c1971 Benelli-Motobi Sports Special 250cc Motorcycle

Description

The Benelli Garage was originally established by widow Teresa Benelli in Pesaro,Italy in 1911 with the hope that it would provide her six sons with employment, beginning with repair work. By 1920 the Fratelli Benelli produced their first engine, a single-cylinder two-stroke, and the following year installed it in a motorcycle of their own manufacture. By the time the Second World War started, Benelli had won four Italian Championships and continued to do well in competition through the Fifties and Sixties. Following the merger of Benelli with Motobi in 1962, a series of 125cc (54mm x 54mm) and 250cc (74mm x 57mm) motorcycles were sold under both brands, marketed as the ?Sports Special?. Outwardly similar, the 125 models were painted silver/red whereas the 250 could be identified from the silver/yellow colour scheme. For 1971 a revised model was introduced with Marzocchi front forks and higher, adjustable handlebars, but the model only survived another two years before being discontinued, the vast majority built badged as Benellis and most of those equipped with the smaller engine. Following Alessandro de Tomaso's takeover of the company in 1971, a new range of two-strokes was unveiled but Benelli fell on hard times and disappeared from sight for several years. Fortunately the famous Italian marque has been revived and produces high quality superbikes today.