1920s
Benelli Models include:
1930s
Benelli 1936 500cc Turismo
Benelli 1939 250 GP
Benelli 1939 250 Turismo
1927-1931 175 "Sport" 172 cc single cyl., OHC
1928-1932 175 "Turismo" 172 cc single cyl., OHC
1930-1932 175 "Gran Lusso" 172 cc single cyl., OHC
1931-1933 175 "Gran Sport Monza" 172 cc single cyl., OHC
Benelli Type 4 1935
1933-1939 500 "Turismo" 493 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12° ca.23 h.p.
1934-1940 500 "Sport" 493 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12° ca.23 h.p.
1934 220 "Turismo" 215 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke
1934 220 "Sport" 215 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke
1934 175 Bialbero. Two or three 175cc Bialbero DOHC racers were built in the years 1931-34. The model won the Italian National Championship in 1931. The engine produced 15hp at 9000rpm. Weight was 93kg and it had a top speed of 140-150kph.
1934-1938 250 "Turismo" 246 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12° ca.12 h.p.
1937-1938 250 "Sport" 246 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12°
1937 250 M37 246 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12°
1940s
Benelli 1941 250 Tipo 4 Elastico
1940 250 4TSS Monotubo 248.87 cc single cyl., OHC, 4-stroke, 12°
1941 250 Monotubo Sport SS. 4 speed gearbox, 140-150 kp/h max. speed.
1940 500 VTA 493 cc single cyl., 4-stroke
1940 500 VLC 493 cc single cyl., 4-stroke
1940 500 VLM & VLMB 493 cc single cyl., 4-stroke
1950s
1960s
1960 Benelli 175S
1963-68 Nuovo Leoncino 123 cc two-stroke single
Benelli 1964 Sport 50
1965 Benelli Motorella
1966-1968 Benelli Barracuda 250 (USA)
1967 125 "Sprite 5V" 123 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1967 250 "Sprite 5V" 245 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1968 Leoncino "Scrambler" 123 cc two-stroke single
1968-1973 125 "Sport Special" 123 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1968-1973 250 "Sport Special" 245 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1968 Nuovo Leoncino 125cc
1968 Nuovo Leoncino 125cc Scrambler
1969 Sport Special 250cc
1969 Benelli Mojave 360 (Wards, USA)
1969 125 "Scrambler" 123 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1969 250 "Scrambler" 245 cc 4-stroke single, horizontal
1970s
1970 Benelli Buzzer
1970 Benelli Dynamo Trail
1970 Volcano Minibike
1970-71 Leoncino "Cross" 123 cc two-stroke single
1971-1975 Tornado 650 642 cc 4-stroke twin, 12°
1972 125 2C 124 cc two-stroke twin
1972 250 2C 231 cc two-stroke twin, Motobi
1972 125 "Cross" 120 cc two-stroke single
1972 Mini Enduro
1973 250cc 2C Elettronica
1973 125 "Enduro" 120 cc two-stroke single
1973 Supersport 250 (US Model)
1973 Enduro 175 (US Model)
1973 Cougar 65cc (US Model)
1973 Banshee 90cc (US Model)
1973 Raider 125 Road (US Model)
1973 Panther 125 Trail (US Model)
1973 Phantom 250 road (US Model)
1973-74 500 "Quattro" 498 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1972 750 Sei (Prototype)
1974-1977 747 cc 6 cyl. 56 x 50.6 mm, 4-stroke 76 h.p. (9.000 rpm) 204 km/h
1976 125 "Turismo" 120 cc two-stroke single
1976 125 2C SE 124.77 cc two-stroke twin
1976 250 2C SE 231 cc two-stroke twin
1976 250 "Quattro" 231 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1976 350 RS 345 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1976 500 LS 498 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1978 125 "Sport" 124 cc two-stroke twin
1978 354 "Sport" 345.77 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1978 504 "Sport" 498 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1978-1989 900 Sei 905 cc 6 cyl. 60 x 53.4 mm, 4-stroke 80 h.p. @ 8.300 rpm, max speed 200 km/h
1979 254 231 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
Benelli 650S Tornado
First shown in prototype form at the 1967 Milan Show, production began 1970. With a weight 217kg, it had an over-square (84x58mm) OHV engine with a claimed 57hp at 7,400rpm. In 1972 major engine modifications included the introduction of an electric starter fitted behind the cylinder block. Top speed was 156 km/h. It remained in the catalogue until 1975.
Source: Phil Aynsley.
Benelli 750 Sei
The Benelli Six first appeared in 1972, and in 1974 world's six cylinder motorcycle production models became available. Based on the Honda CB500F, but with two extra cylinders, the 750 Sei was built until 1977 when it was upgraded to a 900cc machine. Some 3200 of the 750s and fewer than 2000 900s were built. Other differences from the Honda were the placement of the alternator behind the cylinders, gaps for airflow between each cylinder and one carburettor feeding two cylinders. 76hp at 9,000rpm. Weight 228kg. Top speed of 202kph.
The 900 Sei was fitted with an unconventional duplex final drive chain.
Source: Phil Aynsley.
Benelli 250 Quattro 1977
Conceived by Alejandro de Tomaso as a sophisticated, four-cylinder machine which could take advantage of the tax concessions for under 250cc motorcycles, the Quattro was first shown at the Milan Show in 1975 - in both Benelli and Moto Guzzi versions. The Lino Tonti design was original and not derived from the larger Benelli 500 four or 750 six, but from the existing 125cc twin. The actual capacity of the SOHC motor was 231cc and it was fitted with four 18mm Dell'Orto carburettors. The use of plastic bodywork kept the dry weight down to 117kg and a uncluttered look was achieved by housing the instruments in the tank, together with the front brake master cylinder. Unfortunately this meant that the tank only held 8.5 litres. Originally the Benelli was called the 250 Quattro and was aimed at the more sporting rider (and was the rarest of the versions), while the Moto Guzzi was called the 254 (250 4 cylinder) and was more touring oriented.
As time progressed by these designations became somewhat interchangeable. Sales never lived up to expectations however, and the Guzzi version ceased production in 1981 but remained in the catalog for several more years. The Benelli lasted until 1984, although a 304 model with different bodywork was introduced in 1983. Apart from the larger capacity an open, double cradle frame and more conventional instruments were fitted. The 304 ceased production in 1986 (with new stock continuing to be sold until the early nineties). The Quattro made 27.8 h.p. at 10,500rpm and had a top speed of 150kph.
Source: Phil Aynsley.
Benelli 125 Enduro Cross
Engine 120.6cc piston-port air-cooled two-stroke; duplex-loop frame.
There was also a a 125 Turismo (c.1978) version with disc brake. Later models came with alloy cylinders, electronic ignition, better front suspension and, on some road models, alloy wheels.
Source: Bonhams
1980s
1978-1989 900 Sei 905 cc 6 cyl. 60 x 53.4 mm, 4-stroke 80 h.p. @ 8.300 rpm, max speed 200 km/h
1980 354 345 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1980 354 "Sport II" 345 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1980 654 "Turismo" 603 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1981 125 T 124 cc two-stroke twin
1981 250 Quattro
1982 124 123 cc 4-stroke twin
1982 654 "Sport" 603 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1982 304 231 cc 4 cyl., 4-stroke
1982 125 Sport
1987 125cc Jarno
Motocarro
Benelli also made light industrial vehicles based on motorcycles:
Motocarro Three Wheelers
Benelli Triporteur 1972 49cc
Benelli Triporteur Flandria 50cc
Sources: A. Vassiliadis, Phil Aynsley, Italian and US advertising and catalogues, et al
