Description
Motorcycle auction
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 28th October from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 29th October from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1981 Benelli 900 Sei
Original unrestored condition
Estimate
£8, 000 - £10, 000
Registration No: PGM 221X
Frame No: 10713
MOT: Exempt
Fantastic 900cc six cylinder engine
1 of less than 2000 manufactured
Supplied with many old MOTs and a V5C
Benelli is one of the oldest names in motorcycling, established by Teresa Boni Benelli in Pesaro in 1922, who after losing her husband, invested all of the family capital into the business. The intention was to provide stable work for her six sons Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio. She sent Giuseppe and Giovanni to study Engineering in Switzerland, who then used their newfound skills to develope a range of small capacity bikes in the 1920s. Like many other Italian companies, they were successful in sports events and gained a strong following in the USA in the 1960s. The arrival of Japanese bikes changed the face of motorcycling and many manufacturers struggled to keep pace with their developements. Benelli was bought by flamboyant Argentinian entrepreneur Alejandro De Tomaso in 1971 who launched a new range of bikes heavily influenced by Japanese designs, the most exotic being the 750cc six cylinder Sei. Based on Hondas CB500 four, it was the the worlds first six cylinder production motorcycle. In 1981, a 900cc version was launched with 10 more BHP, but most importantly, a reduction in weight.
It is thought that less than 2000 900cc models were made between 1978 and 1989 with very few being sold in the UK. This example is presented in its original and unrestored condition, fitted with a genuine 'Silentium' DGM35450S stamped 6 into 2 exhaust system. It was recommissioned in 2020 by Selwyn Motorcycles at a cost of £1269, including the fitting of a Sachse Digital Ignition kit costing £340, receipt included. It is supplied with 10 old MOTS, the last one dated 15-05-23 at 14, 913 miles and has not seen much use since. Part of a small private collection of mainly Italian classics, it has been run recently and will be supplied with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
