I recently bought a lefty Cannondale F800 (Circa 2004) with a Lefty FT800 fork on it. No one seems to be able to decipher the frame number on it and google lens can’t come up with an exact match for the decals on it either. I really am struggling with this one as I would like to restore it to its former glory.
F800? U.S. Airforce edition?
- Thread starter Rorus
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- cannondale f800 lefty
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
It's in rough shape, but the frame has most of a 2005 F600 paint job. I can't remember them putting it on any other bike model.
To me it looks like someone added a Lefty to replace the original Headshok fork and added some aftermarket decals top make their own. 2005 F800's came in a yellow and green flame paint job, as well as BBQ black with silver decals with a Lefty.
Here are pictures of the one I bought off of ebay early last year. The bike is very fun to ride, and I am currently working on putting it together (again) as a drop bar bike for some gravel riding.
To me it looks like someone added a Lefty to replace the original Headshok fork and added some aftermarket decals top make their own. 2005 F800's came in a yellow and green flame paint job, as well as BBQ black with silver decals with a Lefty.
Here are pictures of the one I bought off of ebay early last year. The bike is very fun to ride, and I am currently working on putting it together (again) as a drop bar bike for some gravel riding.
The chap I bought it from had it from new and is as came when he bought it he insists. He bought it new 20 years ago and has done no alterations whatsoever. Now you can see why I’m confused about it. Can you make any sense from the serial number my friend? Many thanks for replying by the way.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
Since it is set up in the typical British fashion with the front brake on the right, it might be a European only edition that isn't listed in a catalog that anyone has made a copy of.
As for the serial number, it's in the incorrect style for a 2004 model, but with Cannondale that is not uncommon with them to do that. For example, my 2001 Jekyll has the serial number in the 93-99 style and a build date of late 1999 (KK= Nov 99) , despite the Jekyll's release for the 2001 model year. However, the first character of yours is totally confusing since it is a 4 The only thing I can make sense of is the frame size being a large.
Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to the build date. The crank and other drivetrain components do look period correct for a 2004 model. The first year of an Deore XT crank was 2004, and it looks like a FC-M760 model so it fits when the bike was purchased.
One thing to note is to get a fork boot over the bearing races ASAP on that Lefty! You can carefully install one without disassembling the fork. There is a youtube video of how to do it and if you are careful it's very easy. The fork boot can be found at improvepart.com or sometime on Ebay, or if you are UK based like I am assuming then I've seen them on the for sale part of the retrobike.co.uk forums as well.
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I am UK based my friend and the parts are indeed M760, I am in the process of getting them ultrasonic cleaned after I put them in the washing machine (Please don’t laugh) in tied socks with plenty of soap powder and it’s brought them up a treat. The ultrasonic is just to make sure. I am keeping as many of the original parts as possible but I’m going to recondition the frame and gently blend the deep scratches out, then match the brushed aluminium look (I’m good at that type of metal work) then clear coat it. I’m just struggling with the decals. As for the fork, I’m taking it in to Clive Mitchell cycles here in Cornwall and they are going to send it off for me to get it serviced. During the service I presume a new boot will be fitted. It’s just the decals I’ll struggle with. I’ve exhausted all avenues in this case. Any advice please? I knew the serial number was an enigma. Your input has been most valuable thank you. Rory.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
Your most welcome for what ever help I may have accidently provided. I don't know of anyone who has duplicated the decal for this bike, or my similar F600. To be honest, if I were going to refinish mine, I would take a billion pictures and find some airbrush artist locally who could replicate the design in paint vs decals.
You'll find the Lefty of that era to be very nice once they are properly serviced. 100 mm of travel is more than adequate on this type of bike.
