RobbieTunes 

Thank you for the compliment....that bike came to me due to the watchful eye and helpful nature of Pastor Bob in New Hampshire.

The ride is just about the same, either the fork or the bars give me a slight hand numbness problem. I'm thinking it's from the bars, as they are the only Nittos I have, all else are Cinelli. There's a slight feeling that the bike is lighter, but the geometry is a bit different, so I really can't tell. It's probably a better criterium bike than an Ironman, but the Ironman is the road winner, for sure.

It rides very much like a steel bike and nothing like the Cannondale R800 I once had. The bars sort of tell you there is a 6061 aluminum fork up front, which I would have treated with a nice CF fork I have, but it didn't fit. It's a little edgier than an Ironman. Nice frame, but it lacks the refined glide of an Ironman.

brockd15 

Well, I guess I'm gonna see what all the talk is about. I bought this 1987 Ironman Expert today, and it's in pretty fantastic condition. I may upgrade it to 8 speed 600 STI, but I'll probably leave it as is for a little while. It needs a few adjustments and that saddle will be replaced, but so far I'm happy with it. The serial number is N7K5937. Here it is as found.



I also have this Centurion Elite frameset that I got from JunkFoodJunkie. It has a bent steer tube and bent top and down tubes. I didn't see a serial number anywhere on this one...not sure yet what I'll do with it.

RobbieTunes 

Great score on the Ironman.

Jake is such an animal on bikes.

Unicorn

I've read through pages of this thread so far...

I don't have the full serial but I believe what I have is a Centurion.

The first 4 digits are "R3E8."

It has internal cable routing but mounted on the handle bar stems. Rear brake cable is brazed on the underside of the top bar. Mostly all aluminum components stamped with a weird looking SR but not the typical SR symbol. Chromed handle bars. Dark Ruby red paint (seems faintly two-toned) original but no stickers on it.

The bike, with the exception of the tires and one cable cover, is original.

BRAZUCA

Here is mine, new to me 1986 Centurion Elite RS and the serial number is N6H5958. It's a very smooth ride!

frantik

looking good

gaucho777 

Brazuca, welcome! Nice centurion. I like the flat fork crown. (Robbie, was that uncommon, the flat fork crown?) Btw, you definitely need a longer rear brake cable, and (for future reference) best to take photos from the drive side.

hamanu23

Nice bike dude, that is my favorite color for Centurions! What does the sticker on the seat tube say right under the seat? Curious what Tang number the elite RS is...

frantik

^ pretty sure it's tange 2.. not 100% sure though

RobbieTunes 

The lugged flat fork crown carried over from the Lemans RS and the '85 Prestige. On the Lemans RS it was Mangalloy, and may have been on the Elite RS. The '85 Prestige fork, same design, but made of Prestige tubing wth a chromed crown.

For what it's worth, I was going to swap out the Mangalloy fork on a Lemans RS for an older CF fork with an alloy steerer, but the weight difference was about an ounce. The lugged fork with painted cutout got my vote, and stayed.

BRAZUCA

Thanks everyone and I will take care of the rear brake cable, the cycling season is ending here in Indiana, so I will use the winter time to better clean, polish and make sure it is top notch for March next year. The frame sticker says Cr-Mo Seamless Tubing / Tange 2 / Double Butted. The fork says Cr-Mo Tange. By the way, what is a flat fork crown ?

RobbieTunes 

Rambosis

Hiya, Jason here.

I'm just getting started on road bicycles (previously a BMX/motorbike lover). My father bought this Centurion Team Pursuit around the time I was born (1990, and I remember him having the bike in 94-95, and telling me it cost a pretty penny; in those days).

It's sat in the shed hanging up for the last 15 years (I just turned 21) and I wish to restore/trick out this bike with the help of my brother, who is very into his cycling). I've attached a photo as I want to gather some information on this model, as I cannot find any. The colouring is much the same as the 'Dave Scott/Ironman' models I have seen (red/white theme). I have not even dusted the bike off, so this is after sitting for 15 years. I can't wait to ride it, will be doing a grease/service and new tubes/tires/rimtape/chain this weekend and taking it for it's first ride.

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated thanks. [ Oh ps, bike was purchased and owned in Western Australia ]

frantik

nice.. can we see the other side? what components are on it?

RobbieTunes 

I've sent you a PM, though you can't respond until you hit 50 posts....but you'll get the info.

