Benelli · 1927–1934
Benelli 175 Sport, Turismo and Monza: history and buying advice
The four-stroke single with which Benelli made its name, and Tonino Benelli became champion.
History
Benelli started in 1911 in Pesaro as the garage of the six Benelli brothers. Their mother Teresa had put the family money into it to give her sons work. First they repaired bicycles and motorcycles; after the First World War came their own small two-stroke engines of 75 to 150 cc.
The first four-stroke followed in 1927: a 175 cc single with an overhead camshaft driven by a train of gears. That was very modern at the time. The youngest brother, Tonino, became Italian champion with it in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931, the last time with a double overhead camshaft. Road versions included the Sport, Turismo, Gran Lusso and Gran Sport Monza. Tonino had to stop racing after a bad crash in 1932 and was killed in a road accident in 1937.
Key data
| Engine | 1 cylinder, four-stroke, gear-driven overhead camshaft |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 172 cc |
| Gearbox | 3 gears |
| Versions | Sport, Turismo, Extra Lusso, Gran Lusso, Gran Sport Monza |
| Years | approx. 1927–1934 |
What to check when buying
- These are rare museum pieces. Have origin and numbers checked by an expert or a Benelli club.
- Check that the gear drive of the camshaft is complete and original; separate parts are almost impossible to get.
- Many bikes have been built up from parts of different years. Ask what is original.
- Check the magneto ignition and the lubrication before you start the engine after a long lay-up.
- Compare the frame and engine numbers with the papers.
SourcesWikipedia: Benelli (English)Wikipedia: Tonino Benelli (English)Cycle World: History of Benelli, 1971 (English)