Retro Cannondale project.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

I much prefer the riding position on old bikes and I have a particular like of old Cannondales from 1989 onwards.
Among the various bits I have packed away is an 18" Cannondale MTB frame from 1990 which is the perfect size for me.
I recently managed to pick up another frame (extremely small 14") with a set of Pepperoni Aluminium forks for £49. The forks being the genuine Cannondale ones of the era with the steerer cut to the correct length for an 18" frame.

I also have an almost original Specialized Stumpjumper from 1989 that I got for free with a mixture of DX and XT but the frame is a 22" so unusable for most normal size people, nearly all the parts will be swapped over to this frame to create a cheap usable quality bike. In fact even the headset if it is any good will be used on the 14" frame just so the forks don't fall out of it in storage.

After a dry build the frame will be powder coated, not sure what colour yet and re-decaled so should look pretty original not that originality is the plan.

So far the bottom bracket has been fitted as well as the forks using a Stronglight A9 headset and a bottom race neoprene seal. A 135mm Girvin flexstem has also been added. The seatpost will probably be replaced with either a suspension type or a 350mm Kalloy.

At the moment it looks like this.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150504_130149.jpg

To give you an idea of the size of the frame going into storage.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150504_132640.jpg

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm going to go ahead and presume, given the general cleanliness of that kitchen which suggests it is not in regular use as a bicycle workshop, that you've been left by yourself over the weekend. Laughing

____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Not left alone. The kitchen is generally that tidy even though I use it as a workshop. Today we have been doing house work so I decided to assemble the bits together to get them out of the way before we cleaned the kitchen.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

There is some damage to the frame that will need cleaning up before powder coating. Scrapes on the top tube and chain suck. It's not too bad but will need dressing.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150504_204638.jpg

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150504_204629.jpg

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Thought I'd take a photo with wheels and tyres on just to see the proportions and how it looks.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150505_180708.jpg

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Let me know where you go for powder coat and how much is costs I've a frame and forks that need doing too.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

About £70 at Armourtex.

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

I've still got a 1991 Trek 970 mountain bike at my parents house which I've owned since new. It's very original and has a U.S. Made steel frame and the paintwork is still in very good condition Cool

I sometimes think I should sell it as there's a market for retrobikes, but it has a lot of sentimental value

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

A little bit further along with this.

A new Cannondale seat for £15 from Evans and a set of BBB Skybars as I'm getting old.
The Deore thumbshifters are fitted along with 2 finger Deore brake levers. Also fitted a Deore Chainset with new 48 tooth chainring.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150605_140546.jpg

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

What's the funky stem?
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Its an old school flex-stem with an elastomer to absorb road shock. Not suspension as such but an added comfort thing.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Started cabling it up

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/IMG-20150613-WA0000.jpeg

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

A couple more pics of the work on it.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150622_164127.jpg

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150622_164104.jpg

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Ran in to an odd problem, the sort you get when working on old bikes. The frame the bits were removed from had a 130mm spacing on the rear drop outs and the cannondale frame has 135mm spacing, its best not to pull aluminium frames in so it needs a new rear axle.
Luckily the M732 rear hub was a transition year and was available in both 130 and 135 spacing so off to ebay and there was a seller with NOS 135mm axles, once delivered I stripped down the hub and discovered that after 26 years or so the bearing and cones were perfect.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150728_164557.jpg

Heres the new axle beside the original, only slightly longer but enough longer.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20150728_164249.jpg

A quick regrease with bearing grease and the hub is back together, now the rear wheel needs redishing 2.5 towards non-drive side.

UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Finally finished putting this together and have taken it out for a couple of small rides to the shops. It doesn't have the correct rear wheel in it, I've yet to re-dish it but it makes a nice simple bike with a good ride. None of this heavy weight suspension that seems to plague modern bikes so it is nice, light and comfortable to ride.

Next I have to strip it down and get it powder coated but I think that can wait until I am bored in the new year. At the moment I am happy for it to look the way it does, slightly rough but very old school.

https://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/750RK/Bicycle/20151010_092416.jpg

Final spec is Deore throughout with a Deore XT rear mech.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

The rear wheel is changed and I've used it a few times now. It rides well and is remarkably spritely in its acceleration and handling.
One problem has appeared, the bottom bracket is too short so you can't shift onto the bottom ring. Not a problem on the road but could be a problem if I ever take it off road so will need to sort this out when I get a chance but at the moment I am just enjoying using it.