BENELLI

250 Tipo 4 T-SS Elastico – 1941

Unmatched endurance

In the early 1930s, Benelli became one of the Italian "Big Five," alongside Bianchi, Garelli, Gilera and Moto Guzzi. In 1934, its renowned overhead-camshaft 175 was uprated to 250cc and given a four-speed gearbox. Of the six models making up the 250 range, the 4 T-SS was the most sought after. This model had been developed for endurance races such as the Milan-Taranto, with a large fuel tank and maximum weight saving, as shown by the heavily-drilled brake drums and anchorages.

Aluminum Power Unit

A wonderfully typical Benelli product, the 4 T-SS had a power unit that differed from the other versions in the range in having a single exhaust pipe and aluminum cylinder and head instead of twin exhausts and cast-iron cylinder/head construction. There was a little oil radiator mounted in front of the lubricant oil tank on the fore part of the crankcase.

Refined Suspension Layout

On its right side, a cruciform polished alloy casing concealed the gear-train drives for the overhead-camshaft, lighting dynamo and rear-mounted magneto. Another specialty of Italian bikes in general — and Benelli in particular — was the rear suspension, offered as an option on all Benellis in 1936. Despite its appearance, it was a swing arm unit, not plunger springing. The sturdy rear frame triangle acted as a guide and rigid support for a lightweight swing arm unit consisting of two springs inside tubes linked to radius arms and friction dampers.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 246cc (67x70mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; dry-sump lubrication

Power Rating: 20 hp @ 8,000 rpm

Valves: overhead-camshaft driven by gear train

Fuel System: carburettor

Transmission: Benelli 4-speed foot-shift, chain final drive

Suspension: girder forks (front); swing arm with two vertical springs and friction dampers (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 20 inch (front & rear)

Weight: 309 lb

Maximum Speed: 93 mph

The 4 T-SS E, a 1941 4 TN, with cast-iron head and twin exhausts