Zoxe

Picked this up today. Any help figuring out what I bought is most appreciated. I found the page on Sheldon Brown's site that tells me it's probably 1970s and not 1980s.

With a few minutes staring at it, here's what I know:
- Lugged, Tange frame
- SunTour components
- Friction shifters on the stem
- 10 speed
- No braze-ons for downtube shifters, water bottles, but there are eyelets for fr/rr panniers
- Rims are 27 x 1 1/4 and ar marked "ARAYA Japan"

I haven't been able to locate a S/N. I checked the bottom of the bottom bracket but didn't see one. Am I blind?

oddjob2

I acquired an ugly brown one with cable clamps, just for the wheels and parts, including barcons. Braze on cable guides suggest 1980's. Look for a date code on the cranks. Where'd all the paint go on the top tube?

Dfrost 

Look on the non-DS near the bottom of the seat tube. That's where I found the serial number on a 1973 Le Mans I recently rebuilt for a friend. It looks pretty similar to this one.

fawku

I have a centurion super lemans 1976. They were a lower to mid level bike. I just recently rebuilt mine with the help of the lbs and it rides really nice
straight and quiet hope you enjoy yours.. The serial numbers on mine are on the seat tube just above the bottom bracket..

Zoxe

I found the S/N - N9S6988. Based on the decoding available online, it's an 89. That seems too new to me (a non-expert!) based on the other components and the 5 speed cassette, but who knows how many times it was rebuilt. I haven't found any date codes on the components, but really need to poke and prod a bit more. The shop sticker on it looks like a later addition; anything could have happened. Current condition says it spent its most recent time stashed deep in a barn.

As far as the missing paint, I can only speculate. The shop sticker is California. A lot can happen on that much road (even if tied to the back of a Winnebago flapping in the breeze...). As I mentioned in another post, I'll probably just rub it with a scotch brite pad and clear coat it like the guys on TV do to their resto hot rods. Some battle scars shouldn't be completely mended.

bikemig 

Bikes with battle scars make fine lock up bikes.