Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Old (70's) Benotto Build Thread

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Old (70's) Benotto Build Thread

Old 01-16-11, 05:19 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Old (70's) Benotto Build Thread

Instead of posting randomly around this forum I've decided to start one thread on this build. So...

I came across an old Benotto frame on good ol' Craigslist. It looked pretty straight, was reasonably priced ($140 which is debatable) and seemed to have potential.

Tried to do some research on exactly what year and model Benotto it is but found dead ends (any Benotto people out there?). There is no serial number on the bottom bracket (BB) and came with nothing but a few scratches on the downtube decal.

The BB has those reverse threaded cups. Removed all that I could; bearings (which cleaned up nicely), the spindle (fitted for a cottered crank) i threw out, and one of the cups. The other cup is stuck in the BB, which I'll talk about later on.

Plans for the build :
-decals (with the eventual paint job)
-Nitto Drop bars with Brown Brooks Bar tape
-rear Sturmey Archer S2c kickback hub laced to a Mavic Open Pro
-Brooks B17 saddle (brown)
-heavy duty chain
-beers
-profanities


Photobucket Album




found a Sturmey Archer 3sp hub and hit it with intake manifold cleaner, an sos pad, and elbow grease





the hub seems to fit nicely, haven't measured it out yet. I'll post when I do since it will be mandatory for the wheel build.


comments or suggestions very welcome.

more to come

Last edited by thebigkick; 10-06-12 at 04:06 PM.
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 05:32 PM
  #2  
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
 
Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
Posts: 5,399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
Looks nice!

I've got an old 531 frame with bullhorns. Right now it's got a vintage Campy Super Record group on it but I'd like to go with an internal gear hub and move the Campy over to an Italian frame.

You might not get alot of response here as conversations tend to run around modern equipment. If you don't get much play post your thread in the Classics and Vintage forum.

If you want I can move it for you. Just post a response in the thread.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Walter is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 05:41 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
yes thank you.

Last edited by thebigkick; 01-16-11 at 06:27 PM.
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 05:56 PM
  #4  
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
 
Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
Posts: 5,399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
I'll move it to Classic and Vintage. You'll get some play there.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Walter is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 06:26 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 5,060

Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 10 Posts
I doubt it's a Benotto. But looks like a fun project, especially at the price.
Picchio Special is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 06:33 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Picchio Special
I doubt it's a Benotto. But looks like a fun project, especially at the price.
haha I agree. It's like my mutt. Who knows what breed it is I still love my mutt.

I think the decal on top of the paint gives it away
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 06:41 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 5,060

Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by thebigkick
I think the decal on top of the paint gives it away
Maybe, but it is Italian - not clearcoating the decals would be no big surprise. But the stamped rear dropout with the double eyelets means it's not a racing bike. I'm not aware that Benotto made city bikes, but if it's a Benotto (which as I say, I doubt), that's about the only thing it could be.
Picchio Special is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 06:55 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Picchio Special
Maybe, but it is Italian - not clearcoating the decals would be no big surprise. But the stamped rear dropout with the double eyelets means it's not a racing bike. I'm not aware that Benotto made city bikes, but if it's a Benotto (which as I say, I doubt), that's about the only thing it could be.
nice observation. thanks.
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 07:38 PM
  #9  
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
 
Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
Posts: 5,399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
Weren't Benottos made in Mexico?
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Walter is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 07:48 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Walter
Weren't Benottos made in Mexico?
i read somewhere that ther're factories were moved to Mexico. Origninally Italy, I think. So the 80's models were made in Mexico
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 08:34 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 5,060

Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 10 Posts
Benotto bikes were originally made in Italy. Benotto is a firm with a long tradition of making very good quality bikes. Production moved to Mexico, with a few, upper-level bikes still being made in Italy. This happened sometime in the 70's-80's, but it's never been entirely clear to me when the shift in production was made.
Picchio Special is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 09:03 PM
  #12  
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
 
Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
Posts: 5,399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
1980s is what I remember but no definite facts. Remember reading a review of one in Bicycling or one of the defunct cycling magazines from that era and they claimed the bike to be a bit heavy but a good deal for a racer.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Walter is offline  
Old 01-16-11, 09:17 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
toytech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: san leandro
Posts: 1,453

Bikes: enough bikes to qualify for Hoarders......

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The decals on my Benotto are also on top btw, and I have seen only one other in person.. it also had decals on top with no clear coat.
here's a bad picture of the frame
toytech is offline  
Old 01-18-11, 10:35 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Mansram01's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,344

Bikes: '17 Trek Emonda, '16 Yeti ASR5, '14 Cdale F29 '08 Orbea Orca.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I had a Benotto like this back in '83 (?) and the Benotto sticker was on top. I bought it on a family trip to Mexico. It was the same metallic blue with dark blue Benotto tape and Suntour components. The rear drops, I'm pretty sure, were the same as your bike. It wasn't a high-end bike at all but it brought me many years of memories. I used all of my allowance to buy that dang bike!
Mansram01 is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 11:18 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by mchacon01
I had a Benotto like this back in '83 (?) and the Benotto sticker was on top. I bought it on a family trip to Mexico. It was the same metallic blue with dark blue Benotto tape and Suntour components. The rear drops, I'm pretty sure, were the same as your bike. It wasn't a high-end bike at all but it brought me many years of memories. I used all of my allowance to buy that dang bike!
so you think it's an 83'?
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 11:30 AM
  #16  
Ride heavy metal.
 
