The Benelli Tornado was beautiful, very thoughtfully designed and, in accordance with Italian tradition, only for sale years after its introduction. And that was the blow to him. Because the era of the 650 cc push rod twins was really over in 1970. And the fact that the company, in accordance with the best Italian habits, had ended up in financial difficulties did not help either.
Carefully built
The carefully built – only ten were made in a day – Benelli Tornadoes were each subjected to a serious test drive before going to the dealer/customer.
Those customers enjoyed the Benelli Tornado's handling, the – for a pushrod twin – high revs and the sound. The vibrations were considerably less inspiring, while at Benelli they had done just about everything against it by using a lot of vibration-damping rubber.
I was still young when I saw a silver-grey Benelli Tornado in Maarssendorp.
He was looking for a local council official who was a professional on sick leave and who spent his days repairing older motorcycles while constantly talking about sex. The smarter customers took their girlfriend or a random young lady with them because the view of something so beautiful always led to cheaper repairs. Especially when such a short-skirt and/or plunging neckline took the trouble to bend down to pick up something. Oh, yeah: That Benelli Tornado. The thing ran at no load and the rubber-suspended instruments danced the samba…
A tumultuous history
The time when the famous Argentine capitalist Alessandro de Tomaso (the spelling of that name must be communicated) was in fact the beginning of a rollercoaster effect of takeovers, restarts and rebirths. In 1989 Benelli was sold to Giancarlo Selci, a manufacturer of woodworking machines, which was particularly interested in the new factory in Pesaro. Little 50cc models were still being built for tax reasons, but Benelli was actually dead. In February 1996, the rights to the Benelli name were bought by Andrea Merloni, who built a new factory in Pesaro. For the time being, scooters were built there to lay a financial basis for larger plans in the motorcycle field. Because the Italians have never lacked for big plans.
In 2005 (the name) Benelli was acquired by the Chinese Quianjiang Group
The plan was to launch a new line of models on the market as Benelli QJ from 2010. To maintain the appearance of Italianity, the Chinese have opened an office in the original homeland. Does not matter. Volvo is Chinese, BMW buys engine blocks there. Rolls Royce is German. Rotax I believe too and a good friend has chrome parts made by a factory that also does the same for Harley. Ural is now actually American and the production of those tricycles (with a two-year warranty!) has just been transferred to Kazakhstan.
In 2011, the Benelli company celebrated its 100 anniversary.
But it doesn't look like the Benelli 650 Tornado will return to production for the time being, however 'in' 'retro' is at the moment. But you can't know. Marketers and Chinese are surprising time and again.
The fashion model is by Theo Terwel, who is internationally renowned for his BMW restorations. But unlike many BMW fans, Theo has a very broad view of brands and their beauty. Oh, yes: The Benelli Tornado is going to be restored. And the block is rebuilt by an Italian who once did that for the factory. Because that BMW urge for perfection? Theo certainly has that.
More stories about classic engines through this link.
In 1970 the era of 650cc push rod twins was over. Although the 2V boxers from BMW with the same breathing volume were not conjoined twins, they were still twins. And with long pushrods even well into the 90s. Then there were bigger twins with, yes, push rods again. Although they were only a few centimeters long, but still. It must be the image of the Bavarian boxers that this was possible again without being unloved or otherwise being pushed aside as dated junk. In contrast, the song for parallel twins with long push rods was unfortunately over.
I can't really say that BMW maintenance is so expensive now. It's worth it to be honest. Depends on what type you mean. I still don't like the 2V boxers. Except for one obligatory thing: The overhaul of the valves, to prevent them from breaking off and thereby seriously ruining the further integrity of the power source as 'collatoral damage'. So absolutely yes. In the meantime, I've had that done twice with my Blauwtje. That indicates that I have ridden a lot with him.
Nice, that Benelli tornado; but how many times has this story been run through google translate?
Just from Swahili to Hog Drents. Familiar with the phenomenon?
And the maintenance Hermans? Also as cheap as Japanese, or just as expensive as BMW?
Meanwhile; how do we get rid of “chinese”, or do we also become a region of theirs. The difference is that they have a – clear – policy. We have completely lost that here
At the time, my youngest brother and I had the idea to buy such a beautiful Benelli, but because we were still a student at the time, the 6.000 hard guilders were an obstacle for us and we were forced to opt for a Suzuki 500, which then cost just under 4.000 guilders.
Later my brother bought a new Benelli 900 Sei; was a lovely engine.
I myself drive a Laverda 750 SF.
Italians are masters in engine design, while today reliability is on a par with engines from Germany, Japan, England, Austria, Canada and USA.
We have the same history and the same ideas!
Don't forget the later Tornado Tree 900cc models, beautiful and a cooling system in a place no manufacturer would ever imagine with the radiator fins in the butt.
Very beautiful indeed. Such a thing can only come from Italy. Classics from new!