1965 Benelli Sprite restoration - thoughts?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

This looks promising.

Doesn't it? Truth is, I've always been tempted by Italian bikes, but in the end I always end up with a Honda. I'm currently considering this bike, a GPz550, and a Honda CL350. Videos I've seen of the Riverside make me think that at 6' and 175#, I'm a bit big for it. Beautiful little machines, though.

[asphaltgambler]

There was a dealer for B's near me in the early / mid '70's and always thought they were cool! As kids, a friend of mine had a 'Chibi' mini-bike from them that had, I believe, a 70 or 90CC engine but was smaller than a Honda 70............

I'm biased but I see the only obstacle really is parts and some basic technical information. Hard to monetize good, personal satisfaction.

[nota]

had a 60's 450cc Benelli. in 72 [not the 450ss that was a 50cc]
the thing was a tractor lots of low end power

but build quality sucked
it shorted inside the motor/mag
and caught fire, the only bike I ever had that was a total POS

old but crap when newish
I would not bother with one
as there are so many better bikes out there

[nota]

is the 200 a de-Aermacchi motor ?
like the 250-350 H-D imports ?

[javadog]

The more I think about this, the more I think you should pass and find something more interesting. This thing was cheap when new and that came at a cost. Today, the starter motor on my car makes more power, so it wouldn't be much of a thrill to ride.

Build a little Honda 400 cafe racer.

JR

[Don Ro]

Didn't Sears sell Benellis?

[nota]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Didn't Sears sell Benellis?

monkey wards sold them

sears sold puch twinggulls [two stroke 2 cyl single fire]
and mopeds
and Gilera's I had one 125cc
and vespa's

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by Snapper33

One of the two Morini restorations on this board is my K2. I will be updating my thread soon, as I am finally, near completion.

Being a socialist country, many Italian motorcycles share similar parts. There are a few parts on my Morini stamped "Ducati".

If you are looking for an investment, do your math closely. If you are building for your personal satisfaction, after your heart's lust, then be more fuzzy with the accounting pencil. Consider that a modern bike which would make you feel the same inside would cost xxx much money, then decide if you want to lay out the expense.

While my Morini is not as old (it's a 1985), it was grossly neglected, had a cracked frame, over 33,000 miles, former race circuit steed... it has been a good project. My goal was not to restore it to show room or new condition, but rather to look like a well-maintained race bike.

My figures:
$500 to purchase
$1,600 to restore
Total: $2,100

I have no idea what it's worth on the market. I do know what it's worth to me.

I had the other Morini which I didn't so much as restore as refurbish and get back on the road.

Snapper's project is much nicer than what I did with mine(and I can't wait to see the finished bike!)

I had a 1980 500 Sport, which was for the most part a complete bike when purchased as a literal "barn find"--from an actual farmer who was the original owner. Having a complete bike to start with made things easier.

As Snapper mentioned, the Morini shared components with the other Italian makers--so there is cross-compatibility. The biggest hurdle I faced was getting seemingly simple parts(throttle cables, caliper rebuild parts, the correct Dellorto carb rebuild parts). So you may have to get some parts custom-made (as I did with the cables) or use generic pieces and make them work.

My two best friends during my back-porch rebuild project were Herdan Corp--who was(and may still be) located in Port Clinton PA--they were a big Morini supplier/dealer and I was able to get manuals and parts from them and E-bay international sellers--. I spent many hours combing through listings.

If you have the ability and drive, I say why not? After all it is just a bike, just like any other--nuts, bolts, etc. and once you tear into it, will find the end result that much more rewarding getting an unusual bike back onto the street.

edit--as for the math--I had a total of around $2,800.00 in the bike, including purchase price and ended up trading it straight-up for a mostly stock 16K mile Honda 78 CB750F Super Sport 5-6 years ago(IIRC)

[derek murray]

I love this place - Thank you for all the thoughtful comments.

I've posted a few questions on a Benelli forum asking about the availability of parts and resources... as I agree with many of the comments - and I have no interest in having to search the ends of the earth to find something simple like new clutch plates.

Is this Benelli the only bike for me - hell no. I would love an old Ducati single (mach 1) or a '60s Honda CB450 or CB77... but the Benelli is close by, inexpensive (compared to those others), and it does push a lot of my buttons! The parts issue is definitely a big consideration I need to sort out.

Originally Posted by nota

is the 200 a de-Aermacchi motor ?
like the 250-350 H-D imports ?

I believe the motor is a MotoBi

d.

[scottmandue]

If it were me I would love a project like this!
As has been said no one restores something like this for performance... a vintage Honda would be much easier and more fun to ride.
However this would be a hoot to be seen running and riding around town!

[javadog]

Yeah, but when the same number of hours worked can be spent making something like this...

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Didn't Sears sell Benellis?

Montgomery Wards sold the Benelli...just remembered.
They were re-badged, however.
~~~~~~~~~~
I'd not worry about whether or not it's a high dollar moto, just have fun with it.
I do this now/then, my own self.
.
Just found this - - 557 listings...
.
wards benelli in Parts & Accessories | eBay

[sammyg2]

What could go wrong?

[GWN7]

Spoke to two of the 3 bike guys I know this morning. The Indian guy said join Antique Motorcycle Club of Manitoba He doesn't know much about them. The second guy said talk to the third guy as he has or had one but he didn't show up today.

Both guys said the club has members that have that type of bike, so start there. Sorry I couldn't be a better help.

[derek murray]

Originally Posted by GWN7

Spoke to two of the 3 bike guys I know this morning. The Indian guy said join Antique Motorcycle Club of Manitoba He doesn't know much about them. The second guy said talk to the third guy as he has or had one but he didn't show up today.



Both guys said the club has members that have that type of bike, so start there. Sorry I couldn't be a better help.

No apologies necessary, that info is quite helpful. l will join the AMCM tonight.

[derek murray]

After a lot of research, it turns out the bike is actually a Benelli 250 Barracuda, not a Sprite - which is a good thing. Unfortunately, the seller has gone completely AWOL. Looks like I'm going to have to put this one behind me and focus on something else. Today is a sad day (relatively speaking).

Thanks to everyone for all your help.

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I'm guessing there is a lot of $ into that bike as well as hours.

I think there are a lot of hours gone into that old 400F but not too much money. Most of the bike is stock with the exception of the seat, 4 into 4, clip-ons and rearsets. But certainly a lot of hours. I had one back in the UK when I was a teen and it was a great bike but I sold it and bought an RD400E which was a whole different beast.

Don't ever build a custom bike thinking you are going to get your money back. One man's idea of beauty is another man's abomination. Go ahead and build what your heart is telling you to do and do not save the receipts. Or you could take the resto-mod route and sell of the speed parts separately when you sell the bike.

[derek murray]

While the Benelli never came to be, I was able to purchase a 1970 Ducati 350 Mark 3 this weekend. I'm totally stoked! I'll post my progress and pictures (cause it needs work) in a separate post.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Reiver]

Cool bike....looks like a fun and easy project...working on bikes are kitchen table stuff.
Parts availability is the only issue and I'll bet if you search you'll find.
They were very pop in Italy when I was there in the 70's.