Bicycle Mechanics - 1976 benotto bottom bracket options?

I purchased a '76 benotto, and have been disassembling it to ready the frame for cleaning and possibly painting. It has cottered cranks, one of which seems to be stripped or otherwise messed up in the channel the cotter runs thru.

I am new to Italian (via Mexico) bikes, and particulary to bikes of this era. Would I be best served by replacing the bottom bracket/cranks/etc. (can I use a modern sealed BB?), or are there options that would allow me to use the existing BB, with more modern cranks/ring. This bike will be an addition to my fixed gear fleet, but will most likely not see alot of abuse... that's what my commuters are for.

Thanks for your input. Searching specific to benotto's didn't give me any leads.

I purchased a '76 benotto, and have been disassembling it to ready the frame for cleaning and possibly painting. It has cottered cranks, one of which seems to be stripped or otherwise messed up in the channel the cotter runs thru.

I am new to Italian (via Mexico) bikes, and particulary to bikes of this era. Would I be best served by replacing the bottom bracket/cranks/etc. (can I use a modern sealed BB?), or are there options that would allow me to use the existing BB, with more modern cranks/ring. This bike will be an addition to my fixed gear fleet, but will most likely not see alot of abuse... that's what my commuters are for.

Thanks for your input. Searching specific to benotto's didn't give me any leads.

I have a benotto, but I thought it was "french" made in Mexico?
Putting new parts on is always good.
Do you have a picture of the "messed up" part?
The pedals have a strange thread pitch, I retapped mine to 9/16

I have a benotto, but I thought it was "french" made in Mexico?
Putting new parts on is always good.
Do you have a picture of the "messed up" part?
The pedals have a strange thread pitch, I retapped mine to 9/16

nah... Mine's got a headbadge on it that says Tirreno (sp?), and that's in Italy. The cotter on the non drive side is sloppy, as tho things inside the channel in the crank arm are stripped/rounded out. I don't want to destroy the old parts, but I don't want to ride on them either.

I tightened mine up once because it was getting sloppy.
Are you sure it's that bad?
I'd read a little on www.sheldonbrown.com on this, as far as fixing it.
Wouldn't be surprised if he could get you the parts as well.

Benotto's from the pre 90's period are all Italian. The Italian company went out of business or Guido Benotto retired. The name usage rights were sold to a Mexico compnay. I've replaced my Benotto BB with a DuraAce 70mm. Works great!

Benotto's from the pre 90's period are all Italian. The Italian company went out of business or Guido Benotto retired. The name usage rights were sold to a Mexico compnay. I've replaced my Benotto BB with a DuraAce 70mm. Works great!


Good info, I love my old Benotto

I tightened mine up once because it was getting sloppy.
Are you sure it's that bad?
I'd read a little on www.sheldonbrown.com on this, as far as fixing it.
Wouldn't be surprised if he could get you the parts as well.

sweet:) I was wondering if a 70mm cartridge would work. thanks much:)

Hi,

I'm a benotto owner too. If your frame is 1976 have been build in Italy (as mine)
On my side I bought only the frame and rebuild the bike with new old stock or used parts. For the BB I got a 70 mm Italian thread Ofmega, and for the crank a second
hand (but in great condition) Benotto/Campagnolo, At this time I've riden 2000 km
with no problem. You probably award that you can find a huge amount of hard to find
part on ebay. Good luck.

Philippe

thank you, philippe

I've got the bike fully stripped now, and will be building it up tonight with some old campy stuff I have laying around. It was really satisfying to feel the weight shedding off that frame as I stripped it...