Gary - Its great to see the Benotto in all it's glory. It has been a pleasure to go from your initial frame selection to the finished bike.

It is a rare beast - a brand new late 80's bike. I would guess at '86 / '87. The brake levers look to be the levers used with the cobalto callipers which would have been available at this time. The callipers are SR which were available after '83.

The hubs look to be Campy Nuovo Tipo with the round holes in the flanges and no oiler hole in the middle of the hub. These hubs are of a reduced quality than the Record hubs but they are probably rarer (and they look great which is very important).

I would be keeping the pressure on your neighbour for a Campy crank set but look for a crank set that doesn't have milled flutes in the crank arms. If you can find such cranks, look at the Campy logo on the face of the crank - you want a laser etched logo as this was the last version of the crank arm (engraved version was prior to the etched version but would be great anyway). Your present cranks are pretty spectacular though.

Just for your knowledge - a rear derailleur without a date stamp at the top is the version of the SR rear derailleur that would suit your bike. The later versions of the SR derailleur didn't have a manufacture date. That being said - a brand new SR rear derailleur can only be admired - even if it does have a date.

I love the look - every aspect of the bike works well within the whole presentation topped off with the Turbo saddle and the (3TTT - I guess) pantographed black stem.

Is the house on the other side of your neighbour for sale - I would like to move in. (Well done Gary!!!)

you know there is something funny looking about the brake levers... I think I might be able to take a stab at what it is. I will venture to guess they are chorus/athena/c-record levers (one of the three) with the quick release in the lever. And that you have the quick release engaged. That would explain the gap I see between the front of the hood and the lever in the photos... you need to pull the lever in and push the little button to the other side... Let us know if this is the case.

Thanks for all the info and tips guys. I am out f town for a few days but as soon as I return I will check the quick release on the levers. To be honest I don't recall seeing a QR on the levers but I will look. I have had later model Chorus components before so I am a bit familiar with them.

Gary....truth be told. I just sold my house this past Monday