I was recently given an old Centurion bike from a friend cleaning out their garage. I have been looking around and have found a fair bit out about Centurion but most of the information seems to be for early 80s model year bikes. I managed to get a date code off of the SunTour derailer, a V-GTluxe, which says it had a manufacturing date of '73

The frame is pretty good, most of the paint is gone, and there is a little rust, but nothing bent, and still solid. Seems to be a hi-tensile steel. The BB is about shot unfortunately, but components are in great shape.

Can anybody tell me a little more about these earlier Centurions, and also what my best option is for dealing with the BB?

Thanks

Find the serial number if you can, go to the Centurion Serial # database, someone could help. Not my era, I'm afraid.

On the BB, is it really shot? Replacing the bearings with loose ball bearings, 11 1/4inch bearings per side, is easy and cheap. So clean up the cups and spindle really good, and maybe it can be salvaged.

I am currently getting into the BB right now. Having a hell of a time with the crank puller. I think it is going to take some effort.

Any suggestion on where the SN might be? I have been all over the bike and cant find one.

alright, after much effort the BB is off. Looks good after I cleaned out the amazing amount of junk inside. bearings needed replacing but am on that.

Still cant find that serial number. Any suggestions? looked under the BB, not there.

If there's no serial number, get the info off the components (back of the crank arms, FD, RD, even the bb). That info would help you date the bike.

+1 Date codes are the ticket. Most components will have codes: from the brake calipers to the derailleurs to the crank arms, to the handlebars, stem and seat post. Just figure out what you think is likely to be original, add about six months to the code, and you are there.

Codes are found at the vintage Trek site. And yes, I know this bike is not a Trek.

Still no serial number, but the Sun Tour rear derailer comes in at early '73

If I do find that elusive serial code, would it be helpful for a database, and where would I submit it?

Look under & around the bottom bracket for the serial number! I recently refurbished one from the mid 70s. Low end, but a decent bike. Mine had cottered cranks. The BB was fairly simple to clean & grease.

Centurion 2.jpg

Many of the early ones have the serial number on the lower seat tube.

Thank you, I did find the serial number, not sure how I missed it. R579 on the seat tube. Finally got into the BB after I busted a crank puller. Note to self: dont buy cheap tools. BB cleaned up just fine, needed some new bearings, and is now spinning like a drunk on a merry-go-round.

One more question. Wheels are toast, cant be trued at all. Hubs are fine though. Should I get the hubs, front and back, laced up to new 27" rims or should I just get a decent set of 700c and a 7 speed cassette?

It's likely less expensive to buy a new set than to have them rebuilt. However, to fit 7 speed you'll need to have the rear triangle cold set for 126mm spacing versus the current 120mm.

There's one other Rxxx serial nujmber in the database and it had April and July 1972 date codes. So yea, yours probably is a 1973.