supafast213

Welcome to the thread cehoward. As a fellow road racer and bike addict, I can see you love two wheels. Your BL looks like a nice starting point. What are your long term plans for this bike? Do you want to leave it stock?

cehowardGS

Thanks supa, really needed that. Iwas in the other thread with the same exact name as this one, where someone had just landed an 87 BL. So I chimed in that I see one in my area in my size. Little did I know, that someone had an attitude about me discussing the 88 BL I had just seen and the whereall about the bike. I have been in lots of threads, in fact, thousands of threads where people have the same bike that is being discussed, and everybody chimes in with their input, their bike, and a lot of input on the bike. However, that wasn't the case, it caught me off guard. Kind of got to me a little too. So I deleted my posts in that thread except one, and will make sure i don't tread on that poster's thread and/or discussions again.

With that said, I am busting with joy on this latest find. Wasn't looking for this bike, but in my couple daily scans of CL, this came up. I am in tune with the Centuriion Ironmans, and Raleigh RacingUSA Series, and that mostly what I be looking for. Anyway, I posted in the other thread for input. All the info I got back was this was a good deal for the price, the seller was asking. That is what BFers do in the C&V thread. The info I got from that thread, and some from Robbie was what made me go back for a second try.

On plans, well, the bicycle gods have blessed me in allowing me to meet and have for a friend, the great Robbie Tunes. Gotta say great too. His expertise is over the top. He has built two bikes for me, and working on a third. Each one of them is a jewel. So, this bike most likely will get the Robbie Tunes touch. The finish on the bike is a high shine black. The seller told me everything is original except the seat. I can see going for some same high gloss black wheels, and matching tirres. The stem looks like it be through a war. Get another black stem, maybe fresh black wrap, might go with leather, fresh black hoods, and later on down the line, black brifters..Should come out kick ass..

I am going to stay with the BL fan club's tradition of staying all black.

Would you believe that the bicycles have stole my heart so much, that I am a 5 day a week commuter on the bicycle, and haven't been on the motorcycle this year. The wife made retire from road racing, and trackdays, and canyon riding didn't do it for me, so all my two wheel lust went to the bicycle. This is my 10th bike..

safe riding to you..

Here is a pic when my dog got jealous and started sniffing on the BL, he knew that would get my attention..

I ain't never growing up..

bradtx

cehowardGS, Good on ya for picking up the BL. The older Cannondales update very nicely and black bits and bobs are appropriate, be sure to save everything removed.

Motorcycling and bicycling are essential activities, for the past several decades, for me. The two just go hand in hand. Maybe an idea for a new thread is brewing as my T595 is so obsolete now it just HAS to be considered C&V.

Brad

cehowardGS

Thanks Brad. The info I got in the other thread was the key for me going back after it! Will keep all parts like you said..

Meantime, here are some morning shots..

fasthair

Hey I'm the OP of that other thread and as far as I'm concerned you in no way hi-jacked my thread and did nothing but add to it. In fact I came here today to go look at my thread to see if you had posted any photos of it only to find his tasteless comment. Screw what that guy said!!!!

Having said that. Very nice bike and great buy my friend!!! That baby is about as original as it can be other than the seat as you mentioned. Hell it even has the rear reflector and original pedals. The paint looks to be above average for a bike it's age. By the way what year is it?

Please don't take this as a slight in anyway. But start your own thread of this beauty so everyone can see it and not have it buried in some old thread (no slight to the OP of this thread) five pages deep. Plus as you update the bike you can always revisit the thread and keep us updated.

Enjoy your nice new old bike.

fasthair

Cache

> Please don't take this as a slight in anyway. But start your own thread of this beauty so everyone can see it
> and not have it buried in some old thread (no slight to the OP of this thread) five pages deep. Plus as you
> update the bike you can always revisit the thread and keep us updated.

Dudes, switch to decaf. I'm in the Black Lightning Club, I recommended the same thing for the same reasons.
Maybe we need a 'show us your Black Lightning' thread, similar to the Cult of CAAD thread and myriad others.

fasthair

Point taken. I could have probably said that a little nicer, nothing personal and I apologize for my poor choice of words. Got to wonder though just how many Black Lightning's are lurking in these forum though now that you bring it up.

fasthair

cehowardGS

Thanks man, this thread is just fine. You know sometimes people have bad days or whatever, I wasn't going to add too it..


