Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration & Wheel Upgrade

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - After Restoration

Today I started work on a late 1980's Centurion Accordo.  I found the Centurion last fall and am now only getting to it on the list.  I found the Centurion and it came to me basically because it was missing the front wheel and the previous owner tried to ride it with a 3 speed 26 inch wheel as a replacement.  It has hung in the previous owners garage for many years because of this.

 The Centurion I think will turn into a very very nice bike as it is a lugged Cro-molley steel frame, it has index shifting and areo brake levers.  I also am going to take this chance to really upgrade the wheels.  I looked around for a good set of wheels that would be fast and descent quality and not cost more then the Centurion.  I found a wheelset that was off a customers Trek 400 that he upgraded the wheels to Mavic rims with Shimano Tri-Color hubs.  I really liked the customers choice for the Trek 400 upgrade and instead of charging the customer for the labor of the upgrade I took payment of the original wheels to install on the Centurion.  The dark color of the rims on the Centurion I think will really make the Centurion have a meaner look.

The Centurion looks rough with the old and mismatched wheels on it but under all that roughness I think is a beautiful and fast and nimble bicycle.  I can't wait to see it and test ride it.  The Centurion will receive a total restoration along with the wheels from the Trek 400, new tires and tubes, new brake lever hoods, new handlebar tape, new cables, new cable housings, and new bearings.  I am not sure yet on the saddle, the saddle is original and in pretty good condition but I will see after I restore it.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Levers

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub - Wrong Wheel

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub - Wrong Wheel

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube Decal

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Levers

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Cr-Molly Decal

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub - Old Wheel

In the process of dismantling the Centurion I discovered the pedals to be frozen in place.  I had to remove the crank arms and disassemble the pedals so I could put the pedal stud in my 100 lb bench vise,  With the pedal stud in the vise I was able to use the crank arm as a leverage handle.  I wish that would have worked but I also had to heat the crank arm alloy and use penetrating oil to get the pedals to break free.  Eventually the pedals broke free but the pedals are not usable now, new will be needed.  This is why it is very important to grease the pedal threads when install pedals, it helps prevent the pedals to freeze in place.  These pedal threads had no grease at all and where perfectly dry.

With the components removed from the frame I see just how dirty and dull the frame is.  With all that dirt and dullness however I see very few paint ships or scratches.  The frame should clean up nice and after working through a few grits of polish the frame should polish very nicely and look almost new.  I can't wait to see it!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stay Decal

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

I am absolutely thrilled with the results of the frame, it polished fantastic!  Better yet under all that dirt there are practically no paint chips or scratches just one little decal mare on the top tube and a few spots that I have the perfect match red touch up for.  Beautiful!!  The red is amazing, such a deep shine and the white cleaned so nice and together its a throw back beauty.  The decals are a cool throw back to the 80's also.  I love this stuff!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket & One Spot that needs touch up.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug & The other Spot for touch up.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stay Decal

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Drop Outs

The headset and bottom bracket where in pretty good starting shape.  I put the pieces in the crock pot for cleaning and then polished the pieces.  Everything polished nicely and with new bearings and grease both spin very smooth.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Headset Bearing Cups - Pressed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Headset Bearing Cups - Pressed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Headset - Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Bearings - Packed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Complete

The stem and handlebars are dull but in good shape.  I like that the handlebars say Centurion on them.  I cleaned the handlebars and stem and then got on with the polishing.  The stem polished extremely nice, I like it a lot and the handlebars polished pretty nice, actually very nice, there is just a small scratch through the Centurion name that isn't that bad but bothers me.  Overall I am very happy with the stem & handlebars, they look great installed!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebars - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebars - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebars - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem - Exploded

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebar & Stem
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebars
 Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem - Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Stem & Handlebars - Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Installed

The brake lever white hoods are gooey and gone so I will replace the brake lever hoods with new black hoods.  I  polished the levers and they turned out fantastic, the photos are not doing justice to how nice the levers polished, I think the brake hoods will make all the difference.

I will install the brake lever hoods as soon as they arrive.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Levers
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Levers
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Levers
Installed

The crank is a very nice version of the Bio-Pace crank.  I cleaned all of the pieces and then polished the pieces.  The polishing went beautifully!  In the before photo below you can see all the small washers spacers in the after photo they are not there.  I remembered the spacers after I assembled the crank so I assembled it twice.  The crank sure looks good and sure looks good installed!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Crank - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Crank - Exploded

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Crank - Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Crank - Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Crank - Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Crank - Complete

The brake calipers are very nice calipers, they are the precursor to the modern dual pivot brake calipers. The brake calipers are very dirty, dull and gritty but after cleaning the pieces, polishing everything with a few grits of compound and then properly lubricating the pivot points during assembly the calipers look fantastic and function super smooth.  I love them installed against the polished paint scheme.  I love this stuff and it looks just as new as it was when I saw these bikes when I was 15.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Calipers
Exploded

