Instead of posting randomly around this forum I've decided to start one thread on this build. So...

I came across an old Benotto frame on good ol' Craigslist. It looked pretty straight, was reasonably priced ($140 which is debatable) and seemed to have potential.

Tried to do some research on exactly what year and model Benotto it is but found dead ends (any Benotto people out there?). There is no serial number on the bottom bracket (BB) and came with nothing but a few scratches on the downtube decal.

The BB has those reverse threaded cups. Removed all that I could; bearings (which cleaned up nicely), the spindle (fitted for a cottered crank) i threw out, and one of the cups. The other cup is stuck in the BB, which I'll talk about later on.

Plans for the build :
-decals (with the eventual paint job)
-Nitto Drop bars with Brown Brooks Bar tape
-rear Sturmey Archer S2c kickback hub laced to a Mavic Open Pro
-Brooks B17 saddle (brown)
-heavy duty chain
-beers
-profanities


Photobucket Album




found a Sturmey Archer 3sp hub and hit it with intake manifold cleaner, an sos pad, and elbow grease





the hub seems to fit nicely, haven't measured it out yet. I'll post when I do since it will be mandatory for the wheel build.


comments or suggestions very welcome.

more to come

Looks nice!

I've got an old 531 frame with bullhorns. Right now it's got a vintage Campy Super Record group on it but I'd like to go with an internal gear hub and move the Campy over to an Italian frame.

You might not get alot of response here as conversations tend to run around modern equipment. If you don't get much play post your thread in the Classics and Vintage forum.

If you want I can move it for you. Just post a response in the thread.

yes thank you.

I'll move it to Classic and Vintage. You'll get some play there.

I doubt it's a Benotto. But looks like a fun project, especially at the price.

haha I agree. It's like my mutt. Who knows what breed it is I still love my mutt.

I think the decal on top of the paint gives it away

Maybe, but it is Italian - not clearcoating the decals would be no big surprise. But the stamped rear dropout with the double eyelets means it's not a racing bike. I'm not aware that Benotto made city bikes, but if it's a Benotto (which as I say, I doubt), that's about the only thing it could be.

nice observation. thanks.

Weren't Benottos made in Mexico?

i read somewhere that ther're factories were moved to Mexico. Origninally Italy, I think. So the 80's models were made in Mexico

Benotto bikes were originally made in Italy. Benotto is a firm with a long tradition of making very good quality bikes. Production moved to Mexico, with a few, upper-level bikes still being made in Italy. This happened sometime in the 70's-80's, but it's never been entirely clear to me when the shift in production was made.

1980s is what I remember but no definite facts. Remember reading a review of one in Bicycling or one of the defunct cycling magazines from that era and they claimed the bike to be a bit heavy but a good deal for a racer.

The decals on my Benotto are also on top btw, and I have seen only one other in person.. it also had decals on top with no clear coat.
here's a bad picture of the frame

I had a Benotto like this back in '83 (?) and the Benotto sticker was on top. I bought it on a family trip to Mexico. It was the same metallic blue with dark blue Benotto tape and Suntour components. The rear drops, I'm pretty sure, were the same as your bike. It wasn't a high-end bike at all but it brought me many years of memories. I used all of my allowance to buy that dang bike!

so you think it's an 83'?

This looks like a cool project. Sturmey hubs are generally spaced to 120mm, so unless your rear dropouts are spaced to 120 you'll probably need to have them taken in and realigned - so you know it will be symmetrical.

Keep us updated on the build progress. I love the idea of building up an old frame with a 3 or 5 speed vintage hub.

Honestly, I haven't measured them out yet, but the SA hub slid right in with no struggle. I guess I got lucky. Although, I should measure them out anyway...

...I've always wanted an orange bike so I picked up some RustOleum Orange and a can of Gloss. Going to rough up the frame, remove the sticker(s), and give it a few coats.


I'm not really worried about how great the paint job comes out. a carefully spray-canned job will be good enough for me. I already have a pretty bike. This will be me "beater" bike. Actually, I like the sound of "warrior" bike. If I lock it up to a street sign or pole to grab some coffee I don't want to have to worry about the paint getting ruined. My 07' Masi is another story.

With that said, should I apply the decals I bought off ebay a few months ago? Or should I save them for the real paint job down the road when this is all done. Maybe I should just throw them on, they were only $20.


I'm more focused on using good components and equipment. For example, nice Brooks bar tape, a quality crank (if I can afford one at the time), and constructing the bike properly.

Here I removed the spindle, bearing and one of the cups. The other is stuck on (reverse thread).

No lock nut on this side makes me wonder...



Anyone got any suggestions for removal? Very stubborn!

Thanks for the support. It's a lot of fun. I will def be posting a lot since the snow is really coming down here in the Northeast I will have lots of time for this project.

I can see why it's stuck. The edges of the spanner holes appear to be mangled a bit, making it hard to get a good purchase on the cups, I'm sure. Some people will say just leave a stuck fixed cup in there, but it may be hard to find a good BB match since I don't see any markings on the cups. Any markings on the spindle? It seems you actually have two adjustable cups--one removed with the locknut, and another (stuck) one without the locknut.

Have you weighed the frame? The BB shell looks like gaspipe.

I like your build plans!

EDIT: P.S. Where can we see more photos of your Masi?

Lets see some updates!

Maybe '82 or '83. Wish I had photos to share. I do know that my model was made in Mexico.

Use a punch and a hammer. Last time I had frame with a bottom bracket that I couldn't get out. I actually welded a nut to the cup and got it out that way. I took out another cup the Sheldon Brown way if you don't have the right tool. Just scroll down like almost all the way down the bottom of the page.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html

I was going to use the Sheldon way on a 72 Moto Le Champ that was mangled. Decided to use a torch to heat up the cup only, came right out without any discoloration of the paint on the BB.

FYI, in case it hasn't been conveyed, it's a very entry-level frame. I personally wouldn't be putting a lot of money into the build. If it makes you happy, that's of course another matter. Just wanted to be clear, in case you decided to save the good components and other bits for a better frame.

I just happen to be parting out my Benotto(due to a fatally fused seat post) so if youre interested in some Benotto cranks PM me an offer, it would save me the hassel of putting them up on ebay. They should be good quality as all the other parts were pretty good, came with campy derailleurs and stuff.


I just took them off the bike a few minutes ago, so theyre still grungey

So I def think it's a Benotto. I just don't understand why there isn't a serial number.