Benelli · 1973–1977
Benelli 500 Quattro: buying advice
Italian four from the De Tomaso era: clearly inspired by Honda, but with Italian components and styling. Rare and still affordable.
History
In 1971 the Argentine-Italian entrepreneur Alejandro De Tomaso took over Benelli; a year later he also bought Moto Guzzi. He wanted to fight the Japanese makes with their own weapons: four-cylinders. According to the Italian Wikipedia he bought a Honda CB500 Four and asked the engineers in Pesaro to take inspiration from it.
The result was the 500 Quattro: an air-cooled inline four with a single overhead camshaft. The styling came from Paolo Martin, who worked for Ghia. Notably, according to the Italian Wikipedia, the engines were built by Moto Guzzi in Mandello del Lario and then fitted into the rolling chassis in Pesaro.
Sources disagree about when sales began. The Italian Wikipedia says spring 1974, the English-language wiki Cyclechaos says 1973. We found no production figures in reliable sources. The Quattro has no notable racing history; it was a touring bike.
The press gave the bike mixed reviews. An English comparison test of Italian middleweights praises the engine but calls the switches awkward and the Veglia instruments badly placed.
Versions
500 Quattro (first version): with a front drum brake; according to the Italian Wikipedia it sold modestly.
500 LS (from 1977): about 10 kg lighter and with twin front disc brakes.
504 Sport (1979): sportier successor on the same basis.
The smaller Benelli 350/400 (GTS, 354) and the 654 come from the same family. Many parts look alike, but always check that something really fits.
Key data
| Engine | 4 cylinders in line, air-cooled, 1 overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder |
|---|---|
| Bore × stroke | 56 × 50.6 mm |
| Capacity | 498 cc |
| Power | approx. 45 hp at 9400 rpm (Cyclechaos); Italian Wikipedia gives 55 hp (Quattro) and 49 hp (LS) |
| Carburettors | 4 × Dell'Orto 22 mm |
| Gears | 5 |
| Weight | approx. 197–200 kg dry (sources differ) |
| Top speed | approx. 172–180 km/h (sources differ) |
Where sources contradict each other, both values are given.
Known weak points
We did not find a real buyer’s guide for the 500 Quattro. The known ailments of the bigger 750 Sei (which is based on the same design) are: oil leaks, contact points that keep needing adjustment, valves that quickly go out of adjustment and a cam chain that needs regular tensioning. It makes sense to check the same points on the Quattro, but this has not been confirmed specifically for the 500.
Electrical switches and connectors were already a weak point in the seventies. So look carefully at the wiring, the handlebar switches and the lights.
The Quattro is rare. That makes missing or wrong parts (different exhausts, a different tank, parts from the 350/400) a bigger problem than the engine itself.
What to check when buying
- Look for oil leaks around the cylinder head and crankcase, and ask about oil consumption.
- Listen for a ticking or rattling cam chain; ask when the valves were last adjusted.
- Ask whether it still has contact points or an electronic ignition; the latter is a plus.
- Check all switches, lights and instruments: replacement Benelli parts are hard to find.
- Check whether exhausts, tank and side panels are original; that makes a big difference to the value.
- Check that frame and engine numbers match the papers.
Parts and prices
Many components came from Italian suppliers: Brembo brakes, Marzocchi front fork, Veglia instruments. These can often still be found through general specialists. Specific Benelli parts (exhausts, panels, sheet metal) are scarce; the Spanish Benelli club and international clubs are then the best place to start.
Price indication: a 1975 Quattro sold at Bonhams (Stafford) in October 2021 for approx. 8,600 dollars (Hagerty). A 1979 500 LS went at Anglia Car Auctions in November 2023 for 3,780 pounds including premium. That gives a rough range of about €3,500 to €8,000 (2021–2023), depending on condition and originality.
Prices are indications from the sources and auctions mentioned; the real value depends heavily on condition, originality and papers.
SourcesWikipedia (IT): Benelli QuattroCyclechaos: Benelli 500 QuattroClassic Bike Hub: buyer’s guide Benelli Sei (2011)Hagerty: sale of 1975 Benelli Quattro (2021)Anglia Car Auctions: 1979 Benelli LS 500 (2023)Benelli Club Spain: parts