Banzai

I just acquired today a 1984 Centurion Elite frame in 4130 Cro-Moly. (Champion 2 frame). The best part is I got it for FREE! The owner didn't want it, and said that it was "all rusted" and just taking up garage space. As a decent wrench I've been wanting to restore a nice Japanese bike for a while...and here was my chance!

I was a bit worried about the description of "all rusted" but on closer examination it appears to be only surface rust. (I hope I'm right.)

This bike to me is screaming fixie or single-speed. But perhaps internal hub as well. (Though I don't know how that will work with 126mm spacing.)

I'm thinking about stripping the paint, sanding and finishing the rust off, (or chemically removing???) and then painting it a shiny dark blue. Maybe I'll actually put a geared system on, since those old top mount Suntour friction shifters are pretty neat.

Anyhow, this is my find. Any advice on how to pretty up that frame is appreciated.

Banzai

Wow...not a single reply.

I suppose I thought this would prove a little more interesting. Oh well...I'll start figuring out how to refurbish that frame...

alicestrong

Hey I have a bike like yours...love it by the way...I'd reply but I don't know anything about rust...

I could fake it for ya...

Banzai

Thanks for the reply, Alice. I do appreciate it even if you don't know about rust.

The solutions I have seen are:

1) Sand and repaint. Sanding may or may not be thorough enough, depending on the extent of the damage.

2) Sandblast. Don't have that equipment. I'll have to find someone.

3) Oxilic (sp?) acid bath. Pretty hardcore there.

Possibly a phosphoric acid dip before it gets repainted...and then prime and repaint. Maybe I should look of an auto paint shop around, see if they can help me out.

From there, the question is...how to actually rebuild this thing? So many possibilities...

alicestrong

You saw this bike, right? It looks like yours right down to the color...

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/centurio...8elite-rs.html

Here's my Centurion...

As for your rust question, give folks a little more time to reply...

the royal 'we'

I'd say just go over it with sandpaper, just to rough up the surface of the existing finish and smooth out any rust, and prime/paint over that. IME, it's way harder to get new paint to stick to a bare metal frame than it is to get it to stick to the old paint.

Though if you can find a place in your area that'll do it, powdercoating is totally worth the extra cost, and a lot of shops will include an acid dip/basic prep work in the price.

JunkYardBike

The Sheldon Brown site also has a nice write-up about Centurions: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion/index.html. It appears the RS Elite was middle of the pack, with, as you point out, nice Tange #2 main triangle. The Suntour Cyclone bits are also highly regarded.

Be sure you to visit this thread as well to register your frame : https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/170942-centurion-serial-number-database.html

As for painting, do a search of the forums. A sandblast and powdercoat will cost at least $200 if professionally done, depending on your location. A DIY job may be fun, but unless you really know how to prep the frame, use high quality paint, and clearcoat, it's likely to look awful in little time. Of course, I've never tried, so this is just a second hand opinion.

If you decide to go the professional route, consider what type of frameset you could buy for $200-$300.

Why not just address the existing rust and touch it up? It doesn't look all that extensive. Looks to be superficial, as you say.

Have you removed the seatpost yet? Might want to do that before considering paint!

Banzai

That's kinda what I'm worried about...

Probably not a lugged Cro-Moly or Reynolds frame. I bought my Nashbar X frame for that price range, and I love it to death and use it as my primary commuter. However, it is a TIG welded Al frame. In the intervening hours since I started asking the questions, the thought of having this frame powder coated in something close to the orginal color seems more and more appealing.

It does look to be that way. However, it's widespread enough that I don't think a touch up will do the job attractively I may miss more rust under the existing paint that's spreading.

This weekend the seatpost, bottom bracket, and everything else is coming off. Then I'll be able to get a better look at what the actual condition of the frame is. Maybe I'll just pull the seatpost tonight. Hopefully the Al seatpost hasn't chemically welded to the steel lug.

JunkYardBike

Have you had a chance to ride the Centurion frame yet? Sure you'll like it, as you like the Nashbar? Might be a good idea to build it inexpensively first to see how you like the ride before taking the plunge to paint it. Or are you like me: the idea of building it up once is exciting, but tearing it down and building up again seems like a chore?

Banzai

I think I'm a bit like you in that regard, JunkYardBike...

Not just that it's a chore...but the idea of rebuilding this also seems to scream for a shiny refinished frame. I don't know what I think about putting shiny new parts on a frame that has some "issues" with age. (Corrosion.)

I'm hoping I like this as well, for its differences. However, the standover and reach are the same as the X bike I built for myself, so geometry wise it should be a fit.

By the by, I pulled the seatpost. Easy out, without a hint of rust inside. I'm positively giddy about this now!

Banzai

By the way, alice, that bike is in BEAUTIFUL shape! Did you just maintain it impeccably, or did you have it refurbished in any way?