Centurion Serial Number Database
02-17-11, 09:44 AM
#1178
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I think I've got enough data corroborated against existing literature, that I can say it is no longer a just a theory.
03-13-11, 02:14 PM
#1180
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Okay, here's a late arrival and anomaly:
Centurion Sport DLX mixte
M5D 01189
'Made in Japan' sticker on BB, 'Quality from Japan, Designed in USA' sticker on seat tube, so the M evidently doesn't mean a Taiwanese build.
It would seem to be a 1985 bike, but the 1984 catalog on Sheldon's site describes the Sport DLX as having a Cr-Mo frame, while this one is labeled as having a 'Tange Butted Hi-Ten Steel' frame. Similar label on the fork.
Someone, possibly the Turin Bike Shop in Evanston (n of Chicago) where the bike was purchased, substituted a Maillard/Wolber Super Champion rear wheel with QR, and a Suntour AR RD for the Suntour 7 that was OEM. FD is an odd boxy US-made 'Excel', probably also a replacement, brakes are Dia Compe sidepulls.
Not bad for a cheap little bike.
Centurion Sport DLX mixte
M5D 01189
'Made in Japan' sticker on BB, 'Quality from Japan, Designed in USA' sticker on seat tube, so the M evidently doesn't mean a Taiwanese build.
It would seem to be a 1985 bike, but the 1984 catalog on Sheldon's site describes the Sport DLX as having a Cr-Mo frame, while this one is labeled as having a 'Tange Butted Hi-Ten Steel' frame. Similar label on the fork.
Someone, possibly the Turin Bike Shop in Evanston (n of Chicago) where the bike was purchased, substituted a Maillard/Wolber Super Champion rear wheel with QR, and a Suntour AR RD for the Suntour 7 that was OEM. FD is an odd boxy US-made 'Excel', probably also a replacement, brakes are Dia Compe sidepulls.
Not bad for a cheap little bike.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 03-13-11 at 07:37 PM. Reason: corrected the name of the non-correct FD
03-13-11, 06:04 PM
#1182
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03-13-11, 06:22 PM
#1183
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Sorry, it's been grey and ugly here, and now the bike is in my basement, disassembled. It should be back together again this week, with a few changes.
As I posted up 18 mos ago we had a Niko 'Mystere' which appeared to be identical to the Centurion LeMans mixte shown in the late 70s Centurion catalog on velobase. That bike was stolen from my daughter's HS and though I got her a nice Raleigh Ladies Sport, she missed her little lightweight mixte. So I jumped on this one when it popped up. Of course it's not really that slick (a LeMans would be lighter/better) and I'd happily replace it with a 'better' bike if one comes along, but if I know my daughter she'll have given this one a name by next weekend.
As I posted up 18 mos ago we had a Niko 'Mystere' which appeared to be identical to the Centurion LeMans mixte shown in the late 70s Centurion catalog on velobase. That bike was stolen from my daughter's HS and though I got her a nice Raleigh Ladies Sport, she missed her little lightweight mixte. So I jumped on this one when it popped up. Of course it's not really that slick (a LeMans would be lighter/better) and I'd happily replace it with a 'better' bike if one comes along, but if I know my daughter she'll have given this one a name by next weekend.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
03-13-11, 06:46 PM
#1184
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Is there an actual Database or Spreadsheet of these Serial Numbers put together somewhere for public viewing?
Or is this thread the "database"?
Or is this thread the "database"?
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03-13-11, 08:10 PM
#1186
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Oh its not a matter of trust. I'd just be curious to see it.
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03-13-11, 11:03 PM
#1187
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Finally got around to taking pictures of my upgraded beauty! My front tire was slashed a couple weeks ago on campus so I've been borrowing another bike's front wheel while I waited for PBK to ship, thus the delay.
Here's how I got the bike back in June last summer: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post11079650
Now lo and behold, my 1987 Ironman Expert with (almost) full Shimano 600 Ultegra! I got the rear spacing coldset to 130mm to fit an 8sp wheelset for the STI levers. When I first bought the wheelset, it was just advertised as "Ultegra" for $60. I got a surprise when I saw the tricolors on the hubs! The same guy held the STI levers for a couple months for me and sold them for $85. Fantastic guy -- definitely my favorite Craigslist interactions ever.
Main components not tricolor:
- 600EX crankset
- 105 headset
Edit: Robbie, I was scrolling through old posts and I noticed you said "you may find Wolber rims on the 87 and Arayas on the 88" talking about the Miami Vice scheme. My bike came with Arayas, does that make it an '88 rather than an '87?
Here's how I got the bike back in June last summer: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post11079650
Now lo and behold, my 1987 Ironman Expert with (almost) full Shimano 600 Ultegra! I got the rear spacing coldset to 130mm to fit an 8sp wheelset for the STI levers. When I first bought the wheelset, it was just advertised as "Ultegra" for $60. I got a surprise when I saw the tricolors on the hubs! The same guy held the STI levers for a couple months for me and sold them for $85. Fantastic guy -- definitely my favorite Craigslist interactions ever.
Main components not tricolor:
- 600EX crankset
- 105 headset
Edit: Robbie, I was scrolling through old posts and I noticed you said "you may find Wolber rims on the 87 and Arayas on the 88" talking about the Miami Vice scheme. My bike came with Arayas, does that make it an '88 rather than an '87?
Last edited by Kuotient; 03-13-11 at 11:16 PM.
03-14-11, 05:58 AM
#1188
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Seeing as how you outrode me to devastation in Austin, I guess I'd better help.
It's an '87. That color scheme didn't make it to '88, but the rim selection could easily have been on hand, and used anyway.
