Benelli Sei
Type of motorcycle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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| Manufacturer | Benelli |
|---|---|
| Production | 1973–1978 |
| Assembly | Italy: Pesaro |
| 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) |
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.[attribution needed] 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 carburettors (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 |
| 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 |
| 1987 | 88 | # 101710- and up | |
| 1988 | 0 | # 101798- and up | |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Parent company | F.LLi.Benelli S.p.A |
| Production | 1979–1989 |
| Assembly | Italy: Pesaro |
| Predecessor | Benelli 750 Sei |
| Engine | 906 cc air-cooled inline-6[11] |
| Bore / stroke | 60 x 53.4 mm[12] |
| Compression ratio | 9.53:1 |
| Top speed | 120 mph[11] |
| Transmission | 5-speed, dry clutch |
| Frame type | Duplex steel tube cradle |
| Suspension | Front: 38 mm Marzocchi telescopic forks Rear: Twin shock |
| Brakes | Front: Twin disc Rear: Single disc. Linked braking system same as the Moto Guzzi system of the period. |
| Tires | Front 100/90 V 18 MT29 Rear 120/90 V 18 MT28 |
| Wheelbase | 56 inches (1,422 mm)[11] |
| Dimensions | L: 2.110 m W: 25.75 (654 mm)[11] |
| Weight | 220 kg (490 lb) (dry) 549 lbs (249 kg)[11] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 16.5 lt |
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. 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.
