oldbikenewbike

After looking for a while locally, especially on Craigslist here on Long Island, one popped up as close to my size (I'm 6' tall) as I could find. And it was a one-owner bike.It seems a bit taller than the 58cm he said it was, but I had been looking for at least one with a 34'' or 35'' stand over height like all my other bikes (I have long legs). This one is 33.5'', so after I finish the tear down I'm hoping to make myself as comfortable as possible.

As far as original, the bike is only missing two very small items...the black dust cap for the crank and the black shield for one of the pedals. That's it. All in all, just few minor chips/scrapes that I know I can cover up with a black paint grease stick from Auto Barn. I've used it on my son's 350Z and my Maxima with terrific results.

Price? It started out as "Asking $500", so you know that's not going to happen. after going back and forth, I got him down to $300, going only by the 2 photos he had up. When I went to pick it up, it was a little less than I had expected paint wise (I was hoping for perfect) but something I could deal with. I'm looking forward to detailing the daylights out of it, and replacing the saddle with one of my Specialized ones.

So.....did I get a good deal? The attached photos are from when I got it home and ran for the camera for a few BEFORE shots.

fred

seedsbelize 

No photos

oldbikenewbike

Please see above....

RobE30

Not a bad deal at all. I missed one for $200 recently (read I put it down to think about it, came back and it was gone.). Oh well.

Nice bike!

letenn 

Nice.

oldbikenewbike

It's actually cleaning up better than I had hoped for. I was told it had been hanging for number of years in a dry garage, so the only real surface "rust" was on exposed parts of the brakes and chain. Pedals removed easily, as I was afraid I'd have a battle on my hands. Same with the seat post and neck. Nice to see it was greased!
It's going to be (so far) a real easy one to get back on the road. Hopefully by next Saturday morning I'll be riding it!!

shoota 

Yeah you did ok. $300 is a what I would consider a "keeper price." I missed one for $200 in my size as well and found my SR900 for $225. What I like about these frames is the short top tube. I put a Specialized Romin saddle on mine and it's my daily driver.

Cache

Congrats, I know you had been looking for a while. US$300 is about right especially if it fits. I've seen them go for less without any original parts, and I've seen them with an asking price of much more and they don't sell. Cannondale's official measurement was bottom bracket center to top of seat post, and your serial number should reflect that. Now clean it up and ride the heck out of that classic!

OldsCOOL

Nice find. I want one of those beauties (me and everybody else).

Trick fall

I was checking that bike out on CL too. I think that's definitely a good deal for around here.

qcpmsame 

Nice score, love the Black Lightnings, well done, I would think it should clean up very nicely. Please update us as your build progresses.

Bill

longbeachgary

Great find. As far as price goes, if this is something that you are focused on then the price doesn't matter. If you ride it, you'll get your money's worth whether you paid $500 or $600.

BentLink

I think $300 is fair. Let us know how you like the ride. I'd feel safer with new cables, those and the chain seem a little cruddy.

rccardr 

Very nice. That will clean up well.

oldbikenewbike

Attached is another BEFORE photo. BTW...the sticker on the bike shows it was sold in a California Bike Shop!

The guy told there were a few offers of $200 and $250, but he was selling it for his boss who turned them down. I sent him a few shots of a couple of my road bikes (showing how nice and clean they are) and promised a good home for his bike if he'd accept the $300. Turns out that did the trick (along with telling him the bike would need a good greasing, cables and a chain).
I spent a few hours working on it today, and I have to say, I'm thrilled with it! Can't wait to get it on the road, and yes, I will post final shots once she's all ready to go!

Trick fall...are you also on Long Island like I am???

Trick fall

I'm typing this from the LIRR. I'm out in Hicksville.

oldbikenewbike

I'm in Floral Park. Howdy neighbor!

fred

cehowardGS

You got a good deal!

The bike is awesome. I found a 1989 on CL the seller was asking $300, I got it for $225.. Just wiped it off and rode it. Since then I have put on a new seat and tires, and I do have a set of wheels to go on. I am keeping with the all black/gold theme..

You can look on the underside of one of the chainstays to see the serial number. The sn will tell you the size and the year it was made.

Again, a super score.. Here is mine in the as purchased condition... Ours bikes look just like twins. Mine is a 60cm.. BTW, I am missing a dust cap off one of the pedals too..

shadoman

Nice Score ! But if that's a Vetta Carrera saddle, you might want to think twice about replacing it... It's one of the most comfortable saddles I've ever ridden on. And if you DO replace it, I just might be interested in giving it a new home.

oldbikenewbike

I know it's a VETTA (with a small tear from leaning it on a wall I guess), but not sure if it's CARRERA. I'll have to look.
I have the Specialized Body Geometry saddle on 6 of my road biked. For my butt, it's the best I've found.

oldbikenewbike

Twin is right! LOVE THE BLACK AND GOLD!! Finally got one after quite a while of searching.

I'll check to see the actual size, but I just hope it fits me when I begin to hit the road. It's a little shorter than a white Cannondale Criterium I have now. That I bought from a friend, but it has a black Carbon Fiber fork.

I'll keep it all stock (except for a Body Geometry saddle), as I'm pretty much a purist with my bikes if I bought them all original in the first place.

oldbikenewbike

BTW, I'll wait a little while, but I want to put blackwall tires on the bike to complete the look. If Batman rode a bike, this would be it.....

cehowardGS

At this point, I have changed the seat, tires and bottle cages.. will take some pics in the next couple days. I have a set of wheels too. All with the black and gold theme.. The tires are yellow stripped.. Awesome.

I had missed a BL a year or two ago. When this one came up and in my size, I couldn't let it go..These are collector's items..I heard that the earlier ones are even better.

I just took another look, your seat post might not be stock. I think the 89 and 90 came with a black stem..

oldbikenewbike

cehowardGS.....I checked a Cannondale website that had the 1990 catalog on it. The black striped seat post was stock. The black is in the inserts on the post itself.

erg79

I was going to comment on that--the store is Helen's, one of the major bike shops in the LA area. Pretty cool that it's still on there, and that the bike made its way cross-country.