markwesti

Thanks for the comments guys . As you can see I'm still tuning and cleaning , yes Chuck new tires and wheels are going to happen 7400 DA tubulars . Robbie , interesting about the fork crowns , but I don't understand what you mean about the PO .

Darth Lefty 

I had a chance again today to ride my BIL's tiger-stripe-orange Expert TG. Dang, these are all great bikes. Maybe someday I'll get one. But it's not the current project.

RobbieTunes

Appears PO only used the rear brake, look at the braking surfaces front/rear. Front brake takes more finesse, but has more stopping power due to weight transfer while braking; i.e. should be used equally if not more.

fasdriah

Yes, that gray is very cool ^^^

jmk123

I haven't gotten around to taking any "bike pron" pictures, but here are a couple candids of my new-to-me 86/87? Master.




Converted to 2x7 with Sora brifters by a previous owner. Tri-color 600 derailers may have been added as part of that conversion. Otherwise I think it is mostly original.

I'm definitely a convert. Just started riding again after a 20+ year hiatus. I've put 300+ miles on it in about a month, including my first ever 50-mile road ride this weekend. The road ride was a large organized event, and several people commented on the Ironman.

Ayers

I sure like this bike. The miles are starting to rack up and it just keeps getting better.

This morning...



Then when I got home there was a package waiting...



Just because we have a nice scale here at the house I went ahead and satisfied my curiosity. The black brakes are what were on the Centurion when I built it up initially. They are Axis brand which were cheap house brand brakes off of a Specialized Allez. They flexed a ton when really bearing down on the levers.







I can see now that Dura Ace is like bicycle crack, hence the picture above. It doesn't make sense over Ultegra or 105, but even so there is pleasure to be had with owning it just the same.

RobbieTunes

'87, jmk, no Master in 1986.
Nice bike, always a great color.
Welcome to the forum and the cult of wisdom.
This is how it starts. Go Ironman.

RobbieTunes

Yep
Yep

Ayers

On my way to ten speed downtube shifting. New Dura Ace indexed shift levers and some eBay tricolor levers that I cleaned up and put new hoods on. Right now waiting on front and rear derailleurs, new handlebars, tape, and a Park Tool cable cutter to arrive so I can do the next wave of parts changing.

RobbieTunes

Sorry I missed this one...

1985-2
1986-5. All red/white. roccobike beat me to the only gray/red one I've ever seen.
1987-9. 1 Master. 5 Miami Vice Experts. 3 Red/White Experts.
1988-12. 3 Experts, 6 Masters. 3 Ironman Carbons.
1989-11. 4 Experts-black. 3 Experts-blue smoked fade. 4 Masters.
Total: 39 Boy, they add up over the years.

Probably an equal number of other Centurion models combined.

lesterp66

I got a chance to build this up yesterday after receiving the frame set from rccardr. I did a quick 10 mile shakedown this morning and now I know what it is to have a really good road bike.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...tpost-etc.html

Ayers

You sure didn't waste any time on that one. A week from purchase to completion, including shipping time I'd assume.

Any chance of a quill stem setup in that bike's future ?

jetboy 

that is a beautiful bike and i feel a bit of envy good on you for the decisive buy and build! (i'd also get a quill...but its not my bike..darnit)

RobbieTunes

Bee youtiful.

lesterp66

I'm like a kid on Christmas with builds. I will probably change the stem, but I'm still trying to settle on frames and groups and its so easy to swap bars/shifters when the stem has two fasteners...

B33F

I picked up this Miami Vice about two months ago. Never ridden anything like it and I intend on keeping it for a looooong time. All stock as far as I could discern (minus different-colored brake hoods and bar tape, but I like the black better). Classy bikes!

RobbieTunes

Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the cult.
Welcome to a higher level of understanding.

Now, you have to learn not to smile too smugly. Being cooler and smarter takes some getting used to.

Ironman.

RobbieTunes

you're much closer to "done" with this bike, grasshopper. your wandering can cease.

Ayers

I just pulled my frame and fork out of the oven this afternoon. Also have a new decal set from Velocals ordered to finish the job. Can anyone offer first hand experience on what quality of product he sells ? I didn't see any other options anyway, so I suppose it's a moot point.

jetboy 

I am not sure the quality of the decal set, but just to say... I am repainting my pinarello and will probably do stencils for most of it.

calamarichris

I'm doing the same thing and am starting to get a little anxious about my Velocals order. It's been over a month, getting close to two. Hope this guy's legit.

markwesti

Cool bike Lester , I like the blue head tube . What size is it ? OK well now going back a little I see a 56 .

RobbieTunes

I've never had an issue with VeloCals, and have ordered 7 sets of Ironman decals from him.
He even made some "Ironman" decals with RobbieTunes in the DT and TT instead of Centurion, for two basket case re-sprays.

There is a very nice set of Master decals sitting in my tool box.

He has been known to be slow, but a gentle reminder is often all it takes.

What I like is his recent offering of custom colors for the individual aspects of the decal kit.

As far as pricing, the decals are permanent parts of the bike.
Add $60 to the price of painting and consider the decals free.

Ayers

Robbie, where is Velocals located at ? His website shows Arlington Texas which is about 30 miles from me. His eBay store shows Kalifornia. I bought through eBay in hopes he'd be prompt. His feedback is good on eBay and plenty of them give him props for quick shipping.

Ayers

Probably a non issue. I just checked my email and got confirmation that Velocals mailed my stuff today. Good service so far, eBay last night, shipped the next morning.