Centurion Serial Number Database
#2251
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Bikes: Wow, where to start? A collection of 1980's and early 90's road, touring, and MTBs from the likes of Trek, Schwinn, Cannondale, Fuji, Miyata, Univega, Panasonic, and GT. It has gotten rather out of control.
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Diamondback Momentum
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OK, not to throw in a monkey wrench, but a friend of mine just got this:
By the down tube logo and the head badge it appears to be 1975 or earlier:
By the dropouts, lugs, wrap around seat stays, stem/bars and seat post, it appears to be a semi-pro. But this is the serial number:
Is this a different bike with a reproduction Centurion decal?
By the down tube logo and the head badge it appears to be 1975 or earlier:
By the dropouts, lugs, wrap around seat stays, stem/bars and seat post, it appears to be a semi-pro. But this is the serial number:
Is this a different bike with a reproduction Centurion decal?
#2253
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OK, not to throw in a monkey wrench, but a friend of mine just got this:
By the down tube logo and the head badge it appears to be 1975 or earlier:
By the dropouts, lugs, wrap around seat stays, stem/bars and seat post, it appears to be a semi-pro. But this is the serial number:
Is this a different bike with a reproduction Centurion decal?
By the down tube logo and the head badge it appears to be 1975 or earlier:
By the dropouts, lugs, wrap around seat stays, stem/bars and seat post, it appears to be a semi-pro. But this is the serial number:
Is this a different bike with a reproduction Centurion decal?
#2254
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#2255
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...@T-Mar , could it be that the "N" in the Japan-made Centurions with the N(1) format stands for Nippon?...
#2258
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Lemans
Hello T-Mar - I can't get down to the basement to check the serial number because I am in a cast but will in time. I got this Centurion Lemans as a throw in on a purchase I made a couple weeks ago. It's a heavy bike with steel wheels. Please tell me about it since I know nothing of Centurion other than what I read on Wikipedia.
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Picked up an Ironman this weekend. Serial number is N5Mxxxx, but the build and livery indicate 1986. Red with white seat tube / head tube, '86-style branding, 600 SIS, etc.
#2260
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Hello T-Mar - I can't get down to the basement to check the serial number because I am in a cast but will in time. I got this Centurion Lemans as a throw in on a purchase I made a couple weeks ago. It's a heavy bike with steel wheels. Please tell me about it since I know nothing of Centurion other than what I read on Wikipedia.
#2261
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Thank T-Mar. The look of the frame was familiar to me. Having grown up in small town North Western Quebec, it must have been common enough to have found a spot in my long-term memory.
#2262
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#2263
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Steelnutcase: I have what is probably the same year Semi-Pro that has chrome on the fork and seat and chain stays but not chromed lugs. I haven't posted enough yet to be able to post photos but will do so when I can. The SN on mine is M7C06892. It has all of the original components except the saddle, I bought it a couple of years ago off Craigslist and was thinking it was a Pro Tour,. It's black with no decals. I originally thought it was a repaint but the serial number is in gold as is the lug outlining. It might have been ordered with black paint. The bike has been well used but was rideable even though neglected,. Because it's going to take a lot of elbow grease to disassemble, clean and polish the paint and components, I haven't yet started on it. If the paint is original, I might be able to get it glossy again.
Unlike the 1978 version, none of my components are black (except the tips of the barcons). The Apex chainwheels and brake calipers are alloy, Again, I'll post photos of it when I can,.
EDIT: I just looked at yours again and see one key difference. Mine has Dia Compe side-pull brakes instead of center-pull, I'm still not certain what I have, The freewheel and spoke protector are like the 78 Semi-Pro and as are side-pull brakes. The bike is in storage right now. Measuring the wheelbase might give me a definitive answer.
Unlike the 1978 version, none of my components are black (except the tips of the barcons). The Apex chainwheels and brake calipers are alloy, Again, I'll post photos of it when I can,.
EDIT: I just looked at yours again and see one key difference. Mine has Dia Compe side-pull brakes instead of center-pull, I'm still not certain what I have, The freewheel and spoke protector are like the 78 Semi-Pro and as are side-pull brakes. The bike is in storage right now. Measuring the wheelbase might give me a definitive answer.
Last edited by lorica; 11-25-19 at 12:06 AM.
#2264
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Steelnutcase: I have what is probably the same year Semi-Pro that has chrome on the fork and seat and chain stays but not chromed lugs. I haven't posted enough yet to be able to post photos but will do so when I can. The SN on mine is M7C06892. It has all of the original components except the saddle, I bought it a couple of years ago off Craigslist and was thinking it was a Pro Tour,. It's black with no decals. I originally thought it was a repaint but the serial number is in gold as is the lug outlining. It might have been ordered with black paint. The bike has been well used but was rideable even though neglected,. Because it's going to take a lot of elbow grease to disassemble, clean and polish the paint and components, I haven't yet started on it. If the paint is original, I might be able to get it glossy again.
Unlike the 1978 version, none of my components are black (except the tips of the barcons). The Apex chainwheels and brake calipers are alloy, Again, I'll post photos of it when I can,.
