OK folks, you all know I finished the CAAD8 and just got a CAAD9, that's yet to arrive.
I'm going to sell the 1985 SR500 frame set with that carbon fork but I can't sell it all dressed up like I had it. So today, I striped it and painted it pure white.


What I want to know from you guys, what do you think I should do to sell it. Should I use a 1985 Design? Give it a more modern lettering and graphic design of the newer cannondales? Or, maybe if some one wants it, they could tell me what they want and I could paint it the way they want it? But how would I do that on E-bay or something?

If on my own designs, what color lettering and how intense the graphics?
I'm just trying to get a over all idea of what would sell the best, also appeal to the most persons looking to buy a nice old cannondale. I would like to get my $182 at the least back out of it. Any more income would help offset the CAAD9 that's coming. I'm in poverty you know..


Any ideas are welcome.
It's a blank blank slate as it hangs right now.

You painted the plastic pieces that are cable housing guides on the top tube?

You also painted the bottom bracket threads?

This bike originally had a steel fork. What happened to it?

If it was an older road bike, I would say to paint the welds, brackets and joints. then to pin stripe the edges with a opposite color and make the frame bright.

In your position, because you're going to sell it, find the entire set of a color for the bike. Grips, cables, pedals, seat and whatnot and paint the same color. Something bright would pop out to a buyer and a nice coat of clear wouldn't hurt.

Remember, sand and wipe with alcohol before you paint, time in painting means great paint

LOL,,, Ummm OK... SIGH.................

It's an 85 they are aluminum....

Yes, I have a tap.....

I have no idea, it had a carbon fork when I got it.

Just get a decal set that originally came on it. No sense in going past that if you're selling it on eBay.

Just an idea but you could get an upgraded membership (as low as $3 I believe) then post it in the classifieds and offer a custom paint job.

That would also save you all of the ebay fees when you sell it.

^ Humm now that's an idea.

Wouldn't it be less work to stick a toilet paper core or 2 inside to mask the threads ?

I have a couple of those frames, and I don't think they have very high resale value. I hope you don't put more paint & labor into it than it's worth.
What color was it before you stripped it ?

I'll go with giving it the more modern lettering and graphic design of the newer cannondales.

My first thought was to give the buyer the option of choosing whatever they wanted, but that might leave room for doubts about the quality of your painting and how it will look with the new graphics and decals. With clear pictures of the finished frame they will be able to see exactly what they're getting and be confident in buying.

Well I only got 2 responses to my actual question the rest were bizarre criticisms to my painting style. I guess I often assume ever one knows I have 30 years of professional painting experience.

I've just done a simple and basic modern style design, clear coat it in the morning.

It should be great for a entry level rider looking to get a good road bike frame that will not look like it's 26 years old.
Any way, Thanks for the actual respondents to my qusetion. You all are the best.

Looks sweet, where'd you get the decals? I also doubt you'll get $185 for it sans fork.

Looks Great to me....

I'm not crazy about the three font styles.

Cannondale Decals on Seat tube are backwards! Correct way below.

Thanks for helping me catch that..... All corrected..

Did you ever receive my last PM, ma'am?

Awesome! I would totally buy that If I had the money.

Not sure.... What was it in ref to?

And I think that about does it.

i like it.... simple and clean. and it definitely doesn't look 26 years old. nice work

btw, what size frame is that? i may have an interested buyer...

Handmade is one word.

It may be too late but personally I would leave the Shimano off of it. Never know when that could turn off a potential buyer that wants to run something other than Shimano.

With that said, it looks great!

NO I have yet to clear coat it. At last I am getting input LOL.....