A new Centurion - Sweet ride
11-19-11 | 04:50 PM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,096
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
A new Centurion - Sweet ride
I picked up this Centurion Turbo today.
The good:
- 7400 Dura Ace components (crank, f & r derailleurs, headset, brakes, hubs)
- Mavic Velotech rims???
- Dia-Compe brake levers
- Turbo saddle, stem, bars, seat post and possibly pedals are original (I guess)
- frame in great shape minus a few flakes here and there. I love the finish!
- the fact that it's a Tange 1 frame
The bad:
- fork is not original
The ugly:
- cannot think of any
Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet
The good:
- 7400 Dura Ace components (crank, f & r derailleurs, headset, brakes, hubs)
- Mavic Velotech rims???
- Dia-Compe brake levers
- Turbo saddle, stem, bars, seat post and possibly pedals are original (I guess)
- frame in great shape minus a few flakes here and there. I love the finish!
- the fact that it's a Tange 1 frame
The bad:
- fork is not original
The ugly:
- cannot think of any
Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet
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11-19-11 | 05:13 PM
#3
Señor Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 3
From: Boston Burbs
Bikes: Bedford, IF, Hampsten, DeSalvo, Intense Carbine 27.5, Raleigh Sports, Bianchi C.u.S.S, Soma DC Disc, Bill Boston Tandem
Nice ride. Tange 1 and DA 7400 is just as good or better (for riding) than the Italian stuff.
Is the top tube dented or just reflections in the paint?
Is the top tube dented or just reflections in the paint?
11-19-11 | 08:10 PM
#6
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
I had to go back to the basement to check and to my surprise there indeed is a small dent on the side of the top tube. I looked over the bike for quite some time before I bought it and never noticed it. I had to go over it with my hand to locate the dent. Wow, pictures can reveal a lot. But besides the dent the TT looks better than the picture makes it appear. I'm not happy obviously to find out now.
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11-19-11 | 08:18 PM
#8
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
I went around the block and the ride is great, but I have to really try it out tomorrow. It might be a hair too small. The stem is too short for sure.
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11-19-11 | 10:02 PM
#9
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,123
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From: Liberty, Missouri
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
I have this same bike, although my headbadge graphic is different than yours - maybe the difference of a year? Very nice bike and it's not only a lightweight frame, but it feels light as you ride it, if that makes any sense. Mine is a 1984 model, same color scheme:
Kind of interesting information in the brochure about the paint application, btw:
Kind of interesting information in the brochure about the paint application, btw:
11-19-11 | 11:04 PM
#11
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
It's a 56cm frame.
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11-19-11 | 11:16 PM
#12
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Tange 1, chrome under the paint.
You might have the OEM fork, just with the paint stripped off, but it wasn't lugged.
Looks a lot like a Tange Prestige fork.
Wow, 56cm, my size....upgraded well.
Congrats, you have a winner there.
You might have the OEM fork, just with the paint stripped off, but it wasn't lugged.
Looks a lot like a Tange Prestige fork.
Wow, 56cm, my size....upgraded well.
Congrats, you have a winner there.
11-19-11 | 11:39 PM
#13
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
I asked if he still had the original fork but he did not. The drop-outs are stamped Shimano, not Suntour. And yes, it's lugged. I guess I will have to pull it all apart to see if I can find a stamp. I'm not familiar with the Tange Prestige fork. Does it include 3 circles on the inside lugs? That's what I'm seeing. I'll post pictures later.
Btw - Robbie, I'm honored I got your attention...
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Last edited by b dub; 11-19-11 at 11:47 PM.
11-20-11 | 06:31 AM
#14
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,123
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From: Liberty, Missouri
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
From the bit of research I did prior to my trip to picking up the bike I knew the Turbo did not come stocked with an all chrome fork. So when I got to the seller and saw the bike I knew I had to ask about it. In most cases forks are replaced obviously because of an accident. I asked about it but he assured me it was never crashed. He explained that in the mid 80s he wanted the entire bike to be upgraded to Dura Ace components, including the headset. But the bearings in the DA headset were bigger than the bearings in the Suntour headset. This made the OEM fork too short to make it work, so he had it replaced with another fork. Honestly, I have never heard anything like this.
I asked if he still had the original fork but he did not. The drop-outs are stamped Shimano, not Suntour. And yes, it's lugged. I guess I will have to pull it all apart to see if I can find a stamp. I'm not familiar with the Tange Prestige fork. Does it include 3 circles on the inside lugs? That's what I'm seeing. I'll post pictures later.
Btw - Robbie, I'm honored I got your attention...
I asked if he still had the original fork but he did not. The drop-outs are stamped Shimano, not Suntour. And yes, it's lugged. I guess I will have to pull it all apart to see if I can find a stamp. I'm not familiar with the Tange Prestige fork. Does it include 3 circles on the inside lugs? That's what I'm seeing. I'll post pictures later.
