just got my hands on my 20 year old Benotto. (long story) I am looking for advice.
If I wanted to "rebuild" it from the frame up, what am I looking at...cost wise? My hope is to build it such that it'll hold me over till first of year when I plan to buy new, and serve as a good back up.

thoughts?

I built mine up period correct and I am really enjoying the ride. Fact is, I am riding my Benotto more than my 2006 bike. Cost wise.......check out ebay. I would guess you can do a budget build with maybe $200.00 to $300.00 in parts.


IGNORE MY POST ABOVE: I read your post as you had the frame only. I agree with Ollo Ollo below.

If you have all your original parts & none are worn out, the cost will be negligible if you dis-assemble, clean, polish, lube & reassemble everything yourself....If you need new bars, brake levers, crank, wheel set, headset, bottom bracket etc plus a repaint & new decals, it could get spendy.

I recently picked a Benotto from ebay for $150au. Early 80's mexican I'd say with very little use and in excellent original condition. Champaign colored. All decals, paint, rims and parts were excellent. See thread named "Benotto to be or not to be". Unfortunately the cost of shipping out weighed the cost of the bike but it still worked out to be a good ride \ deal! It's fitted with an immaculate Shimano 600 Arabesque gruppo and I all it needed was some new Benotto bar tape and gum rubber brake hoods and about 8 hours of my time. I stripped it, re packed, lubed and adjusted it, rides great. If your starting frame up, I agree it will become expensive! Try and find a complete bike with a bad frame to swap the parts over with. Good Luck!

Just one other observation:

If this bike needs many new parts plus a repaint & new decals, the restoration could still be "in process" when you reach the first of the year & start shopping for that new bike.

I would say you could do it for a reasonable price. Look at the pre ultegra Shimano 600 components. They are very well made and not too costly. You could also consider Suntour derailleurs.

i just did something similar. i had a benotto with very few useable parts. i was able to use the headset, bottom bracket. brakeset and front derailleur. i had it repainted and bought some decals. that was about $150. I spent another 300 on parts. I did find some great lightly used or nos shimano 600 and 105 stuff from the late 80s, and i am very happy with the parts.