cdgeorge

I bought a bike from the auction, looked lovely at first sight, with Benotto decals on the frame. However, after winning the bike (for £50) on closer inspection the frame is badly sprayed in white - and there are no real indicators on that bike that it's a Benotto at all! I would wonder why someone would take the time to put Benotto decals on a frame that probably not a Benotto - but each to their own I guess.

Anyway I've been scouring the net trying to find an answer with no luck (Raleigh, Peugeot, VeloSoleX!) - and there are no serial numbers that we can see in the usual place you would expect to find a brand serial number? It's been very frustrating! If you take a look at the photos from the link below you will see the only identifier I can find: GB 166849 WFS G.

So here I am "asking" someone for the first time with experience what this bike is likely to be (well, bike frame at least - I would assume it's a mixed bag).

Pictures can be found here: https://goo.gl/yZP8hA - and Thank you for any help.

benwhitmore

Here are some more close ups of the same bike (we bought the bike together at an auction - it was covered in Benotto decals)

ramzilla

With serial numbers on the side of seat post like that, it could be a Kuwahara frame.

benwhitmore

Thanks Ramzilla, did not Kuwahara serials start with a "K" though? This one starts with GB

Bikedued

It kind of looks like an early to mid eighties Schwinn Traveler frame. Definitely not a Benotto of any sort. Entry level Japanese I would say.,,,,BD

USAZorro

With a serial number that long, it suggests a high-volume manufacturer. What size is the seatpost? Are there stampings on the dropouts?

lord_athlon

That looks like a schwinn dropout, but im not sure. How many manufacturers had a horizontal drop with the center not milled out?

88prelude

Could it be a Giant? It seems their serial numbers start with a G followed by a letter then 6 numbers. It seems this would most likely be a '91 model if it is. (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...al-number.html)

EDIT: This blog shows a filled in dropout on his Schwinn World Sport (https://twocitiestwowheels.blogspot.c...oddsnends.html). So perhaps a Schwinn built by Giant in Taiwan?

Lascauxcaveman 

I've never seen a dropout like that before. You'd think that'd be a dead giveaway to whatever it is.

non-fixie 

Looks decidedly Japanese. Reminds me of Vista, both in style and because of the location of the serial number.

benwhitmore

No markings on the dropouts but it has been painted pretty thick. Here are some more pics. It looked pretty close to a velosolex but that serial does suggest Giant..very confused. 70mm BB, 600mm seat post. Not sure if suntour shifters and simplex rear dérailleur are original..shimano 105 front dérailleur. Looks v similar to Peugeots and some raleighs..v stumped!

dweenk

I think Japanese also. A real smorgasbord of parts, so I would not rely on those date codes. I'm thinking mid-range frame - what is the seat post diameter?

benwhitmore

Lol, my wife says I'm a dufus for buying it..more pics..it's blue...does that help?

jeirvine 

If the bottom bracket measures 70 (and not 68mm) then it could very well be Italian. And you'll need calipers to get a good seatpost diameter measurement.

Charles Wahl

Also, if you don't have a caliper, and are relying on that tape measure, you can't take measurements like 70 mm with using the hanging lip at the end: start with one end at 10 cm, and read at the far end. And your accuracy will only be about half a mm, unless you have eagle eyes at close range, and very steady hands/grip.

benwhitmore

More pics stripped down..don't have a crank puller

juvela

have not before seen a frame this modest where they took the trouble to set it up for incasso brakes. don't doubt that it may be commonplace, just seems a bit odd at first blush.

when they punched the vent holes in the blades they were in such a hurry that they dimpled them.

presently leaning more to formosa than honshu...

benwhitmore

Ok, I'm closing in. Any thoughts on it being a Giant RS940 12/14 speed, 54cm frame? That ties in with the serial number too....

juvela

yes, and if it is a giant product then it is anyone's guess as to which of their many hundreds of clients it came from...

benwhitmore

Think we found it guys. Giant Racer! Someone just over sprayed it and stuck some racing handlebars and Benotto decals on it...Pffft, won't be making our £54 back with any profit!



velosaloon.com Giant Racer 60,5 cm

Thanks for all your help.

Beach Comber

That really sucks. Was it an auction that allows you to file a complaint for seller fraud? Maybe get your money back?

benwhitmore

Good point. I'll ask.

juvela

fine detective work you have done.

great to read you have it sorted!

one can only wonder how they chose benotto, perhaps it was the transfer set to which they had ready access.

or maybe they thought something like cinelli/derosa/colnago would be a reach too far...

lord_athlon

Giant made bikes for Schwinn, so that was my second guess based on the seat.

benwhitmore

Cheers dude.

Now do I restore it or sell all the bits...concave wheels and simplex derailleur. Gonna strip the frame now I've started.