Bike Forums - 80s Benotto 3000 frame & fork (54-55cm)

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80s Benotto 3000 frame & fork (54-55cm)

Price drop! For fork/frame/extras, I'll take ~~$120~~ $100 SOLD plus shipping via BikeFlights.

Details: Early 80s, I suspect '81. Size 54-55cm depending on how you measure. Campy ends w/Portacatena dropout, unique diamond-shaped chainstays (of De Rosa fame) which came on the 3000 only. Columbus tubing, rifling (as pictured) in the bottom of steerer tube/crown, none in main tubes, so probably Columbus SL. Gipiemme rear bridge, seat tube ID measures 27.2. Panto'd Benotto seat stay caps, fork crown, signature heart-shaped BB shell cutout. Based on reasing, I think the 3000 model was top for this year and weren't made in Mexico, but open to correction.

Extras!!: I'm tossing in the pictured Benotto seat cover and Benotto leather seat pack with some reaaaally old folding tires inside. I'll also send in some very old Benotto head tube/downtube stickers which may not be usable w/o some effort.

Positives: OEM Champagne paint, very original, chrome actually in great shape considering condition of painted areas. I cleaned up a few strategic spots to look for cracks or dents. I couldn't find anything obviously wrong. Metal tubes ping true, even in the rusty spots. Very light and sturdy. Fork ends *not* tweaked to right as it appears in the 1st pic, just a bad photo angle.

Negatives: Clearly it's a project screaming for repaint/re-decal and ideally oxalic bath after sanding/media blasting if you want a show piece. Top tube and head tube rust obvious. Tried to picture as much as possible for you to gauge if it's right for you.

Others: I was concerned about that spot between 2nd and 3rd cable guides because it's a typical vise/stand clamp spot. I ran frame blocks around it - it's definitely in-round. Blocks took some bubbled paint off, so I brushed at it gently with fine brass brush to show it's clean, shiny steel underneath (as shown). I then did a quick light/reflection test to confirm, again, reflected light maintains a straight unwarped line which around the top tube and every other tube. So all tubes are in-round with no dents or clamping marks I could find. Seems like a solid project for a sought-after frame.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5978bca063.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20711d7b1a.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...91a4401022.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a14116426e.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1304c1268c.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7b212dd635.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c52479370.jpg

One more head-on shot because I just noticed the fork looked tweaked in that 1st pic.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6ac3bc1b4c.jpg

Great write up of this frames true condition. Frames I have purchased before from him have been aptly described.

I I will be jealous of whoever gets this frame!

Thanks, @3speedslow for the kind words! I probably "overwrote" things and TMI turns folks off. I just try to put out the level of detail I generally like to see/hear and tell people every last detail of what's wrong and that likely makes things sound worse than they really are.

I'm tempted to take some time to sand a few spots on this to show the rust isn't bad at all, it appears there's plenty of clean steel under there. Decal kits on eBay for this model seem to hover around $35 shipped. Someone could have a fine frame on their hands for pretty low price and modest effort.

But maybe this model just isn't as sought-after as I thought? For all the frame/forks on eBay going for $350-600 the last 6-12 months I figured this'd be a quick sale!

Bump for TMI trim-down and price drop.

Bump for another price drop.

What's the BB threading? Italian?

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAZorro (Post 20485697)

What's the BB threading? Italian?

Sorry for the late reply. Indeed, it's Italian.

I still have this F&F in my shop and it's still available for purchase. Open to offers and/or trades for something my size (57-60, ~59 is a perfect fit).

Thanks for the info. My size, obviously huge potential, but as we moved a couple months ago and are scrambling to complete (and pay for) a few projects before the weather turns, the timing just isn't right. Hoping that someone who can do justice to this gets it, but will keep this on my radar.

Sounds good. I'm totally open to offers and/or trades in the meantime! Also have a perfect box waiting to package it up I'd love to get rid of both :D

Last price bump before I look at getting this blasted and powdercoated for auction resell. Historic frameset. Shocked it's still around but I get it, I guess!

Quote:

Originally Posted by francophile (Post 21184593)

Last price bump before I look at getting this blasted and powdercoated for auction resell. Historic frameset. Shocked it's still around but I get it, I guess!

Not “dibs” per say, but a PM has been sent your way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by francophile (Post 21184593)

Seems like a solid project for a sought-after frame.

Agreed! And that’s why I’m looking forward with excitement to settle up with you in less than a few weeks.

It was a big disappointment, albeit not surprising, when in the final analysis I determined that I could not make a previous 3000 purchase fit. It was just too small, period. The frame was passed on to another BF member.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff10f7ae8.jpeg

Yours should be sized just right & I envision building it with a full SR group, as well as meeting OEM specs elsewhere as much as possible. It’ll be a long running, expensive challenge, but I’m feeling up to task :D

Did this ever sell? Curious what the top tube measurement is, I'm looking for a something in a 55cm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotekmod (Post 21223505)

Did this ever sell? Curious what the top tube measurement is, I'm looking for a something in a 55cm.

It did. I bought it last week, and am expecting delivery today.

Are you looking for any particulars besides size? Also, you might consider posting a “in search for” query within the main C&V forum. There is a tread for that in the sticky section towards the top of the page (shaded area). Happy hunting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by deux jambes (Post 21224153)

Thanks for the reply. It looked like the frame was heading your way, but you never know. Good luck with the build! I may post a WTB one of these days but I'm not -really- looking for a project. This frame looked worth saving however, and the price was right.