Centurion - Almost Finished - Lots of PICS

[GTCOMA]

I picked up this Centurion Cavaletto at a cancer benefit sale this morning. I have a bunch of cruiser fat tire type bikes, so i thought it would be nice to have something a little faster. I know very little about road bikes, but this one seems to be in fairly good condition. teh frame is lugged

It rides just fine as is, but i was thinking about going to a single speed freewheel in the back and a single sprocket in the front to clean up the look. What is the typical/best gear mix for basic cruising?

It has angled dropouts, so the chain tension should not be a problem. I'm not willing to go fixed gear yet. And I definatley want to do something different about the bars and the goose neck.

 

[gashuffy63]

Re: Centurion

This one will make for an excellent single speed cruiser. These Centurion frames have nice geometry and were very well made. One gear ratio that I like is 48/20. Cheers.

 

[OUTLAW]

Re: Centurion

i run a 46 x 16 on Superbe, a little tough up hills, an 18 would be better.

Outlaw 8)

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: Centurion

The transformation has begun...

I swapped out the bottom bracket, cranks and sprocket. The stock one had the square spindle press on cranks. I replaced it with a cottered crankset and bottom bracket. They both are Sugino, but the new one i put on has more character. I took of the chain gaurd and inner sprocket. the one i took off has the stamped chaingaurd. It looked kinda cheap in my opinion.

The stock sprocket

The replacement - it needs to be shined up, but the chrome is in good shape

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: Centurion

This one will make for an excellent single speed cruiser. These Centurion frames have nice geometry and were very well made. One gear ratio that I like is 48/20. Cheers.

and the new sprocket is a 48 tooth. I have a freewheel from a stingray chopper that is a 20 tooth, so it looks like i will be giong with your suggestion, if I can figure out how to remove the freewheel...

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: Centurion

Well, i couldn't get the 20 tooth freewheel off the stingray, so I went with a 16 toothe my bike shop had. i got it stripped down to one gear now. THe ratio is a little steep, but this thing is very fast now! Now I just need to figure out what to do with the handlebars.any suggestions?
He are a few quick pics. I need to get it all shined up and take some pictures in the sunshine

 

[user 135]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

Single speeds are fun. The bars may be best with just the removal of the bar ends.

 

[OUTLAW]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

take the bar ends off an flip the handlebars. this is a great ride

Outlaw 8)

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

take the bar ends off an flip the handlebars. this is a great ride

Outlaw 8)

I'll have to try this and see how it looks. I also need to lose the cheesy foam grips

 

[mastershake916]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

take the bar ends off an flip the handlebars. this is a great ride

Outlaw 8)

I'll have to try this and see how it looks. I also need to lose the cheesy foam grips

I don't know, they're also extremely comfortable foam grips.

 

[TheFlyingDingo]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

I say loose the bar ends.
and you should be done

 

[rusty513]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

Looks good!!!!!!! Love that sprocket.

 

[GTCOMA]

Re: Centurion - New and Improved 1 SPEED

It's just about done. i just need to add some bar tape. I found an old pair of Schwinn bars that I flipped and chopped. I plan on keeping the bike, so I put on some nice Continental Ultra Sports.

And of course I did my favorite thing of putting the reflector down low