Advice please: resurecting an old 'dale (..single speed )

[MTY4000]

Hi, please may I ask for some advice

I'm thinking about resurecting an old bike to use as a commuter and general getting around bike.

The bike is an old skool cannondale mountain bike (M700 or M800), from circa 1992 (threaded steerer, canteliver brakes etc). I'm keen to return the old girl to life, single speed with road rubber, and would appreciate some advice: most of the bike is in reasonable condition if unserviced, except the headset and the suspension fork (an aftermarket elastomer item circa 1993) which are both busted.

I want to replace the old busted parts and update to ahead set arangement (from 1 1/4" threaded arangement):

1) New headset
2) New fork - rigid (e.g. Kona P2 or similar)
3) New ahead set stem [I have a spare]
4) Convert to single speed, pos Fixed if (5) is not possible
5) Convert to V brakes (currently cantis)... [I have a set of avids]
6) Nice service... new road tyres

I popped down the local bike shop, part of a big chain.. and they thought I was best binning the bike due to the complications of the 1 1/4 headset... standard now is obviously 1 1/8.

If I can do this for £300 or less, I will go for it. Otherwise I could get a new Charge Duster SS through cycle to work for about £350...

Question for Pistonheads: Is this possible? Surely the 1 1/4 headset issue is solvable without binning an otherwise sound bike - it looks like you can buy converters.

[snotrag]

You could do the whole lot for easily under £100.

Althought it would have to have some serious sentimental value for me to even spend that on it.

RE brakes - get the Deore M530 kit for ~ £30, ocmes with levers, calipers and cables.

[MTY4000]

Thanks snotrag,

I agree that this is a sentemental thing: no doubt (the alternative charge duster will be a better bike, no matter what I do with the old frame). I was chatting to a friend tonight, I have a lead on a local bike shop that specialises in single speed conversions of classic italian racing frames. I know my old bike is no classsic, but sounds like these guys should know what to do.

I'm going to see them at the weekend.

Thanks again,
Ian

[gradeAfailure]

Get yourself over to www.retrobike.co.uk - a veritable mine of information on older bikes, and everyone's really helpful and friendly...