Cannondale Rxxx Head set cracked and ugly stem
08-12-18, 08:06 AM
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Cannondale Rxxx Head set cracked and ugly stem
I picked up this C’dale on Friday which looks great except two things.
The headset cup (am I getting the name of this part correct?) is cracked. Head tube is fine. How urgently should I replace this?
Also, I find the stem and bar don’t look right on the bike so I’ll change those to something more period correct. Got any suggestions?
The headset cup (am I getting the name of this part correct?) is cracked. Head tube is fine. How urgently should I replace this?
Also, I find the stem and bar don’t look right on the bike so I’ll change those to something more period correct. Got any suggestions?
08-12-18, 08:20 AM
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I'd think you'd want to replace soon. That part is easy to replace anyway. Probably needs to be greased too. I'm in for an old fashion quill stem. That looks similar to my main Cannondale bike. Probably 89-90 ish 3.0 frame.
08-12-18, 09:31 AM
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Change asap.
08-12-18, 10:40 AM
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I might be wrong, but If I recall those are typical road style headsets where that top part is just the nut and bearing cover. Still probably needs replacing, I don't think the broken part actually inserts into the frame though.
08-12-18, 11:05 AM
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Yeah, that top cup/nut combo covers the top bearings. I, like others, think it would be a good idea to replace it sooner rather than later, but I don't think it's in danger of spontaneously combusting on a light test ride. Thankfully replacing it is easy as once you remove the top lock nut and washer just below it, that top cup just unthreads.
BTW that is a beautiful Cannondale! It's a 1989 SR800 and that 6400-era Shimano 600 groupset is very nice. I also like how the frame/paint and components are (minus the headset top cut) are in such great shape after nearly 30 years. I've had an '89 as well, but it was a touch too big for me (66cm), will have to get another one!
BTW that is a beautiful Cannondale! It's a 1989 SR800 and that 6400-era Shimano 600 groupset is very nice. I also like how the frame/paint and components are (minus the headset top cut) are in such great shape after nearly 30 years. I've had an '89 as well, but it was a touch too big for me (66cm), will have to get another one!
08-12-18, 11:42 AM
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You beat me to it! I did the catalogue research this afternoon. It is an 89 R800.
Specs say say it came with Modolo Mach 3 stem and bar in grey. Any feel for whether I’ll be able to replace that set up?
Specs say say it came with Modolo Mach 3 stem and bar in grey. Any feel for whether I’ll be able to replace that set up?
08-12-18, 10:51 PM
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Well, either you look locally or on eBay--I can't speak to their (lack of) availability. Orrrrr just snag a Cinelli stem of desired length and 64-series (Giro d'Italia) bars of desired width and be off to the races. Or a bar/stem combo that you like. In the end, that's one of the money bits as you'll be interfacing with the bar all the time.
08-14-18, 07:39 PM
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Went digging around in the work shop today. Came out with this. 80mm SR stem and SR Modolo Custom bars.
Feeling like this is the low cost solution, but it’s in nice condition so I’d prefer making it as original as possible? Am I over thinking this or am I insulting the bike with this set up?
Feeling like this is the low cost solution, but it’s in nice condition so I’d prefer making it as original as possible? Am I over thinking this or am I insulting the bike with this set up?
Last edited by Jay.Money; 08-14-18 at 08:07 PM.
08-14-18, 08:07 PM
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Forget about insulting, ride what is comfortable for you- the rider, I think its fairly period correct combo fwiw but I also put comfort over rigid adherence to what was stock YMMV. Nice Find
08-14-18, 08:26 PM
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ben's cycles sells them for about $27ish.
0 degree quill thats Nitto nice.
