Centurion Cinelli Equipe in disguise

Thanks for the thought Robbie.

Yes, we at CyclArt have painted many a Centurion Equipe. Almost always the frame comes in with the request that we repaint with Cinelli decals. In recent years, they often arrive with counterfeit Cinelli decals to put on them. Several times we have had the bikes come in already repainted with Cinelli decals. In these cases the customer always has bought them thinking they got a "real" Cinelli.

We are seeing many, more misidentified frames now than in years past.

So, we give them the "good news / bad news". The bad news is; the frame was not made by Cinelli, and we will never decal one as such. The good news is; on a side by side comparison, especially with the paint off, the Centurion is lighter and considerably better crafted than Cinellis of that era. Very nice frames!

The other issue with these frames is that the lavendar colors decals that were so fashionable in Japan when these were made don't play well anymore. (I'd have vetoed that color choice for the US market even then!)

The paintwork is unremarkable and low gloss. Decals are not clearcoated and so are oftern deteriorated. So, while we COULD, we've never refinished one of these frames in the Silver/lavendar colors either!

My suggestion for those who have brought these frames in for refinishing, is that we paint the frame any color they like; say a nice Cinelli Sunset Orange perhaps and apply a custom decal set I designed and print to order. The decal set plays up the Cinelli relationship and plays down the Centurion, without misrepresenting what the bike is: So most these frame we've refinished have the custom decals. Others have opted for orignal decal in different colors or something entirely custom.

I'm new on this forum and I don't know how to post photos yet, but if anyone is intersted, I have photos of some of the frames we have refinished.

Feel free to contct me directly, I certainly can email the photos. I don't know if this forun notifies me of responses in this thread or not...

Thanks!

Jim Cunningham
President
CyclArt,inc.
www.CyclArt.com

I'm not so sure. I've almost never seen a 62cm bike in SL alone. Almost every manufacturer moved to the heavier SP or a mix of SP above 59, this for strength in these large sizes. They used the same Columbus sticker for SL and SP back then. They might have used some of the frame in SL but SP was usually seen in the DT and/or ST. Seems SLX allowed them to move to slightly larger sizes without resorting to the rather robust SP.

Wow, you're into these Centurions, RobbieTunes. Somebody paid 240 for a saddle! This makes some of my own more extravagant acquisitions almost justifiable.

Glad you can confirm my suspicions. I just went to your page and compared our frames, very similar. I've always found that the DT bottle bosses are very low, looks to be the same on yours. Do you know the total # of imported Equipe's?

After discovering the true origin of this frame I was initially somewhat disappointed (as a newbie I believed the seller who had labeled it as a Super Corsa). It was a local CL sale, so I almost wanted to take it back. But then I discovered how fun and exciting it was to ride, and it DID look mighty good, despite the misrepresentation. Now I'm speculating that this maybe is as fine a frame as a Super Corsa of similar vintage, and certainly more rare.

Anyway, just did 50 miles on it yesterday afternoon, and had a good time. I'll keep an eye out for a 56cm for you.

Are the Japanese Centurions fine bikes? I'm currently watching a 48cm Le Mans on eBay for my son's birthday present. The price is going up, and I am not sure about where to put my limit.

Cheers, Jan

Jan,

Yes, I do like the Centurions, especially the models designed with competition in mind. I don't really consider the Equipe part of the line, as it only shared the Centurion decals, and nothing else. The Equipe is only stamped with the frame size on the bottom bracket, and that is about 3-4cm less than how the bike generally rides. Mine is a "50," but rides like a 52-53.

I know of 9 Equipe's that exist, so maybe there are a couple dozen out there. Import figures I don't have. They were very expensive relative to other bikes at the time, and ugly compared to their Italian Super Corsa cousins.

Japanese Centurions, at one time, were much better known, especially the Ironman. I still remember when they came out, and I wanted one, but settled for a Trek. The Centurions were known, at least the mid to upper level models, for excellent componentry and frames for the price. From the Lemans up, they didn't mess around, even with a couple of high-end touring bikes. Their paint quality was better than most of the pack, which is why they're worth having today.

The Tange frames and upper level components set them apart, especially the Ironman Master models, with the Shimano groups that became Ultegra. They say the Carbon Ironman had Dura Ace, but I simply have never seen one that didn't have Shimano 600.

The Lemans has always been an excellent value, a frame right there with the Ironman models and smooth, reliable components. I enjoy my two models, especially the 1984. In 1983-1985, the Lemans, Turbo, Comp TA, and then Ironman models were superb for the price, and I think many still are.

That 48cm went where I thought it would, and the recent Ironman in about the same size was a buy in itself. I've tracked Ironman bikes for the last couple of years on eBay, and they all average 0 or so, with shipping, which is a great price if the condition is good for a bike of that quality.

I'd probably not buy anything lower than a Lemans unless the condition was pretty good and the price right. I'm spoiled by the models I do have, and there seems always to be a Lemans or an Ironman for sale. The Lemans mixte is one of the best mixte models out there, too.

Good luck, and I'll keep you in mind with any I see. I can never get the small ones in, and could have sold a ton of 50-54cm models by now. I'm out of the market for a while, building an aluminum bike and looking for a Centurion Facet, the only aluminum model they made.

I'd like one of each in steel, carbon, and aluminum by Centurion. I guess they realized the price of titanium would be too high to try.

I know the bikes pretty well, and can help with repair/restore/rebuild questions if the need ever arises. I envy your Equipe and it's certainly a jewel.