danimal92sport

Hello All,

I have had this bike for 11 or 12 years, and purchased it from the original owner in the US. He bought the bike when he was living in Italy, a story that was corroborated by his daughter who I knew at the time, as she recalls him being big in to racing and this was his racing bike.

He stated that the bike is a 1992 model, but the Campy cranks have an 11 inside of a square, which apparently means they're dated 1985. The graphics on the bike do not match early or mid 80s Benottos that I've seen. I've only seen one other image of these graphics on a Benotto, and that bike was reportedly a 1991 model. I've never seen a Benotto with a simple deep red candy-ish paint job, so that also seems odd. It does not appear that the bike was re-finished. The original owner states that he changed nothing, and the bike is just as it sat on the Benotto show room floor in Italy.

Anyone have any other ideas on how to figure out the year, location of manufacture, etc? Also, I'm assuming from the previous posts on this site regarding Benottos that this is a Mod 5000, can anyone confirm that this is correct? It has oval tubing, though they are round at the HT & BB junctions. However, the seat tube stays oval at the BB lug, which is interesting. The seat tube goes to round at the top and has a round seat post, and also has the dimple for tire clearance due to the short chain stays. The seat stays are tapered and oval at the top, and the chain stays are diamond shaped at the BB. Rear brake, and both shifter cables are internally routed.

This site has been a huge help over the last 10+ years in providing information. There's very little out there on these bikes, aside from an absurd statement that there were only 10 made... Yet there are plenty on these very forums, so we know that's not legit.

Bottom bracket shell has a 55 on one side (size), an I stamped in the middle, and "B3.4274" on the other side. From what I've read, there's no real good way to decode any of this.

I'm also considering refinishing the frame (gasp!), as there are many blemishes in the paint. Chips, etc, but no rust anywhere, thankfully. There's also a small dent in the top tube from a wreck that the bike had before my ownership. Some of the graphics were coming off, and the paint underneath is a darker red due to fading of the paint. All of this says to me that it's time to have the pain refinished and possibly the fork re-chromed. The chrome on the stays is absolutely perfect, so that can stay as-is.

What are the opinions around here about re-finishing a bike like this? I wouldn't mind dropping a few hundred dollars for a simple repaint and new graphics, and then it will get re-cabled, new bar tape, tires, saddle, etc.

Thanks, and sorry for the long winded post!

Dan

non-fixie 

Interesting frame. Can't help with the identification, but oval tubes and top-mounted shifters were last seen in '85, I think.

USAZorro

Maybe it's just the photos, but that paint looks quite thick. Perhaps he bought a repainted 1985 model in the early 90's?

danimal92sport

You could be right. There seems to be a thin coat on the top that almost gives it a candy apple red color, which is thick near the lugs like it sagged a bit? Either a repaint or poor quality control at the factory? You can see it on the BB photo where the paint is darker.

Dan

non-fixie 

Here's another one I found on BF. Mid-eighties seems correct.

Ben Billato

danimal92sport

Well, shamefully this bike still sits in exactly the same condition shown above. Okay, hangs actually - on the wall above the kegerator. I’ve owned it for 18 years and I think I’m ready to have the frame resprayed this winter - potentially in a more typical Benotto livery I’ve seen on the web. Any feedback on painting it vs replacing the decals and just riding it with the red chipped paint? I’m not sure this bike is very desirable or valuable, but is repainting a bad idea if not absolutely necessary?

Dan

noobinsf 

It looks like you just need tubes, tires, and a set of cables/housing to take it for a few rides. Why not do that before you make any decisions about it? If you end up disliking it and selling it, the paint may have some value to the next owner as is.