1987 Cannondale Black Lightning
11-25-12, 10:20 AM
#126
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BTW, comfort is #1, but style off the bike is a strong #2. No way could I boogie with a comfortable saddle and it is funny looking..
. So, a combo of the 2 works for me, with comfort #1 priority. 
Just ordered this for $71 shipped..
Oppossed to this one, which is real cool, but not black and/or shinier enough..
Last edited by cehowardGS; 11-25-12 at 10:27 AM.
11-29-12, 03:01 PM
#127
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Slight upgrade. Adding new tires and tubes.. Next will be toe clips. Got to find some black dust covers for both of the pedals. A black Brooks Swallow clone is on the way.
Adding new tires and tubes.. Next will be toe clips. Got to find some black dust covers for both of the pedals. A black Brooks Swallow clone is on the way.
12-02-12, 07:41 AM
#129
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Ha, going to bump this thread..
Here is one in Fl. on Ebay.. $499, a 60cm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-Can...item416ec0dc9f
igwR4)BQtYkf8TE!~~60_3.JPG)
Here is one in Fl. on Ebay.. $499, a 60cm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-Can...item416ec0dc9f
12-02-12, 07:46 AM
#130
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I have added some Seca tires on my BL..
Next is black Brooks Swallow Clone black seat, with brass rivets/rails, and a gold chain..
Next is black Brooks Swallow Clone black seat, with brass rivets/rails, and a gold chain..
12-02-12, 10:19 AM
#131
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cehowardGS, An ounce of constructive criticism, center a tire label with the valve stem. It helps to find a puncture.
Brad
Like this:
Brad
Like this:
12-14-12, 06:22 PM
#132
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On the tire stem, will do that, I am real close to slapping some black wheels on this too. I had a buddy do an adjustment to the front and rear derailleur and she has been running great.
12-14-12, 08:48 PM
#133
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I have one of these, unforte that the paint was bubbling so bad. It's bare aluminum as it sits, but it's still got the complete suntour edge black gruppo! Nice riders for sure, but ridiculously stiff!
02-16-14, 12:52 PM
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Oldscool, I have overspent on this one because I like the frame. The only thing I have to show for it is a nice bike and a pile of scratched/worn parts. So far, I have no regrets. This bike was born to be mine and I am building it to my spec. I'm still way under the entry level price of a new bike. I know that you've been searching for a nice example of the Black Lightning and I encourage you to keep looking. Be patient. This bike is not rare or valuable. BTW, when I stand on the pegs, it go's.
02-16-14, 01:25 PM
#136
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Time to bump life into this thread. Black Lightnings may not be rare but I cant find one here. So that leaves me with one desireable alternative....build one. I (hopefully) should have a Criterium frame coming in the next week or two, just bought a set of Vuelta Corsa Lite wheels and scraping together my black brakeset and parts to build the bike I have longed to own these past 3 years. These black beauties rock.
Vintage Cannondale has decals again, but I don't know if they have any BL specific items. With a 'from scratch' build you'll have the freedom to equip the bike however you wish while keeping in the spirit of the original. For example if I were to build a modern BL I'd use a matte black finish with black decals, but I'm style challenged.
Brad
02-16-14, 01:59 PM
#137
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I picked up one of these in december. It's the second one I've had now, but the first complete one- last one, a '90 (? had the cantilevered dropouts) 61 [or so] frame, was missing the levers and calipers. This one is as complete as complete can be. And a lot closer to my size at 56. The 61 now lives in the bay area with a good friend of mine. I'd forgotten how satisfyingly mechanical and solid the CLUNK of the suntour indexing was.
I've since cleaned it up a little (more of a spitshine, really), I'll have to get some better pictures.
I've since cleaned it up a little (more of a spitshine, really), I'll have to get some better pictures.
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Shimano : Click :: Campy : Snap :: SRAM : Bang
Shimano : Click :: Campy : Snap :: SRAM : Bang
02-16-14, 02:42 PM
#138
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You understand that as soon as you complete the build an original BL will show up!
Vintage Cannondale has decals again, but I don't know if they have any BL specific items. With a 'from scratch' build you'll have the freedom to equip the bike however you wish while keeping in the spirit of the original. For example if I were to build a modern BL I'd use a matte black finish with black decals, but I'm style challenged.
Brad
Vintage Cannondale has decals again, but I don't know if they have any BL specific items. With a 'from scratch' build you'll have the freedom to equip the bike however you wish while keeping in the spirit of the original. For example if I were to build a modern BL I'd use a matte black finish with black decals, but I'm style challenged.
Brad
I like your "two-tone" black idea.
Been over to the Vintage site and it seems they have the proper decals or close enough. That will be my first "upgrade" following paint. Man, it's been one long and tough winter here. I'm hoping to get this rideable by May if not earlier.
02-16-14, 09:11 PM
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I would have kept it... but was way too tall for me. In any case that's probably the one and only "almost free" Cannondale I'll ever find in my lifetime.
02-18-14, 02:12 PM
#140
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beautiful bike. Did a quick search and found a cool limited rerelease they did w/ Campy gear
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/node/10698
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/node/10698
Last edited by bres dad; 02-18-14 at 02:43 PM.
02-19-14, 10:00 AM
#141
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Here's my 1990 (again). Saddle comfort for me is better with the Body Geometry (of course I'll keep the stock one), but all else will remain as it came with. I want to replace the tires with black walls to complete the look, though, as the attached just don't look right.
02-19-14, 10:39 AM
#142
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Here's my 1990 (again). Saddle comfort for me is better with the Body Geometry (of course I'll keep the stock one), but all else will remain as it came with. I want to replace the tires with black walls to complete the look, though, as the attached just don't look right.
That's where I'm heading for this BL build over the next few months.
02-19-14, 11:36 AM
#143
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Be careful not to get caught up in the BL thing. A parts build will add up to $$$$$$ when it's all done. Keep searching a bit longer as I did for an original. Mine came from a local CL ad.
02-19-14, 11:48 AM
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Not that I at all disagree with your point, it is well taken. The best part is I have black components from my Raleigh PRE that have given me a huge jump in the grouppo (sounds painful
)
02-19-14, 12:04 PM
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beautiful bike. Did a quick search and found a cool limited rerelease they did w/ Campy gear
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/node/10698
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/node/10698
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-19-14, 12:33 PM
#147
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touché' I was never big on the all celeste all the time look though
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-19-14, 03:55 PM
#149
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I have been scouring every available venue for the past 3yrs and have not seen one except "yakaz" and ebay. I will not mind at all building my own and may come in cheaper than ebay when shipping is included.
Not that I at all disagree with your point, it is well taken. The best part is I have black components from my Raleigh PRE that have given me a huge jump in the grouppo (sounds painful)
Not that I at all disagree with your point, it is well taken. The best part is I have black components from my Raleigh PRE that have given me a huge jump in the grouppo (sounds painful
)Brad
02-19-14, 04:03 PM
#150
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