Centurion Serial Number Database
10-19-09, 05:28 PM
#827
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To JunkYardBike:
It IS Snazzy!
Judging by the components, what year would you all say this is? It has Shimano SIS Light Action shifters (plastic), and Sugino VP crankset. Also has Shimano aluminum brakes. It is marked "Made in Taiwan" - I know its prob mid to late '80s... I love those colors!
Peace!!
-theguy
It IS Snazzy!
Judging by the components, what year would you all say this is? It has Shimano SIS Light Action shifters (plastic), and Sugino VP crankset. Also has Shimano aluminum brakes. It is marked "Made in Taiwan" - I know its prob mid to late '80s... I love those colors!
Peace!!
-theguy
Taiwan? 1988 or 1989, I'd say.
10-20-09, 06:45 AM
#828
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Light Action is 1986-1988. This bicycle is 1987 or 1988.
10-20-09, 06:57 AM
#829
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1991 or 1992 maybe, Diamondback as Centurion left the scene. Unusual group for me to see, a 3x7 RSX triple, with a much more compact crankset than I've seen before. I sold it about a year ago, gave him a buy-back guarantee if he upgraded. He did, so I bought it back. I've got some work to do: smaller stem, bars rolled forward and set for riding the drops, lighter saddle, but it should be fine.
It's much newer than that. RSX didn't even debut until 1995. There a little too much glare in the one pic. Diamonback since 19?3? What's the model? Master? Podium?
10-20-09, 08:13 AM
#830
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Robbie I had two of those Diamondback Experts and they were built quite a bit different than the Centurion bikes,no better no worse. 60 cm weighted about 22 lbs. I used the STI parts on a Cannondale upgrade. Wish I had another one as I need the 7 speed STI shifters.
Ed
Ed
10-20-09, 09:01 AM
#831
aka: Mike J.
I don't think I put this one in this thread yet, from:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...turion+ironman
Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert model
S/N N7B5199 (if I read it right)
I'll get the other one I still have added here soon.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...turion+ironman
Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert model
S/N N7B5199 (if I read it right)
I'll get the other one I still have added here soon.
10-20-09, 10:34 AM
#832
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EddyR,
I like the 7-sp STI's, too. Just seemed to be a good combo. The frame, at 58.5, is on my outer limits, but I'd love to put that group on a 56cm Ironman, for rides up in the hills.
10-20-09, 02:02 PM
#833
aka: Mike J.
That was my thinking when I saw the pic of that triple. I recently picked up a repainted Ironman locally, in my size this time (or close enough). I'm thinking of setting up a roadie'd mountain goat bike for some hilly rides I hope to do over the next couple of years.
10-20-09, 02:39 PM
#834
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An Expert would appear to make it even newer. I don't have the 1995 product list, but it's not in 1996. It appears in 1997 as an RSX equipped model.
10-20-09, 02:54 PM
#836
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10-20-09, 03:27 PM
#838
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No offence intended Robbie, but I couldn't resist.
10-21-09, 07:08 AM
#840
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Robbie, just to make it up to you, I've posted another addition to your Terry-design C&V thread.
10-21-09, 08:42 PM
#841
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T-Mar and Robbie, I'm just a newbie that happens to have a DiamondBack and a Centurion LeMans and I feel I wanted to contribute too to your data base. I will post a pictures tomorrow with the serial numbers, I wanted to know what year it was made just like the other members.
Last edited by rough2005; 10-21-09 at 08:50 PM.
10-22-09, 04:24 PM
#842
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10-23-09, 07:27 AM
#843
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Can I ask why you had it repainted? Most people love the Centurion smoke paint schemes and yours appeared to be in good condition. BTW, could you please post the serial number. It's not legible in the pic. TIA.
10-23-09, 09:25 AM
#845
Joel
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LoL, i didnt like the purple fade.. ill post the serial # later
10-23-09, 04:40 PM
#846
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Well, it was likely either an '88 or '89. The 88 Ironman had that paint, and I think it was on the Lemans in '89. I've had both the Lemans and the Lemans RS in that paint scheme, and the Ironman.
txvintage, we'll find you one. Red/white one is boxed and ready. I was just too dirty after packing it to go to the post office. Plus, the counter lady owns that "immaculate" Raleigh. I think she was counting on me to roll out 400 and buy it. I'm thinking 40 was a little high, truthfully....
I should be looking at an Ironman tomorrow, 54 or 52. The hubby bought it about 20 years ago when he was single and dating lots of different women, wanted a bike for a woman in case he met one that wanted to ride....His wife told me "get it out of here." I gotta hear the story behind that.
txvintage, we'll find you one. Red/white one is boxed and ready. I was just too dirty after packing it to go to the post office. Plus, the counter lady owns that "immaculate" Raleigh. I think she was counting on me to roll out 400 and buy it. I'm thinking 40 was a little high, truthfully....
I should be looking at an Ironman tomorrow, 54 or 52. The hubby bought it about 20 years ago when he was single and dating lots of different women, wanted a bike for a woman in case he met one that wanted to ride....His wife told me "get it out of here." I gotta hear the story behind that.
10-23-09, 05:48 PM
#847
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OK guys, we've hit the magic 1000 posts. Thank-you to all contributors, in particular Robbie Tunes and A. Winthrop. 
