AmberAndMike

Hello all. A family member recently passed, and there are a few bikes that we don't know much about. One of which appears to be a 1986 Cannondale 58cm SR800 Black Lightning. I'm basing that off of some google searches, I don't know much about them to be honest. Could anyone help me out and let us know if this is correct, and what the ballpark value would be?

Some Images:






Album: 86 Cannondale SR800 Black Lightning - Album on Imgur

Any help is appreciated.

- Mike

oddjob2

I believe that 1986 is the year before "black lighnting." Nonetheless, the bike as presented could probably be sold for $300 +/-, depending on local market.

AmberAndMike

Looking online, I agree that it seems that the black lightening was made in 1987. This bike seems to have all the parts from the 86 era, but in the gold / black styling of the 87 Black Lightning. It seems to be the same scenario as found here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-question.html

I measured the frame, and it appears that the wheelbase is the 38.48 of the Criterion frame from 87, rather than the 38.9 of earlier models. But the measurements are so close, I could just be screwing it up. I've been told that my father-in-law thought it was a rare bike. Are there any other things I should check?

Kevindale

It's a very good looking bike in a great size, in great condition, with a cool and desirable vintage saddle. Genuine Black Lightning bikes do carry a premium over similar Cannondales, but it's not outrageously higher. At the end of the day, these older Cannondales aren't super pricey like certain vintage Italian bikes. Given the whole package, I'm guessing it's worth north of $500? A great deal of the price you can get for it will depend on how you sell it, where you're located, and so on.

dweenk 

I agree with Oddjob2 about the price, but remove that rack before you try to sell - it is missing one support and is not installed properly. A black seat would also make the bike more attractive (but keep that honey colored leather saddle for something else or for sale on it's own).

Kevindale

To get the best price, you might want to take that rack off, and see if there's a decent vintage black saddle in the collection. You could sell that Brooks saddle by itself for a few bucks, and swapping a vintage black saddle onto the Cannondale wouldn't hurt it's sales price much at all.

Edit to add -- In retrospect I think Oddjob is probably right about the price, which is a big reason to sell the seat separately.