The Centurion Epidemic Spreads Across NC
03-27-11, 06:10 PM
#1
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The Centurion Epidemic Spreads Across NC
Found a nice Lemans RS on the local CL on Monday, stopped on my way home from work (riding my Schwinn-first time I rode a bike to go buy one) and bought it. It was just around the corner from home, so my wife drove over to pick it up. It looked to be only slightly used, but the drive side of the rear rim was messed up from a poor tire change (rear was a Contintental, front was original Panaracer). I think it's a 1987, had Shimano light action derailleurs, Sugino GP 130 crank, DiaCompe brakes and levers. I installed smoke 105 brakes, levers, and derailleurs, new cables, tires, tubes, chain, repacked bearings, the usual. The wheels appear to be original (both bronze rims, matching hubs), but the front rim is an Araya double wall with eyelets, the rear is a single wall. I think this one is a keeper.
03-27-11, 06:57 PM
#2
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Sweet!
BTW - The mismatched rim adds interest for me - with the black bar tape up front and the contrasting rear with a white seat tube, it makes sort if a street-wise statement. I would follow it up with a black bottle cage for the rear mount.
BTW - The mismatched rim adds interest for me - with the black bar tape up front and the contrasting rear with a white seat tube, it makes sort if a street-wise statement. I would follow it up with a black bottle cage for the rear mount.
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03-27-11, 07:12 PM
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Smokin' I've always really liked that fork, that color scheme, and that model.
Glad to see you're infected. Very handsome bike.
We'll have to see if we can get together on one of those central NC rides.
Glad to see you're infected. Very handsome bike.
We'll have to see if we can get together on one of those central NC rides.
03-27-11, 07:13 PM
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Love the Rolls.
03-27-11, 07:22 PM
#5
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Nice find. Have you visited Cycles de Oro? I visited once and enjoyed gawking at the vintage lightweights displayed around the shop. They were kinda high on the wall, though.
The owner moderates the Classic Rendezvous list. Unfortunately, your Centurion is "off topic".
The owner moderates the Classic Rendezvous list. Unfortunately, your Centurion is "off topic".
03-27-11, 07:30 PM
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I have the centurion cavalleto, I believe it's a 1985. Its red and white. I found this bike at goodwill for $10 bucks. It was all original, all it needed to be road worthy was tires, cables and of course new white leather handlebar wrap 
The bike also had the cycles de oro sticker down near the bottom bracket.Although it was made in taiwan, it has never gave me any trouble.
The bike also had the cycles de oro sticker down near the bottom bracket.Although it was made in taiwan, it has never gave me any trouble.
03-27-11, 08:02 PM
#8
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Robbie, we definitely need to go for a ride sometime. JYB, yes I've been to CDO many times, it's my LBS, only about 5 miles from me. Dale (the owner) is a great guy, he is a huge proponent of cycling in our area, and for the vintage hobby thru Classic Rendezvous. I picked up the tires for the Centurion there after work Friday, brought them home on my Super LeTour. The Rolls and the 105 parts came off of a Zini that I bought complete, and sold as a frameset (it was too small).
03-27-11, 08:40 PM
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an Elite RS int hat color scheme popped up on CL while I was at work one day. It was traithlon-ized with a disc wheel and bar end shifters. Someone picked it up before I got off work... bummer
an Elite RS int hat color scheme popped up on CL while I was at work one day. It was traithlon-ized with a disc wheel and bar end shifters. Someone picked it up before I got off work... bummer
03-28-11, 08:58 AM
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Beautiful! I have the same bike, but an '86 model in blue-and-silver. It's been my fast fair-weather commuter bike for a number of years now, and I just love it.
One note: if yours has the same headset as mine, it may require a funny spanner for adjustment in addition to a wrench.
Also, good call on replacing the original DiaCompe brakes. They suck. After struggling with mine for a few years I trashed them and went with silver 105 brakes, which made a world of difference in terms of stopping power.
What derailleurs did you put on it? I still roll with the original derailleur in the rear, but I've considered replacing it with something more precise.
One note: if yours has the same headset as mine, it may require a funny spanner for adjustment in addition to a wrench.
Also, good call on replacing the original DiaCompe brakes. They suck. After struggling with mine for a few years I trashed them and went with silver 105 brakes, which made a world of difference in terms of stopping power.
What derailleurs did you put on it? I still roll with the original derailleur in the rear, but I've considered replacing it with something more precise.
03-28-11, 10:37 AM
#12
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I used 105 derailleurs, kept the shifters and 6 speed FW for now, I have the 105 shifters if I decide to go 7 or 8 speed later. I have a Peugeot PH 501 with the same light action shifters (also 6 speed), I used a 600 RD on that one, it works fine also.
03-28-11, 01:42 PM
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Very nice. Great color combinations and it looks to be in like-new condition.
03-28-11, 01:49 PM
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Nice. I have an '85 Elite RS that is my primary go fast bike for now. Kept mine mostly all original, including the 'royal S' and 'gran-compe' levers. See no point in swapping those out. 
Love the red and white color scheme.
Love the red and white color scheme.
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