AustinFitz

Not sure why that showed up as a thumbnail. I'll try it this way instead.

AustinFitz

Since acquiring my April of '84 Elite GT I've become very interested in this, and I would definitely agree that the '83 serials are indeed 1984 models that were being made in anticipation of the new model release in '84.

I'm thinking maybe the paint and decal designs for '84 year hadn't quite been finalized yet, but the first Elite GT frames were already built and awaiting paint and decals, so they were just done up in an '83 type fashion until the finalized '84 designs were ready.

In searching Elite GT info I came across this October '83 serial with the typical '84 paint and decals on eBay. IT'S NOT MINE, but I saved a few pics since the seller has the serial pictured. That tells us that the switch probably occurred in September of '83 since the serial on the early Elite GT posted previously indicated a late August build date, and this later styled one indicates an early October build. I'd say that nails it down to September give or take a week... Now I'm curious exactly when they started production on them period. I wouldn't think it would be more than a month or 2 before changing the paint and decals, so I'd imagine they're quite a rarity!

AustinFitz

I love it!!! Looks fun to ride too. If you EVER decide to sell or trade it please let me know! I'd kill to have both versions of a 1 year only model lol

AustinFitz

Doing more searching on Facebook and happened upon this! Yet another variation!

Looks to be another version 1 with the metal headtube badge, separated decals, and sporting a 1983 style paint job! Unfortunately this one is a sad story... I found the pic on a Facebook group to help recover stolen bikes in the city near me. It was posted long ago, but apparently someone had locked it to a tree in front of a house, and never returned for it. The homeowner said they tried to get someone to come cut the lock so they could donate it or something, but nobody was willing to help being that it wasn't her bike... She said she watched it disappear piece by piece as people slowly stole it... Almost gets me a little teary eyed hahaha!

hobbyhorse

Nice bike, and thanks for the data points; nice to see the Elite GT research adding up. Thanks for sharing your pictures of the "Super Metallic Blue-Grey" ones (as they're called in the catalog), too.

AustinFitz

Thanks man! I'd love to see some more pics of your early Elite GT. I love the color scheme on it.

RobbieTunes

Those Elite bikes were nice, and the Elite RS was basically the Comp TA, but prettier. Tons of local racers ran those things around here.

bwilli88 

Hey, finally getting around to checking my Centurion Pro tour, Serial M1F29563.
Tange headset and Dia-compe center pulls are the only OEM parts and it is Champion No 2 tubing. So it looks like it was made in 81 some time in March.
Great bike and works very well.

fleslider 

Think of it this way, in these big factories in Japan. there was an area that built frames and were serialized when they were built, then they sit in a warehouse for awhile until they are needed to build bikes, they are painted and decals. then built up. So although the SN says 83 the bike was built as 1984 model.

the one in the pic above was probably a early 1983 model that had the holes drilled in the headtube for the badge, most likely a mid to late 1982 built frame that at the time required the holes for headbadge.

AustinFitz

Saw this Super Elite on ebay and noticed that the serial number on the seat tube was pictured, so I figured I'd add it to the database. IT IS NOT MINE. It looks to be an April of 1981 Centurion Super Elite.

Serial number: N1H5169

gdbaker81

Hi Guys,
I have what I am thinking is a 85 Centurion Elite RS or Comp TA. Looking at the 84 catalogue the geometry suggests Elite RS, however I am unsure due to the 600 components.
Find serial number for records.
Handle bars have been changed to Scott DH Aerobar ??


Bike is original as purchased in 94.

T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. Yes, your bicycle is a 1985 model. The Aerobars are a definite customer revision and the 1985 Elite RS was spec'd with Shimano New 600EX. However, the 600EX decal is another customer add-on, as it is for the 1978-1983 generation of 600EX components. In the future, please take the overall picture from the driveside, as it aids in identification of the drivetrain components.

cooperryder 

A few weeks ago this one popped up on my local CL.
I was tempted to check it out but was never able to coordinate a multi hour drive to do so.

It does not have a model name that I can see.

My best guess is it is an early 80's top model of some sort, perhaps 1980,81, or 82?
I did not see this model in the online 1979 or 1983 catalogs hence the guess
at a 1980, 81, or 82 model.
It has the same headbadge as my 1983 Pro Tour had.

The font of that Centurion decal also should shed some light on what year.

It seems like those are the years with little info or a least that my research has turned up.
It sure would be great if catalogs for those years would turn up and be shared online.

