7) 1982 Benotto 850 Paris-Roubaix (55cm)

SPECS

Status:  Sold
Made in Torino, Italy
​Size: 55cm
Frame & Fork:  Columbus Zeta
Groupset:  Shimano 600 Arabesque
Wheelset:  Front:  Araya rim with Suzue hub; Rear:  Campagnolo Record Serie Elan Hd100 rim with Miche hub and Schwalbe Lugano 2, 25c tires

BEFORE

My first restoration was a Benotto 850 and I couldn't believe it when I saw another on FB Marketplace.  The condition wasn't as nice on this one and it needed some parts and repairs but I knew it would be beautiful when I finished.  The rear derailleur wasn't shifting at all, the rear wheel had a broken spoke and the freewheel couldn't be removed to replace the spoke because someone had stripped it with the wrong tool at some point in its history.  Also, the saddle was a wreck and would need to be replaced.   

AFTER

The seat stays had been mangled by a rack at some point in its life.  I was able to make a pretty good match with the paint in order to touch it up, though, and was happy with the paint in the end.  It was challenging to find a nice saddle from the 80s and in the end I used the one that had come on the Leonardo with plans to replace it with another.  It turned out that the derailleur hanger had been bent and that's why it didn't shift.  After fixing that, it shifted like it was supposed to.  In the end, I was super happy with the way this bike turned out.