Yes, Benelli launched a 750-6 in 1974 (effectively the company's 500cc 4 cylinder with two extra pots) and later enlarged it to 900cc.
The 750s had a lovely-looking (and glorious sounding) 6-pipe arrangement, the 900s reverted to a dull 6-2 system :-/
Although it looked lovely it wasn't very powerful ... the 750 was rated at an optimistic 70bhp and the 900 about 85bhp. It had large pumping losses which sap power, didn't rev very high, and it also used three smallish 24mm carbs (one per pair of cylinders) which didn't help breathing.
In contrast, Honda's CBX1000 had a short stroke for higher rpm, and 6x28mm carbs with accelerator pumps.
The Benelli 4-cylinder bikes were basically reverse-engineered versions of the Honda CB500 4-cylinder (both were transverse aircooled 4s with SOHC, 4 carbs etc, and looked VERY alike).
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The current edition of Classic Bike has a feature on the Benelli SEI Six. Its the April 2009 Issue 351 edition. There is also more info on the site below:
www.benelliclubgb.net/
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Thanks all. Indeed it did have 'Sei' on the side panel and it did have three carbs - I should have remembered but it's a long time since I saw a CBX. I knew there was something about Honda and Benelli - the six (apart from the gearbox area) looks a lot like my SOHC 400-4.
'Easy Rhayader' - love it! :-)
Wouldn't mind a Sunday afternoon on the roads around there again - maybe the one that comes out at Devil's Bridge?
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Mike,
If you've got a bike by September, there's a rally over a weekend at Llandrindod Wells
in aid of Macmillan Nurses. Good hotel and camping, actually at Pen Y Bont and lovely riding country.
Just as an aside, just before you get to Pen Y Bont there is a large sign in Highways Agency style, I think it's in someone's garden just at the roadside....
.................LLandegla International Airport
Terminals 1 and 2
Someone's got a sense of humour !
If anyone interested, let me know nearer the time, haven't got dates yet.
Ted
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Just as an aside just before you get to Pen Y Bont there is a large sign in Highways Agency style I think it's in someone's garden just at the roadside.... .................LLandegla International Airport Terminals 1 and 2
It's actually Llandegley Ted; here's a link to the "airport" website;
www.llandegleyinternational.com/
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I've been told thre's an international Eaton Bray airport a couple of miles outside Luton.
It's a grass strip and according to a pilot of a small, light, aircraft, who was strictly speaking on a commercial flight. He had to request customs at this airstrip when he flew in from the continent. Hence it's title.
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I remember the Benelli was only a SOHC engine, (like the original four cylinder Honda CB's), whereas the CBX was DOHC.
The six into six pipes looked the part though!
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