Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm
Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: Un-RegisteredFrame No:10811MOT: Exempt
CRMC registered and thought to have been created by Czechoslovakian maestro ‘Josef Vontor’ using a 1974 donor ‘Benelli 500 Quattro
Benelli motor has been replaced with a virtually identical specialist-overhauled period Honda 500cc
Incorporating the Benelli side covers and cam cover, electric starter powered by external slave battery, the Del Orto carbs remain
Benelli was established in Pesaro, Italy in 1911, which possibly makes it the oldest of Italian motorcycle factories in operation. After losing her husband, the widow Teresa Boni Benelli invested all the family capital into the business in the hope that it would offer work for her six sons: Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio (“Tonino”). She also sent Giuseppe and Giovanni to study Engineering in Switzerland. Initially the business had 6 employees in addition to the brothers. At the end of WW2, much of the factory was destroyed, with equipment dispersed or damaged and it took three or four years to get production underway again. In 2005, Benelli was acquired by Qianjiang Motor Group, a Chinese company which has been controlled by the Geely Holding Group since 2015.
This CRMC registered machine, thought to have been created by Czechoslovakian maestro ‘Josef Vontor’ using a 1974 donor ‘Benelli 500 Quattro was campaigned by vendor until a valve failure in the original Benelli motor necessitated and engine overhaul that stalled due to other commitments. However, this problem has now been overcome as the original Benelli unit has been replaced with a virtually identical specialist-overhauled period Honda 500cc motor incorporating the Benelli side covers and cam cover, electric starter (powered by external slave battery,) etc. The original Del Orto carburettors remain. The overhaul included fitment of new pistons, seals and bearings as necessary. The vendor is sad to part with a machine that he has enjoyed for a decade but feels that his advancing years and recent joint replacements should be respected! The original Benelli motor which is repairable is available separately. Benelli fours need no introduction and were tremendously significant machines during what many consider to be the golden era of motorcycle racing and this example is a tribute to the men involved and their achievements.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
