My Centurion Semi-Professional -- I love this bike.
08-21-12, 12:42 AM
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My Centurion Semi-Professional -- I love this bike.
[***Note this is an old thread -- updates on page 2***]
I bought this 3 months ago. I had made a little bit of money reselling a couple bikes (thanks to much knowledge gleaned here), and wanted to parlay that into my first nice vintage bike. I was looking for something relatively light, with relaxed geometry and clearance for wider tires -- a quick but versatile machine.
The ad for this bike was up for 17 days before I called. There isn't a ton of information about these bikes out there, but eventually I found enough to start thinking this could be what I was looking for. There have been a couple threads since then, and I mainly just want to add this one to say: these are really nice bikes, and if you run across one at a fair price, I recommend grabbing it.
The condition was pretty good, but it of course needed some love. It took me this long to get it to this point because I am inexperienced, and poor, and indecisive. I tore it down, did an OA bath for the fork and Boeshield for frame and fork. Rebuilt hubs and hs, replaced bb. Cleaned up the chrome. Added a longer/taller stem, bar-ends, half-clips, a bottle cage, more comfortable brake levers (was torn about that change, but am glad I did), and tires/tubes/cables/pads. Needed lower gearing, so changed to a 14-30 fw and a V-GT Luxe rear der. I would eventually like to find a black Cyclone GT to match the rest of the components.
I like the way it looks and love the way it rides. None of this could have happened without the people who generously share their knowledge here, so thank you.
Serial # indicates it was built in '77. So I assume it's either a '77 or '78 model. Was either the top model or second from the top that year. One source says these Semi-Pros weighed 24 lbs; I am sure this one weighs more than that, but it is light for its size.
Here's the best photo from the original ad:
And here it is now. Not done, but getting there: (feel free to make fun of my bar wrap job, it was my first time)
I bought this 3 months ago. I had made a little bit of money reselling a couple bikes (thanks to much knowledge gleaned here), and wanted to parlay that into my first nice vintage bike. I was looking for something relatively light, with relaxed geometry and clearance for wider tires -- a quick but versatile machine.
The ad for this bike was up for 17 days before I called. There isn't a ton of information about these bikes out there, but eventually I found enough to start thinking this could be what I was looking for. There have been a couple threads since then, and I mainly just want to add this one to say: these are really nice bikes, and if you run across one at a fair price, I recommend grabbing it.
The condition was pretty good, but it of course needed some love. It took me this long to get it to this point because I am inexperienced, and poor, and indecisive. I tore it down, did an OA bath for the fork and Boeshield for frame and fork. Rebuilt hubs and hs, replaced bb. Cleaned up the chrome. Added a longer/taller stem, bar-ends, half-clips, a bottle cage, more comfortable brake levers (was torn about that change, but am glad I did), and tires/tubes/cables/pads. Needed lower gearing, so changed to a 14-30 fw and a V-GT Luxe rear der. I would eventually like to find a black Cyclone GT to match the rest of the components.
I like the way it looks and love the way it rides. None of this could have happened without the people who generously share their knowledge here, so thank you.
Serial # indicates it was built in '77. So I assume it's either a '77 or '78 model. Was either the top model or second from the top that year. One source says these Semi-Pros weighed 24 lbs; I am sure this one weighs more than that, but it is light for its size.
Here's the best photo from the original ad:
And here it is now. Not done, but getting there: (feel free to make fun of my bar wrap job, it was my first time)
Last edited by inkandsilver; 08-13-14 at 08:38 PM.
08-21-12, 12:48 AM
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Looks picture perfect. What are those really tall rocky things in the background, we don't have anything like that in Ohio.
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08-21-12, 01:04 AM
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The bike looks fantastic. The paint color is lovely and you've sorted out the hardware choices to nicely complement it.
You've done a great job.
You've done a great job.
08-21-12, 03:16 AM
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For that tall a Head Tube, how long is your Top Tube?
Every roadie collection needs a nice bike that maxes out your frame size.
Mine is a 72 Raleigh SuperCourse 63cm (25"). Cadillac ride, but tad heavy.
Every roadie collection needs a nice bike that maxes out your frame size.
Mine is a 72 Raleigh SuperCourse 63cm (25"). Cadillac ride, but tad heavy.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-21-12 at 03:23 AM.
08-21-12, 03:26 AM
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Super nice bike. Well done, handlebars look nice.
08-21-12, 05:58 AM
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Congrats! You've done a terrific job getting that bike back on the road. Love the color!
