SPECSStatus: Sold Made in Torino, Italy Size: 59cm Frame & Fork: Columbus Zeta Groupset: Shimano 600 Arabesque Wheelset: Araya rims with Shimano 600 hubs and Michelin Dynamic Classic 25c tires Other: Original Benotto leather saddle and Shimano 600 pedals BEFOREThis was my first bike restoration. Facebook put this as Today's Pick and I just couldn't believe my eyes. A classic, Italian bicycle right here in Kelowna! I couldn't believe it! I wasn't looking for a bike, but I just couldn't resist. It was in pretty good shape and Natalia was happy with my offer. I had an ear to ear grin all the way home with my new Benotto on the roof rack. At the time, I didn't know that I was going to make a habit of restoring vintage steel bikes and I certainly didn't know that I would be blogging about it. So, I didn't take too many before pictures with this one. Everything on the bike was original and in excellent condition. It had a full Shimano 600 Arabesque groupset, the original seat and the original Benotto cellotape bar tape. When I looked under the seat, I found a red name tag. I looked up Terry on Facebook and found the original owner of the bike. He bought it from Fresh Air Experience in 1982, a year after they opened, for about $800. He didn't ride it much because shortly after buying it, he got into mountain biking. He sold it at a yardsale about 4 years ago and Natalie bought it from the next yardsale a couple years ago. AFTER I had so much fun working on this bike. It satisfied so many things that I enjoy. I love making sad looking things beautiful again. I love solving problems. I love using my hands. I love vintage steel bikes, especially the old Italian ones with the beautiful lugged frames. I was hooked! Let the insanity begin!
2 Comments
|
AuthorMike the Bike Archives
October 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed