John's Bicycle Restorations: Early 1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle After Restoration

Its been a long time since I have posted a restoration. Business change so much over the last few years that the time I had to post restorations went away. Business is starting to change back to how it was before so I can start to focus more on restorations. There are a lot of restorations coming so I hope someone takes a look. - John

First one out of the corral is an early 1980's Centurion Comp TA. This is right from my wheel house of everything I love in a bicycle, steel, early Shimano 600 so much refined compared to the 70's. I found this one in ok shape, it was sitting for a very long time in a dusty dirty area but at least it was dry. I think the Centurion doesn't have many miles on it mainly just storage deuteriation, which can be worse than a bike that was heavily ridden. First thing to do is tear the Centurion down.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shimano 600 Brake Levers

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shimano 600 Front Brake

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shimano 600 Shift Levers

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shimano 600 Crank

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shimano 600 Front Derailleur

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shimano 600 Rear Brake

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shimano 600 Rear Derailleur

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Before

With the Centurion broken down it was time to clean the frame. There are a few nicks in the paint that will be filled later but overall I am pleased with the frame before cleaning or polishing.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Frame Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Fork Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Fork Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Fork Before

The Centurion frame polished beautiful, the metallic red is a lot deeper than I was expecting. A few nicks in the paint but not to bad, I will mix a touch up paint and smooth the nicks out. I am very pleased with the results of polishing! You can still see the nicks in the polished phots, I always do the touch up paint at the end.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Frame Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Frame Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration - Frame Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Frame Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Fork Polished

I don't think I have shown this before but the photo below is how I keep parts organized through the build. I don't have a photo now but I also have a trays I custom build to keep the larger components together, I will post that photo soon.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Parts Polished

The Shimano 600 Headset from this era is one of my favorites. This one had a few wrench marks in it like most of them from someone removing the lock nut with out the specialized tool. Very slight file work and polishing and the marks are removed and the headset installed with the proper tool.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bearings Packed

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Headset - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bottom Bracket - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Complete

The cockpit was next. I broke down all the parts and started the cleaning and polishing. I am very pleased with how everything polished. I was hoping the brake lever hoods would be ok because I like the aged color but they ended up falling apart. I installed replacement hoods and they fit nice. Really please with the way things are coming together.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Cockpit Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Levers Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Handlebars & Stem BEfore

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Cockpit - Exploded View

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Handlebars Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Levers Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Stem Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Handlebars & Stem - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Handlebars - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Stem - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Handlebars & Stem - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Stem & Handlebars - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Brake Levers Polished - Hoods Falling Apart

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Levers - Polished
New Hoods

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Levers - Complete

At this point I worked on the wheels, I wanted to have the Centurion rolling so I could move it around the shop. I like the wheels, I like the bronze color of the hubs and rims, I feel the color goes good with the red. I installed new Panaracer tires and tubes and replaced the bearings. The wheel turned out very nice and spin forever!

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Freewheel Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub - Old Grease

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Hub - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Bearings Packed

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Bearings Packed

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Axles Prepared

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
New Panaracer Tires

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Wheels Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Complete

The crank was next. This era Shimano 600 crank is one of my favorites, they looked so refined. I have not seen one with a bronze colored chain ring before but it is perfect for the Centurion color scheme. The crank polished beautifully and looks perfect installed.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Exploded View

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Installed

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Crank - Complete

Next I polished the seat post and installed the saddle. The saddle is a Turbo Bernard Hinault model, doesn't get better than that and it is in great shape. Lemond/Hinault Tour De France years are still the best by far in my book. Wish racing was still like that, guts, heart and drama. The saddle and seat post look amazing installed.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Seat Post Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Seat Post and Turbo Saddle Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Seat Post & Saddle Complete

These Shimano 600 brake calipers are my favorite, the shape and function is just so beautiful! I worked through the cleaning, polishing and lubricating and couldn't be happier with the results. Love this stuff!

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Calipers - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Calipers - Exploded View

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Front Brake Caliper Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Calipers - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Brake Calipers - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Front Brake Caliper - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Rear Brake Complete

Derailleurs are next. Again, I love this era Shimano 600 components, they look so nice and just function beautifully. I broke down the derailleurs and worked through the polishing and lubrication. I absolutely love how the rear derailleurs turned out and looks on the Centurion.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Front Derailleur - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Front Derailleur - Exploded View

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimao 600 Front Derailleur Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Front Derailleur Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Front Derailleur - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Rear Derailleur - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Rear Derailleur - Exploded View

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Rear Derailleur - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Rear Derailleur - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Derailleurs Complete

The shift levers from this era are so beautiful, they are like little jewels. I worked through the polishing and greased all the disc and points. Look amazing installed.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Shift Levers - Before

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Shift Levers - Polished

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Shimano 600 Shift Levers - Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Main Components Complete

Next is wiring the Centurion and installing the handlebar tape. Of course its Jagwire everything and I chose the braded silver housings. I feel the braded silver complements the color scheme and decals very well. I thought through the handlebar tape options for quit a while, in the end I chose basic black cork tape and I am very happy with the choice. The black compliments the red color and silver housings and decals with out standing out above the whole. I like it a lot.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
New Cables - Housings - Handlebar Tape

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Cables & Tape Complete

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Cables Complete

If the Centurion was bigger I would not be giving it up, I love everything about this bike. It restored beautifully! The color and accents are perfect. Its from my favorite era of bicycles, the era I still ride, the era when everything felt like a peak of refinement! (I feel there have been3 eras of peak refinement over the century plus of bicycle history.) My friend and neighbor is going to handle the sale of the Centurion for me through his business and network. If someone purchases the Centurion locally or does local pickup you will still be picking the bike up from me in person and we go through everything. My friends business handling the sale and shipping just allows me to keep working on the bikes.

I will post a link to the Centurion sale shortly.

1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Thank you

John Z.

Sale link coming soon

John's Bicycle Restorations

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Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Early 1980's Centurion Comp TA Restoration

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