The Benelli 654 was the last new model of the Quattro family, the four- and six-cylinder range with which Benelli tried to compete with the Japanese makers in the 1970s. It was presented at the Milan show in 1979, went on sale at the beginning of 1980 and replaced the slow-selling 500.
Benelli 654 at a glance
| Maker | Benelli, Pesaro; engines assembled at Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Presented | Milan motorcycle show, 1979 |
| On sale | early 1980 |
| Engine | four-cylinder OHC, air-cooled, derived from the 900 Sei |
| Series | Benelli Quattro |
| Replaced | 500 Quattro / 504 |
| Production | to 1986, the end of the Quattro series |
| Styling | Ghia and Vignale for the series |
| Brand | Benelli; the series was also sold as Moto Guzzi |
Based on one source: the 654 is covered in a short section of the Italian Wikipedia article on the Benelli Quattro series, and English Wikipedia has no separate article, so this page is shorter than usual.
History of the Benelli 654
The Quattro series
In the early 1970s Alejandro de Tomaso, who had taken over Benelli in 1971 and Moto Guzzi in 1972, set out to challenge Honda’s four-cylinders. He bought a Honda CB500 Four and told the Pesaro engineers to take inspiration from it, and gave the styling to Ghia and Vignale. The 500 and 750 were sold as Benellis and the 350 through Moto Guzzi dealers. Sales began in 1974, with engines assembled at Mandello del Lario and fitted to motorcycles built at Pesaro; the series remained in production until 1986.
The 654 T
The 654 was presented at the Milan show in 1979 and entered the catalogue at the beginning of 1980. Its engine was derived from the 900 Sei six-cylinder, using four of its cylinders. It replaced the 500 Quattro and its 504 Sport version, which had sold poorly.
The end of the line
The Quattro models were expensive and sold in small numbers against the Japanese fours. The 654 remained in the range until 1986, when the Quattro series ended.
Design and features
- Six-cylinder derivation: the engine was based on the 900 Sei.
- Modern replacement for the 500: presented at Milan in 1979, on sale in 1980.
- Part of a coherent range: four-cylinder architecture and Moto Guzzi assembly.
Benelli 654 versions
- 654 T (1980–1986): the touring version that replaced the 500.
The 654 replaced the 500 Quattro, and its six-cylinder relative is described in the 750 Sei article. More Benelli models are in the Benelli collection.
Sources
- Benelli Quattro, Italian Wikipedia: 654 section, series history
- Benelli, English Wikipedia: company background
