Centurion Elite RS - find model year
03-25-18, 09:15 PM
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Centurion Elite RS - find model year
Hi, all! I'm not a bicycle person, but my deceased husband was before I met him. I'm looking for help to figure out the model year on his Centurion Elite RS. I believe it's late 1970s to early- to mid-1980s, just based on what I could find online and knowing what years he was riding. Serial # N4K5550. It's 60 or 61 cm, maroon or brown. Thank you in advance for your help!
03-25-18, 09:34 PM
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22nd week of 1984 per TMar's excellent database. Could be July 1984, exact month is not important. Year is not that important either. N(1) unknown manufacturer. Centurion did not make bikes, they were a marketing company. They did have good companies build bikes for them.
Bike would sell at a significant discount given no seat post, no saddle, and needs some cleanup. But there are people out that that would buy it, its a pretty nice bike.
Sorry for your loss.
Bike would sell at a significant discount given no seat post, no saddle, and needs some cleanup. But there are people out that that would buy it, its a pretty nice bike.
Sorry for your loss.
Last edited by wrk101; 03-25-18 at 09:38 PM.
03-26-18, 06:15 AM
#3
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It's a desirable make & model with Tange 2 frame and Suntour bits. Has the center mounted Suntour downtube shifters. That will attract some serious vintage buyer attention if you want to sell it. But, don't expect much for it in that condition.
03-27-18, 01:40 PM
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Thank you both for the info!
ramzilla, I am going to sell it. Any idea of a range I might get for it in its current condition? It will be sold as is.
ramzilla, I am going to sell it. Any idea of a range I might get for it in its current condition? It will be sold as is.
03-27-18, 03:46 PM
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Where are you located?
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My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,'81 Merckx, '85 Centurion Cinelli, '85 Raleigh Portage, '92 RB-2, '09 Bianchi
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,
03-28-18, 06:43 AM
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+10 Very location dependent. If you are in a desirable bike market, it could bring 2X to 3X the money over an average market. Generally, buyers want bikes they can ride. Few want to deal with finding a seat post, saddle and pedals. That leaves a person that has the skills and knowledge, and looking to get rewarded for it (a deal). I have a file cabinet full of seat posts, so no seat post = no problem. Ditto saddle and pedals.
03-28-18, 08:42 AM
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Elite RS Value
I had one that was pristine and I sold it on Craigslist for $300. It was 100% original and rode like a champion. I am in Southern California. Joe
03-28-18, 11:45 AM
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If there's nothing wrong with the frame & the wheels spin true I think you might be able to get $150 as - is. But, please don't take less than $100. The frame alone is worth that much.
03-28-18, 10:05 PM
#9
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You can buy an Ironman frame for $100. Tange 2 Elite RS for the same money? No.
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My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,'81 Merckx, '85 Centurion Cinelli, '85 Raleigh Portage, '92 RB-2, '09 Bianchi
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03-30-18, 09:05 AM
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Nice bike and great large frame but in slightly rough incomplete condition your looking at $125 or so value.
05-17-18, 07:41 PM
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Finding the seat post size can be a PITA on some bikes. You need to measure it correctly, then hope that your ordered post fits correctly. A local shop may not have every size in stock. According to the Sheldon Brown online seat post data base, though, the 1984 model needs a 27.0 mm seat post. From the 1984 catalog specs, the original was a SR Laprade CT-P5E 220mm aluminum post. This is enough info for any bike guy. Niagara Cycle sells them for as low as $10.19 + S&H. The length on it needs to be shortened, though. An LBS will charge $18 to $25 for the correct length 27.0 post. Price is going to be lower for an incomplete bike, but the right buyer will be happy to have the seat post size to work with. Is the original possibly stored in a drawer somewhere? Maybe the pedals are in the same drawer?
Last edited by cycleheimer; 05-17-18 at 07:45 PM.
05-18-18, 11:18 AM
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Finding the seat post size can be a PITA on some bikes. You need to measure it correctly, then hope that your ordered post fits correctly. A local shop may not have every size in stock. According to the Sheldon Brown online seat post data base, though, the 1984 model needs a 27.0 mm seat post. From the 1984 catalog specs, the original was a SR Laprade CT-P5E 220mm aluminum post. This is enough info for any bike guy. Niagara Cycle sells them for as low as $10.19 + S&H. The length on it needs to be shortened, though. An LBS will charge $18 to $25 for the correct length 27.0 post. Price is going to be lower for an incomplete bike, but the right buyer will be happy to have the seat post size to work with. Is the original possibly stored in a drawer somewhere? Maybe the pedals are in the same drawer?
05-18-18, 11:52 AM
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For what its worth its a 1984 Model in "Super Metallic Maroon"
05-18-18, 12:25 PM
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Kansas City may be a bit of a tough city for vintage bikes. I live in Des Moines but I see bikes popping up on the KC CL and sometimes they hang there for a long time. It has to be a better market than Des Moines though which is where I live. I'm guessing $100-$125 for the bike.
I too am sorry for your loss.
I too am sorry for your loss.
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