Alan Edwards

You know when your wife says you have to many bikes and if you get one more she says she is going to start selling them when you go out the door. Well I'm there.
So I get a message from Chicago Al that he needs a favor for a friend named John. You know the story, the bike was used a couple times and then stored in the garage for thirty years. John finds an add on CL for a Centurion Turbo in pearl red but the buyer isn't sure exactly what size it is and just wants to sell it for cash. You know the type on CL, no papal, no shipping, no asking questions, just buy it and leave.
John talks to the seller and gets him to wait untill after X-mas, which in the LA area is amazing. Must be the holiday spirit. So John gives me the number and I call, and leave a message, and call, and call. I guess in the modern world we all forget that some times people can't get back to you as fast as you would like. Couple of hours latter the seller called back, he was at work. Made me feel bad for bugging him. We talk and I say cash and he says when and here is my address. I show up a little after 5PM and put my tape measure on the bike, 58 c to t, exactly what John is looking for. Top tube is 57 c to c, and I stand back to look at it.....it is totaly perfect, one chip in the paint. Talk with the seller, a guy in his 20s. He is selling the bike for his father who is to busy to sell it him self. The story goes his dad bought the bike a few years ago at a fleemarket and put a new seat, tires, and bar tape on it. He liked riding a lot but wanted to get a newer bike to ride with his friends and bought a Specialized Tarmac. The Turbo was hung in the garage for few years untill the father decided to let it go.
For those of you stuck like me with too much enthusiasm and not enough room, facilitate. It makes the wife happy to see me box up a bike and send it to some one else. Those who find the grail bike in the barn on CL with a lazzy seller look for a facilitater. I know, I know, I'm not helping thoughs with a problem. Hi, my name is Alan and I have too many bikes.



Pictures to follow.

hxzero

Saw that Turbo, wanted it, am currently out of the country. Looking forward to better pics.

Alan Edwards

Alan Edwards

Parts list:
Bar SR Road Champion
Stem ARX
Brakes A c 300 G
Levers Grand Comp ? Dia Comp?
Shifters Suntour Model?
FD/RD Cyclone M II
Crank Sugino Aero Mighty
Hubs Suzue Juno Sky Road original???
Rims Araya A 700c original???
Seat post SR Laprade
Headset Levin Aero
Pedals MKS ES Quartz 102
From Bikecology in Santa Monica CA
Serial number N3H0071

balindamood

Very nice! I am working on a similar bike right now.

Alan Edwards

Waiting for T-Mar and RobbieTunes to chime in on the originality of the wheels. The bike looks stock except for the seat. The dork disc and reflecters are still there.

ggl205

Hi all:

I have to say that Alan is at the top of the food chain when it comes to nice people. Our only connection was Chicago Al (another terrific human being) and Alan was more accommodating than a person has a right to be. He used his own money to make the deal happen, trusting completely that I would reimburse him. BTW, the drive to Covina, CA was not just a few minutes from his home. It took him a few hours to get there. Truly a remarkable individual and a chap I hope to help out some day. Hey Alan, if Sherri says the high end Italian and French bikes must go, I can store them for you (LOL)!

Alan, I think the peddals wheels and hubs are stock for a 1983 Turbo. The group changed a little for the 1984 Turbo.

Chicago Al, I finally got a Turbo in my size!

John

Grand Bois

Lancaster to Covina is a long drive!

KonAaron Snake 

+1 to Chicago Al being a class act...

Fascilitating for others is so great...you get to see the bike and appreciate it vicariously and get the thrill and pride of having been involved when the new owner gets it cleaned up and posts it for the first time. I love fascilitating on here - I just with I was able to hit the more distant burbs for folks more often.

I'll also point out that by helping others they help you. IME bike karma works here - I've gotten back what I put in with help.

ggl205

+1 to Chicago Al being a class act...

"I'll also point out that by helping others they help you. IME bike karma works here - I've gotten back what I put in with help."

So true, Aaron.

Chicago Al 

Really glad this worked out. I was pretty sure if I just introduced these two guys something good would happen; only thing I wasn't sure of was the transit for Alan E. But I did already know he'll go to some lengths for a Centurion.

Now I'm looking forward to seeing this Turbo!

jr59

LOL at

"Hi my name is Allen and I have to many bikes"

I think more than a few could insert their name!

RobbieTunes

Super effort, guys. Just super.

World domination.

Centurion.

Drink the koolaid.

Ever notice how a facilitation can get you going, almost as if it's your next project?




PS:

"you take a week to fix the leaking water heater, but boy, if it's about a bike, you're off to the races."



".......and?"

bibliobob

Nice! You dun a good thing!

auchencrow

Kudos to Alan for enabling John's addiction. - I mean facilitating!

ggl205

Nope, you had it right the first time, Auchen.

John

ggl205

Hi Robbie:

It looks like this Turbo is missing OEM toe clips. Would you happen to have a pair in your Centurion stash?

John

Chicago Al 

Missing original pedals too!

This particular Centurion has something that I don't think we have seen so far in any thread: a sticker from Bikecology, the owner/founder of which was apparently a key player in the marketing and perhaps even design of the brand.

ggl205

Hi Alan:

You just gave me a slight chill when referencing Bikecology as the possible prime mover for Centurion design here in the United States. I just connected with a Fuji group who have a similar story to tell about a Mr. Ritvo of Lifecycles in NY who was the man responsible for the Fuji S10 and other model iterations in the 1980's. And to think, I was going to remove the Bikecology sticker.

I think those 102 pedals are stock to the bike. I saw another OEM original with the same pedals on it. That experience is not definitive but telling just the same. I have yet to see a 1983 Centurion catalog to verify OEM equipment on this 1983 Turbo.

John

balindamood

I too would be surpized if the pedals are not OEM. However, if they are not, let me know what they should be and I will happily trade the 102's for them.

fender1

Helping out other folks is fun. I just picked up a Vodoo Cyclocross (853) frame for the Colonel & in return he sent me some nice burbon. Win/win!

ggl205

Sure thing. I will eventually find out what came stock on this 1983 Turbo and post it here. Others much more knowledgeable than I may answer this question and post it. BTW, I like the concept of your business. We humans will race anything if given a chance but bicycles were originally for recreation and transportation. Good, honest and sound values that are just as true to day as they were when the first bike was built.

John

ggl205

Store bought or still made? Never know about the Colonel (LOL). Either way, I bet it is smooooooth.

Chicago Al 

I may well be wrong about the pedals; I've never seen those in person and was expecting conventional quills. Any idea of what other '83 Turbos have turned up with?

fender1

From the original owner. 1999 model w/ 1" threadless headset. The burbon is smooooooth.

[IMG][/IMG]