Nomenclature |
|
|---|---|
| LeMans: | 1970-1982 |
| LeMans 12: | 1983,1984 |
| LeMans RS: | 1985-1987 |
| LeMans: | 1988,1989 |
The model which introduced the Centurion brand and probably the most popular model through 1984 It evolved constantly over the years, In the beginning of Centurion there was two models the LeMans and the lower end Sport. Now the Lemans was not a exotic Italian or French bike. it did not have Campagnolo components . what it did have was a very well functioning Suntour components. by 1974 the LeMans had Suntour V GT Luxe. which was top of the line for Suntour in 1974. in these the days before Cyclone and Superbe
By the mid eighties they became the LeMans RS model, which was now a solid and popular income-generating, mid-priced machine.
1976 high-tensile steel frame,10-speed Front Derailleur: Suntour SL Rear Derailleur: Suntour V-GT Luxe Shifters: Suntour Barcons Freewheel: Suntour Pro-Compe Cranks: SR Apex Brakes: Dia-Compe Centerpull Rims: Araya Hubs: Suntour Sunshine Bars: Sakae Road Champion Randonneur Seat: Elina Super Pro
1980s (Early) 12-speed with a Tange Infinity tubeset and a mix of Suntour and Sugino components.
1987 it boasted the somewhat lighter and seamless double-butted Tange #2 tubeset and Shimano's "Light Action, Light Touch" group.
Early 70s Model
1972 Lemans |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Special 74 Tubing - Standard |
| Fork: | 1/2 Chrome, 1/2 Paint |
| Hubs: | Dural High Flange |
| Brakes: | Dural Center Pull with Quick Release and Safety Levers - All Black Cables |
| Crankset: | Dural Cotterless 52/40t with guard |
| Freewheel: | 14,17,20,24,28t, 5 Speed |
| Rear Derailleur: | SunTour GT Wide ratio |
| Shifters: | Suntour Power Stem Shifters |
| Stem & Handlebars | All Dural Tapped and plugged (Black) |
| Saddle | Nylon Base - Covered in embossed plastic "Leatherlook" |
| Rims: | 27x 1-1/4 Steel |
| Tires: | Gumsidewall Tires |
| Pedals: | Steel Rat Trap pedals with reflectors |
| Extras: | Spoke Protector |
| Sizes: | 21" 23" 25" |
| Colors: | Lemon Yellow, Coffee, White, Olive Green, Red, Blue. (with Black Accent Patches and detail stripping around lugs) |
| MSRP: | Wholesale: $75.00 Retail Min: $104.95 (8-1-1972) |
| Model | Mens:74, Womens: 74-L |
1974 Lemans |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Hand Brazed Hi-Tension Steel lugs with brazed on cable stops |
| Fork: | High Tension butted steel with special chrome steel crown, chrome tips and drop forged ends |
| Paint: | Double undercoat with two coats of baked enamel, Finished with a highly resistant clear lacquer. |
| Brakes: | DiaCompe alloy center pull with quick release |
| Brake-Levers: | alloy racing levers and safety levers |
| Rear Derailleur: | SunTour Wide range VGT/LUXE alloy |
| Front Derailleur: | Suntour SL alloy front |
| Shifters: | Suntour Power stem shifters |
| Freewheel: | 14t-28t, 5 Speed |
| Crankset: | Tourney 5 Pin Cotterless alloy 52/40t |
| Pedals: | MKS Balanced Rat Traps |
| Wheels: | Araya Steel Rims |
| Hubs: | Sunshine Alloy Wide Flange |
| Tires: | Special Centurion 85lb Hi-Pressure Gumwall Tires |
| Handlebar: | Sakae Custom Road Champion Engraved alloy drop bar with black tape and plugs |
| Stem: | Sakae alloy allen head stem |
| Saddle: | Naugahyde covered fully padded racing saddle with quilted top |
| Extras: | Alloy Spoke Protector and two inch rear reflectors. |
| Sizes: | 19,21,23,25" |
| Colors: | Red, Blue, Silver, Coffee, Yellow, Green |
1974 Ladies Lemans |
|
| Sizes: | 19,21" |
| Colors: | Red, Blue, Silver, Yellow |
1978 LeMans |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Centurion Hi-Tension Steel Tubing |
| Fork: | Tange Hi-Tension Steel Tubing C.P./ Crown Cover Brazed End |
| Lugs: | Centurion Special |
| Headset: | Centurion Deluxe |
| Bars: | Centurion Custom Alloy |
| Stem: | Sakae SR-AH |
| Brakes: | Dia-Compe with Extension Lever, Center-Pull |
| Derailleurs: | Suntour SL Front and VGT Rear |
| Shifters: | Suntour Power Stem Shifter |
| Freewheel: | Suntour Perfect 14-30t |
| Chain: | D.I.D |
| Cranks: | Sugino RJX-1, 40/52t w/Alloy Guard |
| Pedals: | MKS 33 |
| Wheels: | Araya 27"x 1 1/4" Steel Clinchers |
| Tires: | IRC 27x1 1/4" GSW HI-Pressure |
| Spokes: | Steel |
| Hubs: | SunShine QR Hi-Flange Alloy Front |
