So I am looking to build my first classic. I happen to have a friend that has a stash of NOS Benotto frames and one happens to be a 54 in my size with the chrome Columbus fork. He swears the frame is from the 90's but the numbers on the bottom bracket make me think he may be incorrect. This guy owned a store that sold Benotto's so he should know. I really want your guys opinions on this frame. The numbers on the bottom bracket are as follows....
9-85-54 then on the other side of the bottom bracket it says 3167. Money wise I will be into this bike complete with NOS period correct record including wheels for about $800.00. Your thoughts.....Am I crazy**********??

That sounds like quite a steal.

Not yet. You will be if you stick with us, though.

East Hill

Wifey says I have been for a loooooong time so I should fit in just fine.
Now......Can anyone tell me what that frame is?

I would buy it. 800$ for a NOS period correct bike is a good deal. The bike will be a rider with no trouble. So what do you have to loose besides 800$? A new bike for 800$ is not going to have any class. The resale value should hold pretty well if you decide the bike is not for you. It is a win win situation. Build it up and posts some pics!

That looks like a very nice frame, mind telling how much he's asking for it? It looks great and I also doubt it's from the '90s. The Columbus stickers in the '90s usually had a tubing designation like "TSX" "Nemo" "Brain" etc.

Not sure exactly yet to be honest. I asked him to just give me a figure with the components. BTW......If anyone else is interested in a frame just let me know. You can see some of what he has in the first pic. I know most of what he has is 56cm and bigger.

Regardless, for $800 with good NOS parts and that frame and fork, I'd say you'd have a fantastic bike.

You're not crazy. The pick of the three Benotto frames in the first picture is the middle one. As we have been discussing in the other recent Benotto thread, it is a Benotto 5000 model with internal cable routing and ovalised tubes. That is of no use if it's not your size though.

The frame you have chosen has a Columbus SL decal suggesting an 80's frame. Who's to say that it wasn't built in the 90's though - as the bike shop owner states. I think the frame has a late 80's feel and appearance with the two sets of bottle mounts and pump peg on the steerer tube and under the top tube.

Personally, I think it would look great with a Campagnolo Record gruppo (but I think everything looks best draped in Campy). (The serial no. is interesting - could it read: 9th month, 1985, 54cm ? - just a thought.) My first option would be a C-Record gruppo, say Record, Croce D'Aune or Chorus - or - Campy Super Record, my second choice, which is probably easier to source piece by piece.

I would love to come across a NOS frame from that era to build up. You will have a fantastic bike.

Best wishes with your project,

Gary F.

I agree 100% Gary. That is how I read the serial number as well. My buddy states that when ever he ordered frames from Benotto he would always order them with "custom" paint. So I wonder if possibly he did order this frame in the 90's as he states but Benotto had it hanging on a rack for a few years prior. I wish that the 5000 frame would fit me but it is to big. Sucks being a shrimp....LoL

I was interested to read about the custom paint job - I have seen Benotto's painted with that scheme before. If you look at my bike in the other Benotto thread you will see that it was basically painted white with blue sprayed on the lugs without masking off the areas. Very simple yet very 80's.

I wish the 5000 frame was my size too but it looks a little small. Someone is going to get a great frame though.

I wonder if all frames shown were made in Mexico - As discussed in the other thread, it was suggested that a later model 5000 frame was made in Italy - as told to the buyer by Mr. Benotto's daughter.

I had a look at my bottom bracket stampings, it read; B3.4256 on the LHS and 59 on the RHS. The frame is a 59cm c to c seat tube. The group set is 1984 - I wonder if the B3 may refer to 1983? There is also a letter 'I' milled into the BB shell - I wonder if that may refer to 'Italian'?

I was just looking at the bottom bracket pics and I see I missed some info that may help date and ID this frame. Besides the numbers that I stated in the first post that are on the BB shell it also says " C.B." Then the BB cutout cuts the rest of the initials then below that it simply says "made in Italy".
Does that any clues?

Hi Gary,

I think the CB------ Made In Italy is the markings of the company that investment cast the bottom bracket shell. This company probably supplied BB shells to many other builders. Benotto would have cut the heart shape into the shell then brazed on the cable guides.

Nice photo - you must have a good camera.

Old Canon G3 4.0 MP Point and Shoot. Photoshop is the key. Thanks for you info on the bike Gary. Hopefully I can start assembly in the next day or two.

This looks like the same bike in your photo, doesn't have the chrome chainstay and fork though, and there's some kind of model designation on the top tube. This ad is from 1987



Red X? Click HERE

But yeah, that "champagne" frame in the middle would be more collectable.

C.B.T. bb, surely, like this one :

Mebbee.... a 56/57cm might be nice. Let me know what he needs for the frameset!

I gave one of those frames away. I am really kicking myself for it. I was told, after buying it, that it had sat in a wet basement for quite some time and quite a bit of rust was poured out of it. It was obviously in MUCH worse shape, still wonder if I should have done that.

The frame screams mid 80's to me. I think $800 for a NOS complete bike is a great deal, especially built with period correct Record parts. The rear brake bridge especially tells me earlier than 1988-89. The spacing on the rear would not be 126 in the 90's. I think 8 speeds came in around 1989-90.

It also looks like a Columbus SL decal from the 80's. I'm going with Gary Fountains guesstimate of 1985.

If it fits, buy it!

Does anyone know the model of the third frame back in Gary's picture? The one with chrome stays and the silvery gray scales. I'd be curious for any info as I believe I've got the same one.

Not sure the name but it sure is a "pretty" frame....

Thanks anyhoo

That's a date/size stamp on the BB shell.
It was manufactured in Sept. 1985, and is a 54cm.
That would make it a 1986 model.

Hello GarySol1

I was just looking at the first picture of that frame of yours... does your friend with the stash of NOS benottos still have the stash of NOS benottos? can he be contacted?

after 6 some years I am pretty sure they are gone... but I am just wondering if he still has that frame right behind yours in the first pic...
best,
Juan