norcalmike

Thanks! I usually use mobile. Didon't know. Pic coming soon then!

texaspandj

First, Wow! Your tenacity is admirable. But I get it, when your bikes not 100% you'll go to the ends to get it right. I think we've all been there.

**Have you tried moving your rear wheel forward?**

As to your dilemma, seems the derailleur spring slipped or slipped and was replaced incorrectly, or slipped and replaced with a different spring. I have disassembled and reassembled a campagnolo rear derailleur but that's the extent of my experience with that . Admittedly I am not familiar with Suntour components at all. Which brings me to the point of: Try a different derailleur and see if that fixes it.
All my Ironman came with or built with Shimano components. They're all vintage stuff and I can flick my crankarms back no problem. So I take issue with "derailleur tension was typical for a road bike of that era ". However since my newest drivetrain is 9 speed ultegra I could be wrong.........again.

BTW, if your interested in a 1st generation 105 group, PM me for a better price before I list it in vintage sales.

norcalmike

Great! Tried to PM you, but again, less than 10 post stops me. I think I'm half way there now

texaspandj

My 86 classic is running smooth, and other than the new chain I've installed I don't plan on making any changes to it.

My 87 Miami Vice is really nice. It has an aero seatpost, tri specific saddle, and the first and original aero bars, but other than that it's completely stock. Now that my season is over, I intended on returning it to original condition. However I really like the current set up. So on the fence.

My 88 yellow fade master is setup as a road bike and is in Excellent condition with 9 speed ultegra. It's really in almost show room condition and coincidentally the least ridden.

My 89 summertime blues is hanging in the house waiting for completion. It came with original tri color 7 speed group. I rebuilt it with 8 speed tri color group with STI's setup as a road bike. But I've decided to turn into a tri bike. I had ordered some 8 speed gripshift to go on the aero bars but after two months I never received it, so I got a refund. I will be sourcing some more. I may end up using bar end shifters but I'd rather have the gripshift.
Speaking of the summertime blues, I've noticed that the color scheme is not exactly like the prestige. The STB is a more richer blue rather than a lighter almost aqua blue on the prestige.

I only own Ironman bikes. So naturally I love this thread. I love seeing everyone's interpretation. My interpretation is mostly limited by my "bike money" or sourcing of obsolete components. Possibly I'll get an 85 and a carbon fiber Ironman, but I'm not in a hurry. It would seem I have a lot invested or only interested in Centurion Ironman but that's not so. I'm a fan of Italian geometry and vintage (80s) road bikes.
I know that it may possibly tick some people off when they see my bike collection and think he's a centurion "fanboy". And admittedly I do love me some Ironman bike. But think about it, other than the Ironman name it's just a road bike with Italian geometry, designed in the U.S. and built in Japan. So there's something for everyone. It is not a triathlon specific bike, but due to its intention of being used for one it tracks extremely well. And if you want quicker handling get a later year model.
One thing I get is why people like scooper is all about those Schwinn or mullet all about those huffy. They see the good and the potential.
I think I won't rest til I get an 85 with sram wireless.
My medicated induced posting is over.....maybe.
My back is out again.

canklecat

I'll try that next. The rear wheel was fairly far forward when I bought it. After a couple of weeks I scooted it as far back as it would go, which amounted to less than 1/4" -- there isn't much play in the adjustable stop screws. Even with the screws retracted as far as they'll go before meeting resistance the wheel still sets almost 1/4" from the rear of the dropouts.

Hard to tell. I'd try another spring if I could find one available but I doubt there's a ready supply of parts to experiment with, even using springs from other derailleurs.

I might do that. I'm assuming there are several derailleurs that would be compatible if I used the shifter in friction rather than indexed mode.

jamesdak 

Well, I finally entered the "Ironman" family courtesy of a gorgeous 89 master frame from @texaspandj.

I really didn't expect it to be so sweet looking and now feel the pressure to do it justice. I have a nice looking Shimano 600 "tricolor" groupset on hand but am reconsidering. I'll probably change my mind a dozen times before I decide.

Today I shot all the graphics on the frame just for a record. Plus I just wanted an excuse to fondle it more....



















I'm totally loving the blue smoke look!

Today I took out another Japanese triathlon bike I recently got. A 1987 Bridgestone Mile 112. The Bridgestone is nice looking and in good shape but this Ironman is a whole other class for sure!

norcalmike

Well now I have my photo host all figured out. Here's my new MV on its way. Couldn't wait to show it so here the sale photo.

malcala622

That is one gorgeous Centurion @jamesdak.

