I wish people wouldn't describe bikes as 'K0'. It is an incorrect term used retrospectively by dealers & enthusiasts, not used by Honda themselves..... In Japanese parlance, the 'K' is an abbreviation that means 'Improvement'. Clearly, the first model of any bike is not improved - Hence, the first model would be CB250, then subsequent models are labelled 'K1' 'K2' etc........
A simlilar popular misconception is the CB750 'Sand cast'. Despite common belief, the engine cases were NOT sand cast, but gravity die-cast in poorly finnished dies. Later bikes were pressure die-cast with much better quality finnish. The term 'sandcast' is now folklore, but quite incorrect.
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Thing is steve, here we have a thread arguing & debating what is original or factor, and what isn't, and we're all quite happy to use an erroneous model desgination!! Alot of people unaware oif this assume that it is what the factory desginated them & hence the error is perpetuated.......!!
Another one I hate is that the MotoGuzzi V-twin was originally desgined to suit a military three-wheeler. The designer himself has refuted this on many occasions (and the engines are quite dissimilar), yet even journalists still spout this rubbish as fact..........!!
Mate, I'm gonna debate this one with you, although I do capitulate to your standpoint. When a timer is started, it starts at 0; when JC was (supposedly!) born it was year 0, hour 0, minute 0...... We are born at 0 and age from there.
The term 'K0' is, I'd say, to discriminate between model-launch and subsequent improvements? Maybe not 'official' or 'documented', but 'understood to be'? Terminology..... Anyway, what's a 'zero' between friends? Don't shoot! Just because Mark Webber's weeeeeell behind Jenson! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 4947949777
Hi Wombat,
It's annoying, but you're right, I admitt. Indeed the model is a CB250K, and Honda did make them in two versions, right from the start. The two tone model is very well known, this on the other hand is not known as well. Can you also tell us in what numbers these are made ? And if Honda had a different code for it ? (other than CB250 K for both models) Thanks in advance, assembly of Japanese motorcycles requires great peace of mind (Pirsig)
Jensen / Rob, I'd hardly call it 'annoying'; mildly irritating, perhaps. Getting your 'old fella' caught in your zipper is annoying! Anyway, incorrect it may be, but at least we all know to which model we are referring! I shall still refer to 'first day cover' models in the same manner, as will, I'm sure, many others.
Forgot to say, Rob: megarespect to you for your knowledge on the Honda model ranges! Off at a tangent: I love Aussies' outlook on life......
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