Topic: Project Centura

[JamesH]

Thanks to all those who helped identify the wheels in my latest project. Starting a new project thread here now to document the recommission.

I acquired this bike a few weeks ago from the nephew of the previous long term owner, who passed away a couple of years ago.

As I understand it, the bike was last used in the early 90’s and then mothballed.

The PO rode the bike extensively throughout the Uk and Europe, and covered most of the bikes 60k miles.

Photos as purchased…






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[JamesH]

[JamesH]

Pre-workshop 1st bath..

[denward17]

Interesting and nice looking bike!

Following for updates.  What's your plan for recommission?

[JamesH]

Plan is to gently recomission the bike, get her running and assess the state of the engine.

Then it will be a full strip and rebuild (not sure how far I’ll go with the engine as its running state will determine that).

Plan will be to try and pay homage to the history of the bike and rebuild as-is with as much of the existing components / accessories as possible (the fairing will stay).

But I’ll likely apply a few modern twists / upgrades….watch this space…

[MauiK3]

Watching and following.

[BenelliSEI]

Hello James! Cool find and will be watching with interest.

[Stev-o]

Wow, that cleaned up real nice. 

If it was last used before ethanol, the fuel system could be in better shape than expected.   But, of course depends if it was put away "wet" or not.  But typically when vehicles are "mothballed" they drain the fuel.

Good luck!

[MauiK3]

Nice project, is that a stock swing arm?
Looks like the side cover wing is pointing to the rear, common mistake.

[JamesH]

Thanks for the comments. It’ll probably be a ‘slow burn’ project, so I’ll update in stages as progress is made.

The tank is sadly shot internally - definitely stored with ethanol fuel and has rusted badly. I have a few other tanks to chose from.

Rear swingarm is an aftermarket box section - not 100% convinced it’s any better than the stock swingarm, which in my experience is pretty rigid for what it is. If a calfab swingarm landed in my lap somehow then it would be a nice replacement (flying pigs anyone lol).

More as it happens…


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