Author Topic: 6 Cylinder Honda......CAFE RACER (Read 9812 times)

ohiocaferacer · « **on:** July 03, 2013, 10:02:55 AM »

Well......it isnt actually an original Honda RC166 race bike, but more like a 1976 Benelli Sei 750. I recently purchased this bike in non-running condition with a title....with the goal to make it into a street legal replica racer(cafe racer). The ultimate look of the bike is undecided as of right now.....main goal is to get the motor up and running, then tear it down to start making some upgrades and modifications. Of course it will have one of my alloy race tanks.....and maybe some other one off hand made alloy pieces.

Anyways......here is how I got her:

Started working on it immediately.

Threw on an unfinished alloy CR750 tank and seat, but didnt like the look......will probadly build a new alloy tank similar to my CR350 alloy race tanks.

Hopefully will have something similar to this when its finished.

.....but maybe a little closer to looking like my race bike......and street legal.

I did make some progress the other night......got it back up and running......not great.....but running!! Motor sounds really good...that was the main thing.
1976 Benelli Sei 750 Cafe Racer
...and had to ride it up the street!
1976 Benelli Sei 750 Cafe Racer

I'll try and keep this updated with any changes......more to come!

Greggo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2013, 10:23:13 AM »

Sweeeeeeeeeeet Project Dude!!

iron_worker · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2013, 10:24:52 AM »

Wow! Where did you find a gem like that?! It has a really great sound to it ... that whine almost makes it sound supercharged.

Straight cut gears or something?

IW

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2013, 10:42:32 AM »

Quote from: iron_worker on July 03, 2013, 10:24:52 AM

Wow! Where did you find a gem like that?! It has a really great sound to it ... that whine almost makes it sound supercharged. Straight cut gears or something?

IW

Its amazing what you can find on Craigslist!!

No clue why it makes that whine.....I dont notice it when riding it. Have to look into it....prob needs fresh oil. Who knows how old the oil is??

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2013, 11:02:23 AM »

Great noise. The second vid it sounds like a powerboat.

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2013, 11:17:58 AM »

Quote from: LesterPiglet on July 03, 2013, 11:02:23 AM

Great noise. The second vid it sounds like a powerboat.

I'm hoping it sounds something a little more like this when its done.
Benelli 900 sei

....or like this
Benelli Sei

....or similar to this at speed!!
Benelli SEI Infernal Sound at AUSTRIA Classic Race

vfourfreak · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2013, 12:02:06 PM »

Sounds like you will have a lot of fun with this project. If memory serves, one Mr Joe Dunlop raced a Benelli Sei in the Isle of Man TT , so you are in good company !

Kev

Rocketman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2013, 12:09:52 PM »

Too cool! Ape hangers and king/queen seat have me LOL. Open megas would really set if off. Nice find, bring it to vintage days when it is finished.

davidtime · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2013, 08:02:43 PM »

Nice find. I'll be watching.

Syscrush · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2013, 08:06:10 PM »

Welcome to the I6 club.

I was reading up on these bikes just today.

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2013, 09:37:38 AM »

Thanks guys......hoping to get the carbs sync'd this weekend and maybe start working on building a new alloy tank.

Syscrush · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2013, 02:34:37 PM »

It needs one.

It's funny, this bike predates the CBX by quite a bit, and yet it manages to have more of the not-so-nice 80's look than the early CBX. A nice alloy tank is going to work wonders!

jaguar · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2013, 05:59:50 PM »

Along for the ride

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2013, 08:12:15 AM »

Very cool! I'm going to enjoy watching this one.

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2013, 09:08:47 AM »

Spent some time yesterday out in the garage. Put in some new spark plugs and sync'd the carbs......runs great, after sitting outside in the elements for several years. Idles great at 1200 rpm and pulls really strong riding down the road. This is gonna be a fun bike!!
1200rpm Idle 1976 Benelli Sei 750

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2013, 09:29:37 AM »

Sounds very healthy. Are you anywhere near Cleaveland?

Syscrush · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2013, 09:31:15 AM »

Very exciting! Once you have it all sorted out, let's meet up at Mid-Ohio during the vintage days there.

Also, forgive the snark, but:

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2013, 09:31:36 AM »

After getting the motor all tuned up and running. It was time to start looking into making modifications. I will be making this into more of a cafe racer...with some modern parts. This bike will be running an inverted front end with modern 17" wheels. A good combination of old and new.
First off...was to look into the rear of the bike. I just happen to be working on a GS1100 aluminum swingarm for another project bike. This swingarm has a brace I welded in from a CBR900RR swingarm, supporting a CBR600RR rear wheel.

Next was to remove all the original parts off the Benelli.......and fit in all the parts shown above.

Since this setup is for another project......looks like I will have to find another swingarm and wheel, for this one.
The only mods will be to the stock Benelli swingarm bolt and 2 shims for the swingarm, as its slightly thinner than the width of the Benelli frame. Also......will have to figure out how to get the sprockets lined up, as they are off. Probadly mill down the cush drive to recess the rear sprocket, then figure out a way to offset the counter shaft sprocket to push it out some from the motor.

....more to come

Syscrush · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2013, 10:39:50 AM »

Quote from: ohiocaferacer on July 05, 2013, 09:31:36 AM

WOW.

This is getting very promising!

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2013, 11:34:17 AM »

A couple new videos of the bike tuned up and running strong.
1976 Benelli Sei 750 running good 1
1976 Benelli Sei 750 running good 2

iron_worker · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2013, 12:29:37 PM »

Man o man does that ever have a great sound!!!!

IW

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2013, 04:50:53 PM »

Check out CycleX for 10mm offset front sprockets, that will allow less to be removed from the rear sprocket carrier........
Wish I could find one of those sitting in someone's back yard....

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2013, 05:31:09 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 06, 2013, 04:50:53 PM

Check out CycleX for 10mm offset front sprockets, that will allow less to be removed from the rear sprocket carrier........
Wish I could find one of those sitting in someone's back yard....

Dude....thanks for the heads up on that offset sprocket. That will probadly be exactly what I need.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2013, 06:11:37 PM »

No problem...

Tews19 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 07, 2013, 08:01:11 PM »

Oh my freaking god. This is my new favorite bike! Subscribed! Dumb question but are these really expensive? I read the wiki page on them.

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Author Topic: 6 Cylinder Honda......CAFE RACER (Read 9812 times)