This is good advice.

Also I don’t think those are tubular rims. Assume new tires and tubes will be needed. I have been very happy with Continental Grand Prix. I would go with 25mm width. There are more expensive tires and maybe marginally better, but those are very good value.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...e/rp-prod78421

(edit) It looks like there is a coop in Keene. Is that close?
https://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki..._Bicycle_Co-op

Keene is close! I looked up the co-op and it seems like it's more of a lending program set up for Keene State College. They rattle can all of the bikes green. (Which is really sad because I saw a nice old Miyata in the "before" pictures.)

I have a set of Panaracer Catalyst Sport tires for it and new tubes that I ordered a couple weeks ago.

I just picked up an ‘87 Expert MV for a pretty decent price. It’s mostly stock but needs a couple things to bring it to fully original. I will have to decide whether to do the original thing or whether to make it more rider friendly. But I need to do a bit of cosmetic touch-up on the finish. I’ve read all the posts on this thread, and a few if you have hinted at some paint possibilities. Have any of you found some accurate color sources for the magenta/gold paint job. If there’s nothing out there, I’ll just start doing the nail polish dance until I get the right combo. Looking forward to working on this gem this winter!

Cool, pics?

I went to my local auto body shop and asked them to color-match the paint on mine before I started anything. That was when I thought I'd be doing work on it.

I believe that is no longer an issue.

The yellow has a very good match with an aerosol spray I found at Walmart .

The fuscia remains difficult; I used nail polish, very thin x 3 coats.

I'd just patch with resin, or wrap a carbon protector around it.

It's still an issue, but it's not going to be *my* issue... It'll be going to someone who knows vast amounts more than I.

Thanks for all the information in this post. I have an 87 “Miami vice” Ironman and didn’t realize how many of the parts have been upgraded. I got it second hand around 1996. I’ll need to post in the valuation forum to get some help figuring out how much the parts are worth.

Picked up a red/white '86 (?) this weekend. Serial number begins N5M, but it's definitely an '86 bike, by the livery and build. Edit - remainder of post moved to the "Love of '80s colors" thread.

Funny, I looked at a 88 with an 87 Serial (N7L), oddly, also red and white. Maybe they were the first ones off the line in the new year? I wonder if certain colors sold better at certain times of the year or when the production releases were.

Just the accountant rambling...

^^^^^
Centurion Model Years by Color

Any red/white '88 model in red/white would be a fade, with really gnarly graphic squiggles. A gem.

We only let accountants in if they promise to ride Ironman bikes.

By the way, it's boxed, and curing (to make sure the tape holds).

I know accountants. They're a stuffy bunch. I'm not sure I'd let them in at all. The romance novelists, though...they're a brash, descriptive, and amusing crowd.

Thanks for the update. I'm being patient. :)

I found an 87 IM expert on CL for $250. I think it's a little high. A few rough paint spots, rusted chain and cassette looks beat up. Needs tires, hoods and bar tape. Red/white color scheme. Looks like a fun restoration project. Any helpful nuggets of wisdom before I go and try to negotiate? I've been wanting an IM since they came out. Never could afford one but always wanted one.

$250 seems high to me for an Expert in that condition, but it may depend on pricing trends in your area.

Here in Texas I paid something like $200-$220 for an '89 Expert in excellent condition with, as far as I could tell, all original Suntour GPX group components including the Suntour chain. Original white hoods are still in great shape. Only the tires were non-original -- new and decent not great Vittoria Zaffiros. The bike was ride-worthy as-is and I did so for months before replacing the tires. A little at a time I've replaced or swapped parts around -- cables and housings, brake pads (the original Suntour pads were still good after decades), freewheel (I like SunRace chromed 13-25 and 13-28, I think it's the MFR30 and MFM30), and Vuelta chainrings, 50/39 and 38, just for easier climbing without sacrificing much top end speed other than on downhills.

BTW, the Suntour chain was definitely not one of their highlights and I quickly replaced it. But I cleaned and waxed the Suntour chain for posterity. It's in a ziplock bag for ... whatever. Might give it to a friend or collector who happens to want it. I mostly use KMC chains.

And a year later the same fellow I bought it from had another identical Ironman in even better shape for only $200. I hemmed and hawed and hesitated and it was gone by the time I made up my mind to buy it. Kicking myself over letting that one go.

When I see an Ironman for sale in Dallas to our east they sometimes ask higher prices, but I'd be surprised if anyone actually pays $300-$500. There's no shortage of good 1980s steel road bikes here and Centurion isn't in as much demand as Trek and other more familiar names. I also see some Diamondback road bikes from the early 1990s, nearly identical to the Centurions although the frames reportedly weren't quite as nice. Those Diamondbacks usually sell for $200 or less even in top notch condition. I've considered getting one just to dedicate to indoor trainer use.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8fde9c6a86.jpg
Thanks Cankle...The hoods and bar tape are mainly just dirty. I also like KMC chains so that won't be a big deal to replace. There aren't too many IM's around the PNW right now. I think the bike mainly just needs a thorough cleaning and some general maintenance other than the tires. I'll put on my own pedals. This is a bike I wanted so bad when it first came out but couldn't afford it. I was thinking of offering about $185 and see how far his jaw drops.

Update:
Went and looked at the bike today. Ended up taking it home for $200. It was actually cleaner in person than the pictures I received. It just needs a thorough cleaning. My wife says to keep it the way it is because it's a 32 year old vintage bike. I am leaning towards putting on new white tape and hoods.

Say...the chain on my 87 IM Expert has a link that is super stiff. If I want to just replace the chain which one do I go with? It's 6 speed Shimano 105. KMC or Shimano? I'm thinking the KMC Z51/Z8 chain. That should work shouldn't it?

The KMC chain is a good replacement. They make several different chains for 6-7-8 speed drivetrains.
The SRAM 830-850-870 chains are also very good.
Both brands come with quick release connectors.

The newer KMC quick connectors are one-time use.

:eek: That's as :foo: an idea as those infernal breakaway pins on the Shimanos. Makes me glad I just scored a bunch of NOS 8-speed SRAMs.

Ditto, KMC chains, although I reuse the Missing Links so often they can be taken apart with just my fingers. I've probably popped 'em apart and reused 'em a dozen or more times each. So far, so good, haven't had a quick link pop open unexpectedly. Only problem with the original Missing Link design was you needed a tool of some kind until the metal wore just a little on the Missing Links. I supposed it could be "tuned" by filing the engagement surfaces just a tiny bit.

I'm sure KMC wouldn't approve but that's the only hitch with the original Missing Links. They aren't "quick links" until they're worn a bit or unless you tote a tool to get 'em apart.

^^^^^ Isn't there a thread here on how to use the wire part of a spring-y office binder clip as a "plier" to unlock one of those KMC not-so-quick links? Or is it an RJ youtube video?

Hey fellas...I have a question. What color is the red on the 1987 Ironman Expert? (Don't say red.) I'm kind of color blind and different shades of color give me a hard time. I'm thinking kind of a fire engine red. I'm looking for red water bottle cages that would match the Ironman Red. I ordered some and when it arrived it was more like a candy apple red. Didn't match at all. I know this is a really small problem, but it bugs me if the reds don't match. Thanks for any help.

So I tried Testors Gloss red and it's a little brighter than the Ironman red. Any other ideas on matching the color? I'm stumped.