madpogue 

^^^^^^ https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...455073270.html - indeed an '85 and not an '86 as advertised. And definitely not a 56. Looks like someone sawed off the highly-sought 600-specific toe clips. Driveline needs love. Honorable mention for period-matching the El Camino (right down to the tires and number plate).

seypat

The El Camino is looking sweet. The bike needs some love.

markwesti

Smoke on the water , decent price looks to be good cond. What size tex ?
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lg...461537249.html

Hobbiano 

I'm not tex, but that looks like a 56. I have a 54 so I'm going by the space between the top & down tubes at the head tube.

markwesti

I think you are right Hobbiano . I have a 56cm IM and that looks like it . Over the year's Tony has bailed me out on stuff like that .
My 86' IM .
IMG_0599 by mark westi, on Flickr

madpogue 

markwesti Your 56 looks about like mine, but that smoker in LA looks smaller at the head tube. Did they make a 55?

markwesti

Centurion made even number cm frames IIRC . And they took the measurement from center of the BB to the top of the seat tube lug . Because the seat lug is scalloped , where do you measure it ? By my calibrated yard stick and my , ahem , vision .
I get 56cm in between the valley and the peak of the of the seat lug .

texaspandj

Hey Mr. Westi, that looks like a 56 to me.
No odd number increments. However, I've noticed the early Ironman ('85, '86) tend to be a bit taller in the headtube. But the seat tube remained the same.
You know who, always suspected a geometry change and the difference in head tubes length for same frame size may be part of that reasoning.
I had a 54cm smoke on the water and the headtube was smaller than my 54cm '86 and '87...go figure.

T-Mar

I'd have to see the bicycles in questions to be postive but I believe the the change in head tube length that you've noticed is associated with the move from traditonal fork crowns to Unicrowns. On a Unicrown fork, the distance from the axle to the crown race seat is greater, resulting in a shorter head tube for a given frame size.

The reason for the Unicrown fork being taller, is the large contact area between the fork blades and steering column. This requires more steering column extending below the crown race seat. In order to maintain the tyre clearance with the same reach brakes, this means the brake mounting hole has to be moved farther away from the crown race seat, resulting in a taller fork

If you look at your frames with the shorter head tubes, I believe you'll see that they have Unicrown style forks with the larger distance between the crown race seat and brake mounting hole.

Classtime 

By page 408, it is good to go over this again.
in 1989, (maybe 88 but I’ve never had an 88), the geometry changed. I think the head tube angle is slacker but can’t confirm. I know this 58mm top tube 89 fits me like earlier IMs with a 57cm top tube.


58 CTT BY CENTURION METHOD 58 CTC TT

54 CTT by Centurion method 54 CTC TT

My 60cm MV had a 57 ctc TT. So does my 60cm ‘85 but that is not a Uni crown. The 86s were all over the place. I had a Classic 58 with a 56.5 ctc TT and a Classic 62 with a 57 ctc TT.

seypat

Small IM:

https://modesto.craigslist.org/bik/d...468820902.html

bamboobike4

50cm.

texaspandj

https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/bi...470459433.html

Love that '86 Classic.
Here's another cool '87

seypat

Sweet! Here's a yellow/white on in the Midwest.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...c-ef377a5bd952

markwesti

IM Expert 54cm FS , (Tony , 54 ?) friendly price and guaranteed no stuck seat post .
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...476365374.html

texaspandj

Heehee, guaranteed no stuck seatpost. Good one Mr. Westi.
Looks 54ish, that's bargain-priced.

Cankles

The graveyard parts bin resurrection of this 85 is almost there. Next: swapping to an 11-28 7 speed freewheel and bar tape.

what are y’all doing for rear dropout spacers? I have none. Should I get some? Sheldon brown seems to suggest no, slam it back, as I have done.

smd4

You mean adjuster screws? I'd try to find some replacements. I always place my wheel as far forward in the dropout as possible, to get it as close to the derailleur as I can for better shifting.

Cankles

yes the screws precisely. Seems to shift well now so maybe if I have issues ill take it on.

smd4

You can find them all over the bay. I'm sure they're available other places.

2 NOS Dropout Alignment Adjuster Screws Springs Vintage Road Bike Rear Dropout | eBay

bamboobike4

Premise- My gal’s 1987 Expert (Terry edition in salmon/white) is next up.
A repaint is necessary. I have decals in both OEM and a set in 1988 with black letters.

The bike is not worth 2-color, etc. it will be dark grey compact Ultegra 2x10 with a Wolftooth and 10-36 cogs, 5600 STI’s. Wheels are DA7403 hubs laced to Wolber Super Champion Alpines.

My IM is red and white, black 6700.

So what color?

texaspandj

I'd ask her. But you can't go wrong with a metallic blue. Those component choices should do the trick.
This would've been a great question for HWSNBN. He had a way with color combos.​​​​

Cycle Tourist

I snapped this one up very cheaply. The bottom bracket took a hit and flattened the brazed-on cable guides. Then the cables rusted in the restricted space and that was that for it's use. The pedals and seat were "reassigned" and the seatpost was found. Otherwise it's in great condition. This isn't my size and I need another project like.....
It's an 87 Expert and shortly, someone's going to have a shot and a truly remarkable road bike.
oh, it's a 56cm.

bamboobike4

Ask her?

An idea, but she’d make a decision around the time of the next Zombie Apocalypse.
She can outride me as it is, I need to keep some semblance of imagined control,

texaspandj

I hear ya on the strong significant other.
Then, your frame color choice will help us help you determine your decals choice.