NGC Benelli in a box

[Canuck750]

Winter is less than 5 months away  and one must always have a project in the wings, that makes three in the wing (wings) but I have always admired the Motobi Egg motor bikes and when a Benelli Barracuda 250 'project' came up on Ebay back in the winter I bit and worked a deal with the seller to crate and ship the pile of parts to me, it took months to sort out the shipping but last week it embarked from Toledo and amazingly it showed up yesterday here in western Canada.



When Motobi rejoined the Benelli fold the Motobi name was retained and badge engineering was rampant with Motobi designs sharing the Benelli name and vice versa. The Egg motor bikes were made in 2 and 4 stroke from 125 to 250cc. The Barracude wears Benelli bages but the engine castings have the Motobi logo stamped in them.

This is what came in the crate, a partial 250cc 4 stroke motor, frame, fenders, gas tank, seat, wheel hubs, triple clamps and forks, handle bars, foot pegs, headligth shell and some controls and misc bits and pieces.



The tank and seat are real nice, most of the castings are good, just some broken fins on the rocker cover



And this is what its all about .... the EGG, cases vapour blasted and fitted to admire, sculpture!





I found a complete motor on Ebay last week so hopefuly I can build one good engine, been sourcing some parts on Ebay, found a replica exhust in Italy, a NOS piston in the USA, plenty to find still;

missing wheel rims, headlight lens and chrome shell, tail light, engine to frame bolts, most of the rubber bits (repops available), cables, sprocket carrier and cush drive, and about half the transmission parts.
I just need to head down to the local Benelli delaer and order whats missing ....... I wish.

[sign216]

Wow, that's a project all right.  I've always like the "egg" engine.  I ended up with a different Benelli, the 350 long-stroke Wards Riverside.

Haven't ridden it as much as I'd like; still wrenching.

[Canuck750]

Wow, that's a project all right.  I've always like the "egg" engine.  I ended up with a different Benelli, the 350 long-stroke Wards Riverside.

Haven't ridden it as much as I'd like; still wrenching.

Nice Benelli, pretty gas tank on that model!

[Muzz]

ooooh goody.  Another Canuck project in the offing!

    There will of course be plenty of 

[twodogs]

Wow, can I bring my convert to you 

[sign216]

Nice Benelli, pretty gas tank on that model!

Canuck,
Your tank is better.  You've got great paint, and that nice, full, Benelli sticker.

Maybe your's will be together for next spring?
Joe

P.S.  There's some good Benelli groups, esp. in Europe.  I started this one, when Yahoo groups was going under:    https://groups.io/g/Benelli-Motorcycles

[Perazzimx14]

Just think A crate like that now would have doubled or triples the price of the bike 

[Aaron D.]

I love those, should be a satisfying ride.

[cliffrod]

Great to see parts are finally arriving and that you're happy.  It's going to be a nice bike.  I'll be watching.

[sign216]

I really like the Motobi "egg" engine look, but I went w the Wards Riverside Benelli because it's a long-stroke, like a British bike.  Uncommon for an Italian, so I wanted to try that. 

I've got to get it on the road, esp since summers are too short.  Give myself a slap and take some days off work.

[Rick4003]

Hi Jim,

Congrats on the new bike, will look forward to following the build. The Egg motor has a beautiful shape. And it must be a crate motor too

[Muzz]

I guess it's summer where you are Jim.  Any idea as to when the project will get under way?

[Canuck750]

I guess it's summer where you are Jim.  Any idea as to when the project will get under way?

Hi Muz,
I have cleaned and disassembled all the parts, gave the parts a wipe with ACF 50 then put things back together. Now the search for parts begins, found some things on eBay, Detlef Burian in Germany had some stuff. I will dry build the bike in raw unfinished form and when I get all or most of what I need it will get restored. Will probably get into the full rebuild next year in the winter. I am in the process of collecting parts to build an Aermacchi Ala Verde replica as well and it’s a little bit further along in the parts search.
I hope to get back on with my 48 Airone build once the painter returns the frame and chassis bits.

Cheers
Jim

[Muzz]

Plenty to look forward to then.  Thanks Jim.