Perhaps some of you more knowledgeable Centurion fans can identify it from these pics I saved b4 the ad went down.

cooperryder 

A few more pics:

cooperryder 

A few observances:
It looks like it has a Shimano Golden Arrow component group.

It also has the top tube rear brake housing eyelets.

Notice the funky little fenders someone installed.

It's in dire need of a replacement saddle among other things.

I wish it had worked out to pick it up.

It would have been a fun project.

jetboy 

super lemans! serial number: N8G0273

jetboy 

that is pretty interesting... some sort of transition model between the semi-pro and the comp TA? I think the last year for the semi-pro might have been 82, the protour went on and became the protour 15 .. maybe this was the next gen semi pro.

cdmurphy

I think it may be a German model Semi-Pro, or possibly Super Elite equivalent. I know the German importer of Centurions initially imported almost identical bikes, possibly buying them from Centurion in the US, but by the early 80's, they had Semi-Pros and Professionals that shared most of the same characteristics, but were finished differently. The fork crowns were often different, and their Professionals lacked chrome lugs, just the top of the sloping crowns, the dropout faces, and the rear fastback stay faces were chromed. I found this link for a supposed 1979 German market Semi Pro that is a very close match. It had mostly Superbe parts, and Tange #2 tubing, but that was right around when Miki or Centurion switched the top end bikes from Tange #1, to Tange #2. Unfortunately, there wasn't a full shot of the bike showing the logo or headbadge. The fork crown does appear to be a match though. Based on the Tange #1 tubing, I'd suspect it's a 1978 German Semi-Pro. In the US, that style logo was used from 76-78, and maybe part of 79. The round headbadge came out in 79 as well.

CENTURION Semi-Professional ca. 1979

Also, just found this possibly slightly earlier German Semi Pro, with the cross headbadge, but otherwise similar features and color:

Centurion Professional 1982 / Gesuche / Infos | Seite 5 | Rennrad-News.de

T-Mar

1st generation Shimano 105 (aka Golden Arrow) was 1983-1986. The 1983 Centurion models used head tube decals, at least in America. Also, the 1983 Elite 12 was equipped with SunTour Cyclone and 105 was considered below Cyclone, so the probability of it being a predecessor to the Comp TA appears remote. The subject bicycle would appear to have been either rebuilt or a foreign model. I'm leaning towards the former.

hayfork

Hi About nine and a half years ago I posted to this thread (post # 239) information about my Centurion Elite, and asked for some help in identifying the year of the bike. Unfortunately no one replied. Maybe someone could revisit my post and let me know if I am on the right track.

Vintage_Cyclist

Pictures help.

Elites go back into the late 1970s-early 1980s.

This one is supposedly a 1981. https://www.flickr.com/photos/citize...n/photostream/



Post #62 breaks down the serial number coding for Centurion bikes.

T-Mar

Contrary to your previous post, the Elite does go back to at least 1979. The headbadge style you describe dates circa 1980-1982. Based on the components it should be 1980, possibly 1981. I suspect the S/N may be incomplete. Some manufacturers would would pre-stamp the frame with their facilty code and the year, adding the rest on completion of the frame. The blank space may represent a missing fortnight indicator. If so, that would make it 1980 or 1981, which correlates well with the other indicators. Everything is pointing towards a 1980-1981 model. Pictures would be appreciated, for posterity.

hayfork

Thank you both for the replies. I have looked at the 1979 Centurion catalog that is online, as well as the photo shared in the above post and a Elite 1980 that was for sale on ebay. As far as the frame goes the 1979, 1980 and 1981 all look the same as my Elite except for one thing. On my bike the rear derailleur chain stay housing stop is not a braze on. My bike has a clip on type stop. Looking at all the models in the 1979 catalog none has a clip on housing stop. Other than that It looks line a 1980 Elite. I will try to post some pics as soon as I can. thanks

cdmurphy

Hayfork, is it possible your clip on housing stop is a replacement for a brazed on one that failed? Have you removed the stop to look at the tube underneath? As far as I know, there weren't any Centurions offered that didn't have a brazed on rear stop. (Even the Professional and Sem-Pro in the mid 70's had them, but no other brazed on stops or guides.)

hayfork

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have removed the clip on and checked the stay. The top of the stay has what looks like a small Mesa, a bump that is very flat on top. I just assumed that this was a stop to keep the clip from moving forward, I guess it could have been added to cover up a bad braze. I will try to get a photo posted and see what you think.