Where was the ST built

[StinkyPete]

During a recent conversation, it was raised that the later versions of the ST were not built in Japan.   Can anyone shed light on where the various years of bike were built?   

[alans1100]

Here's a compliance plate showing the VIN......yours should be similar. If it's built in Japan the country code will be J... (first three charcters only) the 10th digit is the year code and the 11th is the plant code M in my case = Hamamatsu


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Honda_assembly_plants

[saaz]

As far as I know, all built at Hamamatsu.  Honda consolidated its production of the larger bikes at the one plant in Japan a while back, moving production of models like the Goldwing (built in the USA) back to Japan.  Smaller bikes can be made elsewhere in Asia to serve local markets.

[Biggles]

As far as I know, all built at Hamamatsu.  Honda consolidated its production of the larger bikes at the one plant in Japan a while back, moving production of models like the Goldwing (built in the USA) back to Japan.  Smaller bikes can be made elsewhere in Asia to serve local markets.

Mine has a "K" in that location.  In the Wikipedia reference that would appear to be Kikuchi although it is not specific in that there isn't a letter next to that plant in the table.  Wiki recognises these at Hamamatsu:

Honda CBR750 (bodies 1968-1971)
Honda CBR600RR
Honda CBR1000RR engines

and these at Kikuchi:  Honda CBR650, Honda Gold Wing

[alans1100]

As far as I know, all built at Hamamatsu.  Honda consolidated its production of the larger bikes at the one plant in Japan a while back, moving production of models like the Goldwing (built in the USA) back to Japan.  Smaller bikes can be made elsewhere in Asia to serve local markets.

Mine has a "K" in that location.  In the Wikipedia reference that would appear to be Kikuchi although it is not specific in that there isn't a letter next to that plant in the table.  Wiki recognises these at Hamamatsu:

Honda CBR750 (bodies 1968-1971)
Honda CBR600RR
Honda CBR1000RR engines

and these at Kikuchi:  Honda CBR650, Honda Gold Wing

There's a little reference number (5) where the plant code M is and if you select the link beside that number under references you will come to this site where the global plant codes are as well as country specific plant codes (bottom of page) and K does mean the plant you mentioned.

http://honda50.com/vindecoder/modelvindecoder.html

[Biggles]

Uhoh!

The "K" means Kumamoto Factory in Japan according to the last panel on that page.
Then when I researched further, that's the name of the Prefecture, and the city within it is Kikuchi.
Whew!
This motorcycling ain't as simple as folks would have you believe!

[tj189]

another link to see how it all works - aimed at the Honda ST models
http://www.st-riders.net/index.php?topic=3485.0