BENELLI 500 Quattro (1973-1974) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Benelli Quattro was a series of motorcycles produced under the Benelli and Motto Guzzi names from 1974 to 1986. The bike was introduced to replace the Benelli 650 Tornado and was part of the same family as the Benelli Six.

In 1976, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer released the Benelli 500 Quattro, a naked, half-liter machine with the same package as previous models but with better brakes. Instead of the previously used drum braking units, the bike received two brake discs on the front and a single disc on the rear.

The bike's 18-inch wire-spoke wheels were fitted with two 230 mm brake discs clamped by hydraulic calipers on the front and a 200 mm brake disc on the rear, delivering better braking performance than previous models.

It was manufactured around a double-cradle steel frame with a hydraulic telescopic fork on the front and dual side-mounted five-way adjustable shock absorbers on the rear, offering optimum suspension performance and handling.

As for the visual characteristics, the bike was equipped with standard fittings such as a round headlight up front, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a four-into-two exhaust system with two mufflers on each side, and wire-spoke wheels.

In the performance department, the 1976 Benelli 500 Quattro was powered by a 498cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine mounted underneath its fuel tank, delivering an output power of 55 hp with a peak force at 9,500 rpm and 39 Nm (29 lb-ft) torque at 8,500 rpm.