Honda Super Sports

Honda entered the U.S. market in late 1959. The company sold less than 200 motorcycles in the U.S. in 1959, but of course that number would accelerate rapidly beginning in 1960, the first full year of Honda exportation to this country. Although Honda, both the man and the company, had been seriously involved with exotic, multi-cylinder engines in Grand Prix racing, with few exceptions the production models for the Japanese market were designed as strictly utilitarian transportation. As Honda got more involved with the American market of motorcycles as toys for sports enthusiasts instead of necessities for affordable transport, the company began to build more and more road sports models. This element of the company's production history can be clearly traced back to 1959.

Throughout the '60's, the Honda road sports models were designated with somewhat inconsistent nomenclature, and the particular characteristics inherent within the group were also variable. The bloodline officially begins with the 1959 125cc CB-92, even though it used a pressed steel frame and a single carburetor. The C-110 of 1960 probably belongs in this group. After all, it sported the Super Sport moniker as early as any model. For Tiddlerosis charting purposes, however, this model is included in the Honda Scrambler Chart because of its upswept exhaust pipe, which to most American enthusiasts is probably the single most distinguishing trademark of any street scrambler. Even though the C110 and the S65 arrived previously, for the purposes of this chart, the S90 with its downswept pipe is listed as the smallest of the Super Sport Hondas. By 1970 Honda had all of its designating ducks in order. The road sports models were all designated CB-cc displacement class. All the scramblers were designated CL-cc displacement class. Honda has continued to apply the Sport, Super Sport, and Hawk names to their sport models to the present day.

As stated in the intro above, the Honda Super Sports have been consistently inconsistent. If the Honda model in question is the fastest street model of that displacement for that model year, then, for the purposes of this chart, it is considered a Super Sport. All of the Scramblers were a tiny bit slower and a little more versatile than their Super Sport model equivalents. There is at least one exception to all of the technical specifications as listed here. All of the twins had dual carbs except the CB-92. Most of the front and rear wheel diameters were the same at eighteen inches. Most had tube frames, but some had pressed steel frames and some had hybrid pressed steel/tube frames. Handlebars never had a cross brace, but the height and width varied considerably. Some models had rubber knee pads on the gas tanks and some did not. Some had fenders higher than others. Some had styling as lean as that of the scramblers, but others did not. Onward through the CB-fog....

Year	Color Choices	Intake Manifold	Fenders	Handlebars
1964	Black - Scarlet Red - Blue - White	Convoluted	Silver painted	Low
1965	Black - Scarlet Red - Blue - White	Convoluted	Silver painted	Low
1966	Black - Scarlet Red - Blue - White	Convoluted	Silver painted	Low
1967	Black - Scarlet Red - Blue - White	Convoluted	Silver painted	Low
1968	Black - Red	More Direct	Chrome	High
1969	Black - Red - Candy Red - Candy Blue	More Direct	Chrome	High

All S90's had Y-shaped pressed-steel frames, 18" wheels, kick starters, OHC single-cylinder engines, four-speed transmissions, speedometer in the headlamp nacelle, body-colored rear shock covers, rubber gaiters over the front springs, and distinctively slender gas tanks with chrome side panels and rubber knee pads. The latest models had turn signals.

All models had SOHC engines with five-speed transmissions, single downtube frames, chrome fenders, 18-inch wheels, drum brakes, kick starters, turn signals, and separate speedometers.

All the Benly models had pressed-steel frames, leading link front suspension, uncovered chrome rear springs, SOHC twin engines with single carburetors, and silver painted front fenders, gas tanks, and side covers. The silver painted pieces were alloy on the early models and steel on the later ones. The CB-92R models had higher-tuned engines and a tachometer in place of the speedometer in the headlamp housing.

All models had SOHC twin engines with single CV carburetors, pressed-steel frames, instruments in the headlamp nacelle, rubber gaiters on the front springs, and four-speed transmissions. Note: At least one credible source has informed me that some SS-125's were painted yellow, a color that, according to the brochure chart, was reserved for the equivalent CL model, just as black was indigenous to the SS model. I cannot confirm the existence of yellow SS-125's, as I have never seen one, either in person or in a photo. I have never seen a black CL-125, either, but that does not prove they were never built and shipped to the USA.

