Motorcycle Repair: cl72 ID, honda scrambler, 6 digits

Question
Hi Bill.
 Could you please identify this s/n for me.
I know the CL72 was a 4 yr build but what year is this one?
CL72-400105
Engine 0172E400106

Red framed
Thanks for your expertise.
Paul

Answer
Paul,  Honda went a little crazy in 1964. They made bikes that had serial numbers beginning with 4, like yours, then they had other series of serial numbers that began with a 1 and had 6 digits, EXCEPT for the Scramblers, which had "11" numbers in the beginning of a 7 digit serial number.

Your engine number should be CL72E-400106, which is one digit off of the frame number, indicating the original factory pairing. Numbers almost never match exactly, but the 1964 series bikes often had numbers that were very close together.

From my Honda Scrambler Restoration Guide CD series:

Year Engine#          Frame#

1962 CL72E-210002-210654 CL72-20001-20650… last known
1963 CL72E-310001-317995 CL72-310001-317995
1964 CL72E-1100001-1109459 CL72-100001-1109459
1964 CL72E-4000001-4003437 CL72-400001-4003196
1965-1967 CL72E-1000001-1009471 CL72-1000001-1009471
1967 CL72E-15XXXX-15XXXX CL72-15XXXXX-CL72-15XXXXX Asian Market Type 2 versions not imported to the US.

Bill Silver
www.vintagehonda.com