After exchanging emails with noted early Honda experts such as Bill Silver and Ray Davis (both of whom directed me to the other
), I found some interesting data. It was suggested that I review the parts manuals for clues, which I did in great depth. Finding nothing, I dug deeper, reviewing CA95 parts microfiche, when I found a frame and engine index. The numbers seemed to be good, although I found no data for the '59 or '66 model years. Could the '59, being in very low numbers, have had a special set of numbers? Perhaps this fiche was published before the '66 model year? Not sure, but I'm interested in your thoughts.
I searched for the frame and engine numbers that others have posted online, and they seem to fit these ranges. Regardless, I consider this to be a 'draft' copy, subject to change.
My own '65 CA95, CA95-5016546, fits. This would suggest that my CA95 is number 16,546 of 19,831 built that year.
* I noticed that the 1965 engine and frame number ranges are similar, but I double-checked the microfiche and confirmed what was listed.
So, having some fun with the numbers...
1) The "early" CA95, sold '59 into mid-'63, is much less common than the "late" CA95.
2) Since the "late" CA95 started with frame number CA95-3106641 in 1963, that splits the 1963 production into 6640 "early" models and 5960 "late" models.
3) The 1964 and 1965 models are the most common, while 1960 and 1961 should be the "rarest" (aside from the few '59s that were sold by Honda's 15 dealers by the end of that year)