EDIT: I just looked at yours again and see one key difference. Mine has Dia Compe side-pull brakes instead of center-pull, I'm still not certain what I have, The freewheel and spoke protector are like the 78 Semi-Pro and as are side-pull brakes. The bike is in storage right now. Measuring the wheelbase might give me a definitive answer.
Unlike the 1978 version, none of my components are black (except the tips of the barcons). The Apex chainwheels and brake calipers are alloy, Again, I'll post photos of it when I can,.
EDIT: I just looked at yours again and see one key difference. Mine has Dia Compe side-pull brakes instead of center-pull, I'm still not certain what I have, The freewheel and spoke protector are like the 78 Semi-Pro and as are side-pull brakes. The bike is in storage right now. Measuring the wheelbase might give me a definitive answer.
Ignore the forum warnings for posting, While pictures won't attach your post, they will upload to a gallery album where they can be viewed by forum members.
#2266
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#2267
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Based on the serial number, you have a 1977 model. A Pro Tour of this period is easily identifiable by the presence of brazed-on posts for direct mounting the centre-pull brakes. Unless, the posts have been removed, you don't have a Pro Tour.
Ignore the forum warnings for posting, While pictures won't attach your post, they will upload to a gallery album where they can be viewed by forum members.
Ignore the forum warnings for posting, While pictures won't attach your post, they will upload to a gallery album where they can be viewed by forum members.
I tried to post a reply that included photos a few minutes ago and in it seemed to post, but I don't see it here.
#2268
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I made it through about 15 pages of this thread, tried the Search function, but finally gave up trying to match up my serial number. The bike is most certainly a 1987 Ironman Expert - it has the appropriate color (magenta/yellow), all 105 components, etc. Through the first 15 pages, I can't find a match to my serial number. For those of you who have been on this thread for 13 years, I apologize if this has been already sleuthed - I'll eventually get there! The serial number is: M7K6988. The Centurion will be one of my two daily rides and will get most of the bike path and road time. I'll be rigging it up with a full D-A group (8-speed). Right now, I'm drop-filling the chips and scratches with primer/filler, then I'll sand, mask, and airbrush the bad spots. It'll be ready to go by next Spring!
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Some days, it's not even worth gnawing through the restraints.
Some days, it's not even worth gnawing through the restraints.
#2269
Newbie
I have 5 Centurions right now, at least 3 of which I'll be selling. One is an early to mid 70s coffee color Super Le Mans SN Z672083. I'm not familiar with this SN format. The decals on the bike look like 1975 and prior but I'm guessing the SN indicates a later production date. Does anyone have any insight into the year made? I'll post a photo when I have 10 posts.
#2270
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I made it through about 15 pages of this thread, tried the Search function, but finally gave up trying to match up my serial number. The bike is most certainly a 1987 Ironman Expert - it has the appropriate color (magenta/yellow), all 105 components, etc. Through the first 15 pages, I can't find a match to my serial number. For those of you who have been on this thread for 13 years, I apologize if this has been already sleuthed - I'll eventually get there! The serial number is: M7K6988. The Centurion will be one of my two daily rides and will get most of the bike path and road time. I'll be rigging it up with a full D-A group (8-speed). Right now, I'm drop-filling the chips and scratches with primer/filler, then I'll sand, mask, and airbrush the bad spots. It'll be ready to go by next Spring!
#2271
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I have 5 Centurions right now, at least 3 of which I'll be selling. One is an early to mid 70s coffee color Super Le Mans SN Z672083. I'm not familiar with this SN format. The decals on the bike look like 1975 and prior but I'm guessing the SN indicates a later production date. Does anyone have any insight into the year made? I'll post a photo when I have 10 posts.
#2272
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Centurion volare 75?
Have a 75 centurion serial number is m5c00960
can’t upload pics but based on what I’ve read and the sticker on the seat tube that says hi ten high tensile steel made by miki. Any idea of the tubing?
can’t upload pics but based on what I’ve read and the sticker on the seat tube that says hi ten high tensile steel made by miki. Any idea of the tubing?
Last edited by Volare77; 02-26-20 at 02:26 AM. Reason: Info
#2274
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I'm not sure if that chain stay Novara decal is a model name or an aftermarket REI decal. I suspect the latter, as it does not have the dark blue outline to match the Centurion decal. The frame doesn't quite match a 1985 Signet, as it lacks the down tube cable stops for stem shifters. However, it's quite close to the 1984 Cavaletto, including the colour. It could be a non-catalogued or non-USA model. It's definitely been frankenbiked to an extent, based on the dual pivot brakeset. The crankset may be a replacement too. The Honor and Spirt derailleurs while more typical of 1975, were still available in the mid-1980s and were actually spec'd on the 1984 Cavaletto. That raises the possibility of a mis-stamp on the year indicator.
Selective photo assist...
#2275
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Is it possible that the "made by miki" on the label doesn't refer to the steel's manufacturer, but it's their facility-specific decal to denote that they contract-built the frame?