72 Benelli 175 Enduro

[Lotus54]

I got the hubs back with new Borrani rims, stainless spokes and nipples and loose laced. I tightened and trued them, popped on the new tyes.
Front and rear tyres are mounted, still balancing front.

[John H]

Beautiful! Record Borranis too!
I did some wheel parts sorting today as well for the Shadow. Not quite as simple as just a hub, rim and spokes.

[Lotus54]

Vaporhoned the brake backing plate and made a little brass piece to seat the cable. Of course I forgot to take off the little ‘end’ when I parted it on the lathe. Oh well.

Looks nice! Of course, now the wheels are worth more than the bike.

[John H]

Nice. You will be riding soon.

[Lotus54]

Rode it down the street- found a few more things to address (of course).

[John H]

Wasn't there a saying about a ten dollar horse and a 40 dollar saddle?? Sometimes the obsession wins over practicality and we're all guilty there
Your stables is filling up with some cool rides so how about a show and tell someday? I'll bring the pastries.

[Lotus54]

Yes, isn’t that the truth!
The original SanRemo steel rims were shot- and I just couldn’t help going up to alloy. And heck, may as well get Borrani and make it something the factory could have done.

Sure- always welcome to come by and see the mess…er-a all the bikes. I still have the AJP I rebuilt and modified in the shop for a few weeks. Then I’m working on a mid-70s Harley (Aermecchi) 175 enduro. Pretty similar in a lot of ways to this Benelli. Although it weighs a lot more.

[Lotus54]

Yes, it is a sickness. (John will understand).



It started running poorly, and I was very suspect of the old crank seals. Since I was part way there anyway- I checked ‘dry’ side, then ‘wet’ side. I didn’t like either. And the exhaust port had a lot of carbon- so I pulled the head. Piston/head looked way too clean- decided to just pull cylinder and make sure how things look.
The cylinder studs need to come off to pull cylinder while in frame. First one came right out- second was stubborn and my stud puller taper was a little messed up. So start to setup lathe to clean up the taper- well the gibs were off and had to take things apart, clean and adjust (due anyway). It is a tiny lathe and needs all the help it can get.
Cleaned up taper and and heated stud- then it came out (an hour later of course).
Vaporhoned cylinder- looks pretty good, piston/rings looks like new. I think maybe some moisture was in it when it sat though.
I’m in the process of cleaning everything, replace crank seals etc.
Oh yeah, the carb needle is toast too. Haha (All good, I wanted to see condition anyway)

[John H]

Does the clutch use the same oil as the gearbox? Just looking at the hole behind the clutch.
Yep, they run better with new crank seals.

[Lotus54]

Yes, common oil for clutch/gearbox. Very common method for Italian bikes. Well, everyone but British influenced - ha.
Now that clutches and oil have gotten so much better, it works really well.

On my Modern Beta, I am constantly slipping the clutch for power delivery control and the clutch is still in great shape after over 200 hours.