Delta V 1500 headshok question

Hi,

I got myself one of the early Cannondale Delta V models ( V 1500) from arround 92-93. These come with the aluminium cups. My problem is that I want to replace the delta-V shok (they called it like that) with any other kind of fork. I prefer another headshok but at this moment I do not have one yet. This actual headshok is cannondale's first version and can not be serviced. It has no life in it so it needs to go. I found a pair of headshok/lefty reducers to use with my actual bearings on the net and bought them.

The issue I have is that the bottom cup is wider then the top one. The top one has a bearing with the standard headshok dimensions (39,7x50, and is no problem whatsoever. The lower cup on the contrary is wider (+/- 58mm) and the bearing also has a wider internal diameter creating a small gap between the reducer and the bearing. This is because the fork has a wider part where it goes into the bearing.

I must have really one of the first frames because I know normal 1.56 reducer cups work on other Delta V models and I have seen them here on this forum too. My version must be really rare or nobody replaced the fork because I can't find anything about it.

Are there still solutions for this problem? Even if the reducers will not work I wonder if another and later version headshok will work because it might have a different size. If I want just simply replace just the lower bearing I will probably never find it

I hope someone recognises this issue and can give me some tips.

PS. will post pictures of the lady later

Re:

First Headshoks got some adjusting bolts on the boddy for the 88 bearings. So, they need a larger cup for the low part. Second generation didn't keep those bolts, so, low and high cups were the same.
But in the frame, the headtube got the same diameter low and high, so, if you want to use classic suspension forks, classic reducers to 1"1/8 headset will fit nice. If you want to change for a more modern headshok, you will change for another Cannondale headshok specific headset, were low and hoh cups will be the same (I ever seen some first DeltaV with modern headshok)

Re: Re:

24pouces":13a2h7o6 said:

First Headshoks got some adjusting bolts on the boddy for the 88 bearings. So, they need a larger cup for the low part. Second generation didn't keep those bolts, so, low and high cups were the same.
But in the frame, the headtube got the same diameter low and high, so, if you want to use classic suspension forks, classic reducers to 1"1/8 headset will fit nice. If you want to change for a more modern headshok, you will change for another Cannondale headshok specific headset, were low and hoh cups will be the same (I ever seen some first DeltaV with modern headshok)

Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense. Of all the deltas I needed to buy a first generation with odd fork and bearings. I should have gotten a killer haha but for the price I can not complain. For the time being I keep it like this and I might look for those reducers you mentioned. I got the ones to use with actual bearings on the later versions headshoks but these I can use on another dale frame I have.

Thanks for the clarification!