Hello fellow Centurionuts-

This isn't directly related to serial numbers, but I wanted to share anyways. For some time I have been wanting to replace the headset on my 1981 Semi Pro. I searched high and low to find out what size the fork crown would be, so I could purchase the headset before taking it apart: 26.4 ISO or 27.0 JIS? I found almost no information on the subject, so I took it apart, and discovered it is in fact a 27.0 JIS fork crown. Hope this will come in handy for someone!

Thanks for the correction. At some point I will take more detailed photographs. Here is a pic with 33 Challenge Chicanes. The Challenge 38s were a bit tight in the stays.

Centurion Pro Tour 15 by djk762, on Flickr

-D

Great to see these bikes have a following. I picked up this 5 speed that I'm restoring. Anyone know the model? I can see it's a lowly model, but I think it will make a great tourer.
The paint is faded, it is supposed to be a metallic red if that helps identify it?

I've never seen one like that. I've also never seen "Centurion" on a seat tube.
What does the head badge look like?

I can't get a match to it on the Google search either. I can barely make out the remains of the head badge, looks like it had some sort of tree mofif? Quite intricate, but I'm going on the impression that's left on the foil sticker, as the rest is gone. I can clearly see the letter S at the bottom of the head badge (6 o'clock position) possibly meaning to say 'cycles'?

The frame number reads YF8679C879, different to the configuration of letters and numbers I've seen in this thread. A different Centurion brand?

Looks like a mean machine. I want some build details :-) Are those Nuovo Tipo hubs? Or maybe Sansin? Also what crankset are you running? I notice in your list you also have a Raleigh International. I've been on the hunt for one in that burnt orange color, another great ride!

Might as well add my recent pick up to the database. I know from this and other excellent threads that this is a 1988 model and I think based on the serial number that it was made in late 1987. (S/N N7M0757) This thing is so mint I can't get enough of looking at it. Hopefully you all will forgive me. If it warms up enough this morning we (me and the bike) are going on our maiden voyage.

You've gotta love 80s graphics - totally radical!! If it doesn't work out for you, I know a tall guy who would love to ride it...

I am not in a buying mode but man, I would like to go bug this guy

Men's Le Mans Centurion Road Bike

Or this guy. Overpriced and probably a flipper. Looks like an '87 with the Tange #2 sticker.

Best head badge graphics I've ever seen. Cool and beyond. If there are any artists out there, I'm looking for someone to do this on a 2'x3' metal backround, to hang in my garage.
Yes, an '87, and one of the best all-around road bikes offered. Excellent clearance (up to 32's) and only 2.2 oz heavier than the same size Ironman, decent componets and easy to upgrade, one set of eyelets front and rear. Good for road, gravel, commuting, light touring, you name it. I have sold two of them to US Army soldiers, which is not surprising, given the "Army Strong" colors. I just re-configured one for a gravel ride on West Virginia paths, with a compact triple (RSX 3x7) and even the Rivendell snobs had to give him his due.

Make a nice tattoo Robbie... You could take that picture and use a projector to enlarge and trace it out.

Hey Gang!

Fellow Centurion enthusiasts know that the only thing rarer than an old Centurion is concrete information on the brand, especially in print. Well, thanks to Skip on the CR list, I now have in my hands a precious copy of the '77-78 Centurion brochure! It's particularly exciting for me, as it includes the very version of the Professional that I own... the Japan-built version with Sugino/SunTour/DiaCompe parts! Very cool.

And now, thanks to modern technology, I've scanned and posted it as jpegs online. If you're a member of my nearly-dormant Centurion Yahoo group you can see them here:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...chure%2077-78/

And if you're not a member (why not?) you can find them here in my Flickr album:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/438283...7604257636170/

I'm really excited to get this... I've wanted to get my hands on this since I got my Professional in 2002!

If any of you fellow Centurion fans can think of somewhere else I should share this, let me know.

Tim Fricker
bikes@vienna
Vienna, VA USA

Folding bikes, recumbent bikes and trikes, etc.

Gah! This is so great! Thank you Tim!! saw this first on ibob and was going to suggest you post it here.

Thank you for posting that catalog!

Now THAT is an idea....

is Kat Von D single?

Mine is my favorite go to bike.

one of you was kind enough to point out a poster has the next bike in serial compared to my centurion (m5k03838). here's mine, now with dt shifters:

I believe this is an '84 - Pro Tour 15:





'84 Centurion catalog:

Centurion Bicycles 1984 Catalogue

This came to me with the same build as in the ad. Tange Champion No. 2 tubing. Unfortunately, the previous owner serviced the BB at some point, left it a bit loose, and the little ring chewed into the chainstay:



I actually rode it like this for a while after removing the small ring (might have gotten lucky there...), then had a bit of an incident with the rear dérailleur exploding on some single track. Long story short, I wound up bending the rear triangle a bit and decided it was time to retire the bike (due to the nick in the stay)...

Any ideas as to what this 'L' indicates? Date code? This is on the drive side. English BB, so L ≠ Left. NDS cup does not have a similar marking. Edit: perhaps Left hand thread...

Is there a site that gives value of the centurions? I'm a noob to them, but know of two on the market. Thanks for any info.

Other than the thread here, probably not. Go on the Bike Forums page, just under the C&V thread is a C&V Value Inquiry thread.

I just picked up this one, a '76 Sport-10, first-year bottom-of-the-line model. Serial number N607564. It's now torn down for a repaint, but I'm saving the graphics as they are. Mostly original, still had the cotton bartape on it. Front wheel (not original), pie-plate, and pedals are toast, but the rest is salvageable.

Suntour "Spirt" FD
Suntour 7-GT RD
Dia Compe 610 center-pulls
Araya rear rim w/ Normandy hub.
SR cranks and stem.

[IMG][/IMG]

One of the oldest Centurions I've seen, and I'll still bet it's miles ahead of the Schwinns in the same price range of the time.

I bought it thinking it would be a cheap flipper, but the more I found out about it the more I think I'll keep it. Had no idea there were so few of them out there. I like the unique bikes. I passed on a 70's Varsity for $65 which was in very good shape to put a bit of time and money into this one. After 3 days of net searches I've still never seen one with these graphics, nor seen one identified as a Sport-10. Good enough reason to me to save it.

One of these in red has been on Ebay for quite some time. Vintage Centurion Bike Men Multi Color 307 | eBay