Originally Posted by
Albion
Hi T-Mar, many thanks for what you are doing here! I now have my two daily rides accurately dated, thanks to you. I picked up a very smart Centurion Super le Mans a few days ago in great condition but with a large frame, with the intention of swapping to a smaller one. Found the frame for a much older le Mans the next day and I am impressed with its smart brazed-on cable stops and chromed socks. There's one number, stamped on the seat tube, at the back and just below the pinch bolt B622. It was once a metallic red and bears the remains of a decal stating "Designed by Mitchell" and another "Guarantee". Might there be a clue? Photos below, and the Super le Mans that shares the same FD and RD is here:
Centurion Super le Mans
It once was red metallic.
Guaranteed?
Yes, those short alpha-numeric stampings on the seat tube are typically the only things reported on the Centurions with the Raleighesque graphics. As far as I know, nobody has been able to make heads or tails of them. Your best bet would be date codes on any components. The crankset might have dual letter date codes on the back of the arms. If it came with derailleurs, they should SunTour and also have date codes consisting of two letters.