T-Mar

Schwinn also used the Stingray name. Maybe there was a deal or maybe Chevrolet just didn't feel threatened. After all, Schwinn still had a really good reputation at the time and was the #1 bicycle brand in the USA. Maybe Chevrolet thought that the association was beneficial and that young Corvette and Stingray riders would retain some sentimental attachment to the name and grow up to become Corvette Stingray buyers.

calstar

Wow, lots of love for the Iron man here, and well deserved.

frantik

that's......... interesting....... that "former member" acts like he is the keeper of all centurion knowledge

T-Mar

I've never had that impression of him. My view has been that he was simply someone who wanted to learn all he could about Centurion. After I provided him with his initial education, he decided to write the article and I'm pretty sure he acknowledges my contributions in it.

Personally, I give him credit for writing the article that nobody else was willing to. He tapped my existing base of knowledge and wrote a much better article than I could ever hope to. Since that time he has continued to actively research the subject, devoting much time to it and filling in many holes. He's certainly one of the experts on the subject, even if much of it was 2nd hand. I'm sure that our other Centurion expert, Robbie Tunes (maybe should call one Expert and the other Master? ), can attest to the facts of our co-operative effort.

I was away on one of my "rowing" sabbaticals when the former member decided to disassociate himself from the forum. I don't know the circumstances but we have kept in contact, sharing new bits of information. The only way the split affected me was that it corrupted my database when he deleted all his old posts. Now, all the database links to old posts send me to the wrong post. Of course, this was entirely unintentional on his part, as he did not realize I had this capability built into my system. I certainly wish the moderators wouldn't allow deletion of posts. I don't mind the text beling deleted but would like to see the post remain with a automatic, generic note "comment deleted by author". That would certainly make my life easier.

Now, get back to work on removing the Jamis' fork!

RobbieTunes 

The "former" member got sort of fed up during a dispute between two or three members, and decided, at his age, he didn't need that mess. Can't say I blame him; there I things I no longer do because I don't need the hassle.

He's passed on a lot of information to me, and provided an introduction to Mr. Goldsmith, probably one of two people who know more about Centurions and the back stuff than anyone. I think, at this point, he is fine with my carrying of the Centurion torch, of sorts, and has encouraged me to do so. He continues to own and ride several, and is recovering from a broken pelvis, suffered while riding a Centurion. One of my goals is to get to his stomping grounds and meet him.

Most information on Centurions comes from T-Mar and the former member, and I've run with some of it, learned some here from others, researched some myself, and discovered some simply by owning so darn many of the things. My satisfaction comes from moving a great many of them to people who ride them and appreciate them, from first-time riders to experienced carbon cowboys who find them simply a gas to ride and race. And they're still out there.

One thing I never get tired of, is the "ooh" when people ride one for the first time, and I think that would be replicated on many, many bikes of the era if people would just get their wheels trued and tensioned. A dead seat of wheels is a sure buzzkill.

I owe T-Mar a frame some day, but right now, I'm just too cheap to send one to Canada. Now, if he'd come to the Dairyland Dare.....

RobbieTunes 

He was a WSJ reporter for about 90 years. That's how they write.

frantik

Yes sir! Been busy these last couple days but hope to get back to in soon

belacqua

Just updating this thread, since I started it last year and am now at this point, halfway through shakedown ride:

Chris W.

Just picked up this Pro-Tour today. I had been watching it on Craigslist for a couple of weeks, the price started at $275, I got it for $150. It is at the top of my size range 56 ST, 55 TT. and is a definite French fit. The Rear mech is a Sun Tour Mountech, and the chainset and BB is T.A. (very pleased with that). I am tickled with the brazed on center pull bosses I am going to see if M.A.F.A.C. Racers will fit on the bosses? The pic is from craigslist (I'm thinking the NDS photo, sloppy cables, mirror, and quilted seat kept people from taking a second look). I have already mounted a Brooks saddle, Also will be swapping out the stem for a longer one and the bars for wider ones. The Mountech will be replaced with a long cage Cyclone. Fenders are on the list too. Any ideas on the age? I'm thinking late 70s?



Cheers,
Chris

Steve Whitlatch 

Here is my Ironman Expert. I have it listed on CL with no bites.

nesteel 

Seriously jealous of the last three Centurions posted in this thread. I'd give anyone of them a good home here. Steve, what're you asking on the Ironman? Chris W., excellent deal on the Pro Tour.

oddjob2

That's a pretty agressive asking price for a bike with a cheap a$$ sadlle on it. If you serviced the hubs and BB, that should be pointed out. Also, no mention of the frame tubeset, brand of tires, etc. Also, recommend a rider's height, like at least 6'2".

