Got my levers...;o) And extra set of calipers if I ever need them.

Thanks to posting a note on the WTB Thread. :)

This is my 70's Centurion "High visibility night time rain or cruising bike"

I don't know the model. I just know that it is much LIGHTER than my Sport DLX, I love the Suntour V GT Luxe, and it coasts forever!! :p

There is absolutely nothing stamped on the bottom bracket or dropouts... Tmar, where else should I look??

I cannot find any number stamped anywhere on the bike.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...2/bikes103.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...2/bikes104.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...2/bikes105.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...2/bikes106.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...2/bikes107.jpg

On my 70s one the SN is on the bottom of the seat tube, on the non-drive side.

Thanks much CG, it was right where you said it would be. The white paint does a nice job of hiding it:o
Serial #: IN 60184

So far I've seen a lot of different SNs on the 70s models, mine only has 4 characters. Hopefully T-Mar can clarify.

I wish I could give you a dfinitive answer , but I can't. While I've been able to decyoher the 1980s codes due the data genrouisly supplied by the forum members, the earlier serial number format is still a mystery. I just don't have neouigh cases of known year to crack the code. I suggest you start looking at the component codes using the information posted on the excellent Vintagr-trek website. Assuming the componets are original, that should narrow it down to within a year. As to the model, it appears to be one of the many LeMans variations. Good luck, Let us know what you find.

I just picked up a Centurion Sport DLX from a garage sale in town for $15. I'm new to biking (I've been a walking commuter) so I'm not really an expert at this stuff. After getting a tune-up, the bike-shop guy said it could easily go for $200+. Here's my specs:

Serial Number: F7O50820
Tange Infinity CR-MO Double Butted Tubing
Sugino VP Crank (Pedals w/ Toe Clips)
Shimano Light Action SIS Gears
Shimano BL-Z32 Brake Levers
Weinmann 116 Alloy 27X1 ¼ Rims (Made in Belgium)

None of the other part numbers are obvious to me.

Same Aqua Green / Silver Miami Vice Color Scheme identical to Chocnut's Elite RS.

Heres the Centurion Ironman I purchased last week, red & white frame with all 105 components. Wolber Super Champion wheels with 105 hubs.
Serial number: N7B5829

Can anyone help me to understand the serial number and the dating?

Tim

Based on the prediction that my IronMan Master serial number would start with N7 or N8 before I had it in hand, and the component codes to confirm what T-Mar already knew, I would guess you have a 1987 or 1988... I don't know the color schemes, other than mine, so I can't confirm.

With 105 components, I asume yours is the IronMan Expert.

I am sure T-Mar will nail it to a specific year for you, but I am throwing in my $0.02 worth while you await his answer.

It's a 1987 model. My decryption of the Centurion serial numbers is layed out in post #62 of this incredibly long thread, which must be setting some kind of record for length, outside of the stickees!

Centurion designation
 

T-mar, everyone.....so you think its a 1987. Cool, Thank you. The Expert designation is this the case? Basically it reads Centurion Iron Man Dave Scott something.....really a nice bike. I also like the red/white frame. Spent a little time cleaning it up yesterday as it looked like someone had taken it for a ride in the mud? A little time spent cleaning it and the components were shiny and looked hardly used, the paint is in good shape howver it looks like someone had been hanging it on a metal bike rack so the underside of the top tube is slightly scratched. Needs clipless pedals, new seat and tires but hopefully I'll be able to ride it soon. Made my day finding it, needed a new/old bike fix badly. Makes me feel just a little older, 1987....just got out of college in 1986.

Tim

Could be, but I'm inclined to disagree. There have been some M prefix serial numbers for 1980 models. Also, there are other serial number formats for 1970s models. More likely the different prefixes suggest different suppliers and the fact that the switch was close to the decade change, is just a coincidence.

