So I've gotten into the habit of building up vintage bicycles for people, for free, or at minimal cost. This year, I've put a Univega and a Motobecane together for free, and on the road for people.

My latest project (I have yet to take a "before" picture, ever) is this Centurion, built for a friend leaving to college in Merced, Matt.

Pictures of the bike:





A picture of the dedicated "community bike" workshop:



There was a picture of matt and the bike, but it didn't turn out.

Anyway, I like the way it came out, the centurion, when found, had grimed up derailleurs and cables, rust on everything, and handlebars wrapped, from the bar up, with

BAR
Glue
Cloth
Ugly Cork
Duct Tape

It was a disaster. Anyway, I took the last of the doomed paint off the fork, filled the cranks, and overhauled it all. Like it?

Next on the list are a KHS road frame, with 531 tubing and a heavier roadster-esque schwinn. Front freewheel, solid derailleur cables... Ehh. Anyway, those builds will be done later, and as always, pictures will follow.

Anyway, back to the grind!

-Nick

Nice work!

Thank you, dan! Much apprecieated!

However, I enjoy constructive criticism. Any suggestions? I know I let the derailleur cables out of the bar tape too high up... Otherwise, I am perfect.

(just kidding.)

too nice for Merced but you're right: the barcon cabling needs work and you shoulda lost the dork-disc. Otherwise, looks great!

And level the rack!

now that is a sharp looking bike nicely done sir, nicely done...

I can find little fault with your build. I especially like the color fill on the crank and FD. Maybe level the rack if you can. I know those Pletscher style rear racks can be a pain to level.

Otherwise, I like it a lot!

It looks more like a Blackburn-style rack to me. Attached at the brake bolt. Not at all hard to level.

As it is now, the rack detracts from the looks of an otherwise beautiful bike.

As for the rack, I also realize it isn't level. It does attach at the brake bridge. However, the tab that allows the brake to be bolted through curved over time/pressure. I tried to install the rack on front of the brake bridge (it sits level that way), but the curve of the tab prevents the brake itself from resting properly flush the the bridge if intalled level.

I figured it was a "deal or go without" situation, and Matt didn't want to go without.

But I agree on that.

(But I like dork disks!)

Nick-

How did you get the spokes to match the saddle, bar tape, and [brake] housing?

And where did the brake cable housing and bar tape come from? I like those colors! (Edit #2--just noticed how nicely they also match the leaves on the ground around the bike. Classy shot!)

Eric

P.S. My criticism is the black seatpost. While it's not terrible, I think the bike would look more balanced with silver.

P.S.S. Will you come over and organize my basement?

I like the black seatpost. Makes the bike more classy looking.

Tastefully done. I thought you were a newbie, obviously you're a fast study.

I stand corrected. Your right, I don't see the "rat trap" that the Pletscher's are famous for.

we were coached to angle the rack forward like that so that flat items (books and boxes) would be "less likely to slide right off". I know that's rather lame logic, but that was what I was told, so this rack is actually "correct", according to my old LBS authorities. YRMV
I think the black post "works" in this case (so would a silver one, just differently) and I'd really want some padding on the DiaCompe lever bodies, if it were mine, but where to find hoods in that color?

Wow, that brings back memories. I had a Super LeMans way back when.

I fixed up a giveaway to a college student also. Wanted to do more of that but found it hard to come up with suitable bikes.