Author Topic: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)  (Read 15392 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Online newday777

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,346
  • Avatar is my 76 K6 in Colorado w/Cody on back 1980
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #75 on: March 11, 2026, 07:46:42 PM »
😎
Very nice James
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 1 K2, 4 K6, 1 K8, 1 F1, 1 F3
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,398
  • Old guy
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #76 on: March 16, 2026, 07:46:13 AM »
It just does not get any better.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #77 on: March 22, 2026, 02:04:50 PM »
Thanks for all the comments guys - and apologies for the stop/start nature of posting the last few weeks.

She’s finally finished and ready for the road.

I’m hoping to get her out on the road in about 10 days time - day job is a bit crazy until then.

Fingers crossed we have a spell of good weather - I’ll get some proper photo/video footage and post up here as soon as I can.

Thanks for following along so far…

James


Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,640
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #78 on: March 22, 2026, 07:10:36 PM »
Wow! I hope my bike doesn't see this, or I could be in real trouble with it...
;)
See SOHC4shop.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book
Link to My CB500/CB550 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?sortBy=RELEVANCE&page=1&q=my+cb550+book&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00
Link to website: https://sohc4shop.com/  (Note: no longer at www.SOHC4shop.com, moved off WWW. in 2024).

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,398
  • Old guy
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #79 on: March 23, 2026, 07:59:19 AM »
James
I nominated you for Bike of the Month, do you accept?
I also need a second, not hard to do I assume :-))
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline Kelly E

  • Geriatric Hooligan
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,875
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #80 on: March 23, 2026, 08:36:42 AM »
James
I nominated you for Bike of the Month, do you accept?
I also need a second, not hard to do I assume :-))

I'll second the nomination.
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Oly

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 164
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #81 on: March 23, 2026, 09:39:05 AM »
Awesome job on the "Silver Bullet"...very unique.  Honda should have produced it that way originally.
Silver/Black and Chrome goes together so well!  Great job.
1971 CB750 K1
1967 BSA 441 Victor
1966 Yamaha 250cc YDS3c Big Bear Scrambler

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #82 on: March 23, 2026, 11:24:38 AM »
James
I nominated you for Bike of the Month, do you accept?
I also need a second, not hard to do I assume :-))
Ahh thanks guys, much appreciated. Happy to accept.

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 35,364
  • Central Texas
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #83 on: March 23, 2026, 12:48:52 PM »
  Honda should have produced it that way originally.

I believe Silver was a JDM color.  Or UK too?

GREAT job, James.   Bike of the Year!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Oly

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 164
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #84 on: March 23, 2026, 06:28:54 PM »
  Honda should have produced it that way originally.

I believe Silver was a JDM color.  Or UK too?

GREAT job, James.   Bike of the Year!

Didn't know..... I sure like it!
1971 CB750 K1
1967 BSA 441 Victor
1966 Yamaha 250cc YDS3c Big Bear Scrambler

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,292
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #85 on: March 23, 2026, 06:48:15 PM »
She came out Excellent  :) as a fully restored,stock bike.
I miss the original restoration plan you had,and those nice wheels which were on it.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2026, 12:42:00 AM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #86 on: March 24, 2026, 01:31:01 AM »
She came out Excellent  :)
Sorry to see the Rickman fairing not included.
Fair comment re. fairing - but given I had the silver paint set on the shelf, trying to colour match it would have been a nightmare.

Add to that I actually hated the ergonomics of the fairing when sitting on the bike, I decided against using it.

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,292
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #87 on: March 24, 2026, 06:58:29 AM »
She came out Excellent  :)
Sorry to see the Rickman fairing not included.
Fair comment re. fairing - but given I had the silver paint set on the shelf, trying to colour match it would have been a nightmare.

Add to that I actually hated the ergonomics of the fairing when sitting on the bike, I decided against using it.

The fairing didn't look to be meant for Touring:more for tucked Sport riding.
I like it,as it has nice lines !
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #88 on: March 24, 2026, 06:59:52 AM »
She came out Excellent  :)
Sorry to see the Rickman fairing not included.
Fair comment re. fairing - but given I had the silver paint set on the shelf, trying to colour match it would have been a nightmare.

Add to that I actually hated the ergonomics of the fairing when sitting on the bike, I decided against using it.



The fairing didn't look to be meant for Touring:more for tucked Sport riding.
I like it,as it has nice lines !

Lol - pay for the postage to the US and you're welcome to it. Perdonally I think it's a bit of an abomination ha ha, but each to their own..:-)

Even with the clubman bars fitted, the fairing 'pinched' your hand on the lever on lock-to-lock.

The UK bars I used just wouldn't have worked with it. I'm not a form over function guy...

