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Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Classic & Vintage (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/)
-   -   Centurion Serial Number Database (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/170942-centurion-serial-number-database.html)

Fahrenheit531 10-07-13 01:42 PM
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes (Post 16140324)
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.
Suntour Cyclone / SR Apex / Mavic rims on ... wait for it ... Specialized(?!) hubs. Whoopsie. But yeah, I'm one happy guy right about now.

DiegoFrogs 10-07-13 02:06 PM
It would've originally come with Barcon shifters and Sunshine Pro Am hubs.

You're in the ballpark on the year. My 1977 isn't fully chromed and came with a double crank, and by the early 1980s they had switched to cantilever brakes.

roliviuro 10-07-13 02:29 PM
2 Attachment(s)
do u have some pictures with this Valuas? thanks
PS Ș becouse I found this Centurion le mans very similair http://www.flickr.com/photos/outline...6SiWvy-6SiYgU/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcnotpc...7887/lightbox/

and this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cent...item3a85c017e3

...and more of mine: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=344763http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=344764

Fahrenheit531 10-07-13 03:07 PM
Originally Posted by DiegoFrogs (Post 16140564)
It would've originally come with Barcon shifters and Sunshine Pro Am hubs.

You're in the ballpark on the year. My 1977 isn't fully chromed and came with a double crank, and by the early 1980s they had switched to cantilever brakes.
Additional research (particularly this) puts me solidly on '78. Right now it's got Shimano 600 shifters on the downtube; shouldn't be too hard to track down some duplicates of the originals, should it?

p.s. Mine doesn't look much like the linked bike, although I suppose it did once upon a time. ;)

RobbieTunes 10-07-13 03:15 PM
Originally Posted by J.Oxley (Post 16140786)
Additional research (particularly this) puts me solidly on '78. Right now it's got Shimano 600 shifters on the downtube; shouldn't be too hard to track down some duplicates of the originals, should it?

p.s. Mine doesn't look much like the linked bike, although I suppose it did once upon a time. ;)
I pretty much agree on the year, as the frame, except for the canti bosses, is identical to my '79 Semi Pro. Same treatments on pinstriping and chrome, same wrap-around stays, chrome dropouts. The Semi Pro is Cyclone and also the SR crankset (52/42). If you don't want to go with bar end shifters, try piggy-back Suntour shifters, which came on some of the Centurions in those years.

A little work and you can tell the Surly LHT's to bite you.

RobbieTunes 10-07-13 03:22 PM
Originally Posted by roliviuro (Post 16140651)
do u have some pictures with this Valuas? thanks
PS Ș becouse I found this Centurion le mans very similair http://www.flickr.com/photos/outline...6SiWvy-6SiYgU/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcnotpc...7887/lightbox/

and this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cent...item3a85c017e3

...and more of mine:
Those Centurions are not very much like that frame. Centurion didn't use those ornate lugs that I know of. The pinstripes on yours and the logo are very reminiscent of the Valuas bikes out of Belgium. So are the lugs. I don't see much, if anything, in common with Centurions of the era. Given your location, I'm ruling out the ornate-lugged Japanese- and Taiwanese-made bikes that ended up in US stores like K-Mart. I'm thinking middle Europe, as close as I can determine.

Fahrenheit531 10-07-13 04:45 PM
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes (Post 16140812)
...If you don't want to go with bar end shifters, try piggy-back Suntour shifters, which came on some of the Centurions in those years.
I don't have experience with either -- I've only been riding since this summer. But I'll research both and make a semi-educated decision. May come to you with any questions I have, if that's okay.

Originally Posted by RobbieTunes (Post 16140812)
A little work and you can tell the Surly LHT's to bite you.
Noted! :thumb:

DiegoFrogs 10-07-13 04:50 PM
If you have no preferences one way or the other, I'd just try to put some miles on it as it sits. The Shimano shifters are pretty nice, too.

RobbieTunes 10-07-13 05:29 PM
Originally Posted by J.Oxley (Post 16141048)
I don't have experience with either -- I've only been riding since this summer. But I'll research both and make a semi-educated decision. May come to you with any questions I have, if that's okay.
Any time.

Fahrenheit531 10-07-13 05:37 PM
Originally Posted by DiegoFrogs (Post 16141061)
If you have no preferences one way or the other, I'd just try to put some miles on it as it sits. The Shimano shifters are pretty nice, too.
That'll definitely happen. My plan is to address all the little ugly/irritating stuff first (zip-tied cables, bent fender struts, surface rust, etc.) while "feeling out" the rest of the bike. Then when I get a sense of what, if anything, I want and/or need, I'll start shopping. At which time I'll consult the heck outta you guys. ;)

RobbieTunes 10-07-13 05:44 PM
Originally Posted by J.Oxley (Post 16141201)
That'll definitely happen. My plan is to address all the little ugly/irritating stuff first (zip-tied cables, bent fender struts, surface rust, etc.) while "feeling out" the rest of the bike. Then when I get a sense of what, if anything, I want and/or need, I'll start shopping. At which time I'll consult the heck outta you guys. ;)
If my deal here for TT cable guides falls through, I'll have 3.