I just put the tape measure on this, and it is a true 60cm..from what I can see from the serial #, it is a 89.

You know, this why I love C&V bikes. You get an extra thrill out of getting the bike and the price just adds adds an extra thrill. I think you nailed yours at $135.. Super Sweet! I can see putting black brifters and some glossy black wheels, gold chain, and maybe some black leather wrap..

Post up on what you are doing with yours. I still be looking in the other thread!!

supafast213

I support a Black Lightning thread. I'll use any excuse to post a pic of this bike until I get something else.

Howard, Fast hair needs your front wheel...stat.

Don't forget why we're even this deep in this thread...

cehowardGS

supa, first off, I am all for a Black Lightning thread!!

On the front wheel stats, please explain?

cehowardGS

Anybody looking for a BL in size 58???

This in PA

https://york.craigslist.org/bik/3411213660.html

supafast213

Fast Hair needs a front wheel for his BL project. I sold him my stock set of rims but the front was toast.

cehowardGS

It will be a while before I change up to different wheels.

I will be slapping a front and rear light on the BL today. Will be taking it for my commute tomorrow morning. I come out about 5:30 am..Pitch dark.. Oh, it will be a brightazz light up front too.. Will post a picture of it, parked at work...

cehowardGS

Oh boy, after adjusting the front derailleur, wiping it off, slapping on a front and rear light it was ready for my 20 mile round trip commute. The first 10 mile leg went sweet. The BL is light, dam light!! It tracked nicely, I could feel the stiffness, but all I drive is sportcars and sportbikes, so the stiffness is good to me.. Here it is as I got to work this morning.

oldbikenewbike

Nice! And in my size....

cehowardGS

Looking good man!! Looking at it, it appears to be a 62cm. I am checking your tires out too.. Right now, that will be about the only thing I will change..

supafast213

It never gets old looking at these beauty's. Howard, your light is to white.

cehowardGS

If you talking about the white water bottle and the white in the rear light, I will be ditching both of them pretty soon. Ironic, that about 5 or 6 months ago, I sold a cream colored Cannondale water bottle to another BF member, in fact he is in this thread. Who would have thought that i would get one.

bradtx

Cannondales in general weren't all that common around here 'till the mid '90s and I don't recall seeing a BL either. I heard most of the "beer can" remarks about mine in the early '90s.

Brad

supafast213

Water bottles don't count. Wouldn't black water bottles get hot fast?

cehowardGS

supafast, I have been taking in all your tips. thank you....

I changed the light,

Going to dumped that white water bottle, and either go with black or gold color water bottles with black cages. I seen a BL with two black water bottles, that looked real cool.

The seat is going, going to try to get one of the black Brooks skinny clones with brass/gold like rivets and black rails..

My tires are going to be these..


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Serfas-Seca-...item4abafafc40

Still thinking on wheels. Right now, the BL rides good with just a deraileur adjustment. The wheels ride smooth, but thinking about going with something with some pizzzaaaz to it.. Oh, I got some black and some gold toe clips coming. Will see which one look the coolest..

BTW, my other bikes getting jealous too.

supafast213

nice...

supafast213

Be careful. You might start buying her cheap ebay jewelry..


I'm sure there's a picture in this thread of this bike with a Brooks Swift. I had to give it back to it's donor bike for the POS the BL wears now. The seat thing is an ongoing saga.

cehowardGS

Heeding all the advice..

Man, I would love to have that Brooks Swift, however I have seen some cheaper alternatives..

They range in price from $35 to $105.. and it looks like I am leaning toward the $105, with brass rivits. In fact, all of them have brass rivits. Some have brass or gold colored rails too.

Also, a Fizik Tundra with gold running up the middle. I just included that along with my choices.

It is going to be a toss up on the first one down below, and the one right before the Brooks Swift.
The first on is going for $76 shipped, the one right before the Brooks is going for $100 shipped, the other two are $30 and $35, and you know what the Brooks Swift cost, around $175. Which one you like?

bradtx

Use a saddle that fits comfortably for you, style when you're off the bike doesn't really matter, IMHO. For example my road saddles are all Selle Italia Flites, or very Flite like.

Brad