Original pic from CL:



I spent months looking for vintage road bikes in decent condition and within my price range in hopes of using one for my daily commute I'll be making to college.

After a gorgeous Raleigh fell through... I came across an add for this late 70's (I think...) Centurion Super LeMans. Condition was superb and the guy selling it was a bike repairman and got it all tuned up and ready to ride for a decent price.

I took it home and polished it up a bit and replaced the old handlebar tape with new white cork tape. This is my first real bike that I've bought with my own money and couldn't be happier! Looking forward to everyday with this thing. If anyone can identify the exact year, I'd really appreciate it!

After a little bit of polish, cleaning, and new handlebar tape...

Nice! Looks great! It should be very nice ride for you.

Way Cool - Enjoy!

You did very well, IMHO. As nice as it is, be sure to either take in inside with you, or get some kind of good locking system. I hope you can take it in to your dorm room, or apartment, its a gorgeous looking bike.

Bill

Agree with this; but otoh, it's probably not the theft magnet that the International would have been.

There was a bit of a research project that [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] undertook-

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-database.html

You should be able to figure out where your bike's serial number fits in the grand scheme of things.


It is a beautiful looking bike. Like others have said- if you're outside the dorms- invest in the best lockS. Make someone else's bike an easier target.

Congratulations!

Thanks Bill. I'm pretty new to the bicycling world, but know most of the basics, so I was hoping I did well. Glad to hear it from the experts! I won't be staying in dorms, I'll be living at home so no worries about it being exposed overnight.

Thanks for the link! I was able to find out that my bike is from 1981. After a little internet sleuthing, I found other's bikes from 1981 were identical.

Got myself a good lock, and like I said above, I won't be leaving exposed overnight anywhere!

Yes, it could be from 1981 but it could also be from 1979 or 1980, as the Super LeMans does not appear to have changed during this period. Your best way to determine the year is via the serial number.

Good deal, avoiding the overnight sittings will keep it yours, if you are careful during classes, labs, and library sessions. I actually took my International into the classes, parked it at the very back of the classroom or lab.

Glad that you've found yourself a nice road vintage bike, enjoy it, you found a nice one. Check in the commuter forum for some good tips on using your bicycle for transport.

Bill

the saddle is lower than the bars...

sure the frame is the right size?

Is the saddle that's on it a bad choice? Getting sore in my sit bones from just 30 mins of riding, but also haven't ridden for a long time.

Yeah frame is great, but saddle could use some height.

Looking fresh!

Just don't stop at any red lights...

Not sure I understand this one...

Doesn't look like it has much stand-over height. Some folks don't mind that though.

Yours appears to have the same randonneur bars that my '78 had. I don't seem to see them on the 80's models. Enjoy!