« Last Edit: March 24, 2026, 07:04:13 AM by JamesH »

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,292
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #89 on: March 24, 2026, 07:07:54 AM »
She came out Excellent  :)
Sorry to see the Rickman fairing not included.
Fair comment re. fairing - but given I had the silver paint set on the shelf, trying to colour match it would have been a nightmare.

Add to that I actually hated the ergonomics of the fairing when sitting on the bike, I decided against using it.



The fairing didn't look to be meant for Touring:more for tucked Sport riding.
I like it,as it has nice lines !

Lol - pay for the postage to the US and you're welcome to it. Perdonally I think it's a bit of an abomination ha ha, but each to their own..:-)

Even with the clubman bars fitted, the fairing 'pinched' your hand on the lever on lock-to-lock.

The UK bars I used just wouldn't have worked with it. I'm not a form over function guy...

The shipping price from the UK is out of my league;I would be Glad to own it,as it would be wonderful on one of my bikes. The area around the bars may need some trimming:no problem.
A vintage rider over there will Love That Rickman !!
« Last Edit: March 24, 2026, 07:11:48 AM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #90 on: March 24, 2026, 07:21:07 AM »
On eBay for 2 months with no takers. Destined for the rubbish dump now sadly.

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,398
  • Old guy
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #91 on: March 24, 2026, 07:52:03 AM »
A beautiful bike indeed. Another one resurrected to keep on showing what a beautiful motorcycle should look like. Long live SOHC Hondas!!
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,292
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #92 on: March 24, 2026, 07:54:29 AM »
On eBay for 2 months with no takers. Destined for the rubbish dump now sadly.

A nicely shaped shield on it also.
I know it will need to go by boat,because of the size/weight.

I may be looking in the Wishing Well,but done that before.
How much to ship(on the slowest boat to the West Coast,USA:I'll drive to the dock)to Davis,CA. 95616 ?
« Last Edit: March 24, 2026, 08:27:35 AM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #93 on: March 25, 2026, 07:06:53 PM »
Hate to say it but the fairing went to the rubbish tip today. In reality noone here wanted it, was taking up a load of space, and shipping would have been a nightmare for all involved.

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,292
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #94 on: March 25, 2026, 10:56:02 PM »
Hate to say it but the fairing went to the rubbish tip today. In reality noone here wanted it, was taking up a load of space, and shipping would have been a nightmare for all involved.

I see.

I would have claimed it,if I lived close enough. 
« Last Edit: March 27, 2026, 12:29:16 AM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,398
  • Old guy
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #95 on: March 26, 2026, 07:45:52 AM »
Sometimes, some stuff just has to go in the trash.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline seanbarney41

  • not really that much younger than an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 11,226
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #96 on: March 26, 2026, 10:57:28 PM »
Hate to say it but the fairing went to the rubbish tip today. In reality noone here wanted it, was taking up a load of space, and shipping would have been a nightmare for all involved.
that's a real shame, as is the loss of all those other period performance parts.  I was excited to see you restore something unique and different.  Stopped following this thread when I saw it was just going to be returned to another perfect correct restoration.  Here in the U.S., any kind of period road racing/sport parts are virtually unobtainable.  Bone stock K2 restorations?...not so much.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #97 on: March 27, 2026, 01:53:06 AM »
Hate to say it but the fairing went to the rubbish tip today. In reality noone here wanted it, was taking up a load of space, and shipping would have been a nightmare for all involved.
that's a real shame, as is the loss of all those other period performance parts.  I was excited to see you restore something unique and different.  Stopped following this thread when I saw it was just going to be returned to another perfect correct restoration.  Here in the U.S., any kind of period road racing/sport parts are virtually unobtainable.  Bone stock K2 restorations?...not so much.


Fair comments, SeanBarney, and ultimately I went with the most cost-effective route to recommission the bike for my use, using as many parts I already had here in stock.

It's my 50th Birthday Present to myself, and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

And, to be perfectly honest, don't blame you for not following - but equally couldn't care less about your expectations/choosing not to follow lol! - it's for me, not you right?

I do however appreciate that everyone is entitled to an opinion :-).
« Last Edit: March 27, 2026, 08:51:30 AM by JamesH »

Offline Kelly E

  • Geriatric Hooligan
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,875
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #98 on: March 27, 2026, 08:29:09 AM »
With parts like that if they don't eventually sell I give them away instead of throwing them away.
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline JamesH

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: Project Centura (The Silver Bullet)
« Reply #99 on: March 27, 2026, 08:44:55 AM »
Trust me, I tried, I really did.

I literally couldn’t give them away to anyone local.

The parts that were more feasible to ship were sold (wheels, swingarm) and helped fund the build.

The rearsets were given to a mate who’s using them on a future project. It was really just the fairing that was the sticking point, and I lost count of the nunber of times I tripped over it in the garage…