Freeman
Dirt Disciple
Where I am in the USA some businessmen sold bicycles under the name "Centurion", which they had made to their specs in Japan. Recently at a second-hand shop I took a look at this bike and brought it home. I believe it is from the late 70s or 1980 at the latest. It was the top of the line model at the time from this importer and is built up from some nice parts. The butted Tange frame is chromed then painted cobalt-blue. It has Sunshine Pro-Am wheel hubs which look to be copies of Campy Record hubs in nice eyeleted 700c rims. Suntour Cyclone shifting, a drillium Sugino Super Mighty crank and bottom-bracket, and nice sidepull brakes with cable adjusters on the levers. The bars and stem are "Kusuki" Medallion. I have already taken the entire bike apart so it can be cleaned and lubed and made ready to ride. Centurion bicycles are not hard to find in the USA, but this high-end model seems to be very uncommon. My guess is that those in the USA back then looking for a high-end road bike usually went for the Italian bikes or the Schwinn Paramount racers or maybe a British or French bike before they thought about buying a Japanese bike. The old ten-speeds with their 120mm rear dropout spacing are my favorite old road bikes, so I was glad to find this one.
