funkflex

So... I Picked up this Lemans 12 the other day for $15 at a yard sale. I don't have the serial number at the moment, but maybe I could get some info from the paint scheme? Looks to be the same as this one on Sheldon Brown's site from the 1984 catalogue. Most of the parts match up except mine has stem shifters instead of the downtube style which looks to be a clamp on? Correct me if I'm wrong. It had a stuck seat post that the previous owner told me about but I figured I could get it out. For $15, I figured it was worth a try. Not so much. Tried every trick under the sun, and no dice. Next, was to cut the top of the post off and saw out the remainder of the post, problem is the hole in the center of the post isn't large enough to accommodate the saw blade. Would it be possible for me to drill out the post using a extra large drill bit or possibly have it machined out? Is this frame worth the effort?

RobbieTunes

It will come out. Soaking with PB Blaster, Ammonia, etc will hep in this regard. Searching here is hard, but there are threads on stuck seat posts that have info.

If all else fails, you strip the frame, turn it upside down, and put the remaining part in a bench vice, turn the frame. It'll come loose. Last resort, after the other options fail, and you've soaked it upside down, etc.

It's a great looking bike, and it's a smooth rider. The higher level Lemans models in that era had DT shifters. but the frames are pretty much the same. I like it the way it looks. Appears it's worth the price just for the pedals.

funkflex

I soaked it in PB Blaster, Amonia, and I even tried CLR...Nothing. The guy at my LBS hit it with an air chisel and it didn't budge. Ive seen other threads that say it could really take a while to get free so I guess I'll just have to keep plugging away at it. Any approximate guess on the year? I know you need the serial, but I'm out of the state at the moment.

RobbieTunes

Based on the paint scheme and colors, I'm thinking 82 to 84. As far as I knew, 83/84 had DT shifters (piggybacked, no braze-ons). I've not seen that color, but a good point is if you saw that color in a catalog, it's unlikely to be more than a year removed either way from the catalog. Centurion just didn't keep colors more than a couple years, in most cases.

roccobike

I think you're idea of drilling out the center of the post, then taking a blade and CAREFULLY cutting to relieve pressure is a good idea. That's similiar to how they got the stem out of my 86 Ironman. We tried soaking with ammonia and Coca Cola. Then a machinist freind, chisled a groove in the remaining portion of the stem, then, using the same chisel, hit the outside of the stem ( a small amount still remained) and collapsed it into the center. Finally, when he hit it, to collapse another section, it budged and we knew we were home. BTW, the machinist said all the soaking helped as you could see some chemical reaction on the aluminum.

funkflex

Thanks for the help guys! Ill keep you posted on the progress.
Cheers

curbtender

Did you try a jig saw with a metal cut blade? Leave some tube above frame, cut multiple grooves and then peel back with a chiesel.

jtgotsjets

Those brake levers are definitely worth the price of admission too. Not nice, but modern and probably worth at least $15-20 or so.

friendly-fred42

1987 Centurion Ironman Master (full 600)
https://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=4601918153&
https://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=4601924431&
https://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=4601927309&
Serial #N6F308

And, since it's also a Centurion, I'll toss in the boat anchor as well......
Early 70's LeMans
https://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=4665036006&
https://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=4665037612&
Serial # IY28734N

Chicago Al 

There is a red/white Ironman Expert on eBay right now, from one of those strip mall eBay sellers in a N suburb of Chicago. Looks like 49cm. I am tempted to try for it for my son, but he will be taller than me by the end of the year, I predict.

I would also offer to check it out for BFers but am about to head out of town. Seller responded nicely to an email, said checking it out and local pickup would both be fine, so presumably would be willing to answer a question frankly.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

RobbieTunes

Very nice. Welcome to the forum, and the cult that resides within..... I love those '86 red/whites.

funkflex

Found this LeMans on my way home yesterday for $20. Serial # N7M5999. Missing the left lever, and front brake, and some hacked up Kusuki Winpista bars. Wheels are true and everything else is intact. Tange 2, Shimano Exage, Bronze Araya 700c wheels.

lsdmt

Those Arayas are worth quite a bit of they are in good condition.

I really need to get a family picture up soon. Thanks again for helping my sister out with the Facet Robbie. Time to get a Triangle Area Centurion Ride together.

funkflex

They are in ok condition. They are true but have some scratches.

RobbieTunes

I'm game. I know of 8 between you, roccobike, and myself.

Then, 3 Paramounts if we get norskagent to come. Roccobike will need a truck.

Then we ride.

lsdmt

I can get my lady to ride the red one, so we are three. I'll get some pics this weekend.

I love that carbon ironman you got too, finally one your size. I want a weigh in between that one as it sits and my black '89.

RobbieTunes

That red/white 56cm frame on eBay went for $154 plus shipping. Hoo yah.

Loose Chain

I have a nice black Tange 1 Ironman frame with fork, size 58, will sell or trade for a 56 of any color--maybe.

dmp

If anyone is looking for a really small road bike, I am selling my daughter's '88 Lemans- she has long outgrown it and it doesn'f fit my wife properly, either (just got her a Bianchi Giro on craigslist). Its a 45cm with 650C wheels, rebuilt with 8 speed Sora brifters (although retaining the original Exage RD). Serial number is N8A5383. "Aztec" paint scheme with white to dark blue fade.

details are here: https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/1780684005.html
much prefer a local pickup but will consider shipping if you really want it.

monte3

First of all, thanks for all the research and info and shared stories. I bought a Centurion Ironman Expert Dave Scott from Cycles & Sports, Wisc. Ave., Wash., DC either in 1988 or '89 for $600ish (on sale from $700ish). I got it when I was 25, it was and remains my first true love and I put a few thousand miles on it in the first 4-5 years of use before I met my 2nd true love. 17 years of marriage, 4 kids and a long garage stay later, I had it re-tuned last year and got back on it in earnest the other day. Except for the SLIGHTLY slower pace, it's like I never got off. Sadly, my Centurion has outlasted Cycles & Sports, which opened in 1912 and closed several years ago.

Here's the specs: S/N N9A568; Tange #1 frame; all black paint job; white handlebar tape (still original with patches of vairous tape forms); Avenir gel seat; GPX Suntour components; only change from factory is Time Sport pedals. The bike is in great shape and it's just incredibly responsive and tight. My knees now taking precedence over sprinting, I'll be getting new pedals, and the hills seem bigger than they used to be so I gotta get a bigger range cassette.

Thanks again for the great forum. Support your local bike store.

RobbieTunes

You should absolutely have no problem selling that. Here, it would be gone at $300. Size, STI's, Centurion, and pretty, to boot.

monte3, welcome to the forum, and always glad to know the Ironman cult is long-lasting. You may wish to hop on over to the C&V thread where a man is actually hesitating about paying $130 for an '89 Ironman with GPX.

Loose Chain

Oh, cool, I just scored a Centurion Prestige in a 56cm frame and fork. I have four serial numbers to post up to be up to date on these wonderful bikes and frames.

RobbieTunes

you're killing me.... Great score.

consultdan

I am trying to get a legitimate value on my 1970's Centurion touring bike serial number:
M6L70079 it is in excellent conditon - has a champion butted tubes chrome moly frame, I bought it new in either '75 or '76. Can anyone out there tell me what it might be worth - even a range would help? I paid somewhere around $400 for it I think. It has very low miles on it and has been stored inside at all times .

Thanks

Loose Chain

Here is how you do it, you put it on eBay and what it brings is what it is worth at that moment in time, beyond that, BTCOOM.