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Levers
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Levers
Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Front Brake - Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Rear Brake - Installed

I like the derailleurs a lot on the Centurion.  They are the Shimano SIS which are kind of the evolution of what they called Shimano Light Action before SIS.  I really really liked the light action derailleurs and these derailleurs polished just perfect.  The derailleurs look perfect installed!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Derailleurs
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Derailleur
Exploded

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Derailleur
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Rear Derailleur - Exploded

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Compelte

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Rear Derailleur - Installed

The seat post polished wonderfully!  Shannon and I went to the Trek State Fair park sale and show on Friday evening and found a better saddle for the Centurion but I am going to include the original saddle with the Centurion.  I will take a photo when I install the saddle.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Saddle & Seat Post
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Seat Post
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Seat Post
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Seat Post - Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Whats Left of the Original
Pedals

That completes the main body components for the Centurion.  The Centurion is coming along just beautifully!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle
So Far

The photo below are with the replacement wheels on the Centurion.  I just had to see the wheels on it.  In the photo the wheels have not been restored yet.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Wheels Test Fit
Awesome!! But not restored yet.

The wheels are from a late 1980's Trek, the wheels are in really good starting shape.  I broke down the wheel hubs and cleaned and polished the wheels.  The wheel hubs cleaned and polished beautifully and the the rims cleaned and polished very nice.  I really like the dark colored rims, I think the dark color is going to give the Centurion a really mean look.  I packed the bearings and assembled the hubs and the wheels spin extremely smooth, I could not be happier with the function.

I test a lot tires to see what is the best value in tires, I really like the Michelin Dynamic gum wall tires in 25 mm, they ride pretty descent, are fast and are a good value and I think the perfect look for the Centurion, a classic look and the gum wall breaks up the dark rims and tires just enough.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Rear Wheel - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Old Grease

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel
New Grease and Bearings - Packed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Axle Pieces Ready

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
New Michelin Dynamic Tires

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Front Wheel - Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Before

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Old Grease

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
New Grease & Bearings - Packed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Front Wheel
Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Wheels Complete

In to the final stretch on the Centurion, first is to install the new brake lever hoods, these Shimano hoods are exact replacements for these brake levers and look fantastic installed.  The hoods are black in color to go with the attempt to make the centurion look mean.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - New Brake Lever
Hoods

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Lever Hoods
Before & After

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Lever hoods
Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Brake Lever Hoods
Complete

With the brake lever hoods installed its time to wire the Centurion but first it might be a good idea to clean, polish and lubricate the shift levers.  The shift levers polished beautifully, they really make a huge difference installed and wired with Ice Gray brake cable housings the Centurion is really looking good!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - New Cables &
Cable Housings

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Shift Levers
Polished

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Shift Levers
Installed

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Centurion Wired

Next is the handlebar tape, I really like Deda's black synthetic leather handlebar tape, it has a great through back look along with some gel for comfort.  Maybe not as comfortable as a thick gel cork tape but pretty nice compromise between comfort and look.  I really like the look of the black tape on the centurion!

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - New Deda Handlebar Tape

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebar Tape
Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Handlebar Tape
Complete

Last is to clean, flush and lubricate the chain and freewheel.  The chain must have been pretty new because measured there is no wear at all and the freewheel came back to life with a little flushing and lubricating.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Chain & Freewheel - Complete

I forgot to order a saddle for the Centurion but a few weekends back Shannon and I went to the Trek show and sale at State Fair park in Milwaukee and I got this saddle for it, It looked descent and felt comfortable.  Installed it looks great.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - New Saddle

That completes the Centurion except for pedals.  I forgot I destroyed the pedals removing them.  I will have to either pick up pedals today or order some, I will see what I can find around here first.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle - Complete

I really like the looks of the Centurion, it is one mean looking bicycle, just look at the photo above.  I can't wait to test ride it with pedals!

I installed pedals, the pedals are not expensive pedals but rather pedals I know to be a good value.  I do not put expensive pedals on bicycles because I know most people change the pedals to what they like or what fits there shoe.

With the pedals installed I took the Centurion for a test ride, it road extremely fast and smooth, it shift crisp and fast, it broke fine.  I really liked the ride of the Centurion.  I then took final photos and the Centurion looks great, has the classic late 1980's styling and with the addition of the new wheels, new tires, new saddle, new brake lever hoods and new handlebar tape it is one mean looking bike!  It will be up for sale shortly after I take the measurements of the it.

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Shift Levers

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Fork

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
 Bicycle Complete - Front Half

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
 Bicycle Complete - Saddle

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Cr-Mo Decal

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Derailleur

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub

Late 1980's Centurion Accordo Restoration - Bicycle Complete