Steve Whitlatch 

Thanks for the feedback oddjob2. I was listing it with room to be talked down on the price. I will add more detail to the listing. The Avocet Criterium saddle is the best one I had in the box. I would let it go for $300 to a forum member.

The Golden Boy 

It looks like it'll be a cool bike.

I think I recall seeing one of those Pro-Tours with tons of chrome and a burgundy finish- beautiful, classy looking bike. I think the late 70s ones have all the chrome, and the early/mid 80s ones have cantis.

FWIW- I love those Mirrycle mirrors.

Congratulations!

clubman 

70's track bike I should never have sold.

inkandsilver

Nice bike, Chris! Please be sure to show us the finished product. It appears to have the same paint job as my made-in-'77 Semi-Professional. See the Centurion serial # database thread to help pin down yours.

inkandsilver

And Clubman, I'm not that into track bikes, but that is damn-hell sexy. Sorry to hear it's not yours anymore.

clubman 

I wasn't riding it anymore because it was just too aggressive for commuting. Like riding a razor blade. No tracks around me either. Still...

Chris W.

I agree with inkandsilver, I'm not into track bikes, but that is hella hot!

Cheers,
Chris

Chris W.

Thank all for the kind words A little bit of research tells me the bike is from 1976 (I was 14). It originally had a Sugino double chainset, and a Cyclone rear mech. The quilted saddle is original, so It will go in a box. the rear rack is a period correct Jim Blackburn, so it will go in the box with the saddle, or get used I have some period correct Phil Wood hubs that I'll build up for this bike, I also have a triple 50.4 Sugino triple ring set (46-36-28) that will probably replace the T.A. 52-42-28 that is on the bike now.

Cheers,
Chris

bicipunk

I recently picked up a gorgeous 79 Super Elite for $95 from the original owner. The frame has gorgeous paint details and as my first experience with high end Tange (2 I believe?) I'm officially in love. Getting it for a song didn't hurt either

RobbieTunes 

That bike should have a sub-name: "potential"

RobbieTunes 

It's a shame, as you have the excellent Scott aero bars, as well. IMO, there were no better clip-ons made, then and now.
Hopefully, someone with an eye for detail will pick that up. Those look like some Wolber or Matrix aero rims, clean drivetrain.
Very nice build, the bike is a serious rider if someone could just give it the chance.

DiegoFrogs

Chris,

Wonderful.

My money (do you take credit cards?!?!) is on 1977. Mine is exactly the same, but in silver. I'll dig around for my thread from 2010. I've changed some stuff, to add a dynamo hub and 8-speed cassette hub rear with 700c rims (work fine with the existing brakes) and the cage tension spring broke on my first ride here in Sweden last week, after I was futzing with it since I got it. The company I hired to palletize my stuff put the bike box into the palletized box with the drive side down, which I figure exacerbated the problem. I'll probably end up putting a modern derailleur on it at least temporarily as I figure out what to do next. Part of me would like to try indexed shifting on it, too. Now that I live in a place where vacation is a sacred and abundant thing, I'm really thinking about riding all over Europe on it.

I'd also love to find one of the Jim Blackburn racks for the front, the type that mounts to the back of the fork crown. The undrilled front of the fork crown, together with the extra exposure it enjoys from the brazed-on centerpulls, is just too sexy to mess with! I even mounted my front lamp to the left-side brake bolt that I replaced with a longer one in order to avoid drilling the front of the fork crown.

edit: Yeah, '76 might be feasible. I think I remember some of the component codes on mine being from '76. Also be sure to check out the favorable Bicycling Magazine review on the bike written by some punk named Gary Fisher. Interestingly, mine had no mounts for reflectors, which is a bit different from others that I've seen. I got mine from some neighbors who had moved out after a short period, left it locked to a balcony railing with the bum-bar treatment, and returned to our building often to visit friends. It turns out that the money to buy four dime-bags was greater motivation than my offer to help them fix it...

edit numero dos : Badda boom! I also just found a mistake I made in writing four years ago!

Steve Whitlatch 

You have a good eye. Yes they are Matrix rims and Scott aero bars. It rides great!