Benelli 900 SEI, 1988, Italy

In 1971 the Argentinian Alejandro de Tomaso bought Benelli and Moto Guzzi, Maserati and Innocenti, while he already owned Vignale e Ghia.

In the early 70s the superbike market was dominated, in Italy as well as oversea, by the japanese manufacturers. De Tomaso decided to produce few models to fight the competition. The first prototype was made in record time at the end of 1972, but the first Benelli 750 Sei will be available only in 1974, at the price of 2.550.000 lire, together with the 500 and the 350 models.

The 900 Sei will be put on the market at the end of 1978. The engine displacement grew up to 906 cc, the bore and stroke (60 x 53,4 mm)were completely different from the 750. The new engine produced 80 bhp at 8.400 RPM.

La complexity of the 6-cylinder engine didn't help the success of this model, but it surely made it exclusive.

 

TECHNICAL NOTES

• 3 carburetors


• Electronic ignition


• Chain drive


• Overhead camshaft


• 12 valves: 2 per cylinder


• Double disk at the front, single disk at the back