Benelli Sei
 | |
| Manufacturer | Benelli |
|---|---|
| Production | 1972–1978 |
| Assembly | Pesaro, Italy |
| Engine | 747 cc air-cooled inline-6 |
| Bore / stroke | 56 mm × 50.6 mm (2.20 in × 1.99 in) |
| Compression ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Top speed | 200 km/h (120 mph) |
| Power | 76 hp (57 kW) @ 9000 rpm[1] |
| Transmission | 5-speed, wet clutch |
| Suspension | Front: 38 mm Marzocchi telescopic forks Rear: Twin shock |
| Brakes | Front: Twin disc Rear: Drum |
| Tires | Front: 3.50 H 18 Rear: 4.25 H 18 |
| Weight | 235 kg (518 lb) (dry) 255 kg (562 lb) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 23 L (5.1 imp gal; 6.1 US gal) |
The Benelli Sei is a series of motorcycles that were produced by Italian manufacturer Benelli, and masterminded by automotive designer Alejandro de Tomaso, from 1973 to 1989.[2] Two models were made, with 750 and 900 cc displacement. The 750 was the first production motorcycle with a six-cylinder engine.
Benelli 750 Sei
The Benelli 750 Sei was the first production motorcycle with a 6-cylinder engine and had two model releases.[3][4] De Tomaso intended it to become Italy's premier sporting motorcycle and wanted it badged as a Moto Guzzi. 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.[5]
The engine was based on the four-cylinder Honda CB500, but with two extra cylinders.[6][7] 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. The "angular, bold design" was by Carrozzeria Ghia.[8] It produced 76 bhp (57 kW) at 9,000 rpm, had a top speed of around 127 mph (204 km/h) and was one of the smoothest European tourers.[1][9]
Despite the extra cylinders, the Sei's width was kept to a minimum by siting the alternator (which, on the Honda, is at the left-hand end of the crankshaft) behind the cylinders. Cooling was improved by having air passages between the cylinders; the Sei had three Dell'Orto VHB 24 mm carburetors (the Honda CB 500 had four, for four cylinders).[7] The vehicle appeared to reviewers as heavy and cumbersome but handled surprisingly well, and had a unique signature exhaust note from its six mufflers.[10]
Production Frame numbers started at 5000.
Production figures were as follows ;
Series 1 . 1974 293 #5001-5293
1975 1,479 from # 5294
Series 1 ,2 1976 87 from # 6774
Series 2 1977 283 from # 6861
1978 1,058 from # 7145
Sei 900 Series 1 1978 23 # 100001- 100023 Series 1 1979 515 # 100024- and up Series 1/2 1980 322 # 100539- and up Series 2 1981 312 # 100861- and up Series 2/3 1982 176 # 101174- and up Series 3 1983 26 # 101351- and up Series 3 1984 106 # 101377- and up Series 3 1985 25 # 101484- and up Series 4 1986 200 # 101510- and up Series 4 1987 88 # 101710- and up Series 4 1988 0 # 101798- and up Series 4 1989 85 # 101799- and up Total production 1878
The Benelli 750 Six / 900 Six remained the only six-cylinder motorcycle in production until the entrance of the Honda CBX in 1978.
Benelli 900 Sei
 | |
| Manufacturer | Benelli |
|---|---|
| Production | 1979-1989 |
| Assembly | Pesaro, Italy |
| Predecessor | Benelli 750 Sei |
| Engine | 906 cc air-cooled inline-6[11] |
| Bore / stroke | 60 x 53.4 mm[12] |
| Top speed | 120 mph[11] |
| Transmission | 5-speed, dry clutch |
| Suspension | Front: 38 mm Marzocchi telescopic forks Rear: Twin shock |
| Brakes | Front: Twin disc Rear: Single disc |
| Wheelbase | 56 inches (1,422 mm)[11] |
| Dimensions | W: 25.75 (654 mm)[11] |
| Weight | 549 lbs (249 kg)[11] (wet) |
In 1979, by which time Benellli had sold 3,200 vehicles, Benelli developed the 750 Sei into a 900 cc motorcycle by increasing bore and stroke,[6] with six-into-two exhausts and a small bikini fairing taken from the Moto Guzzi Le Mans. "The 900 bodywork gives the bike an attractive completeness and is constructed as a one piece tank and side panels moulding. Underneath is a plastic fuel tank in the normal position. The body work cover is tricky and time-consuming to remove and needing care so as not to damage it (especially as now these sections are unobtainable in 2024) it adds to the attractive design of the bike. The 900 Sei is a surprisingly small bike to ride adding to it's neat handling, especially when compared to its peer Japanese 6 cylinder superbikes of the period (Honda CBX 1000, Kawasaki Z1300). An unusual final drive design was the use of the complex and expensive to replace duplex drive chain and twin sprockets. Only rare examples will have retained that as most are converted to regular single chain and sprockets"[15]. Less than 2,000 were made over four model releases.[7] Described at the time as "outrageous"[13] or a "flashbike". Flashbikes tended to be "rare, expensive, European, quirky, handsome and high performance".[14] It had an original MSRP of $3,995.[11]
It was later released under the "Sei Sport" name, with a larger bikini fairing.
See also
References
- ^ a b Grubb, Jake (March 1975). "Easy riders: the grand touring motorcycles for '75". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ Benelli 750/900 Performance Portfolio 1973-1989. R. M. Clarke. Brooklands Books, 20 Jan 2005
- ^ Imports and Motorsports. Bill Hartford. Popular Mechanics Jan 1974
- ^ Clarke, R.M. (2005). Benelli 750/900 Performance Portfolio 1973-1989. Brooklyn Books. ISBN 978-1-85520-668-7.
- ^ The Moto Guzzi Sport & Le Mans Bible. Ian Falloon. Veloce Publishing Ltd, 30 Jun 2007
- ^ a b Egan, Peter (December 2009). "Three Tenors". Cycle World. pp. 49–54. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ a b c Siegal, Margie (September–October 2006). "Benelli 750 Sei: The Italian answer to the Japanese onslaught". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Benelli 750 Sei". Cycle World. August 1974. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ World's Fastest Motorcycles. John Cutts, Michael Scott. Book Sales, 1 Aug 1991
- ^ 365 Motorcycles You Must Ride. Dain Gingerelli, Charles Everitt, James Manning Michels. MBI Publishing Company, 10 Jan 2011
- ^ a b c d e f g Mitchel, Doug. "The Benelli Sei 900". Motorcycle Classics September/October 2009. Motorcycle Classics.
- ^ Walker, Mick (2006-08-23). Motorcycle: Evolution, Design, Passion. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-8018-8530-3.
- ^ Cycle World, Volume 33. CBS Publications, 1994
- ^ Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader, March 2008, Dominion Enterprises, Originally published in Cycle World
[15] Ken Bruce Benelli Sei 900