fender1

This bike appeared locally and being a sucker for roller cam brakes, how could I say no?

This is a 1 owner, 1986 SM700 that seems to be original, save a rear tire replacement. It has a full Suntour XC group (with the funky bottom bracket, anyone have a puller to lend?) and Nitto riser bars.

In addition to a full tear down, rebuild, and consumable replacement, I am thinking of adding a set of dirt drop handle bars, Suntour bar-cons, non-aero levers and yellow cloth bar tape. My wrists tend not to get along with flat/riser bars. I also have a black Brooks B17 Champion Special that needs a home .

Pics to prove it happened!

stardognine

Very nice, congrats! 👍 No matter what else you do, that fork & brakeset NEED to stay together. They just work right, like made to fit. 🤔😎

wesmamyke

The pedals are weirdly sought after by the BMX crowd. I listed a pair in similar condition and they sold in minutes.

fender1

Looking at the brakes I realize they might be a different version of roller cam's than I have seen before? Anyone have any thoughts to share?
Also anyone know of a source for replacement brake pads? The posts on these look a but bigger than your standard Kool-Stops etc.

fender1

Thanks! My goal is to keep it as close to original as possible but rideable (for me). The super upright position is not one I love. I will try rotating the stock bars forward and dropping the stem and see it that gives a better fit.

The Golden Boy 

Hey B- shoot me a message if you still need to borrow a puller

The Golden Boy 

I don't know if it was just that the brakes changed, or there were different brakes for different groups, or a combination of both...

Since your bike is specced with XC- and those arms are all drilled out- I'd imagine those are top of the line XC brakes. While the XC Sport brakes just have divots in the arms, brass rollers and different cam plates. Maybe.

WildRalph

Nice score! That thing looks very rugged! Is that a filet brazed steel frame? Just learning about filet brazing. And can anyone explain Schwinn "Electroforging?" Is it a weld, a filet braze, something in between?

canopus 

I need one to go with the rest of my mid 80's Can's. Nice Score!

billytwosheds 

You won't find many people judging you for the pickup. Complete and unmolested, $100 bike all day long.

AeroGut

No, this is a relatively early aluminum alloy frame. Cannondale was one of the first large brands to use aluminum widely.

Ironfish653

Nice find! $100 for a survivor like that is hard to walk away from.
Early ATBs like that always look so interesting. Is that a 26/24?

It’s a Cannondale, they’re all hand-welded aluminum. Those super-smooth welds are a trademark of the US -made bikes; each one carries its welder’s initials along with its sn#; something that carried on until the end of US production in ‘06.


( here’s a link to an article about Schwinn Electroforged frames, it’s a fascinating industrial process)

Pompiere

Electroforging is a weld, but not in the conventional sense. There is an article on the Sheldon Brown site by Marc Muller that explains the process. Briefly, a "lug" and a tube are the two electrodes and when pressed together, sparks fly and a welded joint is formed. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/varsity.html

fender1

Thanks D! I spent some time cleaning and lubing it yesterday and everything works really well and feels smooth.

I am going to get it running well and ride it a bit before making any substantial changes.

Below are some pics for folks who might not have seen the proprietary XC fittings before also a 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 I also picked up for the bass players among us!

mkeller234

Oh yeah! The bike is great, but the Ric stole the show in my opinion!

The Golden Boy 

That is sweet!!! What is that called, "Blueglo?"

fender1

Azureglo is the Rickenbacker name. It’s a pretty similar color that was used for VW Beetles in1964.
Ihad this same model/color stolen from me back 1986.

This one was found in an online pawnshop with crack in the headstock. They said no shipping but I called them and they said that was an error in the listing. Got it shipped, got the crack fixed and it sounds and plays great. I put modern Ric pickups in it and had to replace a set of gold anodized tuners it came with.

Regading the Cannondale, I went to three shops to try and get tires an only one had 26” tires in stock. They were Kenda, wire bead and really heavy. I passed and just ordered some 26” Gravel Kings.

I post updates as I make progress.

The Golden Boy 

I'm just kind of amazed that someone could snap off a 4001 headstock.

It's also kind of amazing that 26" tires are getting to be a rarity...

Hit me up whenever you need the wrench.

fender1

Will do and thanks!

Turns out this bike has the 24” rear tire and 26” front….. here are a few pics after a quick cleaning and adjusting.






Anyone got a source for 24” tires?! Also maybe a spot
of JB Weld to re-attach the cable guide?

Ironfish653

Biketiresdirect.com has a decent selection of 24s. Dan’s Comp, as well, since 24” BMX is still a thing.

Kenda’s “Happy Medium” is a good match tread-wise for the GravelKings, although kinda a budget tire compared to the GKs

WildRalph

Great Link, TY. I have read a fair amount of Schwinn history, but never anything on the EF process. I have a dump find- EF bike in my shed. World Sport, World Traveler...?, i dont recall. Was too nice to leave behind, not even my size. I knew C'dale was big into aluminum, but didn't realize they had Never made steel frames. And those buttery smooth joints look way better than the typical Aluminum welds you see.

Rooney 

Vintage Cannondale usually has replacement cable guides, but when I looked for my brother's bike the other week, they were sold out. Pretty close match and easy to install. If you want to push out those nubs, you'll have to drop the fork to get the little plastic bits out of the top tube as the top tube only opens into the head tube. Otherwise, they'll just be jingling around in the top tube. They're a close match to the originals, but slightly larger. You'd only notice if you were looking for it.

Wildwood

Love the title.
Stay off Craig’s, faceBooked, etc. = too much to buy at the $100 level - bikes, parts and novel ideas.

fender1

I was able to get different sized, similar looking, folding tires without an aggressive tread from Amazon.

They went on today, as well as, some Smooth post Kool-Stop brake pads (black compound).

Did a neighborhood ride in the 95 degree heat and was happy with the ride. While no lightweight, it climbs the short, steep hills with ease and doesn’t feel bogged down. Cruises nicely on the flats with not too much effort. Shifts and brakes great. A dab of superglue is holding the cable guide in place until a replacement is available.

I have a bit squeal in the front brake and I think the front hub has a bit of play, so still a bit of work to do.
The handle bars feel super-wide and might take a bit of getting used too.

Hopefully I can get it on some crushed stone/ mild single track in the near future and report back. This thing is weird enough to keep my interest, that’s for sure!

Updated pics:

Roger M 

That is totally cool! I can really see the difference in wheel size with the new tires on.

Nice find fender1!