Centurion Serial Number Database
#701
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
In that condition, and with some patience, I'd say $350-$450, about $100 more than an '87 Expert.
Some may think I'm nuts, but East Hill would understand.
When the selection re: size is so limited, it's more of a seller's market.
And for a steel bike custom-made for those of that height, it's a decent deal in that range.
Now, no one may jump on it right away, but sooner or later that person will show up.
There are modern bikes more and more in women's sizes, but they tend to start at $1200.
And some of the aluminum ones are strictly equipped at entry-level.
If you keep it that pretty, and stick to your guns, you should be OK.
If you go lower, it will go quickly.
Some may think I'm nuts, but East Hill would understand.
When the selection re: size is so limited, it's more of a seller's market.
And for a steel bike custom-made for those of that height, it's a decent deal in that range.
Now, no one may jump on it right away, but sooner or later that person will show up.
There are modern bikes more and more in women's sizes, but they tend to start at $1200.
And some of the aluminum ones are strictly equipped at entry-level.
If you keep it that pretty, and stick to your guns, you should be OK.
If you go lower, it will go quickly.
#702
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
1987 Lemans RS. serial # is N7G6733, Tange 2 Japan. A. Winthrop has one or two and I dug the colors.
A little upgrade here and there, the Technomic and brifters, wheel set and saddle.
I was really hoping this would be another Velo Cheapo build, but it came to about $190.


I was going to swap the fork for a 1" threaded CF one, but this one weighed about the same.
Plus, you never know when another Ironman frame may be in the house....

OEM: 54cm Tange 2 chro-mo w/Mangaloy fork, Kusuki Winpista 40cm bar, BioPace 170 52/39 crank set, Sakae headset, Exage calipers.
Swap in: Technomic stem, Velo saddle, Alex D16 wheel set, RX100 STI's, Look Roubaix pedals, Shimano 600 tricolor FD and RD.
Notes: stem for fit, saddle for upgrade, wheel set to go 8-sp, FD and RD because the Light Action RD won't handle 8-sp range.
Tires were lying around, cable housing is OEM. Bike was $100, wheelset $30, Shifters $60. Everything else was on hand, takeoff, etc.
A little upgrade here and there, the Technomic and brifters, wheel set and saddle.
I was really hoping this would be another Velo Cheapo build, but it came to about $190.
I was going to swap the fork for a 1" threaded CF one, but this one weighed about the same.
Plus, you never know when another Ironman frame may be in the house....

OEM: 54cm Tange 2 chro-mo w/Mangaloy fork, Kusuki Winpista 40cm bar, BioPace 170 52/39 crank set, Sakae headset, Exage calipers.
Swap in: Technomic stem, Velo saddle, Alex D16 wheel set, RX100 STI's, Look Roubaix pedals, Shimano 600 tricolor FD and RD.
Notes: stem for fit, saddle for upgrade, wheel set to go 8-sp, FD and RD because the Light Action RD won't handle 8-sp range.
Tires were lying around, cable housing is OEM. Bike was $100, wheelset $30, Shifters $60. Everything else was on hand, takeoff, etc.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 05-05-09 at 01:16 PM.
#703
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Middle TN
Bikes: 2 Centurian Ironman, Rossin Genisis, Greenspeed GT3, Stowaway (wife)
I really like that black and yeller. I don't know how you find all those Centurians but they seem to be real scarce around here. .....Nice ride
#704
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
I'm thinking my bike is Centurion. SN is M8F0743. So it might be 1978, Shimano parts are made 1978 also. But what is the model if it's Centurion?
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/38202070@N04/
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/38202070@N04/
#705
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,902
Likes: 2
From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
This is the exact paint job my oddly #er'd Sport DX has
#707
learning...
