wallythewhale

Recently came upon this bike as I was scouring through CL. As I'm new to the world of C&V, do you think it's worth restoring (ie. new paint job, components, etc.)? There are rust spots throughout the bike with the biggest one right by the head tube just underneath the top tube. Currently comes with an array of mixed components (mainly Suntour GPX Shimano). What would be an era-appropriate group set for this bike?

From what I gathered, I believe this to be a Modelo 3000/3500 with SL/X tubing (correct me if I'm wrong). Could anyone tell me more about the serial numbers (ie. when/where this thing was made?). I'd greatly appreciate it!

T-Mar

The tubing decal remnants are that of Columbus SLX, which would make this a Benotto 3500. However, to be sure you should remove the crankset and bottom bracket and check for helical ridges insde the bottom of the down tube, seat tube and chainstays. These are only 3.5mm wide by 0.35mm thick and can be hard to see, so use a good light or feel for them.

It appears to be very late 1980s to early 1990s.

Most members would consider a 3500 a justifiable restoration project, though it's very much a frankenbike with the identifiable components covering a wide range of levels, mostly below that of the frame.

John E

Assuming it fits you (or a friend or family member) well, that is a very nice frame. Because, as T-Mar noted, few of the parts are "correct," it would be an expensive candidate for a proper "restoration," but it would make a very satisfactory rider, pretty much just cleaned-up and touched-up, for the right person.

Bianchigirll 

Too bad you don't have both those GPX brakes, they were kinda nice.

Looks like a fun project. I'd just overhaul and clean it up then put everything back on. AFTER riding it for awhile, assuming it fits, if you like it then think about upgrading it.

Kevindale

Regarding the paint, it looks like most of the problem areas are in the gloss black parts. I'd remove the paint and rust in those areas and just do touch up paint with a good primer and gloss black. I'm not sure keeping the original paint will make it more valuable, but a full repaint would add a lot to your already considerable resto parts costs, plus I kind of like that current paint job. Get some good looking bar tape and black hoods and, cleaned up, this would be a handsome bike. The chrome should clean up fairly well with some wet aluminum foil followed by some chrome polish and wax.

If it's too expensive to get good period correct Italian components, perhaps get a good period correct Japanese group set. And, as noted, that frame is for a fairly short person.

CliffordK

Assuming the gold is original, I'd try to keep it, even if a bit rough, it gives the frame character. But, as Kevin mentions, one might be able to touch up around that front cable guide. (rear guide too?). Upgrade the Columbus sticker if you wish, or leave it.

With some luck, the chrome can be polished reasonably well (still retaining some "patina")

wallythewhale

I will have to check for helical ridges. I definitely did some research before buying it, but need to make sure it is a 3500 before restoring it. Thanks for your input!

It's for my wife She's been enjoying it so far, but it does need a lot of touching up.

I was hoping it came with the same group set albeit "lower tier", but these will do for now.

I double checked and this is definitely not the original paint. I might buy some aircraft paint remover and see if I can take off a section of the bike to see what lies beneath. I'm in the boat of "quality over quantity" so I'm willing to dish out a few pretty pennies for the parts that I want. What do you think is an era-appropriate group set for this bike?

As mentioned above, the paint is unfortunately not original. I kind of want to see what lies beneath it *crossing my fingers for a Cromovelato*

SJX426 

OK now I know you own it.... I would strip and OA the frame and fork. You will be surprised at the difference.
I doubt there is chrome under the paint based on the rust around the cable braze-on of the TT. I would be concerned about rust where you can't see it under the paint. There may be rust spiders on the frame.

Let us know what you find. I would also do a spot removal of paint and go from there. My Trek610 was rattle canned and looked like that and I ended up stripping the whole frame. Glad I did.

CliffordK

Is that a decal, or paint work? Stencil work? It looks like it was nicely done, original or not. And, I would encourage keeping it. Like I said, I think it gives character.

I wouldn't worry too much about hidden rust. Just deal with what is a visible problem. Character

And, don't try uncovering what lies below. If there was some kind of Cromovelato, it undoubtedly is in really bad shape now.

Kevindale

Remove some paint in a rust damaged area and see what you have, go from there. However, you're sure this paint isn't original, and you don't seem to dig it, and you're willing to spend some $$. If you wife really likes the frame, then a full paint strip is probably called for, then a repaint.

For groupsets, first question is does your wife like the current bar end shifters, and what are they? If you want to build on what you have and works well, then maybe Suntour Cyclone/Superbe components? Shimano 600 Tricolor is well-priced, widely available, and would look good. DuraAce 7401 if you're cool with mixing Japanese parts on an Italian frame (which I think was increasingly common when this bike was made), and want something a little higher end (not functionally, I think, but in terms of prestige). Or go full Italian and really spend, maybe Campy Super Record or Chorus.

I have only used a few of those options, and may be wrong about them fitting with and working with this era bike, so I look forward to more knowledgeable suggestions. Ultimately the answer depends on if you are OK with mixing Japanese/Italian, the importance you and your wife give to period-correctness and groupset consistency, and your wife's riding preferences.

wallythewhale

It looks like stencil work. There were definitely some time put into it, but I'm just not really feeling it. Also turns out it's not cromovelato.

wallythewhale

The bar end shifters are Shimano. She says she probably likes these more than the down tube shifters so we might keep it like that for now. I think we're going to ride this thing as it is and slowly collect parts here and there. Once we have everything on hand, we'll proceed with the full makeover.

wallythewhale

Did some minor work to the rust on the chrome fork this morning.

Before:


After:

CliffordK

Wow,

It came out perfectly white, with a slight blue fade

I still like the gold, but you're right, it isn't integrated with branding, so unlikely original.

For painting cars, there is supposed to be a way of taking a doily tablecloth, and spraying a pattern through it. I hadn't seen similar work on bikes though. Hiding the seam might be tough unless the pattern was made for the bike.

Sancho20

Probably worth restoring..

cudak888 

Saw your other posts in the Benotto threads. Instead of bumping up these older Benotto threads, perhaps you could start a new thread about the Benotto you're trying to identify? The forum members would be glad to assist that way.

-Kurt