seypat

The IM with the parts that can be harvested is pictured in post 5728, page 230. I will wait and see what needs to be shipped. Still need to know what size rings to put on the crank.

TXsailor

I think something around 52 38 30 or maybe 28 if the exage derailleurs will handle that much range. Her wheels are pretty sad looking and the spoke nipples are corroded some so decent wheels would be nice. I think she would prefer black brake hoods with the black bike. If you will send me a request on paypal I will get you the funds. I'll pm you with the paypal info.

You guys are amazing. This is going to be so much fun . I'll order her cables & a new chain probably a Sram PC 850 unless someone knows one that works better. That's what I put on my blue & white expert with the stock GPX stuff and it seems to work pretty good. I used a Sunrace 13-28 freewheel on it. It does seem to have more drag with the GPX derailleur as @canklecat mentioned but I haven't rode it much lately since I have the purple one going.

canklecat

The entire group is in pretty good shape, just scuffs here and there. Hoods are still pliable, not gummy or cracked. There's just something about that GPX rear derailleur that isn't right and I'm tired of messing with it. Life is too short for that kind of aggravation. I just wasted a weekend trying to get the spring tension where I want it. The convenience of the Accushift index mode isn't worth the aggravation.

If the springs were compatible I'd swap between the GPX and Shimano 600 rear derailleurs, but there's no point messing up a derailleur that already works. I just need some shifters that work in friction mode -- another aggravation about the GPX system. The friction mode is a half-hearted afterthought that barely works compared with well designed friction shifters. And there's no practical way to disassemble and reassemble the module to try to tweak the friction mode.

I'll admit I may be picky about some drivetrain drag that amounts to maybe 5-10 watts, but it's annoying and I've never seen this on any other bike from that era. Every time I see a comparable road bike I check the drivetrain to see if it's a common problem. It ain't. Mine has distinctly more drag in the big chainring. It's like pedaling while the brakes are dragging. I've gotten to the point where I avoid the big ring until it's absolutely necessary, even if it means cross-chaining in the little ring.

canklecat

Okay, I think I got the problem with the GPX rear derailleur sorted out Sunday. I took a 23 mile ride on a familiar route I've ridden hundreds of times and know every inch and how I usually perform. I set some of my fastest times of the year despite my legs feeling tight and sluggish. That's how much difference the drag and lack of drag makes in the drivetrain. Just a few more watts that goes into forward motion rather than fighting the bike.

I adjusted the spring tension after getting a tip from this video by RJ the Bike Guy. He twists the post that supports the lower knuckle spring and locks the cage to the derailleur body. Didn't occur to me that post could be twisted to be sure the cage locks up properly after resetting the spring tension. Problem solved.


Then I put the original Suntour 13-24 freewheel back on. I preferred the 14-28 SunRace -- much easier on my knees while climbing -- but it had a couple of problems. The 14 tooth smallest cog forced the chain much too close to the chainstay/dropouts -- it actually scraped the paint in some positions, limiting the use of the long horizontal adjustable dropouts. And the freewheel had developed a rattle -- I'm hoping it's just a loose lockring. Anyway, the 13-24 Suntour works better overall, although it doesn't shift as smoothly as the SunRace freewheels, which are better ramped.

And I left the chain a couple of links longer than technically recommended. This relieved some of the tension and odd angle of the rear derailleur that was creating some drag. There's still enough tension in the RD's cage pivot range to take up the slack, so the chain doesn't sag.

No more excessive tension or drag when the chain is in the big ring.

I'd still prefer a 13-28 freewheel, but I might be able to accomplish the same thing by switching to a 50T big chainring and 38T small ring. Amazon is re-sending the chainring after getting my order wrong last week.

TXsailor

@canklecat I put a Sunrace13-28 on my '89 with the GPX drive train and it works pretty good. I run my chains as long as possible (55 links) I don't worry about a few grams and don't like the derailleur being tight if I accidentally get in big ring big cog. I usually have to run the b-screw pretty far in. My bike has 52/42 chain rings. Jenson has the 13-28 for $9.99 but to get free shipping you have to spend $50. I'll probably order one for the granddaughter's bike as soon as I need enough other stuff to get free shipping.

seypat

Update on the wheel set I have being talked about. Hubs are 105 1050. Rear hub is a FH-1050, which takes a Uniglide cassette. Good news as people know, because you can switch the freehub body for about $20 and run modern Hyperglide cassettes. I don't know if you can put an 8-10 speed body on, but rrcardr and Robbie do. Let them chime in so we can move the project along. It is coming together!