Year	Colors	Tank	Fenders	Side Covers
1965	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue	Chrome Panels w/Pad	Silver Painted	Silver Painted
1966	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Chrome Panels w/Pad	Silver Painted	Silver Painted
1967	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Chrome Panels w/Pad	Silver Painted	Silver Painted
1968	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Chrome Panels w/Pad	Silver Painted	Silver Painted
1969	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Chrome Panels w/Pad	Silver painted	Silver Painted

All models had SOHC twin engines suspended from a tube frame painted the body color, four-speed transmissions, electric starters, instruments in the headlamp nacelle, and drum brakes. None had turn signals and all the headlights and front and rear shock covers were painted the body color. All blue models had blue seats.

Year	Colors	Tank	Side Covers	Rear Shock Covers
1969 - K3	Candy Blue - Candy Orange	Pad & White Lower Panel	White	Body Color
1970 - K4	C. Ruby Red - C. Blue Green - C. Gold	White Lower Panel	Body Color	Chrome
1971 - K5	Candy Red - Candy Gold	Two Black Pinstripes	Body Color	Chrome
1972 - K6	Light Ruby Red - Candy Gold	Wide Black Stripe	Body Color	Chrome
1973 - K7	Hawaiian Blue Metallic - Candy Orange	B & W Stripe	Body Color	Chrome

All models had single downtube frames, 18-inch wheels, SOHC twin-cylinder engines, five-speed transmissions, separate instruments, drum brakes, electric starters, and turn signals.

The CB-200 had a single downtube frame, 18-inch wheels, rubber gaiters on the front suspension and exposed, chrome rear springs, five-speed transmission, mechanical (non-hydraulic) front disc brake, separate instruments, electric starter, turn signals, and a distinctive, pleated, black vinyl strip down the center of the top of the gas tank.

Year	Colors	Handlebars	Fenders & Side Covers	Lower Fork Legs
1960	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Flat	Silver Painted	Body Color
1961	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Flat	Silver Painted	Body Color
1962	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Flat	Silver Painted	Body Color
1963	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Flat	Silver Painted	Body Color
1964	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Flat	Silver Painted	Body Color
1965	Scarlet Red - Black - Royal Blue	Low-rise	Silver Painted	Body Color

All models had SOHC, twin-cylinder engines suspended from body-colored, tube frames, body-colored, front and rear shock covers, speedo and tach in the headlamp nacelles, electric starters, and no turn signals. Note: Although production began in late 1960, there may never have actually been any bikes sold as 1960 models.

Year	Colors	Tach/Speedo Needles	Lower Fork Legs	Handlebars
1961	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Opposite Directions	Body Color	Flat
1962	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Opposite Directions	Body Color	Flat
1963	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Opposite Directions	Body Color	Flat
1964	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Opposite Directions	Body Color	Flat
1965	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Same Direction	Body Color	Low-rise
1966	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Same Direction	Silver Painted Alloy	Low-rise
1967	Scarlet Red - Black - Blue - White	Same Direction	Silver Painted Alloy	Low-rise
1968	Scarlet Red - Black	Same Direction	Silver Painted Alloy	Low-rise

All models had SOHC, twin-cylinder engines suspended from body-colored, tube frames, body-colored, front and rear shock covers, speedo and tach in the headlamp nacelles, electric starters, and no turn signals. The engine was bored out to 305cc over the regular Hawk's 247cc. White models had white fenders and side covers. All others had silver ones, just like all the CB-72 models. The last 1000 1968 models can be identified by their chrome fenders and oval taillamps. The early '68 models were replaced by the new 350's in the spring of 1968.

Year	Colors	Tank	Seat	Front Brake
1968 - K0	Candy Red - Candy Blue - Green	White Lower Panel - Pad	Plain	Drum
1969 - K1	Candy Red - Candy Blue - Green	White Panel w/Stripe - Pad	Plain	Drum
1970 -K2	Candy Ruby Red - C. Blue - C. Gold	Lower White Panel w/o Pad	Pleated	Drum
1971 - K3	Ruby Red - Green Metallic - C. Gold	Black Curved Stripe	Square Pleats	Drum
1972 - K4	Red - C. Gold - C. Olive - Maroon Mt.	Black Stripe w/White Pinstripe	No Pleats	Drum
1973 - G	C. Orange - Green Mt. - Purple Mt.	Black & White Stripes		Disc

All models had hybrid, pressed-steel and single downtube frames, 18-inch wheels, chrome rear shock springs, 325cc SOHC twin engines, separate instruments, electric starters, and turn signals.

