Ferrite

Well after searching 23 pgs of posts and giving up, I haven't seen one picture of a Centurion Prestige with Tange Prestige tubing ( sorry to the other 20+ pages).

I got one! It was free from a family friend and it fits me!! She said it was $1200 or so back then. It came originaly with a Shimano tri color 600 group that I upgraded to 9 speed Ultegra. Serial number is 88K3795 on the BB and I think it is a 1987 or 1989 ( can't remember ATM). White to sky blue smoke paint job. I'll post pictures when it's light out and give more details.

RobbieTunes

As far as I know, no Prestige looked like that. The Prestige came with full Dura Ace, 2x6 indexed. It is only from 1985, and was long gone from production by 1989. The only paint job that you reference that I know of is the 1989 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert, a Tange 1 frame, not Prestige. Nishiki and Panasonic offered that Prestige frame, and Panasonic offered it in a blue/white fade, Amani576 has one.

Pics would be very cool, as it could possibly add another anomaly to the Centurion story.

As far as a Centurion Prestige, with Prestige tubing, "Seek and ye shall find," but I got this as a frame only, with an offer by the seller to include the rest of the DA group for a mere $400. I declined, but it has the OEM headset. I set it up with 600 Tricolor, and sold it on eBay. The buyer sort of trashed it and resold it. There's a lot of chrome under them thar tubes, but I wasn't about to strip it and find out:

https://velospace.org/node/25813

roundwheels

I'm trying to sell my bike, but can't figure out the exact year:

SERIAL NO. IN01930
Centurion Le Mans RS
Dia-compe center pull caliper brakes
tourney crank
SunTour VGT-luxe derailer
red with black, decals are gold script on black.

tubing has interesting sticker, no Tange #, but "Fabrication Garantie" and "Special Light Tubing" made in Japan. Got some pictures of it if you can figure it out. If this image is too large, please let me know (I can't find the limits for image posting)


I'm trying to sell it locally (in hawaii), i just want to know exactly what i'm selling. Thanks

Ferrite

OK here are some pics. It is an 1989 Centurion Prestige. Does have a few small spots of rust but rides great. I just stripped it down to the frame today. Pics don't show the original 600 group it came with. There is a sticker on the bottom of the down tube that says "Sold Exclusively thought WSI etc...". Serial number is 88K3795.

tmhdgpth

Returning to a road bike after thirty years...on a Comp TA I just got - serial N4K5914. Very good condition, original except for wheels, tires, and brake hoods.
Anyone got any thoughts about how to best match paint for touch ups at scrapes?

RobbieTunes

That is amazing.

It's got the marbled paint consistent with the grey 1989 Ironman Master, not the smoked blue/grey fade to white that the 1989 Ironman Expert had. Decal work is very close to the 1908 Lemans RS, as far as accents, so I'd sure peg it an '89.

I see the group has been upgraded, and if I had it, I'd work really hard on a restoration, but it would be quite a chore. I'll bet it rides great. Those are some deep drops. Someone (you) did a great job on the upgrade, even the wheels match.


A keeper for a long time, and I don't doubt the $1200 price tag from 1989. Definitely one rare Centurion. I now have seen 2 Prestige models. I thought I saw a third, but it was mine, sold, then trashed, then resold. I was more than a little bummed.

Ferrite

Thanks Robbie. If I'm going to restore this bike I just need to figure out how to reproduce the decals and the smoke paint job. And do it... I have three in line to be restored. If anyone wants to do a trade for making the decals I'll hook you up!!! Also any leads to tips on textured paint jobs would be great.

RobbieTunes

Decals are fairly simple for that year, and I think JR at VeloCals can work them up. Just don't be in a hurry for them.

As for the marbled paint, I believe they painted white, then put something on the "fade" areas that shrank up the paint after it was applied, creating the marbled cracks. Combining this with a fade technique creates pretty much what you're lookig for...An airbrush guru may help, and I'd check out the motorcycle custom painters in the area.

After they applied the "fade," they applied decals and clearcoated....same as you'll need to do.

tmhdgpth

Thanks A.W., I'll give that a try!

tommywpg

I was hopeful that this was a higher end bike, but the made in Taiwan sticker dashed my hopes. I can't find a serial number yet. The wheels are 27" Any info?

Thanks.

Oh, the owners manual was still crammed under the seat but it doesn't appear to have a year or even a make or model within.

RobbieTunes

Not like any Pro Tour I've seen, but given the condition, not worth restoring unless the work itself is what you enjoy doing. For some folks, a great project.

tommywpg

I didn't have high hopes for it. There seems to be a bent crossbar as well. God knows I have other bikes that need work.

RobbieTunes

Truer words never spoken....

jtgotsjets

Is that even a Centurion for sure? Maybe the model name is just a coincidence?

RobbieTunes

+1

Chicago Al 

Doubtless. Just don't ask Him if you can borrow any tools.

Chicago Al 

Okay, here's a for sure real Centurion: 1976 Semi-Pro, some parts changed but looks to be in good shape, on eBay, up to $350 with a day to go. Unfortunately far too big for a reasonably sized person:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Classic-...item563b9656c7


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RobbieTunes

That, in my opinion, is a $400-$500 bike.

nickkoto

I picked up an '89 Ironman Expert today, 56cm, marble blue with the white fade. Here's my "before" picture for a future post, not really sure how anyone could install that saddle and think that the seatpost was facing the right way.
ironman 010..jpg

The serial number is N836756 although you really have to look hard to see the N in the photo.
ironman 022..jpg

RobbieTunes

Excellent.

RobbieTunes

1988 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Carbon. 56cm. 3rd of 3 I've had; this one fits.
Another BF guy has the other 2. gmouchawar. eBay frame, local 2nd-hand wheels.
Shimano cassette w/Campy spacers from rat fink. Mirage Ergos from txvintage.
Veloce crank in another BF trade TL179, FD, DiaCompe BRS calipers, Chorus RD from scrubs.
Cinelli steering, Vredestein shoes. (I've since rotated the bars forward a bit, raised the saddle, and it fits fine.)

EddyR

Robbie How much does it weigh set up like this.
Eddyr

W.N. Rumfoord

Did that just sell for $350 plus $400 shipping?

RobbieTunes

Looks like he charged for actual shipping, quoted $150 in the questions, plus $20 packing fee. Very nice bike, though with some serious scarring on that frame near the bb.

I'll have to get a new 9v battery for my scale.... probably between 19 and 20. My other ones weighed just under 20.

RobbieTunes

1986 Centurion Facet. 51cm Aluminum frame. OEM was Suntour Sprint friction 2x6.
Rebuilt with 2x7 indexed 105 shifting, Shimano 600 tricolor RD, Suntour GPX FD, DA 2x7 freewheel on new Maillard rear axle (126mm).
Went ahead and used 600 tricolor calipers with the DC Aero 400 levers. Weinmann 700c rims on Maillard hubs.
Nice little bike. Special thanks to txvintage for his assistance in getting it from Dallas TX to NC.