texaspandj

Things have pretty much come to a halt at my repair business. Had just one last week and none so far this week. However someone called and asked if I wanted some bikes. She said she was going to use them as lawn art and maybe I could use them for parts or fix them and sell them or maybe sell them as lawn art. The deal is I had to pick them up. She said she had 4 or 5 . So I picked them up and now have a lot of projects. A wallymrt mountain bike, a Columbia mixte, a 70s orange road bike, a Raleigh 3 speed girls bike and a Schwinn 3 speed. So I thought I'd share.
One more thing I have another unrelated to this post but Very Much related to this thread coming soon...hold on.

seypat

I was out for an run a few minutes ago. I came upon this little fellow or lady. I went right over the top of it on the way out. Thought it was a bean pod or cinnamon roll. On the way in, I realized what it was. Nearly injured myself jumping away to keep from stepping close to it.

canklecat

Better stay away from Copperhead Road.

texaspandj

I meant to send this pic with my previous post.

Slowly coming back together. Never had a 3 speed before. Fun learning about them. These things are like tanks...in every way. Don't worry, Ironman content coming just waiting on a part.

seypat

. I wonder if our resident former professional musician has ever covered that song?

seypat

The second one is really stretched out. Probably rides like a Caddy of Lincoln.

spank226

need to post this here. While it's not "technically" a Centurion, it's still a Centurion and the colors are oh-so-1980's SoCal...

texaspandj

The second one and the first one are the same bike 😂.
Removed fenders, chain guard. Removed the rust and blue house paint. Still a work in progress.

canklecat

That's gonna make a nice path racer style bike.

I'm tempted to flip the albatross bar on my Univega but it's too comfy as-is. Maybe for another bike with a little lighter frame.

AustinFitz

Took my ruby '85 out for another ride today as the weather was just too pretty not to. Went during the day this time though, and decided to get some updated pics! I still can't get over just how nice this thing rides!

texaspandj

I have yet to find out how well an '85 Ironman rides. But I know how well that metallic red sparkles, thanks for the reminder.
I've got an '86, '87, '88, and '89 Ironman...working on an '85.

AustinFitz

Lucky guy! I wish I could help in describing how the '85 might compare to the other years, but my '85 is actually the only Ironman I've ever had the pleasure of riding. The opposite of your problem haha! I can't help though. I'd honestly buy another '85 if I found one same size, same condition, but in the blue/grey color.

The first word that comes to mind is "Ferrari" when I think about how it's feels to ride that bike though. Not that I've ever actually had the pleasure of driving one of those either, but it's what I imagine it would be like to drive one.

texaspandj

Youre the lucky one. Don't you have the matching touring Centurion?
I think you have the best looking '85 on this thread. Doc Used to have a '85 and his was in excellent condition as well.
Is that the original stem? Vintage Centurion website list it as nitto however the catalog pic shows what you have. Also the '85 I've seen also has the one you have fleslider .

daverup 

Doc's Blue/Grey was an 86, I bought it last fall.
This is the pic from Doc's C&V sales ad that hooked me,

AustinFitz

It's not exactly matching, but yes my other favorite bike is my '84 Elite GT 15. It was the reason I first fell in love with Centurions! Loved it so much I had to find myself a racer too. That way I get to ride a Centurion no matter what mood I'm in!

I'm almost always riding the tourer though these days, so please forgive the angle of the drops/brakes, the max height stem, etc. on the Ironman. My back hates me, and it's used to this bike!



As far as the Ironman goes I'm pretty sure it's entirely original except for the tires, and a few little things I've changed out. Anything original to the bike that I've taken off has been put away in a box so that it all stays with the bike though. The stem is a Nitto Technomic, which I believe is correct for it from what I've seen online? I bought the bike from it's original owner, and though he did ride it for a few years(cared for it very well), he soon moved on to other, newer bikes, but always hung onto the Centurion because he did really love the bike, and it's gorgeous! From then on it just spent most of it's time in his climate controlled garage hanging around. Several months before I bought it he had just put the very first pair of replacement tires on it since buying it new. Said he was thinking that he was going to clean it up and start riding it again, but he had several other expensive looking modern bikes in the garage as well, and I think his wife was wanting some of the garage space lol. I think it worked out for everyone!

here's a quick pic of the stem.

rccardr 

The blue/gray Ironman pictured above is indeed an 86.
But the first Ironman I ever owned was an 85. In red.
Too big for me by a full size but rode it quite a bit. Swapped out the rear hub for a later freehub so it was 10 speed friction shifted.
Would accept either 28’s or 32’s if I remember correctly.

Later on picked up another 85 in the grey color scheme but it also turned out to be too large, incorrectly measured by the seller. That frameset wound up on the west coast, I think.

Deal4Fuji

I was hoping the morning sun would better bring out the luster of the paint, but it really does stand out with lots of positive comments at charity or mixed club group rides. I took the less expensive route to raising the stem with a quill stem extender, while keeping an eye out for a taller Technomic

texaspandj

Doc had a red '85 and a silver '85 (the silver frame can be found on page 26 or 27).
His now yours silver '86 is the reason I wanted the silver :85. For some reason that pic has a blueish hue, no matter, that's a Sweet Ride.

texaspandj

Oh, I didn't realize the technomic was made by nitto.
The stems on the '85 are different from the nitto stems on the '86.

RobbieTunes

Easy 55 today, into the wind, seemed like.... on 1985 steel.

Classtime 

Ok RT, where is the bike?

texaspandj

The vibrant colors set against the back drop of .... nevermind.

rccardr 

Hey, I’m just glad to see him smiling.

seypat

Dang, RT looks like he's getting younger! He must be living right.

Classtime 

Anybody in Evanstown, Illinois, happen to be driving to Southern California anytime? Shipping puts this out of reach but priced right for a local. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Centurion-D...sAAOSwASRfbUji


$199. I'd put Tubulars on it anyway.