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Old 02-20-19, 11:57 AM
  #101  
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Great info! Thanks again, T-Mar.
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Old 02-20-19, 11:58 AM
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Did someone mention the Tubes?

(Oh, sorry, wrong context.... [wrong thread....])

Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Likewise, the Nantucket song "Long Way to the Top" was covered by AC/DC, to the point where almost everyone thinks it's an AC/DC song. Nantucket opened for AC/DC, hence the connection. That's the word in NC. For all I know, it's the other way around.
For those who like the song, like bagpipes, but can't stand Bon Scott's voice or the register in which he sang:
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Old 02-20-19, 08:27 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
Back when I started competing in the early 1970s, it was common practice to transition from Columbus SL to SP at around the 58-60cm frame size. The assumption was that taller riders were heavier and stronger, therefore requiring a stiffer frame made with heavier gauge tubing. In the mid-1980s there was a trend towards increasing stiffness in the bottom bracket area. Bianchi introduced their Superset configuration. This used an old custom builder's trick of employing heavier gauge down tube and chain stays, even on smaller frame sizes. Columbus SLX and SPX achieved a similar effect by incorporating helical ridges into the bottom bracket ends of the down tube, seat tube and chain stays, which increased stiffness with only a small increase in weight. The Japanese approach to increased bottom stiffness in the mid-1980s was to introduce triple butted tubesets, with thicker butts at the bottom bracket end.
Interesting. Makes sense of my casual observations of how some frames appear to be built. For example my '92 Univega Via Carisma (57-58cm frame, best I can guesstimate) with the biaxial power oval frame has a noticeable thinner and presumably lighter top tube. It pings with a clear tone like a bell while the downtube and seat tube sound thicker and dull (partly due to the water bottle cages). When I stick my finger through the frame junction with the seat post removed the tubing feels different between the top and seat tubes.

I've kinda toyed around with the notion of getting a road bike steel frame in a slightly smaller size than I'd normally get -- maybe a 54 (I'm 5'11") -- just to compare the weight and handling. I know I *could* use a longer seat post if necessary. And the lower stem wouldn't be a problem. The shorter reach would actually be more comfortable for my cranky, creaky old neck. Dunno if that's a good plan but it wouldn't cost much to experiment. That's one great thing about some of these older bikes -- they don't cost all that much, and I could resell it if I can't make it fit.
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Old 02-20-19, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by madpogue
Did someone mention the Tubes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0oMPMABGM4

(Oh, sorry, wrong context.... [wrong thread....])

For those who like the song, like bagpipes, but can't stand Bon Scott's voice or the register in which he sang:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE5ZNKFkV2w
As much as I hate to say it, I like the Jack Black School of Rock version.
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Old 02-22-19, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by seypat
As much as I hate to say it, I like the Jack Black School of Rock version.
Really, Nancy?
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Old 02-22-19, 09:45 PM
  #106  
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Originally Posted by seypat
As much as I hate to say it, I like the Jack Black School of Rock version.
As do I.
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Old 02-23-19, 03:05 AM
  #107  
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School of rock movie makes me cry.

Last edited by texaspandj; 02-23-19 at 03:09 AM.
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Old 04-18-19, 11:57 AM
  #108  
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FINISHED
All components are Shimano tricolor except the Avocet seat post, 3ttt stem and Araya Aero rims. I have ridden it around the neighbourhood but no serious distance. It rides very nice for a TT/Funny bike. The steering is very quick.







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Old 04-18-19, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by cdaniels
FINISHED
All components are Shimano tricolor except the Avocet seat post, 3ttt stem and Araya Aero rims. I have ridden it around the neighbourhood but no serious distance. It rides very nice for a TT/Funny bike. The steering is very quick.







Dang! That thing looks sharp.

Last edited by texaspandj; 04-18-19 at 12:45 PM.
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Old 04-18-19, 02:19 PM
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Thank you
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Old 04-18-19, 02:48 PM
  #111  
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Whoa, nice job. Right down to the Conti Competition tires.
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Old 04-18-19, 07:56 PM
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Nice , really nice ! Love how you did the brake levers . Thanks @cdaniels , I'm now totally stoked on this bike .


Last edited by markwesti; 04-18-19 at 08:00 PM.
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Old 04-18-19, 08:01 PM
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Great job. Mine is a ways off. Wheel issues, need the fork painted. But I did find a pink and white jersey.
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Old 05-29-19, 03:48 PM
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Just Curious

Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Great job. Mine is a ways off. Wheel issues, need the fork painted. But I did find a pink and white jersey.
Hey any updates on your Centurion Turbo Time Trial build yet? Would be awesome if you keep us posted with pictures of course. Thanks.
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Old 05-29-19, 04:30 PM
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One thing that I neglected to mention earlier is that the double bend top tube is a cost effective method to lower the head tube. It allows you to use conventional lugs, as the tubes enter the lugs horizontally. Bending the tube is cheaper than creating custom angle lugs or fillet brazing the frame. TIG welding and a sloping straight tube could have been used, as it was being employed on ATBs of the era, but it was likely dismissed due to road cyclists' preference for lugged construction. This cost concessions, along with the dropout eyelets and Tange Infinity tubeset only reinforces my belief that this was intended as an economical TT/Triathlon model. I'm also wondering if it may have been offered only as a frameset. While this would be in contradiction with the level it would not be in appropriate given the intended purpose.
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Old 05-29-19, 04:58 PM
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Thanks T-Mar for the observations. Does anyone know if German Centurion ever offered just framesets to the general public?
It would be fantastic if someone had a German Centurion Catalog from 1988 when the frame was made. Then we would know if it was ever offered to the general public.
I also wonder if it was an abandoned project or if it was a small run made for a specific team.
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Old 05-29-19, 06:14 PM
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Wheel (front) is nearing completion. Group is here, need to order bars, stem, brake levers.
Originally Posted by VintageTTfan
Hey any updates on your Centurion Turbo Time Trial build yet? Would be awesome if you keep us posted with pictures of course. Thanks.
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Old 05-29-19, 06:27 PM
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Thats exciting RobbieTunes....after all it is the thrill of the hunt as they say. Takes time as I know from experience. Please keep us posted.
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Old 08-19-19, 01:50 PM
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Robbie Tunes...How is the bicycle build going?

Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Wheel (front) is nearing completion. Group is here, need to order bars, stem, brake levers.
Any progress sir on the bicycle build? I would love to see some pictures. I am not knowledgeable about Centurions as you are but I do love them and collect them. I am also a huge vintage eighties time trial fan as you can guess from my moniker and have collected a couple. Thanks.
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Old 08-19-19, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by VintageTTfan
Any progress sir on the bicycle build? I would love to see some pictures. I am not knowledgeable about Centurions as you are but I do love them and collect them. I am also a huge vintage eighties time trial fan as you can guess from my moniker and have collected a couple. Thanks.
No pics until the abomination is complete.

However:

9sp DA crankset, polished.
54t DA big ring. The inner ring does not matter, can be anything.
DA 7700 brakes.
DA 7800 DT shifters.
Rolf Vector Pro wheelset 700c/650c
28.6 fluted seat post.
105 black RD/FD.
Getting a stem/bar combo, which is basically a 60mm stem and bullhorns.
DiaCompe TT brake levers.
White saddle, wrap, black housing.
Pink and white, with some black accents and white saddle, wrap.


The black fork was a no, so I'm getting it painted.
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Old 08-19-19, 06:07 PM
  #121  
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The inner ring does not matter.
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Old 08-19-19, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
No pics until the abomination is complete.

However:

9sp DA crankset, polished.
54t DA big ring. The inner ring does not matter, can be anything.
DA 7700 brakes.
DA 7800 DT shifters.
Rolf Vector Pro wheelset 700c/650c
28.6 fluted seat post.
105 black RD/FD.
Getting a stem/bar combo, which is basically a 60mm stem and bullhorns.
DiaCompe TT brake levers.
White saddle, wrap, black housing.
Pink and white, with some black accents and white saddle, wrap.


The black fork was a no, so I'm getting it painted.
Well hopefully when you are speeding down the road leaving people in your dust they will call your bike "The Abomination that Makes Desolation." Sorry just a not so sly reference to your "abomination comment."

That is a lot of DA which is going to be super nice. I wanted to use DA on mine but because of price I ended up with tri-color 600 which is still very nice as it is mint. Eventually I want to get DA for my other frame of this bike when I have the funds.

I have to look up that Vector Pro wheel set as I have not seen it yet. Love bullhorns!

The white saddle and wrap is a fantastic choice and that is the route I went.....vintage Rolls white leather, cork tape.

The choice of black housing is very interesting because I did the same on that and friend is giving me sh....t. He can jump in a lake. I have a black stem and hoods so it matches.

It ends up being pink and white with some black accents just like you said. It is close to the pictures that DumpTruck Juinor put up...not implying that is why you chose it by the way.

Didn't you say that you had gotten a Zunow for your fork? The right fork is the headache for sure.

Last question I promise: Are you going to use a disk wheel on the back ever? I think a white one by Fir would be fantastic but expensive of course. I like the disk wheels but not so pragmatic though.
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Old 08-19-19, 06:12 PM
  #123  
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^^^^^^^^ Better than "the abominably slow-man".......
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Old 08-19-19, 06:26 PM
  #124  
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Originally Posted by madpogue
^^^^^^^^ Better than "the abominably slow-man".......
It took a minute....good one!
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Old 08-19-19, 07:18 PM
  #125  
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I have been building a Centurion TT in my dreams , well I did buy a 5 speed FW for it and I think hazetyguy is hanging on to a pair of bull horns for me . The guy in Greece is not budging of his $259. price for just a frame but if he did I would put this fork on it .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sakae-Japan...53.m1438.l2649

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