Post your Centurion Ironman.. For the love of 80s paint jobs!
12-20-17, 02:24 PM
#4077
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,735
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2155 Post(s)
Liked 3,406 Times
in
1,206 Posts
So here's the '86 IM that arrived recently. Might be the least-used 'used' bike I've ever purchased. Perfect '86 Turbo saddle, no rust on the cable guides, hardly any wear on the brake tracks, excellent components:
For sure will be installing a Deore compact crankset and 13-28 freewheel when I do the complete bearing service. Have never seen these bottle cages before- no brand on them, but they do match the bronze anodizing quite well:
Not a big fan of the DC brake levers, they just don't seem to fit my hand very well, so will probably replace them and the bar wrap (and cables/cable housing since I suspect these are the DC levers that have the unique screw-in cable housing) during the major service:
For sure will be installing a Deore compact crankset and 13-28 freewheel when I do the complete bearing service. Have never seen these bottle cages before- no brand on them, but they do match the bronze anodizing quite well:
Not a big fan of the DC brake levers, they just don't seem to fit my hand very well, so will probably replace them and the bar wrap (and cables/cable housing since I suspect these are the DC levers that have the unique screw-in cable housing) during the major service:
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
12-20-17, 02:28 PM
#4078
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
Let me be the first to hate you.....
Really, you are the appropriate owner for that. I say that with all sincerity. OK, as much as I can muster...
I wonder why the guy changed tires? It can't be because he wore out the originals...Of course, they were horrid tires to begin with.
Is the shop still in existence?
My niche is the upgrading, but were I to get a bike in that condition, no way. I'd ride it like that. Show it like that. All that...
Really, you are the appropriate owner for that. I say that with all sincerity. OK, as much as I can muster...
I wonder why the guy changed tires? It can't be because he wore out the originals...Of course, they were horrid tires to begin with.
Is the shop still in existence?
My niche is the upgrading, but were I to get a bike in that condition, no way. I'd ride it like that. Show it like that. All that...
12-20-17, 02:29 PM
#4079
Senior Member
Oh Wow that's nice.
You got a rccardr level bike without the work!
Waiting for your completion.
You got a rccardr level bike without the work!
Waiting for your completion.
12-20-17, 03:40 PM
#4080
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Posts: 1,230
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times
in
128 Posts
Those light gray/dark gray bikes are so classy looking. I tried to pick up the same year frameset out of Dallas a couple years ago, but it didn't work out.
12-20-17, 08:56 PM
#4081
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,735
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2155 Post(s)
Liked 3,406 Times
in
1,206 Posts
So, the backstory is the second owner bought it from the elderly OO who was going thru a severe downsizing event. All the second owner did was put the new Gatorskins on it and ride it once or twice; otherwise it sat in his offsite storage for six months. I snagged it from owner #2 and have only removed the reflectors and pumped up the tires.
Regardless, I'll keep the original bar tape, DC brake levers, crank set and cable housing if some future owner wants to return it to total originality. I'll make it work for my personal needs (bigger cogs, smaller rings, etc.) without doing anything that can't be reversed.
But I do need to make it rideable here in hilly VA, and the stock gearing just won't cut it.
Regardless, I'll keep the original bar tape, DC brake levers, crank set and cable housing if some future owner wants to return it to total originality. I'll make it work for my personal needs (bigger cogs, smaller rings, etc.) without doing anything that can't be reversed.
But I do need to make it rideable here in hilly VA, and the stock gearing just won't cut it.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
12-21-17, 04:04 PM
#4082
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
Make Pete ride it stock at SOTR...
So, the backstory is the second owner bought it from the elderly OO who was going thru a severe downsizing event. All the second owner did was put the new Gatorskins on it and ride it once or twice; otherwise it sat in his offsite storage for six months. I snagged it from owner #2 and have only removed the reflectors and pumped up the tires.
Regardless, I'll keep the original bar tape, DC brake levers, crank set and cable housing if some future owner wants to return it to total originality. I'll make it work for my personal needs (bigger cogs, smaller rings, etc.) without doing anything that can't be reversed.
