Topic: S90s

[grumburg]

Does any one know the difference between an S90 and a Benly 90?. My new 90 purchase appears to be a Japanese home market bike (labels in Japanese and metric speedo) and has the remains of a military parking sticker on front fork. Probably brough back by a serviceman.

[RRRToolSolutions]

My avitar bike is my 1966 S90 in it's original condition taken just a few months ago. I did buy a new seat and had the replacement covered, leaving the original stored away. Perhaps this will let you compare. I've added the original cover to the air box and carb since this was taken.

I'd like to see what a Benly 90 looked like.

Regards,
Gordon

[grumburg]

Gordon. What a doll!  Wish I could make mine red instead of black. Vin is #682847A. From what I have found, I think it is a '67.  It has the later air cleaner caps with the screw on the outside.  Except for having turn signals, it looks just like yours. Extra NOS parts include both fenders, taillight, front end lowers, headlight ring, all cables, all gaskets, headlight shell, both tank side covers, perfect seat with unopened tool pack, and service manual. Paint is weak, so will disassemble for paint and detail. Hope to have it finished for AMA Homecoming Concours in October. After doing a 550 and 500t, this one should not take too long. Guy I bought it from said they were given to him (this bike, a suzuki x6, and 2 cubs) in payment for storage. I may be looking to you for  tips and advice. Glenn

[grumburg]

My avitar bike is my 1966 S90 in it's original condition taken just a few months ago. I did buy a new seat and had the replacement covered, leaving the original stored away. Perhaps this will let you compare. I've added the original cover to the air box and carb since this was taken.

I'd like to see what a Benly 90 looked like.

Regards,
Gordon


Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration. I looked at yours several times while I was doing mine to decide if I was going to paint it red. Only reason I didn't is because I could not find a red headlight shell and shock covers and I had nos black ones. I still like red better. i posted pictures of mine under 2008 SOHC calendar post.

Glenn

[grumburg]

My avitar bike is my 1966 S90 in it's original condition taken just a few months ago. I did buy a new seat and had the replacement covered, leaving the original stored away. Perhaps this will let you compare. I've added the original cover to the air box and carb since this was taken.

I'd like to see what a Benly 90 looked like.

Regards,
Gordon


Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration. I looked at yours several times while I was doing mine to decide if I was going to paint it red. Only reason I didn't is because I could not find a red headlight shell and shock covers and I had nos black ones. I still like red better. i posted pictures of mine under 2008 SOHC calendar post.

/quote]Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration. I looked at yours several times while I was doing mine to decide if I was going to paint it red. Only reason I didn't is because I could not find a red headlight shell and shock covers and I had nos black ones. I still like red better. I posted pictures of mine under 2008 SOHC calendar post. Glenn

[grumburg]

My avitar bike is my 1966 S90 in it's original condition taken just a few months ago. I did buy a new seat and had the replacement covered, leaving the original stored away. Perhaps this will let you compare. I've added the original cover to the air box and carb since this was taken.

I'd like to see what a Benly 90 looked like.

Regards,
Gordon


Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration. I looked at yours several times while I was doing mine to decide if I was going to paint it red. Only reason I didn't is because I could not find a red headlight shell and shock covers and I had nos black ones. I still like red better. i posted pictures of mine under 2008 SOHC calendar post.

/quote]Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration. I looked at yours several times while I was doing mine to decide if I was going to paint it red. Only reason I didn't is because I could not find a red headlight shell and shock covers and I had nos black ones. I still like red better. I posted pictures of mine under 2008 SOHC calendar post. Glenn

Gordon: Thanks for the inspiration>Llooked at yours several times to decide if I was going to make it red. Only reason I did not was because I had a Nos black headlight shell and shock covers. Still like red better. Posted pictures under 2008 SOHC calendar post. Regards. Glenn

[crazypj]

I thought the Benley 90 was a pushrod motor? The only thing I see missing from your red one is the chrome cover over the carb. (extension of air cleaner, same diameter all the way across, may have been painted to match?)
Not sure about 66 but 65 had alloy barrel, the others had cast iron.
 67 had different (larger) side covers and a 'square' air filter.
 I still have 2 or 3 S90's but they are in Britain and I'm in Florida
PJ

[crazypj]

Dont you just hate it when your memory has gone??
May have been a later one then, I've got/had them from 65 to 70. The last ones had side panels that covered the entire frame below seat from carb almost to rear mudguard, (bit like the tube frame CD175) filling in some of the gap. I'll see if I can get my brother to find a picture
PJ

[grumburg]

The biggest difference is the aircleaner and carb setup. Gordon's is a sidemount and mine is a straight mount. Compare the pictures. The manifold, carb, and air cleaner are much different. I think they changed in mid-66.

[crazypj]

The biggest difference is the aircleaner and carb setup. Gordon's is a sidemount and mine is a straight mount. Compare the pictures. The manifold, carb, and air cleaner are much different. I think they changed in mid-66.

One of mine looked just like that, until my brother thought it would look better as a hood ornament on someones car (head on@30mph) I had forgotten about difference in cylinder head, but now yyou reminded me its coming back ( thats a sc ary thought  )
PJ

[RRRToolSolutions]

I had a tough time finding a good air breather cover for the right side. Since access to the carbs was much improved with it removed and it had no effect on filtering - many shops and customers just ditched them. I'll post a pic with it in-place later today after I go and move some bikes around.

I've never seen an S90 with that chain case. Is that a European spec? My original one many, many years ago had just the top gaurd as mine today does. I also notice a different right-side engine case on your Benley than on the S90. What are those differences for?

Gordon

[grumburg]

Did some Google searches and found the Benly 90 was a Japanese market S90. Biggest differences were chain guard, rotary shifter (takes a little getting used to), metric speedo, right hand mirror only, and blinkers. All the stickers are in Japanese. Did not offer full chain guard or blinkers (until US safety standards made them) to keep the price below the magical price point of $400 ($395). A few were brought to the US by returning GIs. Apparently that is how this one got here. Had a 1971 parking sticker from Fort Drum in the front fork.  Honda used 5 different air cleaner covers on the model run.

[grumburg]

I have never seen another one with the one piece right side engine cover. Not one of their better ideas.   

[crazypj]

From what I can remember, all of the British ones had one piece cover on right side.
It sucked to do clutch as you have to first remove footrest's before you take off cover. (not sure if i was an update for Britain/Europe?)
PJ