Here's what I know (I think!):
1. Champion # 2 tubing: This is Tange's top quality Chrome moly double butted tubing. The #2 refers to the wall thickness, and this is the heavier duty tubing. The equivalent to Columbus SP or Reynolds 531ST, whereas Tange Champion #1 is equivalent to Columbus SL or 531c tubing. Definitely good stuff. Was bumped down to secondary status when Tange got into heat treating with their Prestige tubing.
2. Shimano 600 stuff: Can't really see it from these pics, but it's definitely not from the Arabesque 600 group, so probably after '83. Can anyone give us a better date fix? Not treasured collectible pieces, but that just means you kin ride the rubber rite offa da rims. I always thought friction Shimano 600 was some of the best working parts for the $ out there.
3. TA: Probably used in marketing because initials sounded "racy", in the days of GTO, GT, E type and Z-28. I suspect that the TA initials probably got into the bike biz from Specialties TA, the famous French component maker. Strangely enough the TA did have an automotive root, and meant "traction Avant" , a hold over from the company founder's experiments with front wheel drive. See Joel Metz's excellent TA web site for more TA fun.
http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
4. Is it a good bike? If you like it and it works good, then it's great. I'll bet she rides sweetly. Just don't count on a Japanese frame and friction 600 parts to appreciate in value in the future. But feel free to come take a ride on her with me anytime.
Tom Adams, with a room full of bikes I like that no one else does, Shrewsbury NJ
>From: dan kasha
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]What can you tell me about this bike, Centurion comp TA?
>Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2003 16:12:48 -0800 (PST)
>
>Well, I just couldn't resist this bike - a Centurion comp TA
>http://ebay.com/<blah>
>or enter number 3634736040 in ebay.
>
>Please forgive me if this one is out of the CR time line. for me, a bike with non aero brake cables, a freewheel and lugs is a classic or at least a keeper of the flame.
>
>I had a Centurion Super Elite in College that I really liked, but unfortunately it was stolen. I suspect that this one is a very similar bike, and I hope I will like it as much as my Super Elite.
>
>So, the questions that I have about this bike are:
>
>What is Tange Champion #2 relative to other Tange tubings of the time?
>
>What year would you say this Shimano 600 generation is from, and was it decent stuff?
>
>And finally, comp TA seems to have been a very popular name for components and bikes. Does TA mean anything?
>
>Well, and one other question, was I nuts to want this bike?
>
>Thanks
>Dan Kasha
>Salt Lake City
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Do you Yahoo!?
>Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears
>
>_______________________________________________
>Classicrendezvous mailing list
>Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>http://www.bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/classicrendezvous
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ Concerned that messages may bounce because your Hotmail account has exceeded its 2MB storage limit? Get Hotmail Extra Storage! ------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Classicrendezvous mailing list
Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
http://www.bikelist.org/