1971 Benelli 500cc GP Replica

The first version of the four-cylinder Benelli 500 was simply an enlarged version of the 350. The next version was a 491-cc. model, ridden by Renzo Pasolini to win at its 1967 debut. In 1968, two 500s was entered for the Italian Grand Prix, ridden by Mike Hailwood and Pasolini. In qualifying, Hailwood failed by a tenth of a second to beat the track record he had set the year before with a a Honda 500 and trying to keep up with Giacomo Agostini’s MV during the race, he fell and had to withdraw, while Pasolini achieved a respectable second place. In 1970 the Benelli 500 was back at Monza. It challenged the MV Agusta but began to lose oil, and Pasolini had to withdraw.

Although the Benelli never fulfilled all its promise of great speed, it was always an excellent performer, so much so that it became the most popular motorcycle with international race organizers, who had a keen eye for spotting winners.

In 1972, Pasolini took the Benelli 500 to victory in an epic duel between Jarno Saarinen and Giacomo Agostini at Pesaro. The following year Walter Villa and then Roberto Gallina rode it at numerous Italian races. With 94bhp on tap, the bike was capable of an astonishing 175mph.

The motorbike offered

This replica of Pasolini’s 500 GP bike started as a 500cc Benelli Quattro, modified in Spain to be a reasonable facsimile to go racing at a much more economically sound level at vintage gatherings. It features Cerani front fork, Veglia rev counter, 36mm Dellorto carburettor. It was purchased by Robb Talbott for his MotoTalbott Museum in Carmel, California, where it has enjoyed pride of place on static display. The carbs have mismatched bodies and should be replaced, but the bike was made to run to confirm the state of the engine, which was found to be in fine form. The rest of the bike has been checked over, but will need to be re-commissioned before returning it to track weapon status.