Black Centurion 23" center-to-top
serial number MF00147
(seat tube 57cm center-to-center; top tube 56cm center-to-center; 40" wheelbase)

Can the list members please tell me:

a) What model designation is this circa ~1976 bicycle?
b) Where does this model fit in the hierarchy of 1976-1977 Centurion offerings?
c) Which factory manufactured the frame? Serial number begins with the letters MF
d) What is the appropriate saddle for this model?
e) Approximate Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price?
f) Where can I find a scan of the 1976-1977 Centurion catalogues?



Centurion drive side



Centurion off-side, showing the block lettering down tube decal



Centurion head tube badge, handlebars and stem



Champion Butted Tubing Cr-Mo sticker on seat tube

Details:

Frame tubing: Champion Butted Tubes Cr-Mo Steel, chrome socks, forged drop outs
Headset: Tange Falcon
Crankset: SR Apex (swaged spider) with 42/52 SR Royal LA-5 chain rings [date code 1976 on drive-side crank arm]
Seat Post: SR Melt Forged 2-bolt 26.4 (not shown in photographs)
Derailleurs: Suntour Cyclone Rear [code SH] and Suntour Cyclone Front [code SJ] with SunTour bar end shifters
Wheels: Sunshine Pro-Am High Flange [code 76] with Araya 27 x 1 1/4" anodized alloy rims, stainless spokes
Brakes: Dia Compe G
Bar and Stem: Sakae Custom (Centurion branded) handlebars with SR Forged anodized stem
Pedals: KKT Top Run

The bicycle appears to be all-original, lacking the saddle and one brake pad replaced.

Thanks in advance.

Pro Tour?

I'm pretty sure that is a Super Elite, and it fell between the Super Lemans and Semi Pro in the lineup. The components and frame fit this gap almost perfectly, with shared elements with both.

Many appropriate saddles, but my '77 Super LeMans came with an Elina Super Pro

My immediate impression was a Super LeMans. However, they typically came with double butted hi-tensile steel during this era. Still, that post size is between what I would expect for double butted hi-tensile and CrMo from Tange. Components most likely to be OEM is heaset and crankset. The latter is typical of Super LeMans from the era.

Not a Pro-Tour as they had direct mount centre-pull during this era. I can't recall seeing a Super Elite without bottle and shift lever braze-ons or chrome extending onto the stays and blades

Looks like a perfect candidate for a 650B conversion.

I have this exact bike. I bought it new in March of 1977. I believe it to be a late 1976. Can anyone help me with value since I’ve recently decided to sell it?

It looks a LOT like my very first "real" bike - a Centurion Super Elite from that same era. Same color, head badge, cranks, Cyclone GT derailleurs, peeling Centurion serif lettering, etc.

Except... my Super Elite came with clamp-on Suntour ratchet downtube shifters, not bar-cons.

One of the first things I did was to change out the crank for a TA 46-42-26, the freewheel for a 14-26 Pro-Compe, and the downtube shifters for... bar-cons. The downtube shifters saw action again about a year later on the Raleigh Pro Mk IV frame I bought, where they stayed for my racing career. The Super Elite saw many miles of commuting, club rides, and touring. And then I loaned it to my ex-girlfriend's sister to use at college, and someone else decided they wanted it more.

I still miss it sometimes.

Well I have one I'm selling in Liverpool NY and I'm the original owner since 77.