just wrong.
The very best proof that I can offer...
The books show CT70 HK1 engine numbers being 7 digits...but there are NO 7digit H engines...none.
Last edited:
monkeydad
New Member
Thank you for chiming in and discussing! For sure this forum and the people in it are an awesome resource. Accuracy is as important to me as you.
Just to be clear that we are talking about the exact same thing, as interweb comms can be like playing telephone with two cans and a string
We are discussing engine Z50AE-431165
-I used two sources, Polson's book, and a guide I downloaded from http://www.shore50s.co.nz/uploads/2/9/8/9/29896235/honda_z50_identification_guide.pdf
If you or anyone here is familiar with this document, can you share who published it originally?
Very interesting quote from Polson's book it does contradict the screenshot below. I'll post photos of the engine in question.