TXsailor

Uniglide is something I haven't messed with yet but it looks like I am about to.

We tore the bike down yesterday and I started buffing the faded paint. It is going to shine up pretty good. I was worried since it was nearly white in places where it must have sat in the sun for years. I also took the calipers apart as they were gummed up. I figured out how to get them back together and made a little tutorial, I put it on the main C&V page since I figured Centurion wasn't the only bike with GPX brakes.

rccardr 

Vintage_Cyclist

Pricey, but seldom-sighted, 1985 Centurion Prestige on fleaBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Awesome-Vin...H-e9:rk:2:pf:0

markwesti

I like it , I could buy it , put $300. in it and have a $ 900. bike worth $ 300 . But It's not about the worth of the bike it's all about the bike .
Please read rule # 4 Velominati ? The Rules Isn't that right tex ?

TXsailor

Like this?
https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-M5...sugg_q=freehub

TXsailor

I finally got some pictures of my Frankenbike Ironman


I ended up using the Exage crank with new 52/38/30 Sugino rings, 11-28 Ultegra 10 speed cassette & chain shifted by Dura-Ace shifters &105 derailleurs, Ultegra brakes with Exage levers stop it on a dime (Thanks Robbie Tunes) Cinelli bar tape on Nitto Olympaide bars with a Nitto 80 mm stem. The wheels are Giant PR-2 with the new Continental GP 5000 clinchers in 25 mm . The saddle is what was on it and has a little hole but it feels pretty good so I haven't changed it. Its still a work in progress but I have got nearly 200 miles on it and I'm pretty happy.

markwesti

Nice Purple Haze TXsailor , rims are cool . What is that seat ?
OK first thing after Christmas tex , gas up the SUV and program the GPS for Budapest , I'll buy the beer . Lets score this baby .
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cen...qsX:rk:57:pf:0

Vintage_Cyclist

Looks like a similar model to one @artclone got not that long ago. Centurion Futura Equipe??

seedsbelize 

I would say yes, like that.

TXsailor

That would be quite a score. My sailboat isn't big enough to cross that big pond! The saddle is a Selle Royal Respiro. Its not the coolest looking thing I have ever seen but my backside is tolerating it pretty well. It has a air scoop under it that's supposed to keep the boys cool, I think my daughter has one like it that was on her Cannondale. I haven't got her to dig it out but it didn't have a worn spot like the one I have does.

RobbieTunes

Glad it's 58cm. Glad I am not "eligible" for that.

Otherwise, that frameset is the equal or better of any Italian frames costing that much for the frame alone.

Basically, other than bias against Japanese builders, this bike with full 1985 DA7400 is better than anything you could get in 1985 Campagnolo trim. Bias may hurt the value, now, but give it time. It's more rare, and better quality than almost any 1985 out there, and that was a superb year for bikes. I've always wondered who built it. Tsunoda comes to mind, but I do not know. Take it to any C&V show. It will not win. Then challenge folks to ride their 85's and you ride the Prestige.

You win.

artclone

texaspandj

Merry Christmas to all the Irongents, past, present, and future.

@markwesti The "rules" rule rules! <you may have to drink a little more JD to say that one correctly.

seypat

I'll second the Merry Christmas out to everyone!

seypat

+1 on the "glad it's a 58." I have decided though, if I am ever lucky enough to stumble upon a 54-56, it's going to you. Loaner basis, of course. I think you would appreciate it more. It's also way more bike than my cycling ability. I wonder how many in the Lavender color are out there.

rccardr 

seypat

I see this hasn't been answered yet. The page changed after your post. I've only swapped 6 to 7 free hub bodies. Looks like the right one. Let Robbie or rrcardr confirm. In reference to posts 5820-5822.

RobbieTunes

Doc chimed in first. I'm too out of focus, listening to Robert Earle Keen and drinking "fortified" egg nog.

I think we'll be setting up our inaugural Iron Maiden in fine shape to kick tail in style.
Given her preference for Merle, we'll have to call her ride the Highwayman.

RobbieTunes

I'd ride it, then set it up for you and I to go back to Greenville and thumb our noses at those Spandex tri-bastids.