roliviuro 10-07-13 11:25 PM
I think U right but I still not find on the web some Valuas pictures or references. If u have a link...thanks.

roliviuro 10-08-13 12:37 AM
I remove the fork and I found on it : "AKISU 83"
On the stem is "SR"

if its help..

tamaso206 10-16-13 05:49 AM
Centurion Turbo TT
 
Ok, ok, I know this is probably breaking the rules since this bike's not mine and I don't have the serial #... But, as this seems the most active Centurion thread on here, I thought this might be appreciated:

CycleExif: Centurion Turbo TT

Weirdly enough, I've actually seen this same model locked up outside a local bar-- the first time I saw it I thought it was just a Lemans RS that had a lot of crash damage to the top tube :lol:. Wild-- anyone else run across these in the flesh??

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UpcINeX45...n_02_Final.jpg

RobbieTunes 10-16-13 08:35 AM
I've never seen one in the real, but there was a 58cm used frameset for sale for a while on eBay.
I'd love to have one. The shifters/levers mounting is nice. I have a spare wheelset for that, just in case.....

inkandsilver 10-16-13 11:08 AM
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes (Post 16142251)
Back to Centurions:
http://i.imgur.com/Gf94HSn.jpg
Beautiful! I've seen it listed in your sig but I don't think I've seen you post this one. Did you have two Semi-Pros at one point?

rjhammett 10-16-13 04:17 PM
2 Attachment(s)
I picked up the Centurion LeMans. Serial # N7N5775. I did a complete overhaul and it is in great condition. It is listed on CL because it is too small for me. My daughter wants it but she lives in an apartment and has 4 bikes already. Here are some really crappy pictures.

BTW, real men ride pink.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346338http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346339

Originally Posted by rjhammett (Post 16134528)
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?

RobbieTunes 10-16-13 09:12 PM
Originally Posted by inkandsilver (Post 16165606)
Beautiful! I've seen it listed in your sig but I don't think I've seen you post this one. Did you have two Semi-Pros at one point?
Thanks. You keep track! This is in limbo at the moment....
http://i.imgur.com/SdNydOM.jpg

...and a big FYI: I was offered an '84 Turbo today, OEM except for tires and saddle. Yes, that means Superbe shifters/FD/RD/Pedals, bronzed Suzue hubs laced to Arayas, bronzed NGC calipers, Tange Aero headset, just a real nice chromed Tange 1 bike, well appointed. He's not turned it loose to eBay yet, and CL sure won't bring him the $375 he's asking. He saw Chicago Al's on eBay and is excited about the $450 Al's brought. Looks to be a 52cm?
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346395http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346396http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346397http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346398http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346399http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346401http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346403

rfj 10-16-13 09:43 PM
Anyone know who made the late 70's/early 80's Centurions? They seem to use the same 54cm top tube for 3 sizes which just happens to be my sweet spot. Relatively long legs/arms and short torso is a pain to find a frame that fits.

RobbieTunes 10-17-13 05:46 AM
Originally Posted by rfj (Post 16167327)
Anyone know who made the late 70's/early 80's Centurions? They seem to use the same 54cm top tube for 3 sizes which just happens to be my sweet spot. Relatively long legs/arms and short torso is a pain to find a frame that fits.
People who actually know will chime in, but I've notice quite similar frames by Lotus for the same time frame, with the same components, as well. Not sure if the Panasonic National plant was building them in the late 70's, early 80's. Some Shoguns of the time frame have nearly identical frames, as well.

RobbieTunes 10-17-13 09:50 AM
rjhammett: My daughter wants it but she lives in an apartment and has 4 bikes already.
That just kills me on so many levels.
Made my day. Really, it did.
There's hope for mankind, after all.

inkandsilver 10-17-13 10:33 AM
Originally Posted by RobbieTunes (Post 16167263)
Thanks. You keep track!
:innocent: I might be a little obsessed with Semi-Pros.

revchuck 10-17-13 12:13 PM
Originally Posted by rjhammett (Post 16166467)
I picked up the Centurion LeMans. Serial # N7N5775. I did a complete overhaul and it is in great condition. It is listed on CL because it is too small for me. My daughter wants it but she lives in an apartment and has 4 bikes already.
If I were half my age and single, I'd be asking your for her phone number.

RobbieTunes 10-17-13 07:15 PM
Originally Posted by inkandsilver (Post 16168502)
:innocent: I might be a little obsessed with Semi-Pros.
Me, too. I actually rode the blue one today. I can't believe I actually built it. Rides too good.

Fahrenheit531 10-17-13 07:25 PM
Some nice bikes up above. I swear the black Turbo looks like it'd stick you with a stiletto as it passed, then give your girl a ride home. That is a fierce - and elegant - looking bike.


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