Benelli Classic Motorcycles

Introduction

Benelli was established in Pesaro, Italy in 1911. Teresa Benelli, a widow, invested all of the family capital into the business in the hope that it would offer stable work for her six sons: Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio ("Tonino").

In the beginning, it was just the Benelli Garage, which repaired cars and motorcycles, but was already able to produce all of the spare parts needed for repairs.

In 1920 the company built its first complete engine in-house, a single-cylinder two-stroke 75 cc model, immediately adapted to a bicycle frame. A year later in 1921, Benelli built its first motorcycle, using their own engine which had by then become a 98 cc model.

Two years after that, using a version specially designed for competitions, Tonino "the terrible" took to the track. He displayed an extraordinary natural talent as a rider and embarked on a very successful career which confirmed the company's exceptional capacity for development and production.

Riding a Benelli 175, Tonino Benelli won four Italian championship titles in five years: in 1927, 1928 and 1930 with the single overhead camshaft (SOHC) version, and in 1931 with the double overhead camshaft (DOHC) version.

Unfortunately, a bad crash during a race in 1932 cut short his brilliant career and on 27 September 1937 Tonino died following a "silly" road accident. As World War II loomed, the Benelli company debuted their four-cylinder supercharged 250cc racing bike. This was intended to compete in the 1940 season, building on Benelli's success in the 1939 Isle of Man TT Lightweight 250 cc race. With the start of the war, the Benelli Four was limited to competition in a handful of Italian domestic races.

In 1989 there was hope of a revival with the backing of Pesaro-based manufacturer Giancarlo Selci. But the time still wasn't right for a real comeback.

In 1995 revival of the brand with the glorious history became a real possibility when Andrea Merloni took charge. Results were fast in coming with the launch of the marvellous Tornado 900 Tre super sport bike in 2002 and the current launch of the TNT, the explosive roadster.

Benelli is now part of motor Group Qianjiang, which is a corporation located in southeast China at Wenling. Benelli Q.J. is located in Pesaro where the previous proprietors based the facilities, keeping the whole workforce previously working at Benelli s.p.a.

Bike	Image	Description
1935 Benelli Type 4 TN, 500cc
1939 250cc Benelli - Double Overhead Cam
1951 Benelli Leoncino Primo Tipo		125cc
1960s Benelli 350cc Wards Riverside Road Racer
1963 Benelli 125
1969 Benelli Tornado 650S
1969 Benelli 125/4T
1971 Benelli Leoncino		125cc
1972 Benelli 650 Tornado S
1975 Benelli 50cc Cross
1976 Benelli 250 2C Cup
1978 Benelli 250
1978 Benelli 500 LS
Benelli 500 LS 1979
1979 Benelli 354 Sport
1979 Benelli 354 Sport II
1979 Benelli 750 Sei
1981 Benelli 654 Sport
1981 Benelli 350RS
1985 Benelli 125 Sport
1988 Benelli 900 Sei
Benelli 750 SEI		Engine - 748cc, air-cooled, SOHC, transverse six Top Speed - 114mph Maximum Power - 71bhp @ 8500rpm Gearbox - 5 speed Brakes - Double disc/drum Frame - Tubular twin cradle