1990(?) Cannondale SM500 frame only build up.

[sparkybhp]

Second time around for me with one of these.. I did build an ‘88 frame up from scratch a while back, I loved it but needed funds and sold it.

I’ve regretted selling that bike pretty much since it went so I consider myself lucky that I found another frame at sensible money on eBay.

A ‘90 this time (I think), no u-brake on the back this time, but mud-cutter chain stays (like my V900 and M800) which I love. I decided on British racing green and dropped it to my powder coaters, here it is now:

It’s going to have a Brooks brown leather saddle and some brown bar grips too, I thought that should work nice with the green. Stem, bars, components will be shiny silver, I haven’t decided quite what spec yet though, M730 maybe?
Stickers will be white, I’ve ordered them from vintagecannondale.com today, they’re the ‘87/‘88 ones which is cool with me - like a nod to my previous bike.
Anyhow, hopefully I’ve learnt my lesson and I’ll hang on to this one, updates to follow as I progress with it.

 

[Canuckbiker]

Looks great, love this vintage of Cannondale. Is it s slightly smaller frame this time?

 

[sparkybhp]

Looks great, love this vintage of Cannondale. Is it s slightly smaller frame this time?

Thanks, yeah I was really pleased to find this without having to spend too much £.
If memory serves it’s the same size as my last one - 20” c/c or 22” c/t. I normally ride 19” mtb’s but the larger size was ok last time.

 

[Canuckbiker]

Looking forward to the build, M730 would definitely look the part

 

[gtturbo]

Looks like a 1990 as it has the replaceable derailleur hanger and plastic cable guides on the TT. Think they stopped those and went with welded cable guides around 92 ?. I think I may have sold you the 88. Did you buy it from a strange bloke in a petrol station car park.

Edit - Just looked at the catalogue and they went with replaceable derailleur hanger in 89 and welded cable guides from 91 so it's somewhere in between..

 

[sparkybhp]

Thanks for the info gtturbo, and yes it must’ve been you I got the blue one from..

 

[sparkybhp]

Baby steps on this one over the weekend - been busy with other bits but managed to get the headset sorted so I can attach the forks..

Original headset was badly pitted, too far gone to re-use.

A quick root around the spares box turned up this random one, in desperate need of a clean but 100% sound.

A scrub in white spirits and a bit of Autosol later and looks like new.
Love the knurled finish on the top race nut (correct term?).

Hey presto, forks mounted and spinning smooth.
I’ve been looking for a stem and bars which will work for this build and put up a wanted post but didn’t find exactly what I was after. A quick eBay search this evening turned up something I think will be perfect. - stay tuned, it should be mega..

 

[27motorhead]

Looking great! And you’re correct that’s diamond knurling on the top race

 

[sparkybhp]

Stickers arrived today, all the way from San Francisco - thanks vintagecannondale.com!
Quick mock up with the XT wheels off my Scott, saddle fitted and a rough bar/stem (which isn’t staying). Correct bars should be with me by Friday.

 

[sparkybhp]

More updates, bars arrived today so after a quick polish I fitted those. Think I’ll go with these XT brifters and a wheelset I had in my spares which are M730/732 on Araya RM-17 in black. Tyres are budget Curio jobs for now at least.

I’m really liking the way this is starting to look. Next step is to polish my M730 crankset and the rest of the group which I have most of, just need a front mech in 31.8mm so I’ll place a wanted ad for that..
Might get a bit more done this weekend with a bit of luck.