I joined the Centurion club last night. Just wanted to check in and to give a word of thanks to T-Mar et al for working out the serial number scheme. I only remember that mine was year "4" and fortnight "G", but I guess you`ve got plenty of base info anyway after 71 pages!

Since I`m here, a pic of my conquest- apparently an 84 Elite RS. It`s in nice mechanical shape, but not much of a looker. I can`t deal with that 42t "small" ring, so will need to change the cranks, will ditch the turkey wing brake levers for vanity`s sake, and that`s about all I have planned. Umm... I do have a potential issue with the shifters. I haven`t researched yet, but wondering if there`s any weirdness in those Symmetric levers that would make them incompatible with a triple FD and crank?

Scored a NOS Sport DLX mixte for my $75.00 today! I've been looking for something for my wife. I was in a Salvation Army store looking for a dutch oven and there it was. Looks like it was a present of some kind. Rode a couple of times then no more. Sweet!

Anyway, serial number is N3N01870. Components have ZJ(83) date codes so 83 is right. Ice blue color with silver decals. Suntour 7 derailleurs and Sugino crank. Stem shifters, Suzue hubs and Araya rims. The best part is the condition!

F7064689
mid-late 80s Centurion Sport DLX. I would guess it's an 87. If the SN thing taught me anything, I guess the second character is the year of build and the third is the fortnight based on the letter (assuming this is an O and not a 0, that would be the 30-31st week of the year?

The Serial Number on my Centurion is: KE511446. I haven't gone through the entire 72 pages on this thread, but have not seen any SN's with this format. I am guessing that this is a 1985 unit.

My bike is a Dave Scott Ironman with Shimano 600 components; I believe it is a 60 cm frame (measured from center of BB to center of top frame (23-3/4")). Color: metal flake grey on grey.

Here are a few pictures...

You are guessing correctly. It is a 1985 model, one of two colors offered.
1985 was the only year that did not have matching head tubes/seat tubes on the two-tones.
Full 600EX, Araya rims on the 600EX hubs, Nitto steering.

Robbie, Thanks. I see you have an '85 Ironman. What color is yours? If grey like mine, have you found a good touch-up paint?

Just traded a Motobecane Super Mirage for a 1980 Centurion Elite tonight. Cant wait to start spiffing it up. Three things I have noticed 1. Someone install suntour barcons off a raleigh super course. 2. The 14/28 5sp freewheel is obviously a replacement, it shines a nice anno gold color. And here is the kicker, I expected the geometry on this 23" to have a more relaxed top tube. It's a tight 21" TT which is the same as my Trek 460 with a 21" frame. Anyways, here are a few stats and a prelim pic.

-SN is N0B7111
-Cyclone Gt RD and Suntour NSL FD
-Sakae SR stem, crankset, road custom handlebars
-27" Araya wheels w/Sunshine hubs
-Tange fork dropouts
-Dia-Compe "G" brakes w/drillium levers

The light grey/silver is a Toyota silver, I'll have to get the code off the touch-up bottle. The dark grey metallic is close to a Honda, but I'd take the fork around to see how close you can get with touchup. Mine was the dark red and it was way beyond repair, so it is now white.

Original and thought to have been purchased in 1974. Crank arm appears to have 68 on it. On the back of the seat tube is stamped 1039...

That one's been in an attic for a long time. Looks good underneath the dust, though - hope it cleans up nicely for you!

I've just joined forum - so I'd like to welcome everybody


Bought this bike Centurion Super Elite in May, since then I've made about 600km.
Bike is awesome
Meanwhile I started to find out history of it: history, age, check if equipement is original

I checked information about production date from velobase.com checking every part of equipement, head badge and seems it's from early 80s

Found Super Elite in catalogue from 1979, but equipment doesn't match mine:
https://velobase.com/CatalogScans/Cen...log-full79.pdf

Cannot find serial number anywhere

Specficication:
Frame size: 64cm
Front derailleur: SUNTOUR SPRINT
Rear derailleur: SUNTOUR SVX
Brakes: SUNTOUR SUPERBE
Shift Levers: SUNTOUR
Front/Rear hub: SUNTOUR CYCLONE 7000
Rims: FIR EL45, 28”
Tires: DUMO
Crank: SUNTOUR SPRINT
Saddle: SELLE SAN MARCO ROLLS


What can you tell about it? Where can I find serial number? How old could it be?

