Topic: Benelli 750 SEI

[BenelliSEI]

VIDEO or it doesn’t run!!!!!

Not for a while. We are heading off for a few weeks (another cycling trip, not planned by me!). The Concourse is mid September, so probably then.

P.S. it doesn’t just run, it howls!

[MauiK3]

I don't get into may insects here most of the time.
When I lived in Florida it was crazy, they have something called "love bugs" and certain times of the year they would block your vision after a short run. Gross

[Stev-o]

Check out UTube, there are a few there.

Yes, it sounds great.

[Kelly E]

A few rev ups doesn't cut it for me. I would like to hear it at speed.

[PeWe]

A really special bike.
6 pipes look fantastic from behind and from each side.
Something for Honda CBX1000.

Ride a bike like that for a 200km ride and clean all insects afterwards. Butterflies and bigger dragon flies make a mess.
Plus all irritating small flying things.

[Kevin D]

Got into it today. The Boranni rims and stainless spokes are lovely, but what a pain to clean and polish! I also had to spend some time rerouting the wire and harness to the electronic ignition control box. Managed to hide it under the battery box. Most judges deduct points for non- standard modifications. If nobody asks, I won’t be pointing at it! Pulled the inner and rear fenders too. Only way to really get them tidy and they come away easily. This “prep” may take a few days, but it’s been a while since I worked on a non-cb750. Pleasant.

Slowly working, end to end. Despite regular washing and polishing, 1200 miles has packed a bit of grime into the corners. When first fitted (2018), I spent a few afternoons getting the 6-6 Busso pipes to hang fairly symmetrically. Today I discovered the bottom two pipes, left side, were grinding on each other, for about a six inch strip. Pulled them off, polished out the damage (only visible to me!) and reset. A few shim washers and I may have got it right this time…..

Started it up this morning. First I pulled the plugs, squirted in some SeaFoam and spun up oil pressure. Cleaned the plugs and used my remote bottle to supply fuel. When I stored it away, I removed the float bowls, dried and cleaned everything, and blew out the Jets.... loaded up with fuel (no drips), and hit the button. Fired instantly, ran perfectly! I totally attribute this to the fantastic electronic ignition system I installed a while back. The triple points set up (in the same space a cb550 has two sets) were a royal pain, and never stayed were I set them. This system is brilliant.

I did put over 1200 miles on this bike, so although it looks great, definitely not “Concourse ready”.....
Clean up starts next.

John, you are one meticulous guy, and it will pay off when the judging begins. Go get ‘em.

[BenelliSEI]

Check out UTube, there are a few there.

Yes, it sounds great.

Steve...... That’s the best video out there and the last few minutes sound just right! The master cylinder and bar end switches have been substituted with later Moto Guzzi units. The original switches are incredibly fragile, and the wiring harness was marginal when new! I came really close to replacing the wiring harness, all ignition parts and switches with replica cb750 parts!

[MauiK3]

Wow doesn't even start to express how cool that is.
The exhaust is great, at idle the muffled popping almost has a two stroke sound.
I wonder how much power it makes?

Best of luck

[BenelliSEI]

Wow doesn't even start to express how cool that is.
The exhaust is great, at idle the muffled popping almost has a two stroke sound.
I wonder how much power it makes?

Best of luck

Depends what you read! 58-71 bhp!

[simon#42]

i would guess it makes the same as one and a half cb500s as that is what it is .   nice bike though .

[BenelliSEI]

i would guess it makes the same as one and a half cb500s as that is what it is .   nice bike though .

No question where the “inspiration” came from! If you look at a Benelli 500 Quattro (4 cylinder/ 4 carb engine) it looks identical to a cb500. I’ve seen a Quattro with a cb550K motor installed, and it appeared to be a bolt in swap......

The SEI has way more Benelli design features, but still lots of similarities. The most amusing is the “deep sump conversion” that many owners have done, including me. The sump comes from a cb650, and bolts on with no modifications!

[BenelliSEI]

Getting there. Bike is prepped from the horn back. Front end when we return in a few weeks.....

[PeWe]

58 vs 71 can be same power.
On the wheel vs crank hp.

That is a very special bike that must be saved for future generations to admire.

[Magpie]

Beauty! Cliff.

[BenelliSEI]

Beauty! Cliff.

Thanks Cliff! It is a special motorcycle, pretty rare in Canada, I know of only two others. My concern is that like my K0 that went to the 2019 Cobble Beach event, it’s too clean/special to actually use regularly. I have a K1 and K3 we ride all the time, so these bikes eventually just sit. I did sell the K0, but my other two projects (Sandcast and Rickman CR) are headed the same way…… Mmmm. No complaints, good “problem” to have.

[Stev-o]

Beauty! Cliff.

Mmmm. No complaints, good “problem” to have.

We call that a "First World Problem"!!

[MauiK3]

Yes indeed, first world.
Cool the way they put the alternator behind the cylinders, I don't think many were like that back then. I know the CBX was like that.

I am very envious of your shop, what fun.

[simon#42]

Beauty! Cliff.

Mmmm. No complaints, good “problem” to have.

We call that a "First World Problem"!!

a problem i have never experienced !

[BenelliSEI]

Beauty! Cliff.

Mmmm. No complaints, good “problem” to have.

We call that a "First World Problem"!!

a problem i have never experienced !

Like I said: good problem to have…….

[Flyin900]

Hey John, I don't know if you know Steve Troop of CVMG Headwaters based out of Penetanguishene. He has over 25 vintage Italian only bikes of every possible variety and model.
 
They are all licenced and insured and he rides each one on a rotating basis which is something to see. He normally joins our Wednesday rides, where it is such a treat to see him arrive on a different model each week.

I have seen your work and do wish you best of luck, as I am sure the Benelli will be up to your usual fine work with fit and finish.

[BenelliSEI]

Hey John, I don't know if you know Steve Troop of CVMG Headwaters based out of Penetanguishene. He has over 25 vintage Italian only bikes of every possible variety and model.
 
They are all licenced and insured and he rides each one on a rotating basis which is something to see. He normally joins our Wednesday rides, where it is such a treat to see him arrive on a different model each week.

I have seen your work and do wish you best of luck, as I am sure the Benelli will be up to your usual fine work with fit and finish.

I do know Steve. He does have an amazing collection! His SEI is beautifully restored (by another CVMG Member). Cheers, John D.

[newday777]

One ride can cause lots of cleaning.
Insects, my bikes are full of them, my K6 that frequently get a +200km ride has lots of dried kamikaze insects.

I need to lay wet cloths on bike to make the dried glued insects softer a d easier to remove.
They fill all areas..... My helmet too.

Soak the rags with hydrogen peroxide. That eats the bugs and doesn't damage the paint.

[BenelliSEI]

Finished detailing the Benelli today. The Concours is this weekend. Foul, foggy and rain all day! Pictures next sunshine!

[grcamna2]

One ride can cause lots of cleaning.
Insects, my bikes are full of them, my K6 that frequently get a +200km ride has lots of dried kamikaze insects.

I need to lay wet cloths on bike to make the dried glued insects softer a d easier to remove.
They fill all areas..... My helmet too.

Soak the rags with hydrogen peroxide. That eats the bugs and doesn't damage the paint.

Stu,can I use the Hydrogen Peroxide on plastics also? I'm thinking of my helmet & facesheild

[MauiK3]

You can use hydrogen peroxide for lots of stuff, even pour the over the counter stuff on a cut to clean it.