Beschreibung:

Benelli, founded by the five Benelli brothers at Pesaro in Italy in 1911, is a factory which has never produced an uninteresting motorcycle. Since the 1920s they have been part of the history of racing, competing in most capacity classes with technically superb machines, even winning the Lightweight TT in 1939. During World War II the factory was destroyed but quickly rebuilt with American aid and a new range of successful racers emerged, as well as the lightweight street bikes then needed by Europe. In 1962, Benelli showed their mettle with a jewel-like 250cc ‘four’ racers and subsequent 350 and 500 versions with which to take on the might of the Japanese factories, winning a World title in 1969 and a reputation as makers of reliable multi-cylinder bikes. At this point, Benelli was taken under the influence of Alessandro de Tomaso, a tycoon who produced the de Tomaso supercar and had ambitions to beat the Japanese at their own game. He also owned rivals Moto-Guzzi and had the necessary ‘clout’ to make a difference. The astonishing Benelli ‘Sei’ (Six) was one result: the world’s first production six-cylinder motor cycle. In so typically Italian chrome and polished alloy, the ‘Sei’, with its six separate upswept pipes and wide engine, was a real looker. A press of the button produced that typically Italian ‘Sei’ tenor wail, so unlike a Japanese multi. And it was a wow technically as well, with a thirteen-bearing crankshaft, single overhead camshaft and alternator over the gearbox. Sadly for the ‘Sei’, de Tomaso hadn’t the Honda millions and the wonderful, 115mph ‘six’ never got the subsequent upgrades of other makes. But what a wonder! A super addition to the stable of any multi-cylinder collector, the Benelli ‘Sei’ offered here has done only 7.5 delivery miles from new. In black with gold pin-striping, its finish and condition are practically as new, needing no hype to justify the bike or its extreme desirability. Without reserve