Maddox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Teenage Wasteland, USA
Posts: 1,633

Bikes: '74 Raleigh LTD-3, '76 Motobecane Grand Jubile, '83 Fuji TSIII (customized commuter), '10 Mercier Kilo WT (fixed obsession), '83 Bianchi Alloro, '92 Bridgestone MB-1 (project), '83 Specialized Expedition (project), '79 Peugeot UO-8 (sold)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
This looks like a cool project. Sturmey hubs are generally spaced to 120mm, so unless your rear dropouts are spaced to 120 you'll probably need to have them taken in and realigned - so you know it will be symmetrical.

Keep us updated on the build progress. I love the idea of building up an old frame with a 3 or 5 speed vintage hub.
Maddox is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 11:50 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Maddox
This looks like a cool project. Sturmey hubs are generally spaced to 120mm, so unless your rear dropouts are spaced to 120 you'll probably need to have them taken in and realigned - so you know it will be symmetrical.

Keep us updated on the build progress. I love the idea of building up an old frame with a 3 or 5 speed vintage hub.
Honestly, I haven't measured them out yet, but the SA hub slid right in with no struggle. I guess I got lucky. Although, I should measure them out anyway...

...I've always wanted an orange bike so I picked up some RustOleum Orange and a can of Gloss. Going to rough up the frame, remove the sticker(s), and give it a few coats.


I'm not really worried about how great the paint job comes out. a carefully spray-canned job will be good enough for me. I already have a pretty bike. This will be me "beater" bike. Actually, I like the sound of "warrior" bike. If I lock it up to a street sign or pole to grab some coffee I don't want to have to worry about the paint getting ruined. My 07' Masi is another story.

With that said, should I apply the decals I bought off ebay a few months ago? Or should I save them for the real paint job down the road when this is all done. Maybe I should just throw them on, they were only $20.


I'm more focused on using good components and equipment. For example, nice Brooks bar tape, a quality crank (if I can afford one at the time), and constructing the bike properly.

Here I removed the spindle, bearing and one of the cups. The other is stuck on (reverse thread).

No lock nut on this side makes me wonder...



Anyone got any suggestions for removal? Very stubborn!

Thanks for the support. It's a lot of fun. I will def be posting a lot since the snow is really coming down here in the Northeast I will have lots of time for this project.

Last edited by thebigkick; 01-21-11 at 08:46 AM.
thebigkick is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 01:45 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
gaucho777's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,445

Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin

Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 826 Post(s)
Liked 2,048 Times in 545 Posts
I can see why it's stuck. The edges of the spanner holes appear to be mangled a bit, making it hard to get a good purchase on the cups, I'm sure. Some people will say just leave a stuck fixed cup in there, but it may be hard to find a good BB match since I don't see any markings on the cups. Any markings on the spindle? It seems you actually have two adjustable cups--one removed with the locknut, and another (stuck) one without the locknut.

Have you weighed the frame? The BB shell looks like gaspipe.

I like your build plans!

EDIT: P.S. Where can we see more photos of your Masi?
__________________
-Randy

'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti

Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
gaucho777 is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 02:00 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Lets see some updates!
dued is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 02:00 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Mansram01's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,344

Bikes: '17 Trek Emonda, '16 Yeti ASR5, '14 Cdale F29 '08 Orbea Orca.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by thebigkick
so you think it's an 83'?
Maybe '82 or '83. Wish I had photos to share. I do know that my model was made in Mexico.
Mansram01 is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 05:41 PM
  #21  
is just a real cool dude
 
Henry III's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,173
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 11 Posts
Use a punch and a hammer. Last time I had frame with a bottom bracket that I couldn't get out. I actually welded a nut to the cup and got it out that way. I took out another cup the Sheldon Brown way if you don't have the right tool. Just scroll down like almost all the way down the bottom of the page.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html
Henry III is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 05:52 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
SJX426's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,580

Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8

Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1601 Post(s)
Liked 2,187 Times in 1,092 Posts
I was going to use the Sheldon way on a 72 Moto Le Champ that was mangled. Decided to use a torch to heat up the cup only, came right out without any discoloration of the paint on the BB.
SJX426 is offline  
Old 01-19-11, 06:11 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 5,060

Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by thebigkick
I'm more focused on using good components and equipment. For example, nice Brooks bar tape, a quality crank (if I can afford one at the time), and constructing the bike properly.
FYI, in case it hasn't been conveyed, it's a very entry-level frame. I personally wouldn't be putting a lot of money into the build. If it makes you happy, that's of course another matter. Just wanted to be clear, in case you decided to save the good components and other bits for a better frame.
Picchio Special is offline  
Old 01-20-11, 01:13 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
robertofergy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 321

Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Super Grand Prix, 1997 Koga Miyata GranSpeed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by thebigkick
I'm more focused on using good components and equipment. For example, nice Brooks bar tape, a quality crank (if I can afford one at the time), and constructing the bike properly.
I just happen to be parting out my Benotto(due to a fatally fused seat post) so if youre interested in some Benotto cranks PM me an offer, it would save me the hassel of putting them up on ebay. They should be good quality as all the other parts were pretty good, came with campy derailleurs and stuff.


I just took them off the bike a few minutes ago, so theyre still grungey
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSCF7096.jpg (85.4 KB, 42 views)
robertofergy is offline  
Old 01-20-11, 09:47 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
thebigkick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale CX, 1966 Benotto

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
So I def think it's a Benotto. I just don't understand why there isn't a serial number.
thebigkick is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.