This was given to me a couple of weeks back by a coworker who is now riding a Carbon dreamcycle. He said this was just sitting in his garage doing nothing and would I like to have it? Somehow he knew I like Italian steel. At least I hope it is Italian and not a lesser Japanese made frame. But that is why I'm posting this. Hoping to find out a little more about this bike and if it is worth a full restoration or if I should just make a good rider out of it.

Here's what I either know or strongly suspect:

-Heavily raced and crashed at least once. There are scars on the drive side seatstays (visible in some of my photos) and the RD and crankset are scraped up.

-Appears to have been repainted

-Main triangle tubes are oval in the middle, round near the lugs.

-Logos are not transfers, but stickers.

-Component set is a frankenbike grouppo. Shimano light action SIS shifters and RD, Suntour cranks, Modolo Corsa brake calipers, Campy Ergolevers with the ergo removed, 6-speed Shimano freewheel.

-Fork may be a replacement. Can't see any other reason a race machine would have eyelets on the front dropouts.

-Frame is about 53 cm. I normally ride a 51, so this is rideable for me, though a touch taller than my norm. The top tube is the same height as my Bianchi Veloce, but the BB is noticeably lower.

Late 1980's mid-range model from Mexico. By then, the 5000 was not the only Benotto model with three profiled main tubes.

-Kurt

Thanks.