MAKE & MODEL: Motobi Barracuda

REGISTRATION: VBJ43F

YEAR: 1968

COLOUR: Black/Silver

ENGINE SIZE: 248cc

FRAME NO: DGM67310MS477415

ENGINE NO: 1998

DOCUMENTS: V5C, Maintenance Manual inc Technical Data and Parts Lists, 1967 Magazine with road test, Old MOT’s Dating Letter, Lots of History inc recent expenditure of c£2,000, 2 x CD’s of Moto Giro Participation 2006, old tax discs

In the 250cc category Benelli offers a unique machine that has to be ridden to be believed. The lay-down single-cylinder engine delivers performance that has the rider wondering if it really is only a 250.’ – Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide, 1968. Although badged as a Benelli, the machine that so excited MBG was in fact theBarracuda model that had originated as a Motobi. Italy’s oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer, Benelli was founded in 1911 by the six Benelli brothers, the oldest of whom, Giuseppe, left in 1949 to found his own company –Moto ‘B’ Pesaro, later Motobi. The latter’s first design was a 98cc single-cylinder two-stroke lightweight with horizontal engine, a layout that would characterise its offerings from then onwards. In the early 1950s a new range of all-aluminium engines was introduced, whose profile resembled that ofan egg or rugby ball, and this style was deliberately retained when Motobi switched to overhead-valve four-strokes towards the decade’s end. Six years after Giuseppe’s death in 1957, Motobi merged with Benelli and its models continuing to be manufactured, although often with ‘Benelli’ on the tank.

Our Motobi Barracuda was imported in 2006 from Italy where it previously formed part of an extensive Benelli/Motobi collection. Fully restored shortly after its arrival in the UK, the machine was road registered in 2006 to enter the Moto Girod’Italia, in which event it performed faultlessly, winning the Taglioni class on the second day. The engine was fully rebuilt at the time of restoration and has covered only 1,000-or-so miles since, most of them on the 2006 Giro. Presented in good condition throughout, and great fun to ride, this collectible Italian thoroughbred is offered with dating certificate and Swansea V5 registration document. An ideal mount for future Moto Giro’s.

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