I just found a 70's Super Le Mans on CL, I emailed the guy and he gave me the SN and a list of the components.
This is what he said:
Ser.# N3964
SR crankset 170mm
SR pedals
Suntour VGTouring rear derailleur
Suntour SL front derailleur
Sunshine high flange hubs front and rear, Araya 271/4 rims
DiaCompe center pull brakes and levers,
Sekai Randanner drops, SR stem
Champion seat post,

He also said that the date code on the hubs dates to '76.
I have the same bike that I also dated to '76 except it had different serial number, still the same format except only three numbers after the N.

My bike is in post #168 if there is any confusion.

Do both match. The one I found on CL I didn't buy, I just asked the seller if he could tell me what the SN was and what components it had, because I knew that the database was lacking the late 70s models. Does the catalog say anything about the serial numbers, because I guess the one I own is a year older because the serial number only has three numbers.

Do you have that catalog scanned, I'd love to take a look at it.

Sounds good. Please keep us all posted about the catalog. I'm still curious about the serial numbers of the late 70s, but I guess we'll have to wait until we find more examples.

I picked up a 70s model today with Suntour shifters,Dia Compe Brakes and Sugino cranks.
Ser # N0K 2252

Not a 1970's model. It's a 1980. BTW, is the first letter a typo? Should it be "M" instead of "N"?

OK thanks. I misread a post earlier regarding the model designation on the frame and the round Centurion medallion. It has both,model being Lemans. The first letter is an "N". I found a Super Lemans on Ebay with an N0BB925 designation,same metallic brown paint and pinstriping as mine but has bar end shifters rather than stem type.I don't know if the second "B" on that one is a typo or may actually be an 8.

Second B should be an "8". The fomat typically went xyxyyyy, where x are letters and y are numbers. I asked N versus M because A. Winthrop has a theory that the M codes were 1970s and the N codes were 1980s, but from the same manufactuer. My feeling is that they are two different manufacturers and the crossover just coincided close to the decade turnover. We now 3 documented cases of M codes in 1980, which supports the latter point of view. Thxs for posting.

I won an Expert Ironman Dave Scott on ebay. It's one of the Terry/type frames with a 24" front wheel. Here are the vitals:
Serial number - N6M8695
Tubing - Tange #1 double butted tubes
-Tange Cro-Mo fork blades

Shimano 105 headset, crank, brakes calipers, hubs, shifters, derailleurs, brake levers
Araya wheels

The frame color is pink, but on the salmon side. (I've seen similar models that are a rosier pink.)
Seat and head tubes are white.
I'll post photos once it's cleaned up.

I have a Centurion frame that came to me bare with a junky paint job. the dropouts are chrome forged suntours and the old diamond shaped headtube logo that looks like a shield. The S.N. is 6R6300 on the seat tube and the type is very plain . Any help?

bump

59 cm Centurion Turbo

Dark red, silver head tube and graphics, chrome driveside chainstay and fork crown
Tange Champion #1 tubing
Serial: N2K1087
Ideale 90 saddle
Suntour Mountech derailleurs
Shimano triple cranks
MKS pedals with Christophe clips
Araya red label 700c rims, no name hubs
Brakes are interesting, the logo is too worn to make out, but they don't have the little adjuster that allows you to open them up to remove the wheel easier. Also, the up/down adjustment for the pads is a circular metal piece, which, when rotated, moves the pad up and down, instead of just moving the pad up and down a slot. Got any idea what they are?

I picked it up at a thrift store, and I don't know how much of the components are original. I really doubt the Shimano triple is, and Sheldon Brown's Centurion article says that the Turbo had either Cyclone or Superbe, not Mountech, so I don't know what to make of that either.

Centurion Super Elite

Got this frame on Ebay. Ashley Winthrop posted the information on 6.27.07 (SN# M8D00058) and helped date it to around 1978.

It's up and running again now, reincarnated as a fixed gear:

Oh, it's like mine! I'd like to see your photos.

East Hill