Thanks in advance

Bor0wy, welcome to the forums. Components are a mish-mash but most are late 1980s. The Sprint front derailleur and crank and SVx rear derailleur both came out in 1986. SunTour Cyclone 7000 came out in 1987. Those look like much older Superbe brakes and the levers are Shimano. I can't ID the shift levers, but they look like circa 1990 AccuShift units. All things considered, the components most likely to be OEM are the Sprint crankset and front derailleur. It's possible the wheels are too, as the Cylone 7000 hubs may be a cost concession.

Looking at the frame itself, the decal style is not typical of North American models of this period, nor is the chrome. The stay end treatments are also different from that used on North American models. In North America we didn't fade paint jobs until about 1988.

Given the apparent foreign origin, I can't be of much help, other than to say it was probably originally Sprint equipped and late 1980s, most likely circa 1986-1987. The European market rights for Centurion were eventually acquired by Merida, so they may have made the frame. However, given the cut-out BB shell, I can't say where they may have stamped the serial number.

(23)

T-Mar thanks for your reply.
I've not mentioned in previous post - I'm from Poland, Europe.
I bought this bike in Germany, but don't know where it was made
I'll take a look for some stickers on frame and components it might provide some addition information.

Brakes: - Suntour Superbe
Shift Levers: - Suntour

Wondering if the bike is some custom made or regular

I am looking at purchasing a Centurion LeMans. I have a few questions concerning it. Any help would be appreciated.

1. In this thread I saw a posting for a similar vintage LeMans. The LeMans RS (black/yellow)serial number started with N7K while the LeMans (pink/white fade) I am looking at is N7N. What is the difference between a LeMans RS and LeMans of this vintage? Is one higher up in the hierachy? One more desirable? Different components?
2. From what I can tell the fade paint jobs on the LeMans started in 1988. Am I correct in that? Even though it was made in July of 1987 would it be sold as an '88?

The black and yellow is an '87.
The fades generally followed, and I'd guess it as an '88.
The decal/font styles can sometimes help you out. '88 was the squiggle year, the '87's were more mundane.

I've not seen a lot of difference in the later Lemans vs. Lemans RS. The RS sometimes had better wheels, but I've seen purple fade Lemans and purple fade Lemans RS's that looked identical.

please help me with this model...is it a Centurion? if is an yes what model and year? thanks.

on the bottom backet is a serial like P2191238. On the fork is akisu 83.

I joined the Centurion club yesterday with my purchase of a worn-but-functionally-sound Pro Tour. SN#M8B01507. There are photos in the "C&V-What's it Worth?" forum for the curious. So if you're still seeking serial number data, there you go. I guess this'd be a '78, yes? Whatever it is, I finally understand the difference between the low-mid bikes I've been riding and "the real deal." This bike is great, and I haven't even started tuning stuff up yet.

what model?

do u think is a Centurion ? model and year...?

Major score. Tange chromed frame, wrap-around seat stays, chromed head lugs and fork crown top. Upgrade from the Semi Pro to cantilever brakes and a triple, appears still to have Suntour drivetrain and SR crankset. Are those the Araya rims with the silver decals? Boy, that's nice. Welcome to the land of bikes that make sense to own and ride.

As many times I have posted to this thread, I never posted my serial #. Anyway, I am on my sweet 89 Ironman Master today. It is parked in the next cube to me at work. I just pulled it out, stood it up on the rear wheel and had a co-worker read me the serial number..

1989 Centurion IronMan Master.. Serial 9D5525

Since this picture, the seat has been changed to a black and white Fizik, and the toe-clip pedals have been changed to Dura-ace toe clip pedals.. If it is raining when I get off, the bike stays at work, and the wife picks me up..

No. I have no idea what it is. Appears 1970's at the newest. May be a Dutch model, the Valuas.

You'd better call her; it's pouring here.

Yup, you right. It was pouring down like crazy about a hour ago. Just looked outside, and street is soaking wet. The Master is super clean, not going for that, calling the wife..