Help ID - Centurions
01-14-14, 10:23 PM
#1
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Help ID - Centurions
Please help ID - two bikes listed, pictures are mix of both. They look really clean but something is off (just my gut feeling - may be group is not original?)
Seller wants 300 for each or 50o for both (hot market but in the middle of winter)
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Seller wants 300 for each or 50o for both (hot market but in the middle of winter)
01-14-14, 10:35 PM
#2
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Looks like about 150 each to me. They are old and in serious need of refurbishment, the 600 components are 1st generation, OK but not great.
01-14-14, 10:38 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by howsteepisit
Looks like about 150 each to me. They are old and in serious need of refurbishment, the 600 components are 1st generation, OK but not great.
Refurbishment is not a problem :-)
01-14-14, 10:54 PM
#4
Still learning
Bring some tools to make sure those seat posts can be elevated. The cable clamps typically indicate 1970s bikes, but I think first gen 600 is later than that. Arabesque would have been consistent with frame age.
Last edited by oddjob2; 01-14-14 at 11:00 PM.
01-15-14, 07:03 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by oddjob2
Bring some tools to make sure those seat posts can be elevated. The cable clamps typically indicate 1970s bikes, but I think first gen 600 is later than that. Arabesque would have been consistent with frame age.
I am sucker for pointy lugs and like the color. So can't wait to see them - plan is too keep one with the TT closest to 54cm and sell another in spring or keep as a guest bike
01-15-14, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by wrk101
High ten steel frame.
I don't know I'm just asking...
01-15-14, 08:26 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by wrk101
Late 1970s Centurion, Super Lemans. High ten steel frame. $300 is ridiculous.
They are visually very appealing.
They are visually very appealing.
Oh well - I am not in the rush.I agree - they look very appealing! I've been looking for LeJeune in my size and good price (ie bargain :-)), missed a couple and stumbled upon these Centurions yesterday.
01-15-14, 08:31 AM
#8
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On the larger frame - I don't think brakes are original. Looks like it has front and rear cable stops for center pull brakes.
I may still go see them (I will be in the area anyway) but will likely pass.
I may still go see them (I will be in the area anyway) but will likely pass.
01-15-14, 09:12 AM
#9
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Given that these are old bikes, why the obsession with original components? They are not "collector" items. Same with year and model. they are not cars, they are bikes which differ greatly from car in that components are routinely changed around, and during the boom years, the original components were inconsistent. Not throwing spears at you but just curious.
01-15-14, 11:13 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by howsteepisit
Given that these are old bikes, why the obsession with original components? They are not "collector" items. Same with year and model. they are not cars, they are bikes which differ greatly from car in that components are routinely changed around, and during the boom years, the original components were inconsistent. Not throwing spears at you but just curious.
I do have couple of frankenbikes which were built with whatever bits I had laying around - on them everything is fair game.
01-15-14, 11:24 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by wrk101
This model originally came with Suntour barcon shifters, which I think look terrific on that bike. Unfortunately, Suntour barcons are not cheap. So if you want it to look "right", that is going to be more expense.
All that being said, aethetics, particularly for a keeper, are critical in my book. This bike appears to have aethetics nailed: nice orange paint, chrome looks good, decals appear to be in great shape. So personally, I would pay a premium for it. Would I pay $300? No. But I would pay more than it is "worth". And I keep a nice stash of spare Suntour barcons (not for sale). So returning it to its original orientation would not cost me much.
All that being said, aethetics, particularly for a keeper, are critical in my book. This bike appears to have aethetics nailed: nice orange paint, chrome looks good, decals appear to be in great shape. So personally, I would pay a premium for it. Would I pay $300? No. But I would pay more than it is "worth". And I keep a nice stash of spare Suntour barcons (not for sale). So returning it to its original orientation would not cost me much.
I still can't believe I missed very nice Lejeune - pic was small and it was blocked by run of the mill department bike but paint looked gorgeous (nice bright blue sky color) and it looked like my size. And price was very right.
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