Cool read.

This is awesomeness! Audio interview with Linda Sweeney:She road a 100 time trial with a basket on the front of her bike with a towel in it? That sounds blasphemous in these days of streamlined carbon frames, wheels and aero bars.

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The third character in this format of serial number is probably not for a week or a fortnight. It is for a month.

The H in the serial number is for the month of June.

Read this post:

Centurion Serial Number Database

My iron man master from 1988 in mint cond is up for sale on the forum here Please check it if interested.
Centurion IronMan Master 1989 Pristine cond white smoke

1984 Centurion ProTour 15

... but makes my heart beat like a bongo....

Semi Pro - M7G22732 (I think I may have posted this about 10 years ago)
Pro Tour - M7G22753

I have had the Semi Pro for about a decade and have used it in near original condition, as a 650B and now as a 700c. However, recent purchase of Pro Tour and my riding style means it is time to part with it. It is a 59cm. I don't have the original brake levers, shifters (came with Barcons), seat post, derailleurs but do have original Sunshine ProAm wheels, crank, stem, and what I think are original handlebars. If you can tell me what the original pedals were, I probably have them. What I am including is frame, original wheels, handlebars, Barcons, Dia Compe Aero Gran Compe levers, original brakes, original crank, Suntour Mountech derailleurs if you want them. Price is negotiable - I want to find a good home for the bike. Let me know if you are interested. I have additional pics available.

Thats a nice Semi Pro, do you have a pic of the Pro-Tour?

This is the Semi Pro. As you can see (i think), no chrome lugs. I bought as a frame with the brakes. It is a work in progress - probably will change the gearing to a wide range 7 speed ultra. Right now a 6 with a half speed granny with a SR Sakae Apex (86BCD)

Do you have any idea if the decals on the Pro Tour are original? The decals on my '77 PT looked exactly like the decals on your SP, including condition. Mine is also the same color as both of yours.

The downtube decals were missing when I got the ProTour so I had those made, I think they were about $5. But the typeface is a reasonable match and since nothing else except the brakes and headset are original, I didn't think that was too presumptuous. There is very little left of the ProTour decal but if you would like, I can send a picture.

I was going to cold set the frame to 130 but it is very stiff compared to other bikes I have cold set (most of those were Reynolds 531) so I left it original spacing. I can get a 126 in there so I think I am good for the hills around here.

My PT was the only bike I had ever cold-set. As you describe, I found it super nerve-wracking how much force and displacement was required. I actually spread mine to 135 mm to use MTB style touring hubs, and now I use an 8 speed cassette with brifters coupled to the original Cyclone double FD and a SunXCD RD. I also now use dynamo lighting.

Here is the thread that I created all those years ago when I first acquired it in its original configuration. It seems like a lifetime ago.

here is my Pro Tour, looks to be a 1977 model also, it was rough when i got it, the Stem and Seatpost were stuck. after some soaking and persuasion i got them both freed, but the seatpost did not make it. this when i first got it and stripped off the offending tires. and other rusty bits.

84 pro tour 15

I recently picked up a Centurion on Craigslist with the serial number located on the non-drive side of the seat tube. IN60549. From what I’ve seen in the forum most are located on the bottom bracket. Anyone have any info on this.... I must have missed it if it’s already been discussed.

Thanks

My 1980 Centurion Elite has it's serial number on the non-drive side of the seat tube near the bottom bracket casting.

Not high end bikes by any means, but they are still nice decent bikes the cavaletto has a different format for the serial number than any of the other centurions I've had.
1989 centurion Ironman Expert Dave Scott, apparently I deleted the photo of the serial number when I sold the bike, but i do remember that it was N9xxxxx

The Cavaletto was contract manufactured by Fairly of Taiwan in January 1987. Fairly was a major source for Western States Imports in the 1980s but they were used primarily for the Diamond Back brand of ATB and BMX models.

Edit: The Expert was definitely a 1989 model, as the Centurion brand was dropped in the USA for the 1990 model year, with road, ATB, BMX and hybrid lines all being marketed under the Diamond Back brand.

Thanks for the information, I have been confused by the serial number, but never got around to asking about it until I picked up the Accordo yesterday.

W7E8640



Saw this at the thrift shop today. Might go back for it. Pink and yellow. 105. Wolber hard anodized wheels.

Hope it's still there . If you get it post some pictures OK ?

A 1980 Omega just followed me home. Second from the bottom of the line, hi-ten and plenty of chromed steel bits. According to the 1979 catalog, 30 lb. Serial number is on the NDS of the seat tube; curve of the tube makes for an incomplete strike. Excuse the fuzzy photo; taken in the middle of the night while yawning....

[MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] , could it be that the "N" in the Japan-made Centurions with the N(1) format stands for Nippon?

[MENTION=163355]Tulok[/MENTION] , you walked out of the thrift store WITHOUT buying that Miami Vice bike (an early Ironman? Dunno what else would be Tange 1)? That'd be in my truck in a New York minute, regardless of the size.

[MENTION=163355]Tulok[/MENTION] , you walked out of the thrift store WITHOUT buying that Miami Vice bike (an early Ironman? Dunno what else would be Tange 1)? That'd be in my truck in a New York minute, regardless of the size.[/QUOTE]

Yeah it is an Ironman, yep lol. I should go back for it, I’m sure it hasn’t moved an inch! It wasn’t your average store more of an antique shop that’s only open a few hours a week.

Hi Willparn,

from the serial number and location your Centurion is from the mid-1970s. The model is probably a Le Mans or Sport 10.

The early Centurions had serial numbers in several locations on the seat tube.