I'm really contemplating adding one to my stable.

jamesdak 

I'd been considering it for a long time too when this showed up here. I've always loved the smoked look some where doing so jumped on this one. My pictures don't catch the sparkle of the fine metal flake in the paint of the smoke areas.

texaspandj

Welcome aboard. You have such nice bikes, this should fit nicely in your stable.
You've discovered the almost iridescent paint that shows even in the white. It's difficult to describe and even tougher to duplicate. The paint itself has proven to be very durable over the last three decades.
BTW don't forget to enter your serial number in T-Mar's centurion serial number thread, and check out the previous pages of this one for inspiration. Enjoy.

texaspandj

Cool. I'm glad you posted it. So much potential.
I have several ironman. My red and white classic is my favorite, my Summertime Blues is my favorite color and may become my favorite bike. But the Miami Vice makes me smile the most. Just something about it that wasn't there in 80's. I was too conservative or something to appreciate the MV color scheme back then. But now I ride it like I'm the only person on the planet who has one. Possibly how someone who has a custom built bike feels. Everyone has their favorite color but the Miami Vice is still the king even if it's not your favorite color scheme. I think seypat said it best after someone said "I just don't get the purple/yellow combo..."

"Here's the thing with that color combo. I don't think it is the prettiest or sharpest either. But...........it is "THE COLOR" for an Ironman PERIOD. The rest of the colors could be other brands of bikes from a distance, but that color is recognized as an Ironman. In fact, you could take 5 or 6 color combos on a Fondo type ride including 1 of the purple/yellow combos and lean them up next to each other at one of the rest stops. Sit back and watch the riders coming in behind. Here is what you will hear. "Look at those cool old steel bikes over there! There's one of those pink and yellow Ironmans! Let's go look and see what the rest of them are." - Seypat

RobbieTunes

Not everyone "gets" the Miami Vice colors.

OK.

More for us.

jamesdak 

Finally, I've been going through this thread all day trying to find a modern groupset on one of these. I'm sure I missed others though. Today I mocked up the 89 just trying to see how it would look. Tried out both the Shimano 600 tricolor and the Chorus 9 speed groups I have. As well as a partial Ultegra 6600 set I've got. Then I went into the bike cave and considered all the bikes I have and what they are running. I need a modern Shimano 11 speed setup, that's what I'm missing. So today I'm thinking modern Ultegra or even Dura Ace, I also tried to visualize how another black Campy Chorus set would look like on it. Those are relatively cheap, light, and work sooooo well. I want this beautiful beast to fly just as fast as I can get it going.

Now back to digging through these pages to see what else I can find. I know I missed plenty.

Oh and I love how your's looks Robbie!!

johnlink

I just bought a silver Centurion Ironman frameset and am having second thoughts. I think black would be the best color for tape, cables, and saddle, but I wonder whether I would like that combination as well as the colors I have on my current Ironman. My intention is to move all the components of my current bike onto the silver frame.

Might white tape, cables, and saddle look good with silver?

Here's a video showing my current bike:

texaspandj

What year is the silver Ironman, 85 or 86?

johnlink

I don't know.

texaspandj

Have a pic? If it's the frame that was on ebay then it's a 85 and I'm envious.

johnlink

I bought it on eBay yesterday afternoon.

johnlink

What makes this '85 so special?

If I accept delivery and decide I don't like the color, I could install on the silver frame all the GPX components I've removed from the Ironman I've been riding since 2009 and then sell the silver Ironman.

texaspandj

Well the silver frame is a 56cm, too big for me and smaller than your 89.
I don't have the 85 (first year Ironman) yet, so that's where the envy comes from. But also that sliver and blue is so cool looking. A and yours seems to be in pretty good condition.

Vintage_Cyclist

I noticed that 85 on eBay too, because I got the same frame (a bit larger at 58cm) from the same seller a few years back.

One thing you should be aware of (I wasn't at the time) is that the braze-on mounts for the downtube shifters are an odd, proprietary Shimano mount, since discontinued in use. This will present problems with attaching regular downtube shifters or even cable stops, to use with a brifter or bar-end shifter set-up.

The first problem is the shape of the shifter mount, it's shaped like a key-hole instead of square, so regular shifter hardware won't fit on it. The second problem is the threading on the mount, which is 4.5mm instead of the commonly used 5mm.



This recent thread discusses the issue, and has links to other related threads and info. Shimano A Type boss coversion index shifters - Bike Forums

In my case, I opted to install cable stops for a bar-end shifter set-up, by modifying the cable-stops and sourcing 4.5mm mounting screws, to attach them, from an online vendor called Loose Screws.

My bike was set-up with Shimano 600 Tricolor components and rides, like all Ironman steeds, like a beast.



Note: The ad you bought this frame off incorrectly states it's a 27" wheel frame. This bike was originally equipped with 700c wheels.

johnlink

Where is the blue?

Vintage_Cyclist

The headtube

johnlink

Does that mean I won't be able to install either my Dura Ace 7400 shifters or the GPX shifters that came with my '89 Ironman?

johnlink

So blue tape and cable housing might be a nice highlight.