Benotto: The Impossible Hour - The Impossible Project

Thanks for your help, but:

Is too big at 27.2, and it doesn't have the world/globe logo as pictured in SR #4100 group.

Is too skinny for my 27.0mm seat-post dia.

Here's the thing, my target was to replicate his build as much as possible to the exact spokes number, or don't do it at all. I know it's impossible but at least I get the major parts correct, so we can leave out the spokes or the spoke nipples he used at the time.

His wheels are both 32h, I know because I was really fussy about getting near replica so I counted those spokes, so your 28 and 36 ones, especially not Ti, are not suitable.

About the crank, I did find 151 on eBay and currently watching it, but I'm still not sure if it's the same one though. For all I know his crank could have Ti chainring bolts and Ti crank bolt.

Ok I see you are indeed very particular about this.

crank:as far as I know no TI chainringbolts where never produced for campag.

Regarding the BB Bolts: the second version of the SR TI bb had metal nuts on a solid TI axle, the 1st version had a hollow axle and steel bolts (as far as I know). in any case any 151 bcd pista crank will be fine. these problems can be sorted out with the bb or later.

I will keep a look out for the correct hubs and seatpost.

Good luck

ok seatpost does exist with the correct logo

below in 26.6 so it must be availiable in 27.0 as well

http://www.ebay.de/itm/VINTAGE-80s-CAMPAGNOLO-SUPER-RECORD-FIRST-GENERATION-SEATPOST-26-6-POLISHED-/261269559972?pt=US_Seatposts&hash=item3cd4e11aa4http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=261269559972&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]

Love that documentary. Might have to watch it again..

Good luck!

@CheBeef: thx for the moral support dude. I'm actually glad the seller decided to give me compensation, though we haven't really settled how much.

I asked the missus and she said don't return it, I know I'm doing the right thing. Yes I can always return it and wait for another Benotto Pista frame for sale, but that could be another months or years!

@Lynchman: 50% sounds really fair if he get 100% compensation from the courier!

There are some people who can unbend forks but I'm a bit annoyed with the idea of unbending a steel. Everytime you bend steel back and forth it will weaken the steel, no?

@Mr. C.: many thx for your help. That's the first time I saw the post in flesh. Will keep an eye on the 27.0 one. PM me anytime if you can find the relevant bits

you might want to check frame alignment as a crash heavy enough to bend the fork and wreck a track end may have caused even more damage.

I did suspect it caused damages to other tubings/alignments but fortunately not. But I checked again just now to make sure because you're comment worries me a bit. Anyway, that's just based on my inspection, I'm no frame builder. Will bring it to an actual frame builder tomorrow.

that's a good call. I can truly believe how gutted you must've been when you saw the damages. but it's most interesting to see if you can blow some life back into the old frame.
have you inspected the sort of tubing? frame weight?

This is an exciting project... I really hope it works out.

A great read so far. I really hope you can get the frame repaired, the frame builder will know for sure whether the forks can be saved easily or not.

this is a great current project thread.... ups and downs. excitement, tragedy, triumph(hopefully).... good luck, looking forward to see how the story unfolds.

I used to have an old (cracked) Benotto Pista as well. Sold it before learning any framebuilding skills, and today I regret selling it.
Anyways - I am pretty sure you can re-align the forblades, same goes for the track ends. Everthing steel can be rebend it's just a matter of doing it the right way. Do not use heat!
Link to article about same issue:
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Itlay/Bottecchia_Professional/Bott_ProGiro_3_Building_2.htm

If the originality of the bike is important I would suggest that you get a refund from the seller and try getting a framebuilder to repair the forks and track ends or buy this

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Professional/Bott_Pro_Fork_Fix/Bott_Pro_Fork_Fix_5.jpg

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thumbnails/uploads/products/618a2dd3fb5f094c6d301230aef08165f19fb27b_430x390.jpg

http://www.bikeman.com/images/stories/NameTool/nametool5B.jpg

• you need a good vise and some patience.
  I do have the tools, but as I am based in Denmark that is not of much use. If you are in doubt about what to do try the velocipede salon forum. There might be some UK based builders who are up for lending you tools or helping you out.
  