So could the whole bike be worth a few quid then? I wonder how many of these whole bikes are surviving? Oh by the way, I saw the chap I bought it off yesterday, he said he had something to do with the bike in his car for me. Sooooo, it was the original pedals, one original rotor, (worn thin) and the owners manual and service manual for the lefty and the manuals for the brakes and gears. I couldn’t believe it. He also informed me that he added extra decals.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
It could be worth something to a fan of vintage Cannondale bikes, but sadly there really aren't a ton of us around. The whole world is caught up in the "I must have the latest and greatest" mentality. They have lost sight of the whole point of riding a bike. They are either a mode of transportation, or they are a fun recreation item. For me they are the latter. I am blessed to be able to ride to work everyday, with severe weather being the only thing that prevents me from that. Then I typically walk since the distance is so short.
Back on topic though, The bike could be worth money to the right person. For most though, it's an old bike that has seen better days and isn't worth much.
It was super cool to hear the owner had the manuals still. You don't often get those since they tend to get lost over the years. I've owned my 1992 M700 since it was new and I don't have the manual for it any more. So the fact you do have them now is pretty darn cool.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
Please do get back to us. I know how much fun my own bikes are to ride, I can only imagine how much this one would be to ride as well. Also, I am a bit jealous since my F600 is one of my favorite bikes to ride, and I think the paint is super cool. The one thing I wish it had is a Lefty that was painted to match. Sadly, Cannondale didn't do that, at least not here in the US, but this bike let's me know just how cool it would've looked had they done it.
I’m going to strive to get the decals and I know I can get the frame to look like new, I’m great at getting knocks and scratches out of aluminium and I can restore the brushed look and clear coat it afterwards. I hope you don’t mind me saying but I think your president is amazing.
Hi again, I was wondering if I have the right front mech on this as it has a SramDFG324 but the rear mech is a Shimano RD-M760, I’ve looked for a Shimano FD-M760 but they all seem to be top pull but my 2004 F600 is bottom pull with no lugs on the frame to convert it to top pull. I’m trying to get this restoration as true as possible which is why I’m refurnishing the original components that I deem as still serviceable. Any help would be great thanks as usual.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
I haven't looked personally at a M760 in a while, but from what I've been looking at on E-bay they are are dual pull(top or bottom), top swing similar to my Deore LX M570(same time period as the M760 and are functionally identical) that is on my M700. The trick is finding one that still has the 31.8 mm clamp spacer since the clamp is 34.9 and has to use the spacer to make it fit the seat tube correctly.
You can see how I have my derailleur routed in these pics.
I also found a M760 on E-bay closer to you than the many for sale here in the US.
Hope that helps.
You can see how I have my derailleur routed in these pics.
I also found a M760 on E-bay closer to you than the many for sale here in the US.
Shimano Deore XT Umwerfer FD-M760 Dual Pull / Top Swing 31,8 /34,9 mm 3 x 9 sp | eBay
Modell : FD-M760. Alle gebrauchten Teile werden in einem geschlossenen System gereinigt, um die Umwelt nicht zu belasten. / All parts are cleaned in a closed system. Wie verschicken bewusst mit der GOGREEN Option per DHL, um die verursachten Emissionen zu vermindern bzw.
www.ebay.com
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
It could also be that when the bike was built that they used whatever front derailleur was available. It's very common for a bike manufacturer to substitute parts due to parts availablity.
As for the dual pull derailleur, like most of Shimano parts prior to 10+ speeds. It just works with very little hassle.
JohnnyD
Well-Known Member
That spacer might work, I've never tried it but if the clamp size on the SRAM is the same I dont see why it wouldn't work. As long as it allows the clamp to close properly .
As for the bars, I don't know what brand it would've specifically had for certain, but I've see lots of Cannondale bikes from that era that have Easton Monkey Lite bars. I can't recall if they had switched to 31.8 diameter bars at that time or were still using 24.5. From the looks of the stem you have its 24.5 . If shipping wasn't a huge cost, I'd send you the extra Easton bar I have that came on my 2001 Jekyll when I bought it. Good news is that they are cheap as heck on e-bay as well.
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