A friend wants to restore his first roadbike to working condition. It needs new alloy wheels and he wants tri-bar handlebars. The new handle bars would require him to put in new brakes. Also, the flywheel is malfunctioning, when the bike is pushed, the pedals will move a bit with the back wheel.

Working with a 400$ budget. Is it a worthwhile venture?


(picture of bike in its prime)

Yes and No. It depends on several things such as are you and he doing the work? Does one of you already have the tools and knowledge required? What year and model of Centurian? If it is a basic modela nd needs new wheels it may not be worth it. If it was a top of the line bike with 600 or dura ace parts and you can score some used wheels perhaps it can be done.

As for the bars he could use the clipon style bars and then he would not have the outlay for those right now.

Any pics of the machine in question?

The picture is in the first post.

He has the tools and ability to do the work himself. It is a 79' Centurion, not sure of anything else. I will find out though. I'm trying to get him to do the clip on bars but he thinks it would be odd to have bullhorn handle bars and tri-bar grips. I'm sure there's a bit of sentimental value involved in the bike as well which would be a deciding factor if a new bike of comparable effectiveness were to cost the same.

Not nearly enough information, but I highly doubt it.

Depending where you live, $400 will buy a whole list of high end vintage bikes, then sell the existing one, and you will have way under $400 into it. Of the dozens of keeper bikes I have had over the years, only two cost over $400.

I can't see the pic just a red X in a box.

I agree with Work though not enough information, there were several models of '79 Centurion.

If I found a '79 Bianchi Special beside the road with tacoed wheels I would leave it there. If I found a '79 Bianchi Super Leggera along the road with tacoed wheels I would try and drag it home.