RobbieTunes

Chariots of the Gods.

RobbieTunes

You know, I've often wondered why the Centurion tourers weren't a little longer, like the Miyatas. I tell myself it's either because that's as far into that market they wanted to go, or it was because at the time they were admirers of certain Italian marques. Maybe neither, maybe both, but I've thought about it, too.

gaucho777 

An, as found, '77 Centurion mixte. Anyone know what model I should call it? The serial follows T-Mar's date code interpretation on post #62, though it pre-dates the post-80s time frame (albeit in a slightly altered format with a number in the fourth position). It comes with the beastly Shimano Positron II RD which was introduced in '77. First reaction to the derailleurs: Yuck! It's hard to convey their tactile feel over the internet. I haven't yet got the bike up and running, but the exchange of the plastic levers pushing and pulling on a heavy cable against crude notches 3 feet away does not give me high expectations. Although, it is an interesting step in the development of indexed shifting. I'm kind of excited to get it up and running, I doubt I'll end up keeping the derailleurs/shifters on the bike. It was either $30 or free. If bay area prices are $30 higher than elsewhere, it was free, right? Well, that's how I choose to look at it. Did I mention I am a sucker for factory fenders? Besides, I also needed a guinea pig for oxalic acid experimentation (especially the fork). Serial #: W77641230.

RobbieTunes

LeMans.

Awesome.

Aaargh.

RaleighSport

I need thoughts on a paint match for the original Le Mans green, aka raleigh BRG not rattlecan I want to restore my original Le Mans back to original.

cehowardGS

You think the Mods heard us?

cehowardGS

IMO, it was because like somebody else mentioned, they are "sport tourers"..

Just like with sportbikes. The Hayabusa and Z-14 are not "sportbikes", they are "sport-tourers".. Fast touring with a little handling thrown in.

BTW Robbie on my Centurion Expert, I got some play in the rear wheel. I can move the rear wheel about a 1/16th of inch side to side. Can't do that with any of my other bikes. Is that the wheel gone shot?

gaucho777 

Sounds like maybe the rear hub needs adjusting/tightening. When you remove the wheel, does the axle have any lateral play?

RobbieTunes

Like gaucho said, probably just hub adjustment. Somewhere or sometime, the axle nuts have loosened. A bike shop can easily fix that, or a person with a set of cone wrenches. Two things to think about: evenly spaced on both sides and adjusted for a smooth rolling ride. Alway a good opportunity to repack those hubs, too. I should be seeing you in a couple of weeks, if no more hurricanes show up.

AZORCH

Serial Number: 4F07420

I can't believe I neglected to add this one to the Centurion S/N database: This is a 1984 Turbo (the second keeper I've acquired through a trade this year, so no actual money involved which makes the wife very happy) and a real, honest-to-goodness "barn find" - apparently it belonged to the guy's brother. He rode it for a few months, then hung it in the barn, and that's where it has been for the past few decades. Dunno if the story is true or not, but the bike, after dusting off and re-packing of grease, etc. rides great. Probably going to need to re-build the rear hub though.








Not crazy about the bar wrap the guy added to make the bike more presentable for me. He thought he was doing me a favor by stripping off the original cotton wrap. Urgh.






Specifications:
Suntour Superbe rear and front derailleurs
Aero Mighty Crankset, 52/42 chainrings with 175 crank arms
Suntour Superbe pedals, Mira cages and straps
Araya 700c lightweight rims
Suzue sealed hubs
SR seat post
Bernard Hinault Turbo saddle
Sakae Road Champion handlbars
ARX stem (130? Still need to measure.)
NGC 400 brakeset
Suntour downtube shifters
Champion No. 1 tubing and fork

60cm c-c on seat tube
58cm c-c on top tube

cehowardGS

Or earthquakes!!

On the bike, seems like just an adjustment.. Cool. I haven't ridden it since I noticed that. Will take it to the LBS for a look see..

Preynmantis

Here is my contribution to the CBOK.

Centurion Semi Pro, guessing 1980, based on previous posts, but the SN does NOT begin with a "N". SN M0K09703

Components as purchased.

Frame: Tange Champion 1 (56cm)
Headset: Tange Falcon
Bars: Kusuki Medallion
Stem: Kusuki Medallion 800 (90mm)
Brakes: Gran Compe
Levers: Gran Compe
Derailleurs: Suntour Cyclone
Shifters: Suntour Cyclone
Freewheel: Suntour (no other markings) 13-24 (13-15-18-21-24)
Crankset: Sugino Super Mighty 52-42, drilled chainrings, 170mm
Pedals: MKS SY-1 (clips and straps intact)
Hubs: Sunshine Pro Am
Wheels: Araya
Seat post: SR Laprade, fluted
Saddle: non stock gel saddle (uck!)

