The 100-milers started at 6 am. We mere metrics started at 8:30.
5 miles from the end of our metric, we're near a place called the Global Transpark, tailwind, feeling good, 21mph.
From behind comes 3 Tarmacs, pass us like we were standing still--the first pack of the century guys.

A mile later, one of them is slowing up with a cramp.
I say "nice bike."
He says "nice bike."
I say, "if I were doing the 100, and I got a cramp at 95 miles, I'd go ahead and get off the bike and walk around."
He says, "I can't, this is a $6000 bike; I'm gonna finish fast or die trying."

I laugh, he laughs.

I say, "good luck, but when you're on a steel bike, you can do whatever you want."
He said, "you know, you got a point there," and he was gone.

Had a beer with him after. He wants an Ironman.

Other than 2 Centurions and a guy on a Colnago who disappeared or simply rode the 31-miler, it was like a Trek/Specialized convention. The Tarmacs were eating the Madones' lunches, but I assume that's the difference between being serious about forking over $6000 for a bike vs. a Madone on sale at $3200.

Speaking of steel warriors, the warship in the background is an exact replica of the C.S.S Neuse, an ironclad built near the end of the Civil War, which never made it into battle.

Here's a Semi-Professional I just picked up. It needs a bit of polishing, but is in very nice shape, and seems to be all original but for the saddle, a Brooks Pro. Serial # M7E1647?. The "?" stands for something that looks more or less like a backwards letter "C"... could be an incomplete 9 or 0. Strange. So I guess it's a 1977.

I read as much as I could find about these bikes before I went to look at it. If I hadn't, I would have thought this was a repaint, judging by the kinda cheap-looking "Centurion" decals on the DT that are peeling up at the edges. Is that normal for this year? Any suggestions for which glue to use to secure them back down? Thanks for this great resource.

I don't think it's a repaint, just early-on decals that look like they've been exposed to heat.
Someone here knows when the headbadge changed to a round "C" badge, but that's very similar to my '81.

I really, really like the very, very subtle use of black on that thing. It's a cosmetic cleanup, and the decals can be saved with care and patience.

Really a jewel, and something you can really show off with. I would absolutely be all over that.

Man, that is just an ace bike. If you ever want to sell it, let me know.

Nah, Robbie, you don't need that bike - it's too big for you. Looks to be just my size, though.

Hah! I'd use it to torture drrobwave.

It looks extremely consistent with my 1977 Pro Tour. Many of the letters on my foil "Centurion" decals were gone, and I just removed the remainder. Mine has the same Tange Falcon headset and what appears to be the same brake levers. I was able to salvage my racin' stripes on the seattube.

Only thing that doesn't look right is the seatpost binder bolt. Mine is unmarked, but has a notch on one side and fits inside the ears of the lug.

Here's the link to mine: 1977 Pro Tour

Thanks for the helpful comments and the compliments. I am excited about this bike! It's my first nice C&V ride.

The plan is to add bar-end shifters and maybe go to 7 speed. I really like the stem, but unfortunately it feels like I may need a longer one.

I may also soon be looking for aesthetic advice re: bar wrap and cable housing to go w/the black accents and dark brown saddle. Cheers!

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion?highlight=

Here are some pictures of the $70 Centurion Super LeMans I just bought. These aren't my pictures, they were from the CL ad. The original owner thought it was a 1975. The serial # is 6R1363. Does that jive with a 1975? He said he updated the components over the years. The RD is Campy Nuovo Record (pat. 74) in near perfect condition. The FD is Suntour Sprint as are the hubs. I have Sprint FD and RD on my Miele and I really like them. It has Suntour bar-con shifters. The rims are Araya 700c 1W. The bar is Sakae Randnner. The crank is SR Apex-5. It weighs in at about 27 pounds so I assume it is hi-ten steel. I will most likely rob it for parts since I don't think it is worth that much.

Finally landed a Dave Scott Ironman today. Needs an overhaul, but the paint looked really good. Just wait till I tell the wife.

The bike's an aphrodisiac, too. Just be sure to take your helmet off, first.

or put one on...

SFRxxxx or 5FRxxxxx ,does the F mean a 86 ?are the Mavic/Modolo levers stock ? thanks for any info, sorry about the mtb bike pedals but i'am going to use it to pull the granddaughters buggy around the neighborhood , i have owned a Pinarello and a Bianchi from the 80's and this beast is just as smooth ! bought it off of CL yesterday from a guy that had hung it in his garage 10 years ago, i did have to put some tires and bartape on it .

The Mavic/Modolo stuff is definitely not stock, and may be worth about twice as much as the OEM stuff is.

The touchup paint for that is straight Testor's yellow, and the Testor's White is close.
Sharpie also makes paint pens in both the yellow and white.

It's definitely not a 1985, would be newer, based purely on the DT font. Closer shots of all the decals, including the Tange decals on the frame and fork, would help date it.

Very pretty bike. I, too, have had an 80's Pinarello and a few Centurions, and agree about the relatiave smoothness.

thanks RT i will be touching the paint up next, thanks for the tips on the Sharpies, heres some decal shots,the headset is a black LX Deore,lol also the back wheel is a newer Ayara ?

My opinion, based on the decals and fonts, is that it's a 1986, probably made in 1985.
The DT font is almost identical to the 1986 Ironman, and combined with the SN, I'm guessing that.

texastwister - That's a seriously sweet bike! If you wanted to bling it out somewhat, white cable housings and a white seat would look cool. I just put a white San Marco Regal on my Miami Vice Ironman.

And speaking of Miami Vice colors...that's a familiar color scheme on the HT decal.

thanks revchuck for the suggestions , a white saddle in the future for sure,maybe some black mavic or modolo cailpers to match the levers , i would also like to come up with a Rolf or newer style Bontrager wheelset , but as of now it will be ridden as is , thanks guys , there is alot of awsome Centurions on this cool topic !

Pic of my riced out (not really equipe) 86 ironman from this past weekend's MSFits ride that Robbie was supposed to attend. That saddlebag look familiar too?

I took a couple shots of the new Ironman today, and figured Id enter it into the database. 105 all over. Wolber Alpines. Serial is N6M7770. Will probably ride out the year, and tear it down this winter.





Also nabbed a couple of the 78 Pro Tour. It recently got new rubber, cables, and tape.

Mrs. RT utilized veto power, and it was probably a smart thing.

1986? Centurion Ironman (Dave Scott Signature)
Two tone "strictly business" grey
Serial N535320
Approximately 58cm (23") frame
Tange 1 tube decal

Finally finished my Ironman. Better pedals and 170mm crank arms are in its future, but at least now I can finally ride it. Did a short ride last night and I think I'm going to really love it.
Serial is N6M7515.

Two great examples, '85 and '87