Thank you for your input and confirmation that I have the Honda wrinkle tank family covered. I'm a bit reluctant about adding Yamiya or any other aftermarket parts to the site for comparison sake. If it becomes a topic in the bulletin board that's one thing but to add them into the technical area of our site is another. Where do we stop? Tanks, switches, fasteners and so on?
I think it's best to keep the technical area of the site pure, with part numbers, vin break points and images of the original Honda parts as we know them. That's just my humble opinion.
Just on another note, it never ceases to amaze me how many running production changes were made on these machines and for what reasons. We know why the 19L tank was changed. They bring out the second design (mid run) with carb reliefs yet use an almost identical mounting pad footprint for the petcock. Then the long petcock comes along and they change the mounting pad footprint on the tank. Why not just use the longer petcock on the mid run tank? Why the need to make yet a 3rd stamping change? Maybe they found the longer petcock extended down too far and didn't look right on the mid run tank? Is there even a difference in the gap with one installed?
so after finishing this post, i realized it's a long one, so i ask those interested to please read through the whole darn thing.
i've never seen a yamiya body set. from what i'm reading, sounds like they're excellent copies, but distinguishable from original. unfortunately, I can't seem to find Gerard's post (it sounds like there is/was a post by Gerard that elicited Wayne's response.)
Certainly, if Yamiya parts have distinguishing characteristics from original parts, i do believe we need to know the differences from repro and original parts. So, it would be nice to have a way to keep record of these differences. Assuming there are differences between repro parts and original parts and no one knows it, then it makes all the later vins more liable to suspicion these machines are not built from original parts. The scenarios are numerous. Deceitful sellers. Pissed off purchasers. Possible, but unlikely significant devaluation of certain vin range values.
anyway.... SOOC's duty is to record all the characteristics of these machines as they came from the factory. It sounds like it's probably our duty to include reproduction parts. However, i agree with Wayne, to keep the technical site "pure." That is, reference to Honda oem parts only. And Honda oem parts is another issue, because parts manufactured in 1969 do not always look like parts manufactured in 1977 or 1983 or 1997, etc, etc. This creates another issue for the restorer as well as Wayne. if the restorer wants to make his restoration exactly original, then does he install a Honda oem part made in 1977 or 1997 that does not look exactly like the 1969 manufacture part ? How does Wayne obtain, much less identify differences in appearance between a 1969 built part and a 1977 built part ?
On the other hand..... Gerard has a good point, even though unfortunately i can't seem to find what he wrote. I assume Gerard's point is that because there are more and more repro parts available, we need to record and catalog these parts for comparison to Honda oem parts. Thinking out loud. Perhaps we need a category on the bulletin board where people can write in their findings, post pictures, differentiating Honda oem from repro parts. Then, as the list grows, we could consider adding a new section in the website as to repro parts. and perhaps also include differences between early production oem Honda parts and later production oem Honda parts.
As it stands, i appreciate and support Gerard's passion for preservation of correctness. And i very much empathize with what Wayne is going through, taking this massive project on. I know for a fact he has sat for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours in front of his computer monitor studying, organizing and reorganizing all the data he is faced with. Really an overwhelming job, even for someone with Wayne's prowess at the keyboard. That's only one reason why i turned over the website to someone who knows how to use a computer.
What everyone enjoys reading in this forum is obvious. Not the work of one enthusiast. NOR IS THE CONTENTS OF THE WEBSITE THE WORK OF ONE ENTHUSIAST. it's real easy to be an armchair team captain and say how things should be. It's another thing to be sitting in Wayne's chair.
So...... please, please, please, please..... if sandcast 750's truly are your heartfelt passion, please, please, please contribute what you know. as i've said numerous times in the past, this website is only as good as what is contributed. I'm sure Wayne would have no problem making a forum category for people to write in their findings on repro parts. That way, with a forum category, we could keep all our findings in one place. and as the list grows, decide what may need to be done with the list.
Right now, Wayne's got a big enough job doing what he is doing. I know, because i once sat in his chair. So, give Wayne your support. He needs more pictures of parts than are currently in the old website. Write in and send pictures of what you have. post pictures. We're friends here. We're fellow enthusiasts here. Someday, with life's good grace, we may meet face to face, shake hands and clap each other on the back.