New Acquisition - ('87?) Cannondale Black Lightning
11-09-11, 11:20 AM
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New Acquisition - ('87?) Cannondale Black Lightning
I think her to be an '87, at least that's the closest component match. Someone is welcome to correct me...I forgot to look at the Suntour date codes on the bits. 
This is just how I picked it up this morning...obviously saddle, seatpost, and bars need to be adjusted. Just a little touchup to do on the crank (black is soooo easy) but otherwise she's pretty pristine.
And too funny...I picked this up in Menomonie, WI, about 50 miles from the Cities. The bike shop sticker is Fridley Heights Cyclery....the very shop I take my Fujis to for things like dropout alignment and such. They're a VERY long time Fuji dealer and the two guys there remember selling all the vintage Fujis I have. I had no idea they carried Cannondale, unless of course this was used from them at some point.
Whatcha think?
This is just how I picked it up this morning...obviously saddle, seatpost, and bars need to be adjusted. Just a little touchup to do on the crank (black is soooo easy
) but otherwise she's pretty pristine. And too funny...I picked this up in Menomonie, WI, about 50 miles from the Cities. The bike shop sticker is Fridley Heights Cyclery....the very shop I take my Fujis to for things like dropout alignment and such. They're a VERY long time Fuji dealer and the two guys there remember selling all the vintage Fujis I have. I had no idea they carried Cannondale, unless of course this was used from them at some point.
Whatcha think?
11-09-11, 11:31 AM
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I really like that bike and have sought one out for many years. I love the look! Great find.
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11-09-11, 11:31 AM
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Keith,
Oh now you have come over to the dark side. Literally! Have you ridden it yet? Cannondales are addictive, at least they have been to me!
Oh now you have come over to the dark side. Literally! Have you ridden it yet? Cannondales are addictive, at least they have been to me!
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11-09-11, 11:33 AM
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Late '87 or early '88, and the compnents are the more desireable black and gold Sprint instead of plain black Edge. Check the serial number under the chainstay for manufacturing date- it will be the 3rd through 8th numbers. Paint's in nice shape, too. Quite a find, Keith.
Put some top tier tires on it and ride it. Hard and fast.
Put some top tier tires on it and ride it. Hard and fast.
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Last edited by rccardr; 11-09-11 at 11:38 AM.
11-09-11, 11:34 AM
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I always loved the look of that bike, lusted after it for quite a while.
Keith that one looks immaculate, like it just left the shop.
what's it say on the saddle? can't quite make that out.
Very nice find...
Marty
Keith that one looks immaculate, like it just left the shop.
what's it say on the saddle? can't quite make that out.
Very nice find...
Marty
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11-09-11, 12:09 PM
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I <3 Sprint 9000.
11-09-11, 12:15 PM
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I humbly request that you take detailed photos of each and every part on that bike and forward them to me for upload to VeloBase. ie: DRRROOOOOOL.
11-09-11, 12:22 PM
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wow, great looking bike Keith, nice to see you get back to our roots somewhat.
Scott
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11-09-11, 12:34 PM
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Aluminum frame, steel fork.
Late '87 or early '88, and the compnents are the more desireable black and gold Sprint instead of plain black Edge. Check the serial number under the chainstay for manufacturing date- it will be the 3rd through 8th numbers. Paint's in nice shape, too. Quite a find, Keith. Put some top tier tires on it and ride it. Hard and fast.
It's an Avocet GelFlex saddle. Not original. I will be looking for the right saddle, a Cinelli Volare SLX.
11-09-11, 12:35 PM
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I love it. I had one a while back that was a blast to ride but it had the other style chain stays.
Your gonna love it.
Your gonna love it.
11-09-11, 12:38 PM
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Thanks!!
I shifted it in the guy's stand before I took it, it does seem to work very nicely, even the indexing.
Yep, I'll get you pics of all the black stuff...especially the gold cage FD. Hard to get that in a pic though. Wonder how many Cannondale had to order to get the cages in gold?
Thanks Scott. Now that I've ridden steel exclusively for over a year it will be interesting to get back on aluminum and see what the differences feel like. Hopefully I'll get 'er dolled up tonight and out for a test ride tomorrow.
I shifted it in the guy's stand before I took it, it does seem to work very nicely, even the indexing.
Thanks Scott. Now that I've ridden steel exclusively for over a year it will be interesting to get back on aluminum and see what the differences feel like. Hopefully I'll get 'er dolled up tonight and out for a test ride tomorrow.
11-09-11, 12:47 PM
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Oh man, that bike is hot.
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11-09-11, 01:03 PM
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Black lightning framesets were also sold with uprated derailleurs. My brother got his with special gold and black anodized Superbe Pro RD and FD. I think that would be the most desirable version of the bike.
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11-09-11, 01:05 PM
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Keith, IMHO the Cannondales to own are from the 86-88 era and of those, that is the prize. A keeper, I'd say.
11-09-11, 01:24 PM
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Very nice shape. I owned one of the same vintage for a couple of years. Bought it from a friend, put a lot of miles on it and then sold it to another friend for the same price. It was more beat up than yours, though.
11-09-11, 01:33 PM
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Very cool, Keith! Can't wait to see your special touches on it.
Whoa! That sounds really cool.
Whoa! That sounds really cool.
11-09-11, 01:47 PM
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You've come along way since your white bike fetish days! I'm not usually a drawn to Cannondales, but your bike is an exception. Love the whole package. Beautiful bike!
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11-09-11, 02:03 PM
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The all black looks cool in a Nick Fury sort of way. Also reminds me of the Johnny Player Special Lotus Formula 1 cars.
11-09-11, 02:55 PM
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okay, Keith I know you have mad polishing skills but
don't polish the black components, okay?
(insert smiley, sarcastic thingy here)
Marty
don't polish the black components, okay?
(insert smiley, sarcastic thingy here)
Marty
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11-09-11, 03:15 PM
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I saw that listed on CL as I occasionially search there since my cousin lives there. Hopefully you talked the guy down a little on the price.
Looks almost like mine. My serial number puts the frame on mine as manufactured in late '87, but the components are what was on the '88. Unfortunately, the pictures I took of mine were quick and a little dark. It rides like lightning that's for sure. Bought mine in September and the paint was in great shape as is yours. The seat was original, components were original, but someone replaced the seat post, oh well. Nice find!
Looks almost like mine. My serial number puts the frame on mine as manufactured in late '87, but the components are what was on the '88. Unfortunately, the pictures I took of mine were quick and a little dark. It rides like lightning that's for sure. Bought mine in September and the paint was in great shape as is yours. The seat was original, components were original, but someone replaced the seat post, oh well. Nice find!
11-09-11, 03:17 PM
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He traded it for my Cyclone MkII RD in the 80's because he liked it better for some reason and I kept it for like 20 years, mostly unused and close to mint condition. I handed it back to him last year so he can restore his Black Lightning back to original
Chombi
11-09-11, 03:21 PM
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Thanks guys, I think so too!
THAT would be purty! Wow.
I think so too, we'll see if my arse takes to aluminum again!
Haha, can't beat that deal. No one has offered to double my money though, so I'll keep this one for now
Aside from justa few touchups and a little general cleaning I don't knwo what to do to it...certainly outside the norm of basket cases I usually pick up!
I'm a black and white kind of guy...black was a natural progression!
I wonder if I could modify some five LED tail light to do the KITT red light thing and stick it up front? (It will take old folks to know what that means... )
Heh, I was waiting for this or similar...I promise, all the black stuff stays black!
Aside from justa few touchups and a little general cleaning I don't knwo what to do to it...certainly outside the norm of basket cases I usually pick up!
)