Benelli 500 - worth anything?

[canuck750]

This Benelli 500 is for sale on Craigslist San Diego, the price is $4500, seems a bit high but I have no real idea of the value.

I have been after a 750 Sei but they are getting very pricey and this is at least 2/3 of a sei

I don't like that the rims have and fork ears have been powder coated black, probably hiding rust! Seller claims the engine has had some work done using Honda parts, I have read this is not a good idea as the Honda pistons result in a lower compression and Honda valves have longer stems and can result in piston contact.

Its unique in that its an early one with the same drum front brake used on the 650 Tornado.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/mcy/d/ultra-rare-benelli-quattro-500/6770683600.html



So what does the group braintrsust have to say on what the value of this Honda copy is?

[tetarabra]

 
https://legendmotorslille.com/2016/06/25/benelli-quattro-corsa/

[huub]

i cant comment on the value over there , but the early machines with drum brakes are pretty rare.
nothing really wrong with them , but not very collectable , because they ressemble a honda...
i would love the 250 four cylinder benelli , those are even rarer...

[Aaron D.]

I have ridden a 500 with disc, it is a nicer bike than the 750 for riding but certainly does not tick the boxes like a 6 cylinder.

[cliffrod]

That's a lot for an incorrectly detailed model imho.  headlight ears, cylinders, etc- if those had been proper, that number would probably be more viable.  Taking short cuts on the visible stuff usually indicates the overall strategy.

Neat bikes- not awesome, but cool for what they are as Italian bikes.   Front brake is the same as the 650- standard 230 grimeca twin brake hub with Benelli-specific brake plates.   Assembled & running in decent unrestored condition with original paint, mine with very low VIN brought at least $1500 if not $2k (cannot remember) in 06.  It didn't sell fast for that.

[JJ]

OK, maybe $4500 is too much...and maybe you can get it for less with $$ CASH $$, like maybe $3500?....but the main point is, how often to these come up? 

The answer is: "Not very often..." so the same ol' story of Supply & Demand.

Like I often say... "If you want to PLAY...then ya gotta PAY!! 

Cool Italian classic overall and rare.

[mjptexas]

.... but not very collectable , because they ressemble a honda......

It's well documented that the Benelli is literally a copy of a CB500k.  I would expect the performance to be similar, with the exception of the brakes.  IMHO the selling price should be similar to that of an original, well kept CB500/CB550.  Nice copies of those Hondas  are readily available in the $4,000-$5,000 range. 

I owned a CB550 back in the 70s and remember it to be a joy to ride.  Having never ridden the Benellli I would assume it to be very similar.

[JJ]

For perspective, these 4-cylinder Benelli's coming up for auction next month at MECUM in Vegas!

[chuck peterson]

Id think if I wanted one of those it should be as close to original as possible, or I would drag it into the garage to make it that...

This one has been dragged into the garage to be made into something else....for example the fat block oversized front tire, gold cylinders (which I am hesitant to admit go well with the green), and black powder coat. He was aiming for not original, but a cafe street thingee...that I see so many of these days. Just needs a 2x4 for a seat.....

Just needs a warning about how easy it will be for you to do a little carb work before is the most valuable cafe bobber street tracker clubman thingee....


And there it is......"despite the clean appearance of the carbs....."

if I wanted that model I'd want mint stock or the ability to get there easily. In this case I'd be undoing what he has started. The Honda parts thing is a huge red flag to me if you heard of disasters..

As a $2000-2500 bike I'd be interested in it, but then it doesn't fit MY particular stash in the garage. If you've got three other Benelli maybe so.

[ed.bremner]

One sold here in UK recently for £660.

yes.....it was tough keeping my hands in my pockets..

https://www.brightwells.com/classic-motoring/general-information/classic-vintage-past-results/leominster-past-results-26th-september-2018/

eib