Centurion Turbo (1984) Source: VeloBase User azorch Collection: Frame Example 
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| Model: | Turbo |
| Brand: | Centurion |
| Category: | Road Sport |
| Years: | 1983 - 1984 |
| Country: | United States |
| Production: | Factory Production |
| Sold As: | Complete Bicycle |
| Material: | Steel |
| Construction: | Lugged |
| Drivetrain: | Derailleurs |
| Wheel Size: | 700c |
| Added By: | azorch on 10/19/11 |
| Updated By: | Slider74 on 11/21/15 |
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| Model General Information |
| Only built in 1983 and 1984, this is most likely a 1984 model Centurion Turbo. I have a soft spot in my heart for Centurions that dates back a couple of decades to a super light weight yellow Centurion that I used to ride.
This appears to be fully chromed under the paint which - while I'm writing about it - I'll mention appears in the literature to have been a fairly extensive process of multi-layered application.
Centurion claimed to have “spared no expense to make the Turbo (their) best. Like starting with the lightest, most responsive, and costly frame tubing on the market – Tange Champion #1 double-butted chromoly. Investment cast seat lug and aero fork crown. Short wheel base and very rigid geometry. The Turbo flies on 700c clinchers. Sealed bearing hubs mean silk-smooth rolling and next-to-no maintenance…crank out full power on Turbo’s Sugino Aero Mighty racing crankset and SunTour New Superbe derailleurs and pedals.” Some of the other features this bike boasts: - Compact, thin-walled (1mm) lugs.
- SunTour Superbe Pro levers mounted on brazed-on bosses.
- Dia Compe new Gran Compe professional brakeset (short reach) with new improved quick release mechanism.
- Exclusive Centurion curved brake bridge with integral mounting bolt.
- SunTour Superbe pedal with chromoly axle and sealed bearings.
- SunTour Superbe front and rear derailleurs and Winner freewheel 13-24t six-speed.
- SunTour forged racing dropouts.
- Full chrome plated chain stay. (In fact, the entire bike is chromed under the paint – I believe to enhance the five-part metallic finish.)
- Selle Italia Turbo Bernard Hinault model racing saddle with genuine calfskin suede covering.
- Investment cast seat lug with integral binder bolt and SR Laprade aluminum seat post.
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| Primary Example: | Centurion Turbo (1984) |
| Years: | 1984 | Sold As: | Complete Bicycle |
| Bottom Bracket: | | Brake Mounting: | |
| Lug Style: | | Brake Guides: | |
| Fork Style: | | Seat Stays: | |
| Fork Crown Style: | | Main Tubing: | |
| Rear Dropouts: | | Color(s): | |
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In 69/70 Centurion was started as a brand of WSI, they were Importing bikes from Japan and labeling them as Centurions, a few years later they would introduce the Professional model which was made by Acer-Mex (same company that made Windsor Bicycles). which continued on til the late 70's when production of the Professional was moved over seas. in the mid 70 Centurion offered BMX bikes and quickly changed the BMX line to its own brand as Diamond Back in 1978 and in the early 80's sold Mountain Bikes. Most all of the models were made in Japan and some lower end models were made in Taiwan.
though one model was actually made by Cinelli for the US market in 1985, named the Cinelli Equipe
The Centurion name was dropped some time in 1990, and were rebranded as Diamond Back . for the first couple years these road bikes, declared on the frame graphics that it was "Designed by Centurion"
