Shimano 500EX places it in the early 1990s. This would be the equivalent of the USA Diamond Back Interval. The Interval was lugged in 1990 but was TIG welded for 1991. Yours looks like it has lugs, so my assumption would be 1990, however, to be sure, verify the component date codes. There will be codes comproised of two letters on the backs of the major components. First letter is the years where N = 1989, O = 1990, etc. Second letter is the month, where A = January, B = February, etc.

BTW, I have seen some W-code serial numbers but only 3 of them. There's not enough data to crack the code, yet. Yours will help. Please post what you find. TIA.

Thanks!, the idea for this color scheme dates back to my first BMX that I got in 1989 that had this combination... So in that way IŽm keeping it true to the style of that era.


Thanks for the info. and yes, it is lugged. I googleŽd the DB Interval and the resemblance is striking... Same groupset and style.
I checked the date codes on the components and the "newest" component was the crankset that had PI engraved. So this dates them to sep 1991 according to your information.

This might imply that the in the serial no. (which was WAK17481H) the K stands for November and the first digit stands for 1991. What do you think, (might not be that simple though), T-Mar

A PI code would be late enough in the year for a 1992 model. There was no 500EX models in the USA that year. Based on the codes and lugs, it appears that the European distributor may have been designing their own models.

Yes, it would be nice if the first (or last) number represented the year, but based on the other samples in my database, that does not appear to be the case. Regardless, thank-you for the info. It will help and I will solve it, if I can get some more samples of this format. All the data is cross-referenced against BF User Names so, if I do crack the code, I can contact you via PM.

Great to be global.

ok, this is a real puzzler for me...the serial number on my Centurion is N9H6093. From what I have read in this thread and over at Sheldon Brown's site...I gather the bike was either a 79 or an 89. In either case it makes me wonder why my wife told me it was her bike when she was in college between 1973 and 1976...I do remember that the frame had a tange sticker on it prior to the sandblasting.

No puzzle. It's a 1979. The derailleur cable routing is above the bottom bracket, it has the rear cable stop bridge for center-pull brakes and the circular headbadge. In fact, if chrome was not covered up in the repaint, it is either an Omega or LeMans. With all due respect to your wife, the bicycle is definitely not from 1973-1976. The serial number and headbadge irrefutably place it from 1979.

Here's another Australian Centurion to add to the data base.

The model is a "Turbo 7000", Tange No2 tubing, Unicrown fork, "Made in Japan" sticker. It had no wheels when I picked it up, a Suntour Sprint 9000 RD, Sugino crank, Diacompe levers and front brake.





Serial No. is M8G00885, I wonder what that tells us?



I love the colour (metalic turquoise and white) but it is badly scratched and worn in places so unfortunately I'll lose the decals on a repaint.

I am thinking of putting brifters and a more modern drivetrain/brakes on it to become my "daily rider"

A thorough clean, a little touch-up, some lube, adjustments and a set of brifters will make it a nice daily rider.

Mystery solved...her mother ran over the original frame and Centurion replaced it...with an obviously newer frame, hence the later year according to the serial number!

I guess I will add my new find to the database too! .

Serial Number: N7M1438
Model: Le Mans
Year: Unknown
Components: Shimano Exage Sport
Color Scheme: White forks, yellow mid section
Wheels: Gold colored ARAYA 700C Japan
Front Forks: White
Front Fork Sticker: Tange Mangaloy 2001 Steel Fork Blade
Seat: Centurion Anatomic Vetta
Frame Material: Tange 2
Pedals: Broken Shimano Exage Sport
Chainrings: Shimano BioPace SIS
Seat Post: Stuck

Pictures of this beauty

FYI, it's a 1988 model.

We'll have young Austin up to speed in no time.

Great. I was wondering which year it was. How do you know whether it is an RS or the other versions of the Le Mans?

The Lemans says "Lemans," the Lemans RS says "Lemans RS." Sorry, I had to do that.

For what it's worth, the only 1988 Lemans RS models I've seen were the purple "smoked" fade, which tends to be a love it/hate it situation. The "straight" fade seems to be a lot easier to look at, comes in more colors, and is much easier to match up to.

Never thought Id get one but heres my submission.... yard sale $75..excellent condition.PROTOUR 15 serial # 4F10250.... gold brown metallic paint. Looks like the one in Sheldons catalogue LE Tech der, Champion #2 butted tubes Sugino triple Cantis Forks have a mounting bolt for something. Came with a IDEALE 90 leather saddle. Its mint but one issue the inner chainring is rubbing on the stay, and dug in a bit. At first I bought it for the saddle couldnt really afford it. Got to many bikes etc etc, Now im glad, these are well respected bikes. Im assuming its an 84. Never stop loking for bikes they will find you in craziest places.

Great job on a Pro Tour. That's a great frame, and definitely well-respected. What do you plan to do with it, now that you have it?

and Go Hurricanes...great series with NJ.
Boston will be tough.

Thanks, plan on doing some light touring around southern ontario up to georgian bay. Nice addition to my 3 bianchies and 3 rossi. Have an issue with inner chainring hitting the chainstay on the downstroke.Ajustable cups on both sides, sealed bearing cartridge. I can only move it over so much, ill work on it in the coming week. The ideale90 saddle is like new. I wasnt gonna buy it but I could not let that saddle go I have to many bikes as it is, now I have a high end tourer Im jacked, looking forward to be putting many miles on it. Thanks this CV crew is awesome I learnt alot in the last 3 years here, and GO WINGS!!!!

Thanks Ill keep the advice on hand. I like the the starving analogy, thats what I tell my teenagers, Dad bought a bike today so Im cutting back on the groceries this week.

1986 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott (Terry style) small frame. Full Shimano 105
Salmon and White
Serial number N6M8405

That's the ticket. Let 'em buy their own food.

My goodness that's clean. I see the mfg is 1986. I've not a clue on the "Symmetry" model.
The 1987 model year Expert introduced both those colors and the 105 group for the "normal" Ironman.
That is a unique, rare, and collectible bike in the Centurion world. It's right there with an OEM Prestige or about any Facet for rarity.
Great stuff.

Sorry, I was going by "forum info" on the symmetry name. I was told that's the type of bike frame that is also known as the "Terry" bikes. Terry just being a brand name.

Yes, it is a Salmon and white Terry type frame, 24" front wheel. I forgot to load the second pic.

Heres my bike.

1) That is the finest Terry model Ironman I've seen, probably will see. True collector edition.

2) And then a Pro Tour on it's heels. Another great specimen, and a tourer that stays current in the vein of a Specialized Expedition or Miyata 1000.

3) Color me GREEN today. Envy, Envy.

Thanks for the compliments. I spent a lot of time meticulously cleaning and rebuilding it from the dirty state it was in.

Doesn't the "6" in the serial number put it at '86 build date?

So what's it worth? It doesn't fit my wife, her legs are longer than mine! A longer seatpost and riser quill would get it to 80% fit, good enough for Sunday family rolls, maybe I'll go that route. If not then I've been thinking I'm better off selling it.