Pictured as "restored" by me (saddle is an Avocet Racing saddle I recovered in leather):



Subsequently updated (by me) with:

Sakae ergo bars
Nitto stem 110mm
Tektro RL340 levers
Suntour Winner Pro Ultra 6 FW, 13-24 (13-15-17-19-21-24)
Fizik Gobi Saddle

Current picture

RobbieTunes

Awesome bikes, they never stop showing up...

Attention, Turbo owners:

I am about to try and have an Adobe Illustrator person re-create the OEM decals on the Turbo.
I would like to know how many folks would be interested in getting some of these, as far as offsetting setup costs.

This would mainly be the down tube and top tube decals, and the headbadge.
I have some questions, and please respond in PM's if possible.

1-How important is it to you to have the lower seat tube decal (Made in Japan)?
2-Would you include the frame tubing decals (3)? This would double the setup costs.
3-A production run of several sets, would be most economical. Are you interested?

AZORCH

I don't need a set - mine are in great condition - but I think a complete set would be the best approach. I'm currently working on an Illustrator file myself, btw, just as a personal exercise.

frantik

lurvely blue smoked DB Ascent i saw on CL..

xn7

i'm fixing up a pretty beat up black+yellow 87 lemans rs at the moment and my girlfriend has a almost pristine silver 85 ironman.

the ironman is super smooth to ride and the friction shift on the shimano 600 is awesome. the shimano light action equipped lemans rs is pretty nice too, but not nearly as good.

interesting thing about the lemans rs.. it has a suntour cyclone crankset.. i asked the (previous)owner if all the parts were original.. he said it was. it was a 1 owner bike.

i'll get up some pictures when i get a chance to snap a few shots. great thread by the way

RobbieTunes

Welcome to the forum xn7.

The black and yellow was one of the most popular Lemans RS models. The OEM crankset was Shimano Exage/LX100. I can't remember what the crankset actually said on it, but I think the Cyclone is probably it's equal or better. The Lemans RS makes an excellent all-around bike and has eyelets for racks or fenders. The geometry is fine for just about everything, and the Tange 2 frame is just 2.2 oz heavier than the Tange 1 on that Ironman, for the same size.

The '85 silver IM is one of those hard to find bikes, and not many are around. That's the frame to be careful with, to keep in good shape.

Pics would be great.




That would be a neat partner for the '89 blue smoked Ironman Expert.

I believe someone here has the pair of grey marbleds, the '89 Ironman Master and the matching DB?

frantik

hmm, i'm not sure. I know I posted a grey smoked DB Axis saying I wish I had it to match my Ironnman

xn7

thanks for the welcome robbie. i'll make sure the 85 ironman is taken care of

as for the lemans, it needs a lot of work! i repacked the hub bearings today, unstuck the handlebar stem, and cleaned the frame up. i'll be touching up the paint chips tomorrow and finish by tuning the shifters and brakes.

still trying to pick and handlebar wrap tape. so many to choose from

beanteck

In regards to my 78 pro tour, would it be the first gen Suntour Cyclone (FD-1300) I would need for the front derailleur? That's the only thing I believe I need to get it back to all original.

RobbieTunes

Before my time of familiarity. I'd simply match your rear and feel confident you're there.

hamanu23

https://www.ebay.com/itm/290615755525...#ht_720wt_1185
I think the auction ends on Saturday if I am not mistaken...


IMG_8030 by Lucas James 78, on Flickr


IMG_8038 by Lucas James 78, on Flickr


IMG_8034 by Lucas James 78, on Flickr

RobbieTunes

I saw that, and wanted it. The all-red is a sweetheart.

There is also a really nice Pro Tour in southern Colorado that is screaming for a home.

xn7

there are a lot of nice centurions for sale, just saw two 85 ironmans on craigslist this past week and 1/2 alone and a facet as well too bad they aren't my size.

so what is everyone using for yellow grip tape around here to match the centurion yellow (on the lemans rs) and is the lemans yellow the same as the facet yellow? robbie your facet looks great by the way, how do you like the ride compared to your steel centurions

hamanu23

I am going to miss it for sure. I am down with a mountain bike injury now and when I recover I am dedicating myself to mt biking. I am going to liquidate my bikes so I can get a good one!