1988 SM700??

joeldunn

joeldunn

Member
From what I can tell, this Cannondale I bought on Craigslist is a 1988 SM700, but I've only come to this conclusion based on photos I've seen on Google that look similar. I haven't found any with the red stem, I've seen photos of it in black and in bare metal.

Not pictured, but the serial number stamped on the underside of the frame is 20080488021, I couldn't find any info on this number through a Google search.

There's a lot of random pieces still attached to it as I'm in the process of taking the previous owners accessories off such as the mount to a rear backpack rack, and a headlight bracket on the front stem.

Sorry if anything this post was done wrong, new member:)
 

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black lightning 1987

black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
Serial number works out to: 20 = 20" frame, built on August 4th, 1988, the 21st frame made that day. The August build date indicates a 1989 model. According to the catalog, only the SM400 and SM900 were offered in red that year. Of the components I can identify, none match the spec sheet, except perhaps the rims. Download the 1989 catalog and check model numbers on your components and see if any match specs for a particular model. I don't have any experience with U-brakes but it looks like the stuff clamped on the seat stays was an attempt to keep the cable centered. As for the red stem, they are shown on both the 1988 SM500 and SM600 though neither frame was red. The SM700 is shown with a DiaCompe AD990 rear brake, and a 24" rear wheel. Is that what you have? If it has a 24" wheel it's a 1988 model, as that was the last year for 24". If it's 26" at both ends, I'd say it's a 1989 bike built outside catalog spec to use up some leftover parts from 1988.
 
joeldunn

joeldunn

Member
black lightning 1987 said:
it looks like the stuff clamped on the seat stays was an attempt to keep the cable centered.
Click to expand...

I believe the piece you're referring to is the connecting bracket for the rear rack the previous owner had installed, it's too tight to get a wrench or even a pair of pliers in there to unscrew it, so I had to angle grind the main part of the rack off and will have to carefully Dremel or use a hacksaw on the rest of the bracket, unless I want to take the brakes off which I'm not personally comfortable with.
 
black lightning 1987

black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
OK, very strange way to mount a rack as the frame has tapped holes just above for that specific purpose.

You might be able to drill the heads off the clamp bolts if they're too tight to move. Guessing there's a tool that will loosen them though. If you're in Providence I can probably find someone that will help you with it.

Check my post above again, as I added some comments.
 
joeldunn

joeldunn

Member
black lightning 1987 said:
Check my post above again, as I added some comments.
Click to expand...

Both wheels are 26" and the rear brake is the DiaCompe. And you're right I can't find a model or spec that has the red stem paired with the red frame, very odd. I'll trust your word on the 89' build as I can't think of anything else it could be! If so, would that make it not a SM 5, 6, or 700? More like just a Frankenstein's monster with no official title?

I did end up getting that bracket off by drilling through the heads, worked like a charm, thank you!!
 
black lightning 1987

black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
The sticking point for me with it being a 1988 is the August build date. I think we've come across one bike built in June that was a next year's model. I'm sure that the change to next year's model production varied depending on how sales were going and other factors. There were two U-brake frames in 1989, the SM600 and SM900, but neither were red. Still interested to know if any of the other components match spec for either year, but the DiaCompe U-brake is right for the 1988 SM700, as is the color. Another factor is that the letters of the Cannondale decals got thicker in 1989. Altogether I'd have to agree that it's a 1988.
 
ChrisW

ChrisW

Well-Known Member
..but remember when I got the bike in June 2016 I checked all the specifications with those provided by the 1988 catalog and they all did match exactly.

that's how it looked when I got it, Back then I didn't know that the Brooks saddle originally came with the bike, so I unfortunately sold it....

sm700_02.jpg
 
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