600 crankset tends to support the bike being similar to either the Elite RS or Ironman.

No eyelets, so it's not based on the Lemans RS, which is eyeletted. Tange 2 frame, and clearance for fenders.

Could be based on the Elite RS, which come sometimes with/sometimes without eyelets, but tighter clearances, Tange 2 frame.

Could be based on the Ironman, with no eyelets, Tange 1 frame, should have tight clearance, ruling out anything bigger than 700x28 tires, if those.

There was an Australian member who posted an all-red model called the Triathlon, but it was faded to pink or was more pink than red, and from what I remember, there was a European connection to Denmark, Norway, or Holland, something like that.

The components will be the key to what model is relates most closely with in the US.
Tange 2: could be a Lemans RS or an Elite RS
+600 components, Elite RS
+Light Action components, a Lemans RS

Eyelets and clearance for fenders: a Lemans RS

Tight all around, no eyelets, tight clearance, probably based on the Ironman, but headset is different.

Interesting bike.

Rambosis

I will do some measurements and take some more photos, hopefully that will help you better understand the components on the bike, as I have no idea what is what yet. Thank you for all the info Robbie, has helped me immensely. I assume these were decent bikes in their day. (or still are?)

I'll have a look at the rims/brakes etc too and see what I can find stay tuned

xn7

do the red/white ironmans have pearl type paint? or is it just regular. i've never seen any of the 2-color ironman bikes in person.

frantik

saw this gorgeous LeMans on CL



and looks like Lemans has some purple smoke actions as well



weird brake setup up

RobbieTunes 

The white on the red/white Ironman models is more of an eggshell white, and not a pearl. Same goes for the red/white fade models. Not pearl.

The 1988 purple smoked fade does have pearlcoat white. I can't remember if the 1989 blue smoked fade has pearlcoat or not.
ChicagoAl would know about the '89. Those are the only two I've seen with pearlcoat white. My '89 Master has white and is not a pearlcoat.

cehowardGS

I have moved up to a Master!!!

Thanks to the Centurion Godfather/Guru/Historian Robbie Tunes.

I put some lube on the chain, wiped it off, and flew around the block!! She shifted smoothly, tracked like it was on rails. She is tad shorter than my Expert. No matter, a perfect fit.

Robbie can clue me in the year, I think it is an 88..

Finish is GREAT..I wiped it off, put on a tad of cleaner wax, and she is great.

In fact, she will do the commute tomorrow..

Thanks Robbie..

RobbieTunes 

Occupy Ironman!

BRAZUCA

Beautiful smoke finish, nice Centurion, I will repeat, I want an Ironman Centurion to pair with my Elite RS!

cehowardGS

Dammit, it got so good, I couldn't go to sleep. I got the wife to clean the white bartape, which she did in excellent fashion. I told her she keeps that up she might make "bike-cleaner-1st-grade" .. Anyway, I adjusted the seat up a little, lubbed it while I had it out, and I lowered the stem a tad, put a littlle lub on that. Put the tires up to the right pressure, and around the block I went again! I took off today to pick it up, if it wasn't for a sin and a shame, I take off tomorrow just to ride it!! The master will do the commute in the morning..

RobbieTunes 

I believe the test ride was successful.

cehowardGS

Robbie the smiles tells it all!!

When I got home, I put in a longer test ride. The bike is smooth, super smooth. Quiet, don't hear nothing as I am streaking along!!

I oiled the chain, lowered the stem at tad, up the seat a tad, put air in the tire.. The wife did a clean job on the bar tape!!

Ran into tiny problem with air in the rear..I thought I would have to change tubes, but it worked out. When taking the adapter off the rear wheel, the stem plunger came out with it. I pryed it out of the adapter, and put it back in the tube. This morning, I saw where the rear went flat. It was the plunger. I went and got another tube, and was getting ready to change the tube, when I tried put the plunger back in the tube, and this time, tighten it with a pair of plyers.. It seemed to work. No matter, when I get back home today, if it losing air, I will just swap out the tube.

It was raining this morning. Didn't take the Master for the commute. Instead, I grabbed the Prelude.. Oh boy, all my bikes ride good!!


First dry day, the Master is coming with me. From what I see, it is pass winner status, it is at "amazing" status and climbing..

Dam, I swear I am getting new wrinkles everyday!!