Dark Arayas with 105 hubs would be OEM for an '88 Expert, but those were all fades.
Probably just the "thin line" on production control, or a wheel swap at the dealership.
As I said in Austin, very, very nice ride. Any doubts about having another red/white, you've erased.
It's an '87. That color scheme didn't make it to '88, but the rim selection could easily have been on hand, and used anyway.
Dark Arayas with 105 hubs would be OEM for an '88 Expert, but those were all fades.
Probably just the "thin line" on production control, or a wheel swap at the dealership.
As I said in Austin, very, very nice ride. Any doubts about having another red/white, you've erased.
03-23-11, 03:02 PM
#1189
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Here is a 1987 Ironman Master I picked up yesterday.It is all original 600 including the pedals and the blown up 
Vetta saddle. I bought this one to keep.
It is my size and thank googness it is not pink and white like the two other Ironman I got. #n7b7190
Ed
It is my size and thank googness it is not pink and white like the two other Ironman I got. #n7b7190
Ed
03-23-11, 07:32 PM
#1192
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Andrew, that's a 56cm. He covers the western part of the state, I get the east.
For years, I never saw that color. roccobike has one with more green in it, the only other '87 Master I've seen.
Now, in the last couple of months, 3 Experts in the fade scheme show up, and now fast Eddy's.
I tell ya, it's a movement. This has been a good year on the thread. Those European Centurions: the mixte and the "Triathlon" model, the older ones that are just ace, and all the other Centurions. Good exposure. A lot of people had no clue there was a brand or model of bike called a Centurion. Now, a bunch of them do. Good for us.
I post here a lot, but I come to this thread, in particular, to get my bike buzz.
03-23-11, 09:30 PM
#1193
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Rare '87 Master, Eddy, and your others are pretty nice bikes, no doubt. Do you still have the 7-11 re-do?
Andrew, that's a 56cm. He covers the western part of the state, I get the east.
For years, I never saw that color. roccobike has one with more green in it, the only other '87 Master I've seen.
Now, in the last couple of months, 3 Experts in the fade scheme show up, and now fast Eddy's.
I tell ya, it's a movement. This has been a good year on the thread. Those European Centurions: the mixte and the "Triathlon" model, the older ones that are just ace, and all the other Centurions. Good exposure. A lot of people had no clue there was a brand or model of bike called a Centurion. Now, a bunch of them do. Good for us.
I post here a lot, but I come to this thread, in particular, to get my bike buzz.
Andrew, that's a 56cm. He covers the western part of the state, I get the east.
For years, I never saw that color. roccobike has one with more green in it, the only other '87 Master I've seen.
Now, in the last couple of months, 3 Experts in the fade scheme show up, and now fast Eddy's.
I tell ya, it's a movement. This has been a good year on the thread. Those European Centurions: the mixte and the "Triathlon" model, the older ones that are just ace, and all the other Centurions. Good exposure. A lot of people had no clue there was a brand or model of bike called a Centurion. Now, a bunch of them do. Good for us.
I post here a lot, but I come to this thread, in particular, to get my bike buzz.
03-24-11, 08:33 AM
#1194
Riding like its 1990
Picked up another Ironman. 56cm and full 105.
Paint was in god shape, just a few nicks, cleaned up nicely, will be listed shortly so if anyone is looking let me know.
Here it is before I took it home.
Paint was in god shape, just a few nicks, cleaned up nicely, will be listed shortly so if anyone is looking let me know.
Here it is before I took it home.
03-24-11, 08:58 AM
#1195
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Possibly another Centurion coming to the hizzle later today. 
In the family stable at the moment:
Miyata: 3
Centurion: 2
Shogun: 2 (1 on loan)
Fuji: 1, for sale soon
Lotus (Taiwan): 1, for sale
***
Raleigh Sports: 1
Bob Jackson: 1, project
***
Specialized MTB: 2
In the family stable at the moment:
Miyata: 3
Centurion: 2
Shogun: 2 (1 on loan)
Fuji: 1, for sale soon
Lotus (Taiwan): 1, for sale
***
Raleigh Sports: 1
Bob Jackson: 1, project
***
Specialized MTB: 2
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
03-24-11, 12:29 PM
#1196
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Since this is the Centurion thread, here is an Ironman Master for $175, and it is NOT MY SIZE!!! 
Only 60 miles away from me, which I would have put on my jogging shoes and ran the 60 miles to pick this up...
$175!!!
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...280489932.html
Only 60 miles away from me, which I would have put on my jogging shoes and ran the 60 miles to pick this up...
$175!!!
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...280489932.html
03-24-11, 04:44 PM
#1197
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Got it. A bit dirty, make that very dirty. But the price was right ($150) and it is 52cm, which might just be my ideal size...for the first time.
For the photo, I parked it a few blocks from where I picked it up, in front of some house designed by some guy. Think I did right?
For the photo, I parked it a few blocks from where I picked it up, in front of some house designed by some guy. Think I did right?
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 03-24-11 at 05:17 PM.
03-24-11, 05:16 PM
#1199
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Okay, make that 3 Centurions in the family stable. None seem likely to move out any time soon. But I have got to get that little Lotus (now a SS) out of here, and my son's too-small Fuji right after it. You guys know that 12 bikes (for a family of 5) is not that many, but I think my family is planning an intervention!
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
03-24-11, 05:57 PM
#1200
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Got it. A bit dirty, make that very dirty. But the price was right ($150) and it is 52cm, which might just be my ideal size...for the first time.
For the photo, I parked it a few blocks from where I picked it up, in front of some house designed by some guy. Think I did right?
For the photo, I parked it a few blocks from where I picked it up, in front of some house designed by some guy. Think I did right?