But I do need to make it rideable here in hilly VA, and the stock gearing just won't cut it.
Regardless, I'll keep the original bar tape, DC brake levers, crank set and cable housing if some future owner wants to return it to total originality. I'll make it work for my personal needs (bigger cogs, smaller rings, etc.) without doing anything that can't be reversed.
But I do need to make it rideable here in hilly VA, and the stock gearing just won't cut it.
12-21-17, 08:43 PM
#4083
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,735
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2155 Post(s)
Liked 3,406 Times
in
1,206 Posts
I'm not that heartless.
But, once I've worked my Magic, it would be an awesome SOTR ride!
But, once I've worked my Magic, it would be an awesome SOTR ride!
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
12-22-17, 01:11 AM
#4084
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bush, Louisiana
Posts: 568
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times
in
39 Posts
The '85s do have some pretty cool features as mentioned above. They also have fairly relaxed geometry for being race oriented bikes. Here are a few pics of mine. It has 25mm tires on it at the moment, but looking at the clearances I'm sure 28s would fit no problem, and it would probably take even bigger.
(please excuse all the dirt and grease in the tire clearance pic. That was taken before I had a chance to clean it.)
12-22-17, 11:33 AM
#4085
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 628 Post(s)
Liked 316 Times
in
175 Posts
Nice score @AustinFitz beautiful bike !
12-22-17, 01:04 PM
#4086
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 81
Bikes: '73 Motobecane Mirage, '94 GT Karakoram, '14 Surly Pugsley
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the info, @AustinFitz! I am checking out the ironman I posted today. The guy selling is the original owner so I am excited to see it. I have plans to put 28s on it, do you think you could fit 32s on yours?
12-22-17, 03:25 PM
#4087
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bush, Louisiana
Posts: 568
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times
in
39 Posts
Nice score @AustinFitz beautiful bike !
Thanks for the info, @AustinFitz! I am checking out the ironman I posted today. The guy selling is the original owner so I am excited to see it. I have plans to put 28s on it, do you think you could fit 32s on yours?
12-22-17, 03:37 PM
#4088
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
Nice score @AustinFitz beautiful bike !
12-22-17, 11:11 PM
#4089
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 81
Bikes: '73 Motobecane Mirage, '94 GT Karakoram, '14 Surly Pugsley
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Ironman I picked up this evening... Very good condition. The gentleman whom I bought it from kept it in very good condition and bought it new in 1986. He put look clipless pedals on it in 1987. I thought this model year came with biopace chainrings and Shimano 600 crank but apparently this one came with a suntour Sprint crankset.
12-23-17, 12:28 AM
#4090
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Nice looking bike, @AustinFitz, but why is the rear derailleur cocked backward so far? You'd probably get even nicer shifting by letting out the B screw a bit.
12-23-17, 01:39 AM
#4091
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 81
Bikes: '73 Motobecane Mirage, '94 GT Karakoram, '14 Surly Pugsley
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice looking bike, @AustinFitz, but why is the rear derailleur cocked backward so far? You'd probably get even nicer shifting by letting out the B screw a bit.
12-23-17, 04:29 AM
#4092
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bush, Louisiana
Posts: 568
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times
in
39 Posts
The Ironman I picked up this evening... Very good condition. The gentleman whom I bought it from kept it in very good condition and bought it new in 1986. He put look clipless pedals on it in 1987. I thought this model year came with biopace chainrings and Shimano 600 crank but apparently this one came with a suntour Sprint crankset.
12-23-17, 04:44 AM
#4093
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bush, Louisiana
Posts: 568
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times
in
39 Posts
Nice looking bike, @AustinFitz, but why is the rear derailleur cocked backward so far? You'd probably get even nicer shifting by letting out the B screw a bit.
I'll have to pull the bike out and examine the RD a bit closer tomorrow though to see what's going on with that.
