Centurion Super LeMans project
#1
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Centurion Super LeMans project
I'd been keeping my eye out for a small-sized bike that could be set up as a light tourer for my wife, when a fellow coop volunteer pointed out a rough-looking Super LeMans while we were doing some organizing.
I noticed it had SunTour bar end shifters SunTour derailleurs, so I brought it home and started tearing it down tonight.
It looks to be a 70s model, 1976? Serial No. is 6H0562.
The seat post and stem came right out and the brakes and drivetrain seem to be in surprisingly good condition considering the general state of things.
My plan is to dissolve the rust, clean up the frame, fork and components and put it all back together. I'm probably going to replace the original Sakae Road Champion "Randnnrs" with some Nitto moustache bars and upgrade to a Cambium, but the rest of the original components will be there.
Enough blather. Teardown pics:
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/yihu62rowwu0cjp996uisur625ahnbk2.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/ogu542q4dcve6red5s59lqsjklnc2y7k.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/use6czbjbu86lvhbe4t0pgax9mj477zd.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/c0uanlnl2dzc70c0909itsmbj73rmgof.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/u1wpg90x735aq0i83kdxd6ojp589gvea.jpg)
I noticed it had SunTour bar end shifters SunTour derailleurs, so I brought it home and started tearing it down tonight.
It looks to be a 70s model, 1976? Serial No. is 6H0562.
The seat post and stem came right out and the brakes and drivetrain seem to be in surprisingly good condition considering the general state of things.
My plan is to dissolve the rust, clean up the frame, fork and components and put it all back together. I'm probably going to replace the original Sakae Road Champion "Randnnrs" with some Nitto moustache bars and upgrade to a Cambium, but the rest of the original components will be there.
Enough blather. Teardown pics:
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/yihu62rowwu0cjp996uisur625ahnbk2.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/ogu542q4dcve6red5s59lqsjklnc2y7k.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/use6czbjbu86lvhbe4t0pgax9mj477zd.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/c0uanlnl2dzc70c0909itsmbj73rmgof.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/u1wpg90x735aq0i83kdxd6ojp589gvea.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/tg55o5cerf7yobfm0jey95xkbtkgn6pr.jpg)
#2
Senior Member
Changing it to upright bars is a great idea. These old bikes are great cruising bikes. It's got eyelets for a rear rack too. You should probably go ahead and put a riser stem on it too. Just my $.02. Be good & have fun.
#3
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Great looking frame. I can tell right away I'm going to like how this turns out. Only thing I'd think about is combining upright riding with a Cambium. They always felt like they were designed to be ridden leaning forward to me, but that's just personal experience.
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Good thoughts, thanks. I'm not totally married to a Cambium, just wanted to give her something comfortable that she won't have to worry about in the rain. We'll probably try a few out to find the right fit. I really want her to ride this when it's done.
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
#5
Pedal to the medal
Always loved the look of old 70's Centurions. Good luck with the build.
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Thanks.
This is my first from the 70s, though I do have one ironman and a comp ta. They're really nice bikes, especially at the prices they originally sold for.
This is my first from the 70s, though I do have one ironman and a comp ta. They're really nice bikes, especially at the prices they originally sold for.
#7
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Hey, good for you! That is a worthy bike to put back on the road. Cool color! So it came with centerpulls? Even better! I have to admit, I was sorta bummed the Suntour bits weren't included in your photos...I'm such a Suntour fan-boy. I fully expect that your wife will love stylin' around on a re-habbed vintage.
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Hey, good for you! That is a worthy bike to put back on the road. Cool color! So it came with centerpulls? Even better! I have to admit, I was sorta bummed the Suntour bits weren't included in your photos...I'm such a Suntour fan-boy. I fully expect that your wife will love stylin' around on a re-habbed vintage.
Didn't mean to deny a SunTour fan photos. I did take pictures of the components—here's the SunTour shifter and derailleurs:
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/8ckpbr6zo0jfalaezea81tkkkf6mx2zk.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/e6aofx5sgdrtwurln1n176czmj0mzh72.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/b34oxvoiff84aoimt6pkaiyqzq2ubwtr.jpg)
![](https://app.box.com/shared/static/7x7e68pshf5ud4iiht2z68z59tfociq6.jpg)
#10
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Cool. ![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I plan to keep this thread updated. She's currently riding a '74 Peugeot single speed conversion, but we've been wanting to do a camping trip, so something a little more suited to longer rides will be ideal.
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I plan to keep this thread updated. She's currently riding a '74 Peugeot single speed conversion, but we've been wanting to do a camping trip, so something a little more suited to longer rides will be ideal.
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A bit crusty and rusty, but pretty nice bones for sure
Orange is good.
Does she ride her other bike in an upright position? I would think that most ladies of the female persuasion would find the Cambium saddle too narrow for that kind of riding.
![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
Does she ride her other bike in an upright position? I would think that most ladies of the female persuasion would find the Cambium saddle too narrow for that kind of riding.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 11-26-15 at 12:44 AM.
#12
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Yeah, this is the bike she rides now. I was going to replace the 80s stock Motobecane seat with a sprung brooks, but she says it's comfortable so it stayed.
![](https://www.box.com/shared/static/e4cce720c6e9fb2ebdf1.jpg)
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#19
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Thanks ![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'm dissolving rust with naval jelly. I think it's a pretty standard item in most C&Vers' garages. It's helped me bring back chrome I thought was beyond help more than once.
Frame & fork are looking better. Too dark in the bike cave for pictures though--I'll take some tomorrow.
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'm dissolving rust with naval jelly. I think it's a pretty standard item in most C&Vers' garages. It's helped me bring back chrome I thought was beyond help more than once.
Frame & fork are looking better. Too dark in the bike cave for pictures though--I'll take some tomorrow.
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