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08-21-12, 06:40 AM
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Beautiful Centurion there, that color is nice and pleasing as well as unique. You have a keeper there, enjoy the ride.
Bill
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
08-21-12, 07:32 AM
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Thanks everybody!
MKeller: We moved here from SE Ohio, which has "hills", but yes, this was quite a change.
Wildwood: The tt is about 58cm. Effectively shorter because of the relatively relaxed geometry. Seat tube is 63 or so.
MKeller: We moved here from SE Ohio, which has "hills", but yes, this was quite a change.
Wildwood: The tt is about 58cm. Effectively shorter because of the relatively relaxed geometry. Seat tube is 63 or so.
08-21-12, 11:09 AM
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Very well done...! I had it bad for one of these when they 1st arrived, only in Yellow. You should be proud, you a great job... 
08-21-12, 12:08 PM
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Beautiful bike, nice build.
08-21-12, 07:50 PM
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Many thanks for the compliments! This is a rider, so she will acquire some more patina, but that will be okay too.
@Thrifty Bill: Yep, summer is punishing in southern UT. Not as bad up in the north. But fall and spring are amazing. Since we're talking geography, are you near Hendersonville? My father-in-law lives there. My wife and I met in Asheville.
@Thrifty Bill: Yep, summer is punishing in southern UT. Not as bad up in the north. But fall and spring are amazing. Since we're talking geography, are you near Hendersonville? My father-in-law lives there. My wife and I met in Asheville.
08-21-12, 08:02 PM
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Very pretty indeed...............too shiny for here, someone would steal it for sure.
Your ambition now should be to put more miles on it than the original owner.
Your ambition now should be to put more miles on it than the original owner.
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08-21-12, 08:11 PM
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08-21-12, 08:13 PM
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Gorgeous.
The blue looks like the same kind of pearlescent paint as on the orange ones that turn up from time to time. I've not seen one in the flesh but wow are they nice in pics.
You've probably seen the c. 1979 Centurion catalog at Bulgier.net (I think), right? It has that model if not that exact year.
The blue looks like the same kind of pearlescent paint as on the orange ones that turn up from time to time. I've not seen one in the flesh but wow are they nice in pics.
You've probably seen the c. 1979 Centurion catalog at Bulgier.net (I think), right? It has that model if not that exact year.
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08-21-12, 08:15 PM
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very nice. I would also look at a triple chainring if you plan on doing any of the long steep passes/canyons. it is not always necessary but it is sure nice for the steep sections or to recoup a bit during a long climb.
also we should think of organizing a vintage ride here in UT. I've seen a few posters from here and the vintage activity on KSL suggests more than a few lug lovers around here.
Royal
also we should think of organizing a vintage ride here in UT. I've seen a few posters from here and the vintage activity on KSL suggests more than a few lug lovers around here.
Royal
08-21-12, 08:15 PM
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There were some pretty cool bikes coming out of Japan in '77. Great rest and great pics, inkandsilver. Well done.
Bummer you couldn't use the SR Royal stem.
Bummer you couldn't use the SR Royal stem.
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08-21-12, 08:15 PM
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Very, very nice.
08-21-12, 08:25 PM
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Have you replaced the brakes pads & holders on the bike & if so, with what? They don't look OEM. I have a set of Royal Compe II's (in black) that could benefit w/ a set pf pads like yours'. Prolly, offer better stopping power than what's on there now...?
08-21-12, 10:50 PM
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Gorgeous.
The blue looks like the same kind of pearlescent paint as on the orange ones that turn up from time to time. I've not seen one in the flesh but wow are they nice in pics.
You've probably seen the c. 1979 Centurion catalog at Bulgier.net (I think), right? It has that model if not that exact year.
The blue looks like the same kind of pearlescent paint as on the orange ones that turn up from time to time. I've not seen one in the flesh but wow are they nice in pics.
You've probably seen the c. 1979 Centurion catalog at Bulgier.net (I think), right? It has that model if not that exact year.
very nice. I would also look at a triple chainring if you plan on doing any of the long steep passes/canyons. it is not always necessary but it is sure nice for the steep sections or to recoup a bit during a long climb.
also we should think of organizing a vintage ride here in UT. I've seen a few posters from here and the vintage activity on KSL suggests more than a few lug lovers around here.
Royal
also we should think of organizing a vintage ride here in UT. I've seen a few posters from here and the vintage activity on KSL suggests more than a few lug lovers around here.
Royal
They're the Yokozuna holders with salmon Scott-Mathauser pads. I'm getting some squealing at times but like them overall. They do stop well.
