Kuotient

Saw THREE Centurions while I was on campus today.

1) rode past a guy riding a Miami Vice Ironman
2) walked out of class and saw a red Comp TA locked up to a sign pole
3) saw a red/white Accordo 2 minutes after that locked up to a bike rack

Today was a good day. haha

guygadois 

Got this from a 1982 Bicycling Magazine.

rothenfield1

This whole thing is getting out of hand. How could one man elevate an obscure brand into a sought after icon of lugged goodness?

What have Ye wrought O' Robbie?

RobbieTunes

...and the one time you didn't have your bolt cutters.

Heh heh.....it's the bikes....but insanity is infectious.

.............................

Kobe 

I don't think Centurion's colors would be approved of by Frank, but I like love them. The blue cloud design is cool.

cehowardGS

IMO, wasn't him, it was the bike!!
Not too long ago, I didn't know a Centurion from a hole in the ground. Even when I purchased the one I got, still didn't know what it was, I just went for the $90 and my size. After riding it, sheesh...the rest is history. I was one of the newbies on a Paramount, and/or Raleigh Professional hunt, not anymore...

When I do my first century, it will be interesting to see if I grab the Ironman over the Litespeed.. Will see..

thenomad

I shall ride the Hells Gate Hundred in Death Valley tomorrow on the legendary Centurion Ironman. It will wisk me along, wheels scarcely touching the ground, leaving a trail of strawberry scented mist that shatters the will of mere mortals on their Crabon Fibre.
Well... something like that anyhow. I'm a believer.

EddyR

Robbie
Yes I still have the Ironman Expert painted as a 7/11 bike. I ride it the most of all my bikes. For those that don't know the story on this bike it was a rust bucket beyond saving of the original pink and white finish. I had another Pink and white one but it was to big so it is gone. The 7/11 Ironman is a 56cm and the new Master is a 58cm. Here are the two together. Paid $100 for this one from a bike fliper who didn't know Centurions

Psuedo

So after working at the bike shop today, on my way back, I saw a girl riding a practically stock LeMans with the same purple smoke as mine, I caught up with her, she said she had it for two weeks, I said I had mine for about a year, and that she hasnt seen a bike quite like this before, and basically rode off... Who was she? This is on the campus of OSU, so if this was you... reply to this!
Be Seeing You

RobbieTunes

I hope you didn't just miss your chance to meet the Mrs.

thenomad

Another one up on the selling block locally.
This one is really nice. I want to keep it.
I don't have room or have enough of me to ride yet another bike. But its nice to look at.

realestvin7

Lol. I see what you did there.

Psuedo

Mrs? maybe not... she had her nose pierced, which is a no to me.. besides, she was going down a hill I just came up, so I wasnt about to come up it again... like I said, Be Seeing You

Roger M

I asked Robbie about this. According to him, It's an 87 Expert model. This is how it came to me. I need to go through it, and source a Wolber rear wheel to match the original front. Other than that, it's in pretty good shape and the price was about as good as it could be.

realestvin7

Is this the free one? I'll give you what you paid for it, plus shipping.

txvintage

One more for the archives

Serial No. N7S571 DS IM Master

wrk101

A recent pickup, now ready for a new home. I believe it is a 1984 Centurion Elite GT. Somewhat unusual to me, the bike has a light or generator wire running from the DT (exits near the head tube), to under the bottom bracket (see the extra loop of wire by the serial number.

Serial number: N4B5201

Its a 53 (21 inch frame). Yep, I usually ride a 56cm.

stemark

^
Nice Bike!! What size is it about a 50 or 52? If your serious about a new home
I'm interested!

Yes I'm a Newbe looking for a bike.

RobbieTunes

He's serious. He rides a 56.

thenomad

oooh, cantilever brakes, noice!

Kuotient

Just wanted to let the cult know that I'll be takin my bad boy on the MS150 ride from Houston to Austin this weekend! I'm PUMPED (and so are my tires).

RobbieTunes

Smoke 'em Allen.