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Bikes: 1976 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 (Gertie), Outfitters 2600 XC hybrid, Fixed gear on a Trek frame (June Carter Cash) and whatever I'm building at the time
Well, I'm only on page 12, but I have yet to see any clic's mentioned...so here is mine:
https://i724.photobucket.com/albums/w...enturionb4.jpg
58cm serial #N3A5300
lugged frame (looks like it anyhow)
suntour shifters
Shimano Eagle II RD
Suntour Spirt (Not spirit)...FD
MKS RT-7 pedals
Tange fork
Circular headbadge (3-D) says "Centurion Bicycle Works"
made in Japan sticker
Sugino cranks they say "S 170 GC 1" and Sugino Proto
Cateye reflectors
Diacomp brake levers
Sakae SR Special Japan drops
SR stem
Araya rims
and the color was a glorious solid cherry red (faded now)
I was going to fixie it...but I really like the bike so I'm going to restore it...and I found a weird frame from Mexico to fixie (there's another thread with pics of that one)
https://i724.photobucket.com/albums/w...enturionb4.jpg
58cm serial #N3A5300
lugged frame (looks like it anyhow)
suntour shifters
Shimano Eagle II RD
Suntour Spirt (Not spirit)...FD
MKS RT-7 pedals
Tange fork
Circular headbadge (3-D) says "Centurion Bicycle Works"
made in Japan sticker
Sugino cranks they say "S 170 GC 1" and Sugino Proto
Cateye reflectors
Diacomp brake levers
Sakae SR Special Japan drops
SR stem
Araya rims
and the color was a glorious solid cherry red (faded now)
I was going to fixie it...but I really like the bike so I'm going to restore it...and I found a weird frame from Mexico to fixie (there's another thread with pics of that one)
#709
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
Good deal on a 56cm Ironman. The color I want, too. https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180357952428
I'm just in no position. $308.00 delivered is good for this model.
I'm just in no position. $308.00 delivered is good for this model.
#710
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 776
Likes: 303
From: Locust NC
Bikes: 1992, Cannondale R900. Schwinn Prologue. 1991 Paramount pdg
Robbie I have a pink 87 Ironman and it's a 56cm just like that one. I had a mint condition 60 cm one I sold for $350 12 months ago and bought the one I have now the same day for $100. They seem to come up around here on CL about one every three months.Most are to big or to small. Mine has 600 on it not Bio/105 combo.
Ed
Ed
#711
'74 Model LeMans
I bought a Centurion LeMans off CL that may be a '74 model. It has a serial number at the TOP of the seat tube, M820. I saw references to numbers at the bottom of the seat tube, but this is just below the lug at the top. Two interesting stickers are the "Fabrication Garantie" both on the fork and on the seat tube. Interesting spelling on Garantie. Also on the seat tube is a sticker saying "Special Light Tubing" and Made in Japan.
The SunTour V-GT luxe derailleur has a "QB" stamp, which dates the part to '74, according to the Vintage Trek site.
The bike is light gray with gold pen stripping around the lugs. The head tube lugs are very ornate. It has the star shaped head badge.
Front derailleur is SunTour SL
Brakes are DiaCompe,
Crank is a Tourney
Shifters are Suntour Power Shift
Wheels are Sunshine steel model 5345
The SunTour V-GT luxe derailleur has a "QB" stamp, which dates the part to '74, according to the Vintage Trek site.
The bike is light gray with gold pen stripping around the lugs. The head tube lugs are very ornate. It has the star shaped head badge.
Front derailleur is SunTour SL
Brakes are DiaCompe,
Crank is a Tourney
Shifters are Suntour Power Shift
Wheels are Sunshine steel model 5345
Last edited by jamesl; 05-17-09 at 12:03 PM.
#712
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
Robbie I have a pink 87 Ironman and it's a 56cm just like that one. I had a mint condition 60 cm one I sold for $350 12 months ago and bought the one I have now the same day for $100. They seem to come up around here on CL about one every three months.Most are to big or to small. Mine has 600 on it not Bio/105 combo.
Ed
Ed
I bought a CL black Expert frame set last month and it came in a little small, 54cm. Once I figure out what to do with that, I'll see once again about searching for a 56cm yellow/lavender model. If you have 600 on that one, either someone upgraded, or that's a rare bird, indeed, either an '86 (600EX) or an '88 (600 tricolor)
I was checking old 2004 Ironman threads, and 55/Rad had a 1989 Expert with Suntour GPX, and he noted that the Master that year had 105. I'm pretty sure the Master had 600 tricolor in '89, but it goes to show you that with Centurion, nothing was really set in stone. I'm sure there were some bikes shipped with different items than the catalog, and dealers may have taken liberty to remove some 600 groups to put on more expensive bike frames.
I know a local one here took all the 600 tricolor stuff off of the 1988 and 1989 Ironman Master models and swapped it with 105 stuff from another brand's more upscale frames....A friend bought a Master in 1987 and it has 105, but he got "$100 off." Yep, and his 600 group ended up on a Trek that year, I'm sure. I even know the guy who bought the Trek.
