The Visual Shopping Experience
Centurion Super Lemans Vintage Road Bike Frame and Fork
According to Frank J. Berto, author of The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle (3d Ed. 2009), Raleigh Industries of America had been looking at a Japanese source for their Grand Prix model. Raleigh America ordered 2,000 bicycles from Tano and Company of Osaka but their parent company in England, TI-Raleigh, disapproved — concerned that the Tano-built bikes were too well made and would have outsold their own British bikes. Raleigh's sales agent, Mitchell Weiner, who was reading The New Centurions at the time, took receipt of the bikes, placed Centurion decals on the bikes and marketed them successfully, subsequently forming Western State Imports after merging with Rick Wilson's company, Wil-Go of Santa Clara, California. Because the bikes had all been intended as Raleigh Grand Prix models, as Centurions, they carried the colors of the Raleigh America Grand Prix model.
The above is what I found on Wikipedia...some interesting facts. Even look like they incorporated the use of some pretty sweet lugs to be in tune with all Raleigh made that was good. The other facts are that this frame looks to have been manufactured in 1981 and is a somewhat tall man's messenger bike dream. The top tube being considerably shorter than the Seat tube makes this a nimble flyer and I already know what you single speed fixed gear junkies are thinking. This one is a winner....seeya on the ride.
Weight 8lbs. 2oz.
Seat Tube is 62cm and has an outside diameter of 28.7mm
Top Tube is 54cm. and has an OD of 25.5mm
Head Tube is 16cm and OD is 31.9mm
Down Tube is 60cm and OD is 28.7mm
Chain stay is the standard 42cm
Bottom Bracket Shell is a 68mm width
Serial # is N1A5820