SweetImperfectn

I just bought a Centurion (Le Mans RS) last weekend at a local non-profit bicycle organization/shop that also tunes/rehabs-then sells donated bikes. Not knowing anything about Centurions before before my purchase, I was told a little bit of the history (discontinued/changed name to Diamondback) it was a solid road bike, etc. Being quite taken with it, I snagged it up -- but not knowing what year or much else about it, I went home and promptly researched my new bike to find out more.

Among my other search results I found the very informative sheldonbrown website, and this great thread! I've learned a ton from reading the various posts, but I still have no clue what year it is from. I can't seem to find any other models that match mine specifically. My Le Mans RS seems to have quite a few components that most Lemans RS don't have. For instance, it's a 12 speed and has the Shimano 105 groupset. From what I've learned/gathered, that doesn't seem to be standard or common for any Lemans (correct me if I'm wrong). Perhaps mine has been upgraded? Here are my specs:

Model: Centurion Le Mans RS
Serial #: 7H5869 (it's really scratched up where the SN is and I had a hard time making out the first and last number/letters -there could be an N or H before the 7 - and the 9 at the end might be a 0, 8 or 6 instead
Tubing: Tange 2 Cr-MO Seamless Tubing
Fork: Mangaloy 2001 Tange
Derailers: Shimano 105 (FD-Z206-VA) -not sure about the "VA", that's what it looks like tho...
Shifters: Shimano 105 Total Integration
Breaks: Shimano 105 SLR
Saddle: Centurion Anatomic Vetta
Color: Black & Yellow
Speed: 12
Year: ??

Okay, if you need anymore info, just let me know! I'm also curious to know approx how much this would have retailed for in it's day, and how much it's worth now if anyone has a guesstimate.

I've added a few pictures here. Sorry they are not the best quality. Took them in my basement where there is poor lighting.



Thanks!
~gt

himmiesutton

I'll ad my S/N's and try to take some pic's if we get any sun here:
Miyata 1990 1000LT s/n:QU48858
Diamondback Prevail TG s/n: 011209628 (BI3262) don't know what the second number is?
Centurion Time Machine s/n: 805 0002
both the DG & Centurion have little stickers saying "Exclusively built for WSI Inc. Camarillo, CA

RobbieTunes

1987 Centurion Lemans RS, only year that had the yellow and black, which tends to bring the best prices.

Original equipment was actually 2x7 Shimano Light Action, with Exage crankset, calipers, and hubs, laced to box section Araya bronzed rims.

Appears your bike has the OEM frame/fork/headset/stem/bars/saddle/post and wheelset.

The 2x8 105 stuff is an upgrade by about 4-5 years, the STI shifters and that 105 stuff is very nice, very reliable.
Now, if the wheelset is a 6-sp, it shouldn't work too well. However, if that's really a 7-sp rear freewheel, the 8-sp shifters will work fine with a "dummy shift."

The Tange 2 frame is just a tad heavier than the more aggressive Tange 1 frame on the Ironman. The Lemans RS is a great all-around bike, can be ridden far, fast, about anything you want to do. Handsome Mangalloy lugged fork, which I've always liked. Even the saddle is fairly comfortable.

I don't know the exact MSRP, but it was a sales leader due to the Ironman being relatively expensive. Around here, they went for $450-$495.

Right now, an STI-equipped bike, even a 2x7, should bring $250-$300. A Centurion, to some folks, will bring more if it's a Tange 1 Ironman or a Tange 2 Lemans RS.

I've sunk about $450 or more into one of those, and could probably sell it for $450 to people who know me, know it will be ready to ride.

The bike is fine right now, if that's a 7-sp rear freewheel. The possibilities are pretty amazing, as you can simply swap in a modern wheelset with an 8-sp cassette and drop some weight, gain a little range, if you so desire.

The bike will clean up well, and has a good quality coat of paint. There are a few folks here with the same make and model, all of whom like them. It's a good, solid road bike, is lighter than many other steel models that cost more, and this one, upgraded is nicely equipped.

Welcome to the forum.