1968 Benelli Mojave 260: Will It Run?

[@rustyrims05]

Dave o1270. Exactly what I thought the instant I saw it. I didn’t even know this motorbike existed.

[@arklite360]

❤🙏Fishburn, This has a MATICE look to me, the tank into the sheet and rear mudguard, just my view 🤔💪

[@motorcyclerewind]

Right on! I would bet that They designed them for Benelli! Thanks for watching.

[@jefftuckercfii]

I was saying on the starting attempts, use the starter cart!!! In fact, that thing is so cool I'm thinking of building one myself. At the end you explained why. This is the sort of thing that happens when these bikes sit for long periods. You never know what it's going to affect. But seeing the way you've been able to revive the clutch on other bikes I don't think you'll have much trouble. And wow, looking at that carburetor, it's really a basic and kinda primitive one. I will say the bike did clean up REALLY nicely. The Italian Banana.

[@motorcyclerewind]

This is the main reason why the first thing I normally fix is the electric starter!

[@terryross6070]

I had a Montgomery Wards Riverside 360 back in the late 60's. It would break the kickstart rachet pin all the time. I was 15 it was fast when you could get it started.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for watching.

[@Titan500J]

I remember (if memory serves) this bike or possibly the bigger model claiming 0 to 60 in 3 seconds. This was in the late sixties motorcycle magazines. Very good looking bike. Thanks

[@motorcyclerewind]

Wow. I stumbled in the Cycle World article about the 360. I will find it and post it in the comments.

[@Titan500J]

@@motorcyclerewind that would be great. I don't know if it was Cycle or Cycle World

[@daveallen8824]

I remember these for sale at the local Wards store; they sold Benelli, Penney's sold Bridgestone in their auto department, Sears sold Allstate motorcycles; I don't remember who made those, though. Motorcycles were HOT in the 60's - of course all a result of Honda marketing.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Allstate motorcycles were made by Puch and Gilera. The scooters were Puch and Vespa. I have had a few of the Allstates. I want a Vespa/Allstate love the badge. Outline of the US with Allstate across it. Thanks for watching.

[@ACBros_06]

Good luck with that bike🎉🎉

[@motorcyclerewind]

This sucker is killing me!!!

[@nickq204]

Once it was cleaned up, the white seat looked incredible. I can only imagine the joys of calling your insurance company to get a policy for your Montgomery Ward motorcycle. Just to say that is almost worth the hassle!

[@motorcyclerewind]

LOL!!! Its crazy enough getting them to accept a shorter than 17 character VIN!

[@guylr7390]

That’s cleaning up nicely. Don’t forget to check valve clearance.

[@motorcyclerewind]

It really did. I wasn’t sure all the mouse poo was going to come off the seat.

[@daveco1270]

That's cool. Its got a Rickman Matisse vibe to it. I wonder if Rickman made some of the parts.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Definitely was a Rickman clone!!

[@firestorm755]

It reminds me of the rickman metisse triumphs from that era

[@motorcyclerewind]

I think that is exactly what it’s supposed to be.

[@mmotorcycles9497]

That is a good looking bike. I like how sleek it is. To bad about wards and sears they were the original Amazons. They just went full store no ordering

[@motorcyclerewind]

Such a cool motorcycle!

[@jefftuckercfii]

I knew Benelli made motorcycles but I was into Benelli for shotguns (they make beautiful shotguns). I've seen BJ's vids working on his 750 Sei, but that bike has a LONG way to go, and probably missing parts. Your 260 looks amazing! How do you find these things? Oh, it belongs to a friend. Well, at least you get to play with it.

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s the great thing about having good friends with great motorcycles. I get to have ownership experiences without spending any money.

[@rdanpauley1992]

I've had good luck putting bike in gear and rocking it with the clutch in. Never had to pull the clutch apart. I like that Benelli. Is she planning on auction sell or just highest offer?

[@motorcyclerewind]

I tried rocking it to no avail. The little white Benelli is for sale. She is asking 2K for it.

[@neilfonger2609]

As a Benelli fan, I'm waiting for the follow-up where the Mojave is running. Looks like you've moved on to other things.

[@motorcyclerewind]

It's coming. It has not been playing nice. I work on multiple things at one time to keep me from going crazy!

[@superbiketech]

Hi, is there a second video on this? Can you please help me? I took the right side engine cover off and the gear shift mechanism came out with it and now I can't get it put back right, won't shift right? Do you have a video on the install of the shift mechanism? Thanks.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I am trying to clear the queue to get back to this bike. Thanks for watching.

[@johntrout3631]

I have a high pipe model in blue.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Wow. Those are so cool 😎 thanks for watching.

[@GeorgiaGrowGuy]

What a looker! That bike needs someone either in a pair of speedos and aviator glasses or a tweet coat and pipe. LOL

[@motorcyclerewind]

It is a cool looking motorcycle in a great color combo.

[@MaryK4242]

The side that gear shift is on is messing with ma head. 🤨

[@motorcyclerewind]

Always takes me a few stops to wrap my head around it.

[@richardhorton25]

Left hand kick starters on Italian bikes are an absolute nightmare, I have a Moto Morini 3 1/2 which is a fabulous bike to ride but a pig to start so it doesn't get the use it deserves

[@motorcyclerewind]

I really like the Moto Morini 31/2. Thanks for watching

[@freemenofengland2880]

Styling is definitely Rickman inspired, but if it was a Mettise frame it would have it's oil in the frame.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Guess they didn’t have intellectual property laws back then. Just let people copy their stuff.

[@freemenofengland2880]

@@motorcyclerewind No they did have intellectual property laws back then, at least in England where the concept originated. Rickman brothers were extremely busy both as manufacturers of frames and bodywork and complete bikes, but also as World Class competitors on the international racing scene. I think the difference was that they would have been flattered if Benelli had copied them, rather than being liturgist. A genuine Rickman frame would be stamped with a number beginning with an R.

[@mikejacobs9657]

Air box? Mice?

[@motorcyclerewind]

No air box it has a velocity stack.

[@budlistar5312]

I rode an orange 260 way back in high school and my dad rode a yellow 360. I just recently picked up another 360 but the motor is broken.

[@fredshred5194]

Why not just sit on it and kick it with your left foot ?

[@motorcyclerewind]

Great point! Thanks for watching!