Originally Posted by
Puget Pounder
What do you mean by "modern"? Do you mean modern as in a current steel production bike or modern as in componentry? Nothing wrong with current made bikes, but unless you're going with something like an indy fab, gunnar, etc... I doubt they will ride as well as your centurion (if it fits you of course). As stated earlier, if you really like the bike, keep the parts and modernize the the componentry. I love the feel of retrofitted bikes.
Your second description, modern components. Mainly aero brakes. I am not sure I would put on brifters even if I could. The main idea for the immediate changes will be adding an ultra-6 FW, aero brakes, wider bar, and changing out saddle, brake housing, and bar wrap (gotta be color coordinated, moving away from the brown accents and going to yellow/black).
However, I will be keeping a watch out for a good donor group set. Maybe a nice Shimano 600 with indexed shifting.
I do agree with you, I would have to spend some serious cash to replace this steel frame with something as nice.