Topic: Benelli 750 SEI

[ekpent]

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.

Yamaha started doing that in the 80's on the various Seca models. they made a point of advertising it because it made the engine narrower than the equivalent Honda/Kawasaki/Suzuki 4.

Those hydraulic valve Honda 650 Nighthawks did that also and the narrow engine was a selling point.

[BenelliSEI]

Funny detail: if you look closely at the Benelli alternator cover  (RHS, above the clutch cover), you will note it’s totally enclosed. The “grill” lines are raised, but there are no openings. Under the cover, the Bosch alternator looks much like the one on my Kholer lawn tractor motor. Basically a miniature automotive style unit. As you would expect, the alternator itself full of cooling slots. Unfortunately, because it is totally encased, it has a tendency to overheat and fry the armature shaft bearings, then seize up.

Here’s the funny part. When Benelli started seeing the problem, they had the solution. The Owner’s Manual mentions the possibility (potential for. Noise and Rattling) and includes the tool you need. In the kit there is a small punch for knocking out the drive pin to the rotor, with instructions to have your motorcycle serviced soon!!! I’m looking for a second cover I can machine a few holes and slots into.

[BenelliSEI]

Sold it! Put almost zero miles on this lovely bike this year. Had it super clean for the Cobble Beach Concourse. A gentleman from Florida liked it a lot, so shipped today. Will miss it, but on to my S/C project and the Rickman CR.....

[pekingduck]

Wow, happy for you that you sold it, but sad you won't be talking about it. I appreciate your recommendation for the ignition, and I will be getting one.

A couple months ago, I started on my own modified 750Sei project.  Throughout the years, I've had a handful of Seis, including a 900 and a 750 stuffed in a CB550 frame  (it did not fit well due to the forward slant of the head, so exhaust was a mangled mess, especially center 2.)

Over the decades, I've been accumulating parts, including several sets of Quattro carbs to combine into banks of 6, EPM mag wheels, and 38mm forks, and an original MV Agusta America tank.  And I recently sold my Rickman CR frame so I could focus on this.

Thanks again for your past posts.  More information in them than any other site I could find.

[BenelliSEI]

Wow, happy for you that you sold it, but sad you won't be talking about it. I appreciate your recommendation for the ignition, and I will be getting one.

A couple months ago, I started on my own modified 750Sei project.  Throughout the years, I've had a handful of Seis, including a 900 and a 750 stuffed in a CB550 frame  (it did not fit well due to the forward slant of the head, so exhaust was a mangled mess, especially center 2.)

Over the decades, I've been accumulating parts, including several sets of Quattro carbs to combine into banks of 6, EPM mag wheels, and 38mm forks, and an original MV Agusta America tank.  And I recently sold my Rickman CR frame so I could focus on this.

Thanks again for your past posts.  More information in them than any other site I could find.

Sounds like a fantastic project! For a while I had about 75% of a second 750 SEI, with no motor. I’d planned to fit a SOHC cb750 motor, wire harness and bar end controls, and badge the side covers with the stock Benelli bits: “750 Quattro”

Meantime, I met a young engineer in Quebec that was collecting parts for his SEI. It had been left outside, standing in a field for years. The frame had totally rotted! He needed the parts more than I did.....

As much as I loved my SEI, it never got used. Time to move ahead.

[pekingduck]

I also had a second parts bike, frame and an engine partly apart.  I good friend did the remodeling on my house last year, and I was so grateful, I gave him the bike as a bonus.  He got it running, and motivated me to get my project going.  Nice to have an enthusiastic friend nearby to help push things along.

[BenelliSEI]

It will motivate you, especially hearing one running! They do make a unique sound. I will miss it, but the cash is nice too.

[MauiK3]

Didn’t see that coming! Onward and upward!

[BenelliSEI]

My wife said exactly that! Once the project is done, I enjoy it for a while, then move on. This year I sold my K0 show bike and the Benelli. Wasn’t enjoying them enough anymore.

[PeWe]

Historical worker, making old bikes back to their former glory.

[BenelliSEI]

Received news from the new owner today. The bike is still in Canada! He finally found a reasonable broker to prepare for the border crossing and it may be shipped today. What a pain. The UShip option was not as painless as he expected...,.

[RAFster122s]

What's the legality of driving a bike across the border if you are selling it as a seller and transferring it to the shipper. I guess that bypasses the customs process of the importation and wouldn't work. You would think it would just be a process of submitting the proper paperwork, being inspected and signed off on and paying any fees for the importation. But, I guess that is a process that can take hours and hours if not days...
Too bad it has to be so complex.
Given the bike's age it isn't subject to any changes for use in US like automobiles would be with bumper and speedo changes. Or is a speedo changes on the table all the time? Being dual marked in km and miles should be sufficient. Modern bikes with electronic speedos it is a simple toggle of measurement. I have accidently changed my '19 bike to km reading when forgetting the process for clock change when I changed or disconnected the battery for maintenance.
Hope the buyer is able to get it through customs with the broker without much issue.

[BenelliSEI]

It’s been complicated lately by an additional requirement: 72 hours notice, with paperwork submitted before arrival.