Here is my most recent Centurion. An 87 Lemans RS in Xtra small. I like the gold/bronze Araya rims.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/IMG_5316.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/IMG_5318.jpg

I've always liked that fork.

Egad.

Ha, not your style Robbie?

Well, if you're gonna do it like that, do it on an Ironman.
But still.....egad.

Here is my contribution, it was free. ( left in a shed at my brothers rental) This is a Centurian Super Elite and the serial is N9l6456 and it is on the side of the seat tube. The color is brown, Suntour drivetrain, SR cranks, seat post, Diacompe brakes, bar end shifters. It is too big for me so I am trying to decide what to do with it, use the parts and build another frame maybe. The paint is in really bad shape but no dents or bends, would make a good fixie.
Enjoy, Glen

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...s/IMG_4743.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...s/IMG_4744.jpg

is that a 79? i thought the N***** serial #s were only in the 80s

I was wondering the same thing after looking at the database. I don't know, I have not tried to date the components yet but that may be the only way to know.

1982(?) Centurion Accordo
 

Hello cycling world!

I know I am way late to get on the Centurion bandwagon, but better late than never right? Believe it or not, I did read through the past 54 pages to gain some insight and knowledge about this fantastic brand, and I just wanted to start by saying thank you to all who have come before me for their fantastic information and research.

Now on to the juicy stuff... I picked up this Centurion Accordo just this past weekend, and from what I can tell it is in really good shape. It rides like the wind and fits me like a glove (it's a 58cm). As I've said, I've devoted plenty of time reading through the previous pages of this thread, and found my serial #. It's N2S3894. Now, this threw me (and still continues to), because for the life of me I can not find the first year that the Accordo was manufactured. Sheldon Brown states in his website that they were manufactured from '85-'89, but if I follow the serial # decoding rules, that lands this Accordo in 1982. Furthermore, I've seen an image of a 1984 Centurion catalog that had the Accordo 12 in the model lineup. From what I have absorbed thus far, everything seems to be OEM:
Suntour components
Sugino crank
Dia Compe brakes
Araya wheels
Champion #5 frame
Sakal Custom - Road Champion handlebars

Any help to figure out this little mystery would be greatly appreciated. I'm uploading a slew of photos for additional help/comments.

Thanks in advance!
-B

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...in/photo-4.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1278.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1276.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1275.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1274.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1273.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1272.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1271.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1270.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...n/CIMG1269.jpg

That is very nice, and welcome to the forum.
The headbadge puts it before '83, the font on the DT puts it before '86
The components and wheels, in my opinion, pegs it an '82 and the serial number supports that.
Just an educated guess.

It was a very close sister bike to the Shogun Chro-Mo 400 with almost identical frame and components.
Very much a butt-kicker to dozens of other bikes in the same price range.

1988 Centurion LeMans RS

Serial Number: N7N5183
Full Exage Sport Groupo
Araya Gold Rims
Ritchey Vector Plus

Pristine Condition except that the Brake Hoods are disintigrating and the origional front wheel has been replaced. Otherwise completely stock, no rust, awesome example. Did all the mechanical refreshment yesterday, will clean her up over the next few. A steal at $35 i think.

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...nsRS-1-1-1.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...LeMansRS-3.jpg

For The Shorter Centurions..(smile)
 

Saw this in my area.. This would be perfect for the Shorter Centurions..;)

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/2560862400.html

I know this is probably irrelevant, and being as my bike is the only one I've seen this proof on I can't say how correct it is either. If the serial starts with A, it's probably an original 72 Centurion. Mine does and I was able to confirm with the help of this forum (and some people with very good memories)and ID it as an original Le Mans.

It's relevant. Proof of intelligent life in 1972.

Original:
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...0723111730.jpg
Updated:
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ns/raleigh.jpg
I really need to order some hoods.

Just picked up this Ironman Master serial #N6L0408. From the info I gathered off sheldon brown it was made 26th week of 1986, I'm guessing it's an 87'
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=215795Model because the split from "Ironman" to "Ironman Master" and "Ironman expert" is 1987. 1986 model would just say "Ironman"? The original RD was replaced with a 105 and the shifters are 600 7speed, I don't know if the bike should be 6 or 7 speed and the hubs are 105 with Wobler XT rims. Every thing else is original as far as I can tell. Will be posting a teardown and rebuild later when I have time.
Please don't tell the wife, I'm supposed to be rebuilding the french doors

Sheesh, I think it is time for the mods to give us Centurion lovers our own thread/forum/whatever!! ;)

Something like "Centurions Only" "Team Centurion" "Centurions Of BFN" "Cream Of The Centurions" :beer:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=215798
Picked up this Super Tour 15 a few months ago for my son. Serial number is N1H5564 which supports it being a 1981 as I had thought (thanks for putting the serial number decoder together). It had been updated with Look ARC Carbo Pro pedals, Shimano 600 indexed levers (7 speed), Deore DX FD, Deore LX RD, Sachs Maillard 7 speed freewheel and missmatched wheelset (Rigida w/ Sovos hub on rear, Araya w/ Suzue hub on front). Overall it was pretty clean and took very little to get it riding nicely for him. The seller even threw in a bunch of stuff:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=215810
And the leather Sidi shoes are in great shape and even fit my son. Paid his asking price of $25 for the whole lot.

Bravo.

Way cool.

Thanks Robbie, so it was a six speed, that is one thing I wont be changing. I'll be going for the "white" look, bar tape, seat, water bottle cages, and cable casing. Brake hoods are coming from khatful. Did I mention C&V is a great place?

I just bought a Pro Tour about a week ago, and have just now taken a full inventory of the bike.

Im guessing it to be a 78, but could also be a 79. One of the crank arms is stamped 78, with the other (as well as both hubs) being stamped 77.

Serial number is M8A00755

Lots of SR components. Suntour derailleurs and bar end shifters. Sun Shine Pro-am hubs. MKS pedals

I just die for chrome lugs.

-----------
Your Pro Tour is a beauty.
The builders of these higher end Centurions just gave so much attention to the aesthetic details.

I would expect a new frame and fork built similar with the chrome work would be $1500 or more.

If another one comes along in my size (I have had 2) and I have the funding for it,
I will jump on the deal.

Even with my fondness for the build details on these Pro Tours one thing I wonder about on some of the later models is
why they did not make the stays and wheelbase a bit longer. My 24" 83 was more of a sport tourer in regards to those measurements. 104cm wheelbase & 42.5 or 43cm stays.

Other touring bikes I have had have more like 45cm stays and 106 to 108cm wheelbase.