Late-80s Cannondale (SM1000?)

[Guigui58]

I recently picked up a nice old Cannondale that's full of interesting parts. Some are in great shape, some… not so much! I’ll do a separate thread on some components soon.



The frame is in rough shape, though I haven’t found anything bad enough to write it off entirely. One of the cable guides on the top tube snapped off, but that should be an easy fix with some adhesive. There are also three small dents on the seatstay, next to each other... Not ideal, but not deal-breaking either (I think!).





This is my first Cannondale, so I don’t know much about the brand’s history or how to identify the model/year. Based on my research, I think it might be an ‘89 SM1000, but I could be wrong. Here's the serial number :

Also, I'm not thrilled about the dents... Is there anything I can realistically do? I thought about filling them, but that would probably mean painting the frame, which is currently raw aluminum.

Would appreciate any insight!

 

[raidan73]

I didn't think they made an SM1000 in 89. Maybe an 89 Sm2000 stripped raw, or a warranty replacement frame.

 

[doctor-bond]

I like these frames - light and tough - and it looks like yours came with some interesting forks too.
I guess you have to decide where on the bike spectrum you want to go: from pristine catalogue clone to daily beater.
I think I’d take the survivor patina and play with that: scruffy but purposeful, capable and mechanically spot on. Eg:



Raw frames can be polished or brushed, but I love the years-of-air-dusted finish it already has. 3d printed replacement cable guides I think are available - have a look at Vintage Cannondale.com, or you can hack them (I fed zip ties into the holes to make loops).