Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
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BENELLI-MOC
R 900 Bol d'Or – 1977
Failed promise
In the mid-Seventies, cycling experienced a renaissance in France. In 1975, Renault bought an interest in Motobécane, which led to the construction of a grand prix racer in 1977. Soon, Renault began selling Moto Guzzis and Benellis, two established Italian names, in France.
Specially-Built Six
To mark the occasion, a specially-built Benelli six with a French frame was entered in the Bol d'Or 24-hour race. The project was entrusted to Philippe Moc, who had previously set a number of sidecar records. But it was certainly no easy task, for the Italian six-cylinder engine was very wide and difficult to house in the frame of a racing bike.
Innovative Layout
Nevertheless, Moe succeeded brilliantly, with an innovative layout which was the direct inspiration for the Elf produced the following year by Andre de Cortanze. The most spectacular aspect of the Benelli-Moc was its streamlined styling in front of the steering head and its six-branch exhaust system in which six five-foot-long exhaust pipes were entwined around the engine. Two machines were prepared for the Bol d'Or but failed to grab any glory. Finished just two weeks ahead of the race, they suffered from a lack of development time. The Baloche/Espié machine failed to last beyond the fifth hour, and the Boulom/Montrémy bike covered only 536 miles in 24 hours. Benelli-Moc never raced again.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: air-cooled 890cc transverse 6-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 85 hp @ 9500 rpm
Valves: single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: six 26mm DellÂ’Orto carburettors
Transmission: 5-speed gearbox
Suspension: (front) telescopic fork; (rear) single arm
Brakes: (front) twin disks; (rear) single disk
Wheels: 18-in turned aluminum disks
Weight: 386lb
The Benelli-Moc was neither fast nor elegant, but it inspired the design of the 1978 Elf racer.