Benelli · 1961–1973
Benelli Sprite and Sport Special: history and buying advice
Horizontal four-stroke singles, also sold in America as the Riverside and Barracuda.
History
In 1962 Benelli and MotoBi joined forces again. MotoBi was the make Giuseppe Benelli had started in 1952, after leaving the family firm. MotoBi’s horizontal singles became the basis for the light Benellis of the sixties: 125, 175, 200 and 250 cc, with the cylinder pointing almost flat forward.
In the United States Benelli sold them as the Sprite and Barracuda, and through the Montgomery Ward department store also under the Riverside name. From 1968 the sporting versions were called Sport Special, with a five-speed gearbox. In 1971 they got a Marzocchi front fork. These simple overhead-valve bikes could not hold out long against the Japanese competition.
Key data
| Engine | Horizontal single, four-stroke, overhead valves |
|---|---|
| 250 Sport Special | 245 cc (74 × 57 mm), 12.5 hp at 8,500 rpm |
| Top speed | 250: approx. 140 km/h |
| Weight | 250: approx. 108 kg dry |
| Gearbox | 5 gears (Sport Special) |
What to check when buying
- The same bikes were sold as Benelli, MotoBi and Riverside. Check which version it is and which parts fit.
- Check the oil: the engine has pressure lubrication with a gear pump, and low oil is fatal.
- Listen for ticking from the camshaft and valves.
- Watch for rust in the pressed-steel frame.
- Ask about the papers; American imports are sometimes hard to register.
SourcesMotorcyclespecs: Benelli 250 Sport Special (English)Cycle World: Benelli Barracuda 250, 1967 (English)Wikipedia: list of Benelli models (English)