| Saddle: | Racing or Touring Padded Black |
| Seatpost: | Sakae Alloy ASP |
| Colors | Metallic Red, Blue, Silver, Yellow, Copper, Coffee |
| Weight: | claimed 30 lbs ( 23" frame) |
| Sizes | Mens: 19 3/4", 21 1/2", 23", 25" Ladies: 19 3/4" , 22" |
| MSRP: | Unknown |
Super Lemans 349.95, LeMans 249.95
1983 LeMans |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Tange Champion #5, Chromolly with Forged Seat Stays and Dropouts |
| Fork: | Tange Hi-Tension Blades Centurion Forged Semi-Sloping crown and Forged Dropouts |
| Brakes: | Dia-Compe AC500Q Sidepull with Quick Release and Safety Levers, Flush mounted brake center bolt. |
| Derailleurs: | Suntour ARX Aluminium Aerodynamic wide ratio rear and front |
| Crankset: | Sugino GT Forged Aluminum crank arm/spider and aluminum Chainrings 40/52t. Crank arm length coordinated with frame size |
| Freewheel: | Suntour Pro-Compe 14-30t 6-Speed Gold |
| Chain: | D.I.D Lanner with Bevelled Plates in Black and Gold Finish |
| Bars: | SR Custom Aluminum Dropbars . Except Rose Mixte Model which has Aluminum upright touring handlebars |
| Stem: | SR Custom Aero Aluminum |
| Shifters: | Suntour Stem mounted ratcheted shift levers |
| Pedals: | SR Sil-Star Aluminum |
| Wheels: | Araya 27"x 1 1/8" Aluminum Anodized |
| Tires: | IRC 27x 1 1/8" Touring skin type 300gm 100psi |
| Spokes: | Asahi 14g rustless with chrome plated brass nipples |
| Hubs: | Suzue Aluminum small flange Quick Release |
| Saddle: | Selle Royal Anatomic made in Italy . Special design for Man's and Lady's model Bicycles |
| Seatpost: | SR Laprade CT-P6 Aluminum |
| Colors | Silver Sand, Sky Blue, Cherry Metallic. Lady's Model only: Pearlescent Rose. |
| Weight: | claimed 25 3/4 lbs ( 21" frame) |
| Sizes | Mens: 19 3/4", 21", 23", 25", 26 1/2" ladies Mixte: 19" , 21" |
| MSRP: | Unknown |
1984 LeMans |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Tange 9000, Chromoly double butted 3 main tubes , 5 tubes of Hi-Tension steel with Forged Dropouts |
| Fork: | Tange Hi-Tension blades Centurion cast crown and Forged tips |
| Brakes: | Dia-Compe NC500Q Sidepull with Quick Release and Safety Levers, Gum hoods |
| Chain: | Bevelled Plates in Black and Gold Finish |
| Crankset: | Sugino RT Forged Aluminum, 40/52t aluminum Chainrings. Sealed System BB Assembly |
| Derailleurs: | Suntour ARX GT rear and front, top mount adjusting levers |
| Freewheel: | Suntour Pro-Compe 14-30t 6-Speed Gold |
| Bars: | SR Custom Aluminum Dropbars . Padded cushion grips |
| Headset: | Centurion Steel Sealed System |
| Hubs: | Suzue Aluminum small flange Quick Release Sealed |
| Pedals: | SR SP150 Aluminum |
| Wheels: | Araya 16A 22mm 495gm 27"x 1 1/8" Silver Anodized 36/36 hole |
| Saddle: | Vetta Anatomic simulated leather made in Italy |
| Seatpost: | SR Laprade CT-P5E 220mm Aluminum |
| Spokes: | Asahi 14g rustless with chrome plated brass nipples |
| Stem: | SR CT Aluminum |
| Tires: | IRC 27x 1 1/8" skinwall type 270gm 100psi |
| Colors | Gold, Light Blue Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic. Lady's Model only: Pearlescent Rose. |
| Weight: | claimed 25 3/4 lbs ( 21" frame) |
| Sizes | Mens: 19 3/4", 21", 23", 25", 26 1/2" ladies Mixte: 19" , 21" |
| MSRP: | $290.00 USD |
1988 |
|
|---|---|
| Frame: | Tange #2 |
| Fork: | Tange 2001 Mangaloy |
| Stays: | Tange 2001 Mangaloy |
| Grouppo: | drivetrain was complete Shimano Exage Sport, including pedals |
| Wheels: | Exage Sport hubs laced to Araya 700C rims |
| Freewheel: | 12-26T, 6 speed cassette |
| Chainrings: | 42/52T |
| Bars: | Kusuki aluminum models |
| Stem: | Kusuki aluminum models |
| Saddle: | Centurion branded Vetta |
| Weight: | claimed 24.5 lbs ( 56cm frame) |
| Sizes | 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 64 cm |
| MSRP: | $425 US retail |
1989 it appeared with the Tange #2 tubeset but fitted with Shimano Sport LX components. Alot of times the color schemes may have been used the year before on the higher models, as example the lemans above with the white to purplesmoke fade paint, although this was available on the 1988 Models, given the Decals, this was a 1989 model. Dont let the colors trick you.
In the mid 70's the LeMans sold for $139. and the Super LeMans for $189.
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