#713
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
I bought a Centurion LeMans off CL that may be a '74 model. It has a serial number at the TOP of the seat tube, M820. I saw references to numbers at the bottom of the seat tube, but this is just below the lug at the top. Two interesting stickers are the "Fabrication Garantie" both on the fork and on the seat tube. Interesting spelling on Garantie. Also on the seat tube is a sticker saying "Centurion Special Light Tubing" and Made in Japan.
The SunTour V-GT luxe derailleur has a "QB" stamp, which dates the part to '74, according to the Vintage Trek site.
The bike is light gray with gold pen stripping around the lugs. The head tube lugs are very ornate. It has the star shaped head badge.
Front derailleur is SunTour SL
Brakes are DiaCompe,
Crank is a Tourney
Shifters are Suntour Power Shift
Wheels are Sunshine steel model 5345
The SunTour V-GT luxe derailleur has a "QB" stamp, which dates the part to '74, according to the Vintage Trek site.
The bike is light gray with gold pen stripping around the lugs. The head tube lugs are very ornate. It has the star shaped head badge.
Front derailleur is SunTour SL
Brakes are DiaCompe,
Crank is a Tourney
Shifters are Suntour Power Shift
Wheels are Sunshine steel model 5345
#714
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1986 Lemans RS for Database
Lemans RS
Serial Number N6A6027
Bought new 1986 for about $325 I think. Was ridden casually for a couple of years then mostly stored in garage. Still has the original tires and tubes.
Tange 2 frame
Mangaloy 2001 Tange fork
Sugino GP130 crank
Sugino PD-1000 pedals
Shimano Light Action rear derailleur
Dia-Compe brakes
Serial Number N6A6027
Bought new 1986 for about $325 I think. Was ridden casually for a couple of years then mostly stored in garage. Still has the original tires and tubes.
Tange 2 frame
Mangaloy 2001 Tange fork
Sugino GP130 crank
Sugino PD-1000 pedals
Shimano Light Action rear derailleur
Dia-Compe brakes
Last edited by Bezore; 05-21-09 at 04:47 PM. Reason: Forgot name of Bike
#717
i traded my brother-in-law a vintage Marin mountain bike for this 85 LeMans it had been hanging in his garage for years,i updated it for my commuter with 7oox28 Bontragers,bullhorns,rack and trunk, a blast to ride! someone had put a newer Campy Rear derailer and Campy Shifters on it,but it still has the Wolbers on it!! i ride it everyday to work.very light and quick! I have never been late
Last edited by texastwister; 05-22-09 at 07:39 PM.
#720
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
Check out this Ironman Master.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123
A color I've not seen, 100% red. And it says Master and has 105 components. Any clues?
By all that I've seen, it should be 600 tricolor, and I've never seen an all red version.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123
A color I've not seen, 100% red. And it says Master and has 105 components. Any clues?
By all that I've seen, it should be 600 tricolor, and I've never seen an all red version.
#721
soonerbills
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
From: Okieland
Bikes: 25 at last count. One day I'll make a list
I have been given a Centurion "Custom" recently. very rusty and abused, obviously a lower end bike but I did wonder as to it's age because it has steel cottered cranks. I did not think Centurion ever made bike with cotters
#723
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
#724
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
I'm thinking my bike is Centurion. SN is M8F0743. So it might be 1978, Shimano parts are made 1978 also. But what is the model if it's Centurion?
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/38202070@N04/
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/38202070@N04/
T-Mar would know, if anyone does.
The only Centurion I know came with DA is the 1985 Prestige. Some say the Ironman Carbon had DA, but both of mine arrived with some 600 tricolor components, no DA stuff.
If the fork ends were chrome under that paint, and maybe the R chain stay, maybe, but the DA sticker throws me off.
I just don't think Centurion.
Other than that, clueless.
#725
This is a Centurion Elite GT touring job that I found a while back for a mere $40. Looks brand new. Serial number is N3S9133. Factory wire strung through the downtube for a bottle generator. Rear rack was on it. Loosely attached front rack courteously supplied by bigbossman (Thanks John!) I put some Pasela Tourgaurd tires on it. Still needs some hoods on the brake levers and tape to replace the foam on the bars.


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Last edited by BlankCrows; 05-30-09 at 09:41 AM.