Btw - Robbie, I'm honored I got your attention...
11-20-11 | 10:09 AM
#16
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From the bit of research I did prior to my trip to picking up the bike I knew the Turbo did not come stocked with an all chrome fork.
You're right, the Turbo did not come with an all-chrome fork, BUT it was chrome plated under the paint, just not polished and then chrome plated. On many, the chrome was so good, owners have stripped the paint and run it chrome, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger on that. The OEM fork is a pretty one, sloped crown, and the OEM crown was polished, as were the Suntour fork ends.
So when I got to the seller and saw the bike I knew I had to ask about it. In most cases forks are replaced obviously because of an accident. I asked about it but he assured me it was never crashed. He explained that in the mid 80s he wanted the entire bike to be upgraded to Dura Ace components, including the headset. But the bearings in the DA headset were bigger than the bearings in the Suntour headset. This made the OEM fork too short to make it work, so he had it replaced with another fork. Honestly, I have never heard anything like this.
He knew of which he spake... The OEM headset is a PITA, has a funny stack height, tiny bearings, and fragile bearing cages. It looks cool, but it needs, almost literally, a 34mm cone wrench and another headset wrench, turned on edge, to adjust. Not fun.
I asked if he still had the original fork but he did not. The drop-outs are stamped Shimano, not Suntour. And yes, it's lugged. I guess I will have to pull it all apart to see if I can find a stamp.
If it works, I'd leave it alone. A DA headset and Prestige fork on a Tange 1 frame are a pretty nice package, and I wouldn't invite trouble. Murphy lurks, and leaps when you least expect the bastid...
I'm not familiar with the Tange Prestige fork. Does it include 3 circles on the inside lugs? That's what I'm seeing. I'll post pictures later.
The lugs and 3 holes are found on the 135 and the 124 fork, but not together. One has the lugs like that, one has the holes, per a catalog from 1997. https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/tan...t97/index.html
I've not seen them together on one fork, but that doesn't mean Tange didn't make it for someone else. I've seen Tange Prestige forks with the external lugs, but truthfully, I didn't look at the inside of the fork, and Tange-specific replacement forks have TANGE stamped on the fork ends. Regardless of that info, I'd not change that fork, it's a beauty.
Btw - Robbie, I'm honored I got your attention...
You're right, the Turbo did not come with an all-chrome fork, BUT it was chrome plated under the paint, just not polished and then chrome plated. On many, the chrome was so good, owners have stripped the paint and run it chrome, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger on that. The OEM fork is a pretty one, sloped crown, and the OEM crown was polished, as were the Suntour fork ends.
So when I got to the seller and saw the bike I knew I had to ask about it. In most cases forks are replaced obviously because of an accident. I asked about it but he assured me it was never crashed. He explained that in the mid 80s he wanted the entire bike to be upgraded to Dura Ace components, including the headset. But the bearings in the DA headset were bigger than the bearings in the Suntour headset. This made the OEM fork too short to make it work, so he had it replaced with another fork. Honestly, I have never heard anything like this.
He knew of which he spake... The OEM headset is a PITA, has a funny stack height, tiny bearings, and fragile bearing cages. It looks cool, but it needs, almost literally, a 34mm cone wrench and another headset wrench, turned on edge, to adjust. Not fun.
I asked if he still had the original fork but he did not. The drop-outs are stamped Shimano, not Suntour. And yes, it's lugged. I guess I will have to pull it all apart to see if I can find a stamp.
If it works, I'd leave it alone. A DA headset and Prestige fork on a Tange 1 frame are a pretty nice package, and I wouldn't invite trouble. Murphy lurks, and leaps when you least expect the bastid...
I'm not familiar with the Tange Prestige fork. Does it include 3 circles on the inside lugs? That's what I'm seeing. I'll post pictures later.
The lugs and 3 holes are found on the 135 and the 124 fork, but not together. One has the lugs like that, one has the holes, per a catalog from 1997. https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/tan...t97/index.html
I've not seen them together on one fork, but that doesn't mean Tange didn't make it for someone else. I've seen Tange Prestige forks with the external lugs, but truthfully, I didn't look at the inside of the fork, and Tange-specific replacement forks have TANGE stamped on the fork ends. Regardless of that info, I'd not change that fork, it's a beauty.
Btw - Robbie, I'm honored I got your attention...
That's one hot bike, and in my size. Just leave the key under the mat next time you go on vacation, eh?
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-20-11 at 10:12 AM.
11-20-11 | 11:08 AM
#17
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,096
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
^^ Well, the headset feels very tight and smooth. No play at all.
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11-20-11 | 12:34 PM
#18
Hogosha Sekai
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Still think it's a sweet ride, and I must be getting better at estimating size from pics 
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