To date, their are 234 Centurion bicycles in the database. The majority (103) are N-codes from 1980-1989, so I think we've got enough statistical data to state definitively that the N-code has been cracked, though there is no clear indication as to when Centurion starts the model year within a calendar year. In fact, it appears to vary from year to year and even possibly from model to model. I suspect it all depends on sales and the availability of the parts for the new model year.
The next largest category are the late 1970's M-codes with 17, followed by the late 1980's, Taiwanese F-codes with 11.
In 4th spot is the code that looks like and M or N-code but without the leading alpha character. This codes are restricted to 1984, to it appears WSI had a supply issue that year. I had read that these frames came from Tange, but have been unable to confirm it. Curiously, they match the Panasonic serial number format.
Beyond that there are over a dozen other, apparently distinct formats, indicating that WSI outsourced the brand to numerous contractors. It's unclear whether he was looking for better prices or had quality control concerns.
To date, their are 234 Centurion bicycles in the database. The majority (103) are N-codes from 1980-1989, so I think we've got enough statistical data to state definitively that the N-code has been cracked, though there is no clear indication as to when Centurion starts the model year within a calendar year. In fact, it appears to vary from year to year and even possibly from model to model. I suspect it all depends on sales and the availability of the parts for the new model year.
The next largest category are the late 1970's M-codes with 17, followed by the late 1980's, Taiwanese F-codes with 11.
In 4th spot is the code that looks like and M or N-code but without the leading alpha character. This codes are restricted to 1984, to it appears WSI had a supply issue that year. I had read that these frames came from Tange, but have been unable to confirm it. Curiously, they match the Panasonic serial number format.
Beyond that there are over a dozen other, apparently distinct formats, indicating that WSI outsourced the brand to numerous contractors. It's unclear whether he was looking for better prices or had quality control concerns.
10-23-09, 10:26 PM
#849
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I'll add one more.
Serial #-IFxxxxx
Model - ????
Headbadge-Cross or North star?
Color - Red with white stickers "Centurion" "made in japan"
RD -Suntour seven
FD -Suntour spirt
Cranks -SR with red bolt covers
Wheels -Steel Araya,Hub style resembles my Old Rafael Geminiani
Seat post- 26.0
Weight - Heavy as a lead brick!
Serial #-IFxxxxx
Model - ????
Headbadge-Cross or North star?
Color - Red with white stickers "Centurion" "made in japan"
RD -Suntour seven
FD -Suntour spirt
Cranks -SR with red bolt covers
Wheels -Steel Araya,Hub style resembles my Old Rafael Geminiani
Seat post- 26.0
Weight - Heavy as a lead brick!
Last edited by michael k; 10-25-09 at 07:04 PM.
10-24-09, 06:43 AM
#850
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All of the ones I have seen that are Master's have been 88's.
Well, it was likely either an '88 or '89. The 88 Ironman had that paint, and I think it was on the Lemans in '89. I've had both the Lemans and the Lemans RS in that paint scheme, and the Ironman.
txvintage, we'll find you one. Red/white one is boxed and ready. I was just too dirty after packing it to go to the post office. Plus, the counter lady owns that "immaculate" Raleigh. I think she was counting on me to roll out 400 and buy it. I'm thinking 40 was a little high, truthfully....
Well, I have a one owner Purple Master with my name on it. The owner is the original owner and offered it to me last year, but he still has some attachment to it and I can't bring myself to take him up on his offer yet. It needs an over haul and a "brightening up". I think I need to get with his wife an arrainge a bike napping and get it back to riding condition so we can get him off that Plastic Trek he rides around on now
I have all the needed pieces in place to get that Red and White beauty on the road in short order. Of course, the spousal unit's neighborhood watch committee may try to keep me off it for a while until the doc releases me.
I should be looking at an Ironman tomorrow, 54 or 52. The hubby bought it about 20 years ago when he was single and dating lots of different women, wanted a bike for a woman in case he met one that wanted to ride....His wife told me "get it out of here." I gotta hear the story behind that.
You might wanna with hold the buy back plan on this one. Just sayin'
txvintage, we'll find you one. Red/white one is boxed and ready. I was just too dirty after packing it to go to the post office. Plus, the counter lady owns that "immaculate" Raleigh. I think she was counting on me to roll out 400 and buy it. I'm thinking 40 was a little high, truthfully....
Well, I have a one owner Purple Master with my name on it. The owner is the original owner and offered it to me last year, but he still has some attachment to it and I can't bring myself to take him up on his offer yet. It needs an over haul and a "brightening up". I think I need to get with his wife an arrainge a bike napping and get it back to riding condition so we can get him off that Plastic Trek he rides around on now
I have all the needed pieces in place to get that Red and White beauty on the road in short order. Of course, the spousal unit's neighborhood watch committee may try to keep me off it for a while until the doc releases me.
I should be looking at an Ironman tomorrow, 54 or 52. The hubby bought it about 20 years ago when he was single and dating lots of different women, wanted a bike for a woman in case he met one that wanted to ride....His wife told me "get it out of here." I gotta hear the story behind that.
You might wanna with hold the buy back plan on this one. Just sayin'