Benelli GP 250 Four

Benelli 248cc GP Racer

Benelli Sei

(Source: rocket-garage.blogspot.com)

Brand of the Week - Benelli

Towards the end of the 1960s, the arrival of Japanese manufacturers caused a crisis in the European motorcycle industry. The original Benelli company was heavily involved in the American motorcycle market, selling motorcycles under 350cc through Montgomery Ward. The advent of competition from Japan led to Benelli products (still largely of single cylinder pushrod design) losing popularity as they were perceived as old-fashioned in comparison to  Hondas of the era which sported overhead cam engines with electric starters, in much the same way as the British motorcycle manufacturers such as Norton, BSA and Triumph were affected in the larger capacity sector.

Brand of the Week - Benelli

750 Sei

The Benelli 750 Sei was the first production motorcycle with a 6-cylinder engine. On its launch, it received tremendous publicity overshadowing all other Italian bikes of that year. It started the trend of angular designed motorcycles moving away from traditional round forms.The cylinder head fins of the Sei were squared off to provide a cosmetic individuality, but otherwise the engine is in most respects obviously derived from the Honda. It produced 96 bhp at 9,000 rpm, had a top speed of around 127 mph and was one of the smoothest European tourers.

Despite the extra cylinders, the Sei’s width was kept to a minimum by siting the alternator behind the cylinders. Cooling was improved by having air passages between the cylinders; the Sei had three Dell’OrtoVHB 24 mm carburetors.The vehicle appeared to reviewers as heavy and cumbersome but handled surprising well, and had a unique signature exhaust note from its six mufflers.

The Benelli 750 Six remained the only six-cylinder motorcycle in production until the entrance of the Honda CBX 1000, in 1978.

Brand of the Week - Benelli

Tornado 650

Brand of the Week - Benelli

In 1969, Benelli introduced the Benelli Tornado 650, a vertical twin designed primarily for sale in Great Britain and the US. The Tornado earned a reputation for reliability and high performance, despite its somewhat hefty weight at 480 pounds. Benelli claimed at the time of launch that the Tornado was capable of 57 hp at 7,400rpm for a top speed of 117 mph.The Tornado (later the Tornado S) was discontinued after 1974, when Benelli introduced a series of “multis” intended to compete with Japanese triples and fours.

Brand of the Week - Benelli

(Source: 8negro.com)

Brand of the Week - Benelli

Heritage