 
					|   | 
 | 
 | 
| 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cambridge, MA 
					Posts: 44,468
				 | 
				
				Benelli Cobra
			 
			Found this 1968 Benelli Cobra 125cc cafe racer on FBMP. Anyone know Benelli's? I have to think parts are impossible to find. Could be a neat little city bike.     
				__________________ Tru6 Restoration & Design | ||
|  09-15-2023, 04:06 AM | 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Mar 2003 
					Posts: 10,364
				 | 
			if nothing else pull engine and use it as a demo for your resto skills, mebbe even pull motor etc and convert to electric drive
		 | ||
|  09-15-2023, 06:01 AM | 
 | 
| Model Citizen Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Voodoo Lounge 
					Posts: 19,039
				 | 
			I know nothing about them; a tiny bit of research shows me that the bike in the FB ad  has been fairly heavily "customized"; seat, wheels, rear fender, side panels, LH shift conversion...  there's a few pictures on the web that can illustrate the parts missing. Apparently Montgomery Ward's sold this same bike in 1968, rebranded as the "Riverside". I like the name "Cobra" better. I mean if it was practically free and it runs, it's a simple machine. Like you said, parts might be a beeotch, but the work you did on the Ducati k/s makes it clear that you are definitely creative and clever enough to sort through problems!   
				__________________ "I would be a tone-deaf heathen if I didn't call the engine astounding. If it had been invented solely to make noise, there would be shrines to it in Rome" Last edited by herr_oberst; 09-15-2023 at 06:43 AM.. | ||
|  09-15-2023, 06:40 AM | 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North of You 
					Posts: 9,160
				 | 
			I would get it running and do the bare minimum restoration. I like the look of it now.
		 
				__________________ "A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." | ||
|  09-15-2023, 07:38 AM | 
 | 
| Registered | 
			
I agree.  It looks like a fun town runabout.  If you make it too precious, it might become less cool.
		 
				__________________ 1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? | ||
|  09-15-2023, 01:39 PM | 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cambridge, MA 
					Posts: 44,468
				 | 
			It is a pretty neat little bike and it's the patina that sold me more than anything so all of that would stay. But it's not to be. Not running for years, seller wants $1200, I said more like $700 and we couldn't see eye to eye on its value. Probably for the best since there are only 3 more months of riding weather left. The 900SS has been a good city bike for getting into Boston for movie nights so far but this little scooter I could do my dinner grocery shopping which I do on a nearly daily basis. 
				__________________ Tru6 Restoration & Design | ||
|  09-15-2023, 02:55 PM | 
 | 
|   | 
| Registered | 
			Go back to him in January.
		 
				__________________ 1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? | ||
|  09-15-2023, 03:04 PM | 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cambridge, MA 
					Posts: 44,468
				 | 
			Good idea.
		 
				__________________ Tru6 Restoration & Design | ||
|  09-15-2023, 03:09 PM | 
 | 
| Registered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lake Oswego, OR 
					Posts: 6,103
				 | 
			I have threatened to have a vintage bike displayed in my front room as “Art.”  May still do so.  Bikes like this are perfect for that. (Need a drip pan) | ||
|  09-15-2023, 05:39 PM | 
 | 
| Registered | 
			I had a Dynamo 65cc for a while. I fixed it up some and made a custom seat for it. Rode it a while and sold it for what I bought it for. It had really bass ackwards electrics and the shifter sesign was super janky. Like if the tail light bulb goes out the engine wont run. I certainly wouldnt pay money for another one. Unless it was a Volcano. Btw I used duplicolor metalcast red to revive the dull red paint it matched good.     
				__________________ 82 SC , 72 914 | ||
|  09-15-2023, 06:22 PM | 
 | 
| Almost Banned Once | 
			
If I was in the market (after cleaning/preservation) I'd make sure it's mechanically sound and ride it the way it is.
		 
				__________________ - Peter | ||
|  09-15-2023, 06:31 PM | 
 |