A suitable project for Display-less computing

On Thu, 17 Dec 2015, Mike Boyle wrote: Then you should start designing a database to keep track of the parts, and the ones that you have. You will need several boxes of punched cards, a sorter (084?), and a 407. Or, a TRS80 with two floppies is adequate (barely) to handle a reasonable inventory, if you want a screen. (I did that in 1979) In your time frame, all parts should have the "new" Honda part numbers, which were introduced in about 1966? although some parts would still be labelled with the old part code numbering system, which was a 5 or 6 digit number. The "new" part number system (still in use!) has multiple parts. The first field is normally 5 digits, although sometimes also suffix letter(s). Of those 5 digits, the first two are the "function number", followed by three digits of "component number". That pretty much tells you what the part is, although not enough to get the right one for your vehicle. The second field, separated by hyphens is the "product code" or "parts classification number", and is a three digit alphanumeric code for what model first used that part (NOT necessarily the model of your vehicle). For example, "001" was a C100 motorcycle, "500" was an S500 car (not imported into USA, although there are dozens of S600s in USA), "551" and "568" were AN600, "634" was a Civic, etc. The third field, usually 3 digits, but often exteded with suffixes, is 2 digits for modification number, and a digit for subcontractor. But "standard" parts, such as nuts and bolts, will sometimes use an alternate numbering system. The first field is two digits for function and 3 digits for type. The second field is dimensions. The optional third field is sometimes used for ISO designations. FINDING the right part requires extensive knowledge, including historical of which models previously used that part, and/or massive cross-referencing, such as using the Honda parts books to find the part in an exploded view and then treat the provided number as arbitrary. Parts books can be found. Dealer price lists are harder to come by. -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com (Honda cars 1965 - 1980)