[JapJohn]

Ok, so this is what I have to work with, a slightly uncared for ’66.

What I plan to do is a 100% accurate restoration. I understand I will more than likely have to get some of this stuff from ebay, but if it is out there in the deep depths of the internet I hope some one can point me in the right direction.

Some of the things I’m trying unsuccessfully to find…

New seat foam, I have found a couple of places that have the covers but no foam. The original seat pan is under there, I need hinges and a seat lock too.

Shocks. Can I get the covers and put them on some other shocks?

Tank badges, I’d like to get the original ones with the speed letters.

Air filter boxes. The rubber intakes on mine are dry rotted and cracked.

Correct mufflers. I have found some nice looking reproduction mufflers in England. Any thoughts on them? I try to find the link later today.

Handle bars. I have seen a lot of variation looking at old adds but don’t know which ones are the right ones for the ’66.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Doing a 100% accurate restoration is gonna cost you mega bucks! The mufflers for an early model alone, if you can find them, would break your bank. So is it gonna be a 100% original or just a really nice resto-mod?

GB :mrgreen:

 

[66Sprint]

Thanks GB...I was looking for the wording to say that tactfully....Yep, It's gonna bust hard on the bank accounts...... Steve

 

[JapJohn]

:lol: :lol: Yea, I guess there really is no nice way to tell a guy, "this is gonna hurt".

I posted this cry for help on the SOHC forum and one of the members has offered his help, he told me he spent $20K getting his back to 100% :shock: I literally choked on my corn flakes! And I thought parts for my H2-A were spendy.

I really want to get this 100% because the Black Bomber is too cool for school and mine is really close, minus the most expensive parts.

Oh well, time to bring the pain.

 

[GAMD5]

Hi Steve,
Well just to give you some idea :-
1 tank badge on ebay a couple of weeks ago fetched about $180 and was the first one I've seen in over 6 months.
Air filter boxes come on ebay quite often so not too bad to get.
Mufflers in UK are from Silvers are for K1 and cost £350.00 .You will then need an old pair to get the front mounting brackets,they can be ground off from the inside without drilling the original weld spots but are virtually non existant.I'm on my fifth rebuild and still looking for ones to complete others.
If you stick with the hi-rise bars then you'll be able to get correct length cables quite easily if you go lower then cables are difficult to get.
The attached pic is one that had clip-ons but the lowest of the metal shrouds look missing on your pic.I may have a couple of lower shrouds for gaiters but not full length type spare but they may want some work.Hope this helps.Regards Chris.

 

[GAMD5]

Hi Steve,
Just gone through over 30 old bomber pics from old mags and this is the only one I can find with a half painted black rear light mtg.Could it have started life like this?Sure Ray will know but a few close up pics may help.Can we see under seat please.Regards Chris

 

[JapJohn]

Chris thanks for the reply.

The mufflers from Silvers were the ones I found; I didn’t realize there was a difference on the mounting. Could you post some pictures so I can get a better idea of what I’m looking at?

Ok, about the handle bars. Are the ones in the picture you posted high bars? I’ve seen quite a bit of variation with the bars, I really like the ones in the picture you posted. Is there a specific name for these and or dimensions?

Thanks for the offer on the fork shrouds. I have a NOS set I scored on eBay for cheap.

I can take more pictures this weekend when I get home. Anything in particular I should snap?


Thanks again for the info; I really appreciate the advice/info.

 

[GAMD5]

Hi Steve,
I will go and put a brand new Silvers one against an original pipe and send you front & rear pics.Let me have your email address and I can send you more than 1 pic at once as I can only seem to add one at a time on this site and it takes me ages just replying to myself. I only restore to UK spec. so I'm not sure about the bars in pic,I've never seen a bomber with that type on it here in the UK.
Over time I've photographed dozens of pics before,during and after renovations so if you want a pic of anything let me know.If you go on the old cb450dohc site under pictures (Member GAMD5) & look under red project think its on about page 5 you will see about 3 or 4 pages of all my restorations.I dont think your seat is correct with the chrome edging ,think that was K1 but yours should hinge from side not rear, if it does maybe just the covering etc. is wrong.The more pics the better,have you checked engine & frame number for year etc.
Any help I can give email me a [email protected] Chris.

 

[JapJohn]

Thanks, email sent!

 

[Rayfromtheuk]

Hi JapJon. What you have is not too bad, but the guys are right, it can be an expensive restoration. You need deep pockets and lots of patience! I know Gordon spent in the region of $20K on his but it is a superb bike. I think his was expensive because he had some parts made? Do as much work as you can yourself. Try and find a cheap? donor bike, use the best bits, sell or trade what you don't need. Watch Ebay for parts, they do come up. Not all NOS parts are good buys especially if they still have to be restored. Get a good parts book or list. Many parts are specific only to the KO BB model but others are wrongly described as black bomber. Try dealers such as Western Hills Honda who quite often come up with the goodies at sensible prices. Dont be frightend of putting a "wrong" part back on until a better or best part turns up. Good chromework is expensive but essential. Pick the brains of fellow restorers, Chris has offered his help, take him up on it. Chris, the back light fitting is all black but it has a silver cover over part of it, from another model. You say you have not seen a high bar in the UK? I have one that I fitted out "US" style.
Good Luck and Regards,
Ray.

 

[GAMD5]

Replied direct to JapJohn don't know why I called him Steve, my apologies must have been multitasking or having a senior moment.Will post one of pics here for others to look at as well.
Ray- think you should retire and write a book you comments always make excellent reading I've asked for your comments re the "bug hope you get better soon" to be put in the Bible for Bikers.Think you should post the expereience re bomber restorations on this site for others to read.No truer words were ever spoken.Regards Chris.

 

[GAMD5]

picture2 -sorry only literate enough to add 1 pic at a time.Give me a spanner any day

 

[JapJohn]

Ray Thanks for the reply. I have emailed Chris and Gordon. I will gladly take their advice any day of the week, the BB predates me so my knowledge is nil, but I am willing to learn.

I guess I should have mentioned in my first post I am in no rush to get this fully restored ASAP. Right now I have become obsessed with sourcing ALL the correct parts. As I told Chris via email this will have to be a piecemeal operation for me so I am in no big rush to scab this together. Time, patience & persistence...

One good thing, she dose fire up! So I will do, check and fix everything necessary to make her road worthy and keep the fire stoked while I gather up all the necessary parts for her rebirth.

I see a recurring theme...$$$

Parts are out there to be had for a mint, just not in mint condition.

The hunt is half the fun, right

 

[GAMD5]

I'd rather use the spanners.Hunting can become monotonous especially when you don't shoot anything.So if you see any spare mainstands,chainguards,horn mounting bracket,whilst hunting that you don't want to bid on I'll be happy to let you hunt and send me a simple email. Regards Chris.

 

[GAMD5]

Hope this gets to top of page so exhaust pics on page two easy to find. Regards Chris.