All models had single downtube frames, 18-inch wheels, SOHC four-cylinder engines with four carburetors and exhaust pipes, chrome rear shocks, separate instruments, electric starters, and turn signals.

Year	Colors	Tank	Exhausts	Brake	Transmission
1974	Hawaiian Blue Mt. - Candy Orange	Black & White Stripes	Twin	Drum	6-speed
1974 - G	Hex Green Metallic - Candy Orange	Black & White Stripes	Twin	Disc	6-speed
1975 - T	Light Ruby Red - Candy Riviera Blue Mt.	Black & White Stripes	Twin	Disc	6-speed
1976 - T	Candy Ruby Red - Candy Sapphire Blue	B & W Pinstripes	Twin	Disc	6-speed
1976 - CJ - T	Candy Antares Red	Solid Body Color	2-into-1	Drum	5-speed
1977 - CJ - T	Candy Antares Red	Solid Body Color	2-into-1	Drum	5-speed

All 360's had SOHC, 356cc, twin-cylinder, twin-carburetor engines in a milder state of tune than those of their CB-350, 325cc older brothers. All models had single-downtube frames, Ceriani-type front suspension, uncovered chrome rear springs, separate instruments, and turn signals. The T models had body-color, one-piece seat cowls and rear fenders and body-color front fenders.

All CB-400 Super Sports had single-downtube frames, four-cylinder SOHC engines, four carbs, four-into-one exhausts, six-speed transmissions, Ceriani-type front suspension, uncovered chrome rear springs, separate instruments, front disc brakes, black headlamp nacelles, electric starters, and turn signals.

Year	Colors	Tank	Brake	Headlamp	Speeds
1966	Black	Chrome Panels	Drum	Black	Four
1967	Black	Chrome Panels	Drum	Black	Four
1968 - K1	Black - Candy Red - Candy Blue	Chrome Panels	Drum	Black	Five
1969 - K2	Candy Red - Candy Blue	Gold Stripe	Drum	Black	Five
1970 - K3	C. Ruby Red - C. Blue - C. Gold	White Stripe	Disc	Color	Five
1971 - K4	C. Red - C. Gold - Blue Mt. - Green Mt.	Black Stripe	Disc	Color	Five
1972 - K5	C. Brown - C. Olive - Ruby Red	Gold Stripe	Disc	Black	Five
1973 - K6	Green Metallic - Brown Metallic	Gold & Black Stripes	Disc	Black	Five
1974 - K7	Candy Orange - Brown Metallic	Gold & Black Stripes	Disc	Black	Five

All CB-450's had single-downtube frames, 18-inch wheels, dual CV carburetors, and DOHC twin-cylinder engines. These last two attributes were introduced on the 450 for the first time on a street production Honda. The original 450, nicknamed the Black Bomber, had a speedo and tach housed in the headlight nacelle, humpback gas tank, silver painted fenders, and black plastic upper shock covers. The K1 had a trimmed down tank, separate instruments, and chrome fenders and rear springs. The K2-K7's all had sleek, painted gas tanks, chrome fenders, separate instruments, and sportier suspension styling with rubber gaiters on the front and chrome rear springs with chrome upper covers.

Year	Colors	Tiny Windscreen	Seat	Exhaust
1959	Red - Blue w/Red Seat	Yes	Street Dual	Street Legal
1960	Red - Blue w/Red Seat	Yes	Street Dual	Street Legal
1961	Red - Blue w/Red Seat	Yes	Street Dual	Street Legal
1961 - Racer	Red	No	Single Racing Style	Megaphones
1962	Red - Blue w/Red Seat	Yes	Street Dual	Street Legal
1962 - Racer	Red	No	Single Racing Style	Megaphones