12-23-17, 05:46 AM
#4094
Senior Member
The Ironman I picked up this evening... Very good condition. The gentleman whom I bought it from kept it in very good condition and bought it new in 1986. He put look clipless pedals on it in 1987. I thought this model year came with biopace chainrings and Shimano 600 crank but apparently this one came with a suntour Sprint crankset.
I love that color. The 85s had two of the best paints going. Also those forks are super cool. The geometry is for century Plus riding.
I've got to get one.
Btw the 85s did come with 600 bio pace crankset. Possibly the original owner doesn't remember changing it out over 30 years ago or it was changed out at the local bike shop. However does make me curious to know the serial number.
Don't forget to visit Tmars centurion serial number thread.
I'd love to see some outside/daylight pics.
Congratulations, I'm envious.
Last edited by texaspandj; 12-23-17 at 05:55 AM.
12-23-17, 10:40 AM
#4095
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Thanks, and you know until you pointed it out I had never really noticed that before. It does look a bit odd now that you mention it... The bike shifts so well that I have yet to make any adjustments at all to the drivetrain since buying it. Don't know how it could get much better honestly. Every shift feels smooth, precise, effortless, and instant! I was originally thinking of converting it to indexed, but changed my mind after riding the friction shifters for just a few days.
I'll have to pull the bike out and examine the RD a bit closer tomorrow though to see what's going on with that.
I'll have to pull the bike out and examine the RD a bit closer tomorrow though to see what's going on with that.
12-23-17, 11:15 AM
#4096
Senior Member
12-23-17, 11:32 AM
#4097
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,707
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1952 Post(s)
Liked 2,013 Times
in
1,112 Posts
Nice looking bike, @AustinFitz, but why is the rear derailleur cocked backward so far? You'd probably get even nicer shifting by letting out the B screw a bit.
12-23-17, 11:42 AM
#4098
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 81
Bikes: '73 Motobecane Mirage, '94 GT Karakoram, '14 Surly Pugsley
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just shifted the rear into the lowest gear so it's not super cross chained, and it looks ok! Will report back when I take for a ride.
Also interesting bit of info. The guy I bought it from worked for the post office for about 25 years (hence the San Marco USPS saddle and contrasting red jockey wheels). Apparently he used to deliver packages to Dave Scott's sister, who lives in Boulder! And he caught a glimpse of the man himself once. He said he had to do a double take.
Also interesting bit of info. The guy I bought it from worked for the post office for about 25 years (hence the San Marco USPS saddle and contrasting red jockey wheels). Apparently he used to deliver packages to Dave Scott's sister, who lives in Boulder! And he caught a glimpse of the man himself once. He said he had to do a double take.
12-23-17, 12:12 PM
#4099
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kitsap County, WA
Posts: 110
Bikes: '85 Centurion Ironman, '86 Novara Corsa ST, '84 Centurion Pro Tour
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks, and you know until you pointed it out I had never really noticed that before. It does look a bit odd now that you mention it... The bike shifts so well that I have yet to make any adjustments at all to the drivetrain since buying it. Don't know how it could get much better honestly. Every shift feels smooth, precise, effortless, and instant! I was originally thinking of converting it to indexed, but changed my mind after riding the friction shifters for just a few days.
I'll have to pull the bike out and examine the RD a bit closer tomorrow though to see what's going on with that.
I'll have to pull the bike out and examine the RD a bit closer tomorrow though to see what's going on with that.
AustinFitz, your RD does not look much different than mine...
12-23-17, 12:16 PM
#4100
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kitsap County, WA
Posts: 110
Bikes: '85 Centurion Ironman, '86 Novara Corsa ST, '84 Centurion Pro Tour
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The Ironman I picked up this evening... Very good condition. The gentleman whom I bought it from kept it in very good condition and bought it new in 1986. He put look clipless pedals on it in 1987. I thought this model year came with biopace chainrings and Shimano 600 crank but apparently this one came with a suntour Sprint crankset.
That is a fine looking bike... Just like mine.
