Help me date this Centurion LeMans!
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Help me date this Centurion LeMans!
Hey all. I recently acquired this Centurion LeMans and need your help dating it! Centurions can be more easily dated if they are '80s models and newer because of their colour schemes and serial numbers. According to Sheldon Brown,
Japanese Centurions made between 1980-1990 use a serial number format WXYZZZZ where:
W = a letter, purpose uncertain, but probably indicates a manufacturer or Centurion;
X = a number, indicating the calendar year of manufacture;
Y = a letter, indicating the fortnight of manufacture (A = wk 1 & 2, B = wk 3 & 4, etc)
ZZZZ = four digit number, probably indicating frame number during fortnight of manufacture.
Grimy drivechain, I know.
Example: N4E0283 indicates the 283 frame made during the period of weeks 9-10 in 1984.
My bike has this serial number: NB87571, which does not follow this format. I think it might be a mid to late '70s model, but if anyone has any information that can narrow it down to the year, I'd really appreciate it!
Note: 1979 LeMans were apparently 12-speeds, according to the 1979 catalog. However, mine is a 10-speed. Otherwise, the design and some components seem to match up.
Japanese Centurions made between 1980-1990 use a serial number format WXYZZZZ where:
W = a letter, purpose uncertain, but probably indicates a manufacturer or Centurion;
X = a number, indicating the calendar year of manufacture;
Y = a letter, indicating the fortnight of manufacture (A = wk 1 & 2, B = wk 3 & 4, etc)
ZZZZ = four digit number, probably indicating frame number during fortnight of manufacture.
Grimy drivechain, I know.
Example: N4E0283 indicates the 283 frame made during the period of weeks 9-10 in 1984.
My bike has this serial number: NB87571, which does not follow this format. I think it might be a mid to late '70s model, but if anyone has any information that can narrow it down to the year, I'd really appreciate it!
Note: 1979 LeMans were apparently 12-speeds, according to the 1979 catalog. However, mine is a 10-speed. Otherwise, the design and some components seem to match up.
#2
Senior Member
I don’t know, but it’s cool that the tubing specs are included on the sticker. I don’t recall seeing that before. Pretty bike.
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
1983, I think, went decal vs. headbadge, so it's pre-that.
Your headbadge is the same as a 1979 model, so figure 1979 or earlier.
Most models in 1979 were 2x6, so you can use that as a guide, perhaps.
Graphics match late 70's, early 80's.
That bike will really pop if you completely disassemble it, and then clean/shine each chrome part with 0000 steel wool, polish it up, go after the frame with WD40, elbow grease.
A drive side pic would help, and the components can surely help date it.
Your headbadge is the same as a 1979 model, so figure 1979 or earlier.
Most models in 1979 were 2x6, so you can use that as a guide, perhaps.
Graphics match late 70's, early 80's.
That bike will really pop if you completely disassemble it, and then clean/shine each chrome part with 0000 steel wool, polish it up, go after the frame with WD40, elbow grease.
A drive side pic would help, and the components can surely help date it.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
It's a 1978 model.
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Here are some new pictures from recently. I'm starting to think it's a '79 model with different a different freewheel.
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,829 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Nishiki came out with the Olympic 12 about late 1977- early 78, Centurion was quick to market trends, I would not be surprised of a mid cycle change to 6.
The Niko bikes (Bikecology house brand) actually came out with the color co-ordinated cable housings, tape, saddle coverings first, Centurion was quick to respond- so quick that we felt there was corporate espionage.
it was a competitive time.
The Niko bikes (Bikecology house brand) actually came out with the color co-ordinated cable housings, tape, saddle coverings first, Centurion was quick to respond- so quick that we felt there was corporate espionage.
it was a competitive time.
#9
Senior Member
My guess would be a 1979 Model. as it looks like the 78 models had the earlier badge. and the 1979 model Lemans had a 6 speed freewheel.
here is the 79 catalog
https://vintage-centurion.com/literat...on_Catalog.pdf
here is the 79 catalog
https://vintage-centurion.com/literat...on_Catalog.pdf
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
Nishiki came out with the Olympic 12 about late 1977- early 78, Centurion was quick to market trends, I would not be surprised of a mid cycle change to 6.
The Niko bikes (Bikecology house brand) actually came out with the color co-ordinated cable housings, tape, saddle coverings first, Centurion was quick to respond- so quick that we felt there was corporate espionage.
it was a competitive time.
The Niko bikes (Bikecology house brand) actually came out with the color co-ordinated cable housings, tape, saddle coverings first, Centurion was quick to respond- so quick that we felt there was corporate espionage.
it was a competitive time.
He negotiated the Cinelli deal with Centurion, and had a hand in the last 3-4 years of the Ironman.
He later got involved with ParkPre. Last I heard, he was also involved with Specialized (in his 80's).
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
I have an April 1979 comparison test stating that the Le Mans employed a 5 speed freewheel, specifically 14-17-20-24-30T. Given the time to get an article to print during the era, the test may have been conducted using 1978 models. Consequently, it would appear that the Le Mans was 10 speed through at least 1978 and there is a good probability that the current freewheel is OEM.
If the OP wants a higher degree of confidence regarding the originality of his freewheel (and the model year of the bicycle), he can start checking component date codes using the information here; Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating . I suspect he'll find late 1977 to very early 1978 date codes, which would be consistent with a 1978 model.
If the OP wants a higher degree of confidence regarding the originality of his freewheel (and the model year of the bicycle), he can start checking component date codes using the information here; Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating . I suspect he'll find late 1977 to very early 1978 date codes, which would be consistent with a 1978 model.
#12
Senior Member
I have an April 1979 comparison test stating that the Le Mans employed a 5 speed freewheel, specifically 14-17-20-24-30T. Given the time to get an article to print during the era, the test may have been conducted using 1978 models. Consequently, it would appear that the Le Mans was 10 speed through at least 1978 and there is a good probability that the current freewheel is OEM.
If the OP wants a higher degree of confidence regarding the originality of his freewheel (and the model year of the bicycle), he can start checking component date codes using the information here; Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating . I suspect he'll find late 1977 to very early 1978 date codes, which would be consistent with a 1978 model.
If the OP wants a higher degree of confidence regarding the originality of his freewheel (and the model year of the bicycle), he can start checking component date codes using the information here; Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating . I suspect he'll find late 1977 to very early 1978 date codes, which would be consistent with a 1978 model.
#13
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10964 Post(s)
Liked 7,491 Times
in
4,189 Posts
very cool that the tubing badge includes the butting measurements.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tomhailand
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
16
03-19-19 05:21 AM
Oregoner
Classic & Vintage
12
07-04-18 07:30 PM
Psparky3
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
6
08-13-16 02:56 PM
dolphinlady
Classic & Vintage
16
06-17-12 02:46 PM