You could buy an extra set of forks for when you want to ride it, and just use the original forks, once resurrected, for hanging on the wall. And for the dent I wouldn't worry. All great well-ridden frames end up having dents. And you can't hardly see yours so it won't clutter any images or remove focus from your lovely bike ;-)

subbed. for threads like this I visit CP.

on a random note, have you been at my work yesterday?

Fuck! Really gutted for you, you sounded stoked to get this!

*subbed

@everybody: thx for the support and comments. I was really thrilled when I got this but unfortunately disheartened seeing the damages, but I'll carry on with the build.

@dron: Haven't inspected the tubing but the seller did say it's Columbus. The fork has Columbus decal, though badly damaged, but it says Columbus. Will weight it when I buy portable scale next week

@hulsroy: Thanks for the articles! I'm not going to fix it myself, a framebuilder will. Originality is of course important so the original track fork is preferred although I'm still open to use road fork as last resort so I can ride the bike.

Sad to see you had to let go your Benotto, why don't find another one ; )

@1000angels: Thanks pal!
No I don't work with the company anymore, been a while since last time I was there, kinda miss it now.

If you paid via paypal and sent payment for "goods and services" (not as gift) put a claim in. Paypal are likely to side with the buyer

Today's update:

Managed to drop the frame to Mario Vas, my trusty frame resprayer, during lunchtime. He has a framebuilder working with him now, which is a plus! So he said he'll try to unbend the fork. He did warn me that the steerer may tear (my stomach tingled, knees weakened when he said that) but he'll be extra careful, same thing with the rear dropout.

Alternative solution was to replace the steerer with a new one, didn't know it was possible but apparently it is. It involves cutting and brazing so not really suitable as I want to maintain its originality.

Another solution is not to do anything with the original fork and buy a road fork, well I don't mind. Not ideal but at least I can ride the bike while looking for other frame builders who's able to fix the original fork.

Sadly he couldn't undent the top-tube but able to fill it, I don't mind as it's quite tiny anyway.

Hopefully everything will go smoothly, fingers crossed! After he's done repairing the damages he'll pass it to Mario who's going to finish it with a colour that I really want! There's only one right colour and it's sparkling pink.

Well of course not. Anyway, turnaround is expected between 3-4 weeks! This will be the longest 3-4 weeks of 2013.

There's only one right colour and it's sparkling pink.

gunna look sikk in RAL 4010 Telemagenta

If you paid via paypal and sent payment for "goods and services" (not as gift) put a claim in. Paypal are likely to side with the buyer

And if PayPal do side with the buyer, which I'm sure it will, will I get a full refund and require to send the frame back? Because I don't want to send it back. The seller has agreed to give me compensation anyway, though we're still discussing how much. I asked 50% but still waiting for his answer.

Arrgghh, my eyes!

Lol. Here was my HHSBenotto troll build

I believe marios in house frame builder is actually his brother. and should be handy enough. good call on just filling the dent, I might even just leave it as it is.
regarding the forks; replacing the steerer is not that bad an idea if it's not too expensive.

And if PayPal do side with the buyer, which I'm sure it will, will I get a full refund and require to send the frame back? Because I don't want to send it back. The seller has agreed to give me compensation anyway, though we're still discussing how much. I asked 50% but still waiting for his answer.

how about sending that proposition to paypal. they might just see that as a favorable agreement for both.

Lol. Here was my HHSBenotto troll build

"was"? You sold it or you rebuild it non-troll? Is that 2-bolt SR seatpost?

how about sending that proposition to paypal. they might just see that as a favorable agreement for both.

Which one? That I get all my money back or keep the frame and get 50% refund?

Well I thought so too after reading a thread here regarding his brother a frame-builder but he kept referring his frame-builder as "my frame-builder", never really mentioned "brother"