CR Folk:
I remember two models: the budget-level Centurion LeMans, with the then-ubiquitous Sugino 'Maxy' crank, and the more expensive Centurion Pro-Tour, which had a forged Sugino crank, brazed-on DiaCompe centerpulls, and wicked pearl-orange or pearl-blue paint schemes that I thought were quite fetching.
In Corvallis, Oregon, the two popular Japanese brands seemed to be Centurian and Nishiki.
The issue of whether to save such a bike reminds me of a painful emotional experience I had 2 springs ago. Since as a student in the 70's I had no hope of affording a Masi with that sexy scalloped seat-stay attachment, I focused my bike-lust on something still out of my financial reach but more plausible: the Nishiki International - which came in a strange-but-to-me-alluring champagne color with blue bands and - of all things! - Araya aluminum rims. The hip bike-shop guys pronounced it: uh-rye-uh.
Fast forward to spring of 1998: I am now a hoarder of Zeus and Campy bike parts. So on my way to work during 'spring cleanup' I find that someone has left an immaculate champagne Nishiki International -in my size-- out on the curb as garbage and after momentarily looking at it with the hungry eyes of a poor teenager, I reach the painful conclusion that I just don't have the garage space for this thing that I would have killed for in 1977.
You'll have to forgive me - I think I'm beginning to tear up again...
Brad Stockwell (Sob! I just left it lying there!) (Actually, it was supported by its kickstand) Palo Alto
-----Original Message----- From: Paulie Davis [mailto:paulieflt@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:36 PM To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Centurion
Hi gang,
I have a chance to pick up a pair of Centurion bikes from the 70's -- from my dentist who says they have been gathering dust in his garage.
Sheldon's site had some good info, but not much specifically about which models were top end. I'm trying to get a handle on *whether* I need to rescue these bikes, how much I should offer, but there is little to go on. And, of course, that garage is filling up somehow.
If not deemed classic enough, a private reply would be appreciated from anybody with some knowledge on the Centurion front.
Many thanks! Paulie Davis in Sunny Los Angeles (wondering about rolling blackouts and my new Dremel tool... might be back to elbow grease for that Orly cleanup)
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