Английская Википедия:Benelli 254
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:Use dmy dates Шаблон:Use British English Шаблон:Infobox motorcycle The Benelli 254, originally known as the Benelli 250 Quatro, is a Шаблон:Convert inline four motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Benelli from 1977 to 1984. It was at the time the smallest production four. The model was also badge engineered as the Moto Guzzi 254.
Model history
With the backing of the Italian Government agency Gepi, Italian-Argentine industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso purchased Benelli and Moto Guzzi in 1972.Шаблон:Sfn He set about introducing a range of new models,Шаблон:Sfn including one to take advantage of the tax concessions on machines under 250 cc in ItalyШаблон:Sfn and other markets.Шаблон:Sfn
The bike was designed by engineer Lino Tonti and although a four, was a different design the larger 500/4.Шаблон:Sfn Styling was by Paolo Martin.Шаблон:Sfn The 250 Quatro was First shown at the 1975 Milan Motorcycle Show, and production started in 1977.Шаблон:Sfn
Plastic and aluminium were used extensively to keep the weight down to Шаблон:Convert. Martin's sleek styling included uncluttered handlebars, with the clocks and brake master cylinder mounted in the tank. This reduced the tank capacity to Шаблон:Convert, and gave the bike a range of only Шаблон:Convert. The British Moto Guzzi importers declined to import the model because of the range.Шаблон:Sfn
The Benelli version was aimed a more sports market whereas the Moto Guzzi was intended to be more touring oriented.Шаблон:Sfn The two brands used different tanks and seat humps. On the Benelli 3 spoke cast wheels were fitted and 6 spoke on the Guzzi.Шаблон:Sfn The machine were expensive compared to its rivals and sales were slow.Шаблон:Sfn The Guzzi version stopped production in 1981, although was still available in showrooms for a few years. Less than 1,000 of the Guzzi version were produced.Шаблон:Sfn The Benelli variant stopped production in 1984.Шаблон:Sfn
Benelli 304
A re-styled version, the Benelli 304, was introduced in 1983. It was fitted with a twin downtube frame and power output raised to Шаблон:Convert. Production ended in 1986, but stocks of the machines were being sold until the early '90s.Шаблон:Sfn
Technical details
The transverse four engine was compact and light, weighing only Шаблон:Convert not including its four Шаблон:Convert Dell'Orto carburettors.Шаблон:Sfn A chain was used to drive the SOHC.Шаблон:Sfn Oversquare with a bore and stroke of Шаблон:Convert, the engine revved freely to its limit of 11,800 rpm.Шаблон:Sfn
A 5 speed gearbox was fitted and drive to the rear wheel was by chain.Шаблон:Sfn
The model had a single downtube frame,Шаблон:Sfn suspension was by telescopic forks and swinging arm. A Grimeca front disc was fitted and the rear brake was a drum.Шаблон:Sfn
References
Bibliography
- Шаблон:Cite web
- Шаблон:Cite news
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite web
- Шаблон:Cite web
- Шаблон:Cite web
- Шаблон:Cite web
External links
Шаблон:Benelli motorcycles Шаблон:Moto Guzzi
