Keyser

Hey guys,
New to this forum. I'm looking into building my first Fixed Gear conversion and this caught my eye.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...806059494.html

The size is right for me and from my experience of ~ 3 day craigslist lurking it strikes me as fairly cheap for the Los Angeles market but I'm still unsure. I do want to keep the weight down so I'm looking for a chromoly frame if possible. I'm planning on only using the frame and replacing most everything else. Can anyone tell by the limited information given what year this is and what the frame material is? Is this worth the purchase?

Thanks for taking the time.

-=(8)=-

I would pay it.
I paid 125.00 for a stemmie one or two models below it, and it was/still is, a great bike.

bargainguy

Looks like an '89 with the purple/white smoke paint scheme. More general info here:

https://sheldonbrown.com/centurion/

oddjob2

That' a great price for a ready to ride Lemans. If you do convert, hang onto the original parts to reconvert when you sell.

Bianchigirll 

I would leave that for someone who wants that bike as it is. Turning that into a FG would be a shame, especially if your plans include taking a hacksaw or dremmel tool anywhere near that frame. There are lots of other bikes out there for that purpose.

Actually by the time you spend $180 on that, $80 to $120 for OK fixed gear wheels, cog and cranks (or at least a chainring) your better off buying a real FG from bikes direct.

I know it is hip to build your own but IMHO ruining a good bike to build SS is a disservice to the bike.

$279 shipped.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm



If you really want a home made conversion look for a frame and start from the ground up.

T-Mar

That's not the smoke paint scheme and I believe it's a 1988 model, in which case it is a Tange #2 butted main triangle with Mangalloy forks and stays. Claimed weight was 25 lbs.

Personally, I'd keep it intact too, but it's OP's prerogative if he wants to convert it. However, I would advise him not to remove any of the fittings (shift lever bosses, dropout hanger, etc.) and keep the unused components, as this will allow him the option of restoring it, in the event he tires of it or decides he wants to try multiple gearing. A non-restorable fixie converion severely limits resale opportunities and value.

I agree, it's a very good deal and am a bit surprised that it hasn't already been snatched up.

bent-not-broken

Thats a deal in most places and a steal in LA. I would think it is more like a 23#. I had an 87 and it was a great bike.

CenturionIM

I would keep the gears and original parts on the bike. Very nice as-is for the $

Keyser

Thanks for the advice, I've read enough on bike forums to know that taking a grinder or hacksaw to a bike is sacrilege and that's not in the plans regardless of which frame I get. I already have a commuter bike and am basically just looking for a project so the BD route is not appealing to me.

I decided to leave it to someone else, I'll look for a solo frame.

Bianchigirll 

Good idea. lots of orphan frames out there, plus you may even luck out and come across a real track frame.