hi dave , i have a question . i also have a benelli 900 sei (1981). my father's old motorcycle. the intention is to get it back in good condition. now i got it working again, and i wanted to go for a drive. my dad always said the gears were hard. the gear order is just 1 down and the rest up? I can't ask my father anymore because he passed away 😥 and I often watch your videos of your beautiful benelli's and I think you know quite a bit about it 🙂 .because when I started driving I had the idea that I drove away in second or third gear. can you please tell me more about that. and maybe some other things that are important when riding these beautiful bikes . kind regards Remo (Netherlands)
Hi Remo, sorry to hear your father passed away. Hopefully your memories of him will help to sustain you through your grief. He has left you a rare machine as only around 1,800 Benelli 900's were produced. If yours is the same year as mine, with the Le Mans fairing, it's a series 2 model. Series 1 bikes had no fairing. From series 3 onwards they had a more angular fairing. The gearboxes are 5 speed; 1 down / 4 up. The neutral lamp can be difficult to see whilst riding as the fairing screen obscures the lights when you're riding the bike ! Also, check the routing of the clutch cable, as it enters the casing at a sideways angle. If it isn't routed correctly the clutch can feel very heavy. The actuator arm (which engages the end of the clutch pushrod) is also quite short, so that doesn't help. Selwyn motorcycles in the UK make a longer actuator, which helps things. My clutch is heavy but quite smooth. On mine, the secret when riding is not to 'rush the box'. If your bike hasn't been ridden for a long time, everything will probably feel very agricultural until you put some miles on it. Also, look online for an owners handbook, the books have a wealth of information about the bike. The main thing to remember is the age of these bikes and to treat / ride them accordingly. The bikes have a linked braking system, the rear pedal operates the front left & rear disc. The front rh disc is operated by the handlebar master cylinder. Electronic ignition is by bosch, which was good for the time but newer digital systems are available. Avoid fuel containing ethanol as these engines were designed for high octane leaded petrol ( usedto be 5 star in the UK), so an additive with an octane booster is desirable. You might get away with the occasional drop of E5 but you'll notice it will probably run rough. If you are not riding it much, either drain the carb float bowls or run the engine with the fuel taps off until it stops. Modern fuel goes off quite quickly and can leave a nasty residue if left in the carbs for too long. Finally, take your time with things and remember; it's a 43 year old machine ! Safe riding, Dave
@@daveb1268 thanks for your response first of all. this helps me a lot. there are not many people who understand it. and many mechanics do not want to tinker with it. they dare not. the addition to the fuel is a good tip, I can now remember that my father always added something to the petrol. I will certainly take good care of it, and the bike will stay in the family. my father is italian and had registered the bike in his name since 1986/1987. it is certainly a special engine.🙂 thanks for the information, and if I want to know something I can ask you. I can already see that your knowledge goes a little further than mine. I know the basics of how an engine works. but a benelli is still special, and not many people know about it in terms of technology. real motorcycle connoisseurs know that it is a special motorcycle. I'm still working on getting the brake system in order, the front is already done, I already have the shared brake lightly pressurized. it's a process I'm definitely going to put love into 🙂. thank you kindly for all this. and have a nice day. kind regards Remo Taglialegne
Two gorgeous machines, any biker knows those two machines. Great job as look great.
Many thanks for your comment Rodger 👍
BELLISSIME!
Thank-you !
@@daveb1268 thank you!
Belle tutte e due ma la 900 è spettacolare, ancora attualissima anche come linea.. BELLISSIMA
Thank you for your comment, yes, the 900 is a beautiful machine...
@@daveb1268 Si splendida moto!
La 750 è spettacolare...disegnata dalla GHIA (allora di De Tomaso)
Belle e affascinanti.....🤩👍 Grande Benelli......
Thank-you for your comment 👍😎
750 looks much nicer😊
Thanks for your comment - yes, the 750 is a fantastic looking bike 👍
La 750....disegnata dalla GHIA!! (Allora proprietà di De Tomaso)!
hi dave , i have a question . i also have a benelli 900 sei (1981). my father's old motorcycle. the intention is to get it back in good condition.
now i got it working again, and i wanted to go for a drive. my dad always said the gears were hard. the gear order is just 1 down and the rest up? I can't ask my father anymore because he passed away 😥 and I often watch your videos of your beautiful benelli's
and I think you know quite a bit about it 🙂 .because when I started driving I had the idea that I drove away in second or third gear.
can you please tell me more about that.
and maybe some other things that are important when riding these beautiful bikes .
kind regards Remo (Netherlands)
Hi Remo, sorry to hear your father passed away. Hopefully your memories of him will help to sustain you through your grief.
He has left you a rare machine as only around 1,800 Benelli 900's were produced. If yours is the same year as mine, with the Le Mans fairing, it's a series 2 model. Series 1 bikes had no fairing. From series 3 onwards they had a more angular fairing.
The gearboxes are 5 speed; 1 down / 4 up. The neutral lamp can be difficult to see whilst riding as the fairing screen obscures the lights when you're riding the bike ! Also, check the routing of the clutch cable, as it enters the casing at a sideways angle. If it isn't routed correctly the clutch can feel very heavy. The actuator arm (which engages the end of the clutch pushrod) is also quite short, so that doesn't help. Selwyn motorcycles in the UK make a longer actuator, which helps things. My clutch is heavy but quite smooth. On mine, the secret when riding is not to 'rush the box'. If your bike hasn't been ridden for a long time, everything will probably feel very agricultural until you put some miles on it. Also, look online for an owners handbook, the books have a wealth of information about the bike. The main thing to remember is the age of these bikes and to treat / ride them accordingly.
The bikes have a linked braking system, the rear pedal operates the front left & rear disc. The front rh disc is operated by the handlebar master cylinder.
Electronic ignition is by bosch, which was good for the time but newer digital systems are available.
Avoid fuel containing ethanol as these engines were designed for high octane leaded petrol ( usedto be 5 star in the UK), so an additive with an octane booster is desirable. You might get away with the occasional drop of E5 but you'll notice it will probably run rough. If you are not riding it much, either drain the carb float bowls or run the engine with the fuel taps off until it stops. Modern fuel goes off quite quickly and can leave a nasty residue if left in the carbs for too long.
Finally, take your time with things and remember; it's a 43 year old machine !
Safe riding, Dave
@@daveb1268 thanks for your response first of all. this helps me a lot. there are not many people who understand it. and many mechanics do not want to tinker with it. they dare not. the addition to the fuel is a good tip, I can now remember that my father always added something to the petrol.
I will certainly take good care of it, and the bike will stay in the family. my father is italian and had registered the bike in his name since 1986/1987.
it is certainly a special engine.🙂
thanks for the information, and if I want to know something I can ask you. I can already see that your knowledge goes a little further than mine.
I know the basics of how an engine works. but a benelli is still special, and not many people know about it in terms of technology. real motorcycle connoisseurs know that it is a special motorcycle. I'm still working on getting the brake system in order, the front is already done, I already have the shared brake lightly pressurized. it's a process I'm definitely going to put love into 🙂. thank you kindly for all this. and have a nice day. kind regards Remo Taglialegne
Ma , accendine una alla volta , così non si capisce un cavolo.
ti appoggio
Thankyou for your comments. Both of these machines are also on UA-cam separately with individual overviews...
@@daveb1268 Grazie a te!