Barn find number 3 68 Wards Riverside 350 Benelli

#1

>I< did not find it, Big Jim Williard did. But after seeing the beautiful shape of the Benelli frame, it didn't take me long to sweet talk him out of it!

Here is how it came:

#2

Here is what they looked like running:

#3

And... since I probably should keep some money stashed for retirement, I'm not going to restore it to original.. I mean Italian parts were expensive in 1968, you should see what they cost now.

So Im going to do a modified Bobber. 'Sides I get a joy out of being cursed in Italian by purists.

My very poor use of cut and paste:

#4

The project sort of named itself:

#5

Skipping ahead a few days: Parts are ready to ship off for various work.

Aluminum to HRS Cycle Sports for Vapor Honing (And then back for polishing)
Small Powder Coating to Tom's Cycle Recycle (Maine) (Yes, he's that good)
Cylinder Head to be Honed +.2 over to Mount Vernon, WA Napa machine shop
Frame sandblasted and powder coated by Arlington Powercoater (Color RAL 1032)
Electronic ignition and 12V charger system provided by VAPE of Czech Republic

And many various parts from a warehouse in Italy.

A few pics for fun..

scootsx2 · #6

Looks like a fun project. Reminds me of my Francis Barnett.

#7

They do have some similarly don't they? I'd like to find a falcon in a barn lol! I would enjoy seeing some pictures of yours. In fact, I'd enjoy seeing pictures of everyonrs classics here.

Graham Cracker · #8

Nice project!! Gonna be fun

Track T 2411 · #9

Looks like a lot of fun!

scootsx2 · #10

sunnbobb wrote:They do have some similarly don't they? I'd like to find a falcon in a barn lol! I would enjoy seeing some pictures of yours. In fact, I'd enjoy seeing pictures of everyonrs classics here.

Here you go...

I stripped it down to the last nut and bolt. The frame and tinware was media blasted and powdercoated. The tank is painted to match. Wheels rebuilt by Buchanan, Heidenau tires and the engine/gearbox rebuilt by Villiers Services in the UK. Converted the electrics to 12V. It was a three year project... took 7 months just to find a working speedo gearbox. Also a major investment in Whitworth wrenches and sockets.

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Graham Cracker · #11

sunnbobb wrote:They do have some similarly don't they? I'd like to find a falcon in a barn lol! I would enjoy seeing some pictures of yours. In fact, I'd enjoy seeing pictures of everyonrs classics here.

I couldn't pass on this one. Not another project like yours other than a cracked brake reservoir.

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#12

Super nice!

#13

Things are getting serious, parts are farmed out all over and are starting to return. First off, my Vapor honed parts are back. The cylinder was sent out to be bored 1 over, I polished the edges of the wheels and hubs, then laced the front wheel. Next week week Ill wrap up the rear wheel and get it true. Meanwhile, polishing. lots and lots of polishing.