Centurion 70's ID / Appraisal?
 

A neighbor is selling a vintage Centurion for $75. I'm torn about getting it. I don't really need another bike, but... you know.

The serial number is W76 9 10112. I couldn't find any online information to interpret this, but the headbadge is from the 70s, so 1976 might be correct. The decal says "Custom Centurion" but I couldn't find any actual model name.

The bike is in moderate condition. The paint is damaged in quite a few areas, and has rust showing though. The freewheel makes a bit of a grinding noise when it spins.

The wheel rims have a checkerboard-like pattern on them, but I didn't manage to find a manufacturer name. (I didn't look that hard.)

Unfortunately I didn't get good pictures of all the components. Most are SunTour, but the brake calipers seem to say POLYGO..N?

So, any ideas on this one guys?

Thanks,
Jim

Steel rims, a steel cottered crankset, brake safety levers and stem shifters indicate entry level and a hi-tensile steel frame. The serial number indicates is probably a 1977 model and this aligns with the decal and head badge style. The model may well be a Centurion Custom. One other has turned up. It had the same serial number format and was manufactured in Taiwan, though it was a 1976 model. The only difference was the brakes, which were "Western". The Custom appears to have been the bottom of the line model, even below the Centurion Sport, which by this era was sporting a cotterless crankset.

Low-end like T-Mar mentioned.

Pass.

That would make a real nice upright handlebar cruiser bike. It's already got a rack on the back. Add some baskets & use it for groceries or making beer runs. $75 is a top price for a bike like that. See if they'll take $50 for it.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the guidance guys. I already have a commuter bike that fits me better, so I'll pass. I was confused because nothing I saw online mentioned the "custom" model, but it didn't look nice enough to be a LeMans.