WILL IT RUN! Benelli Buzzer Mini Bike

I picked up this long forgotten italian mini bike while purchasing another machine, needs a bunch of love including a stuck engine, lets see what it will take to bring it back to life.

[@kirknielsen8697]

Fantasic!! That was my first minibike in 1971~72, when I was six years old outside Cleveland, Ohio! Yes, the clutch was squeezed by the lever to get it to go, but when you got up to speed, you could release the lever. They apparently came with a headlight and taillight too, but mine never had them. It was the start of a lifelong addiction! I've never been without a minibike or motorcycle since!

[@kirknielsen8697]

edit to add: looking forward to following along on this one!

[@gatdelporco]

The clutch is centrifugal, if you squeeze the lever you can push start it, my grandma moped had the same kind of lever

[@fredmott1397]

I'm with you Kirk N. cept my first was Honda 50 like Mustie has had here and then up through the Honda's - Mustie has had a copy of every one I ever had on his channel here - Love it!

[@miksedk]

@@gatdelporco Same with the old Puch Maxi P(P for Pedals) It too came with a lever to engage engine with gearbox, and you could pushstart it. An old schoolfriend had one, and it went 70-80KM/H 🤣

[@rexjolles]

Lucky you. I grew up in the city so I never got one, even though all the other kids had those Coleman trail bikes

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks Mustie, always a pleasure. Would definitely like to talk to you one day.

[@curiouszquad]

Just another fellow KZbinr. 😁

[@general5104]

I love the fact that you can take something that has died 50 years ago and has been just sitting as junk, and give it a little 💘 and it starts to purr from the Love ya give it! Spiderman ain't the only AMAZING..! Darren is too! Bill, from Tn. 🇺🇸

[@JoriDiculous]

its not Sunday until Mustie1 publish the video :) Ok, that Mini bike is truly a MINI! The seat is almost as big as the whole thing. Love the gastank.

[@smasica]

I believe the little ball thing you used to clean the tiny carb parts in is called a 'tea infuser'. You put a spoon of loose tea in it, hang the hook on the edge of your cup, and pour hot water over it. Steep the tea until it's to your liking and remove from the cup. Amazon sells all sorts of those type things.

[@gutshotgriz3936]

Every time you put a patient on the lift and crank it up, I get a picture in my mind of Dr Frankenstein working on his creature…and I see the moment lightening flashes and you declare “It’s ALIVEEE”…

[@joeanonemouse]

We had a Benelli when I was a kid and the hand lever underneath the left hand grip is a second gear to go faster. At least that's what it did on the one we had. Ours was blue instead of red and had a headlight and taillight on it. I'm pretty sure it was a 1969 or 1970 model. We got it new and it was one of those two years. Thanks for reviving some great memories Darren. 👍 PS - After that minibike I rode dirt bikes all thru High school. Then in 1978 after I got out of the Navy I started riding Harleys and still do ride to this day. 😃👍

[@iamrichrocker]

Musties evident joy in exploring and fixing these machines is what i enjoy..and the conversing with his audience that seem to be overlooking his shoulder as he works...just a fantastic YTer..my favorite..and never has, and never will ask for patronage..class act..

[@aidanleahy7208]

Very well said, he is simply the best.

[@charger19691]

This little Benelli is as old as me. We were both born in 69. There used to be a Benelli dealer in my town when I was a kid and he was busy all the time with sales and repairs. These little Buzzers used to be buzzing all over the place here in my neighborhood in Pennsylvania.

[@lloydgreen4091]

Retired from a 26yr Paint Lab Stint, a Paint shaker Should work well for your Small Bike tanks. We actually used them to make small Paint *Grind* samples. Breaking down the colored pigment & fillers for primers with small Porcelain Bebees. A 20min. Shake Cycle was all it took. Us Antique radio restorers Use O-rings to replace the broken or weathered Tuning Belts. For Different sizes Cut Them on a Angle 30* so the glue has More Surface Area to Stick to. Hope these suggestions Help You All.

[@YerBrwnDogAteMyRabit]

Riggt on! Paint shaker has proven to be the best, bar none, to clean out old tanks like Honda Mini-Trails and Z-50's. Gets every nook and cranny and does a helluva job on small parts. I've even used sifted beach sand and saved pistachio shells as a medium.

[@blademan175]

I lived in Italy in the 80’s. My only transport was a 750 virago. Kids were in awe by it as most had mopeds in my town. They called it a Bella grande motochicletta!

[@shockcoach]

Had an '86 Virago 700. Great bike!

[@blademan175]

@@shockcoach loved my 82. Put about 40,000 miles on it. Regret ever selling it.

[@privateer0561]

They're more fun than regular bikes because they remind us of our youth and the speed and the freedom from pedaling. It's too bad we can't get small like we were back then.

[@hcox1111]

Just scale up a frame to match an adult. There's your million dollar idea- "Dream Bike" relive your childhood.

[@mcscheck2000]

Reminds me of ((and gives more meaning to)) Steve Martins "Let's Get Small" shtick...

[@Hjerte_Verke]

These and the old classic minibikes like Rupp and Bonanza were never originally intended for kids, people keep making that mistake and it's comical. The first mini bikes were designed as pit bikes, to get in and around the pit areas between races at racetracks *where adults raced*. The first go karts were designed for racing in as small a package or footprint as possible and the proper riding position was knees bent, knees in your face and the steering wheel rubbed the inside of your thighs. Maybe it's because people are so morbidly obese that they want to be small again?

[@Hjerte_Verke]

@@hcox1111 Scaling up the frame then means it's approaching a regular motorcycle size and a bigger frame means an engine larger than 50cc, but it wouldn't be as fun or as economical as regards to space. These things were designed to be small, nimble and fun and back in the day could be thrown in the trunk of those large American automobiles.. Unfortunately the CC arms race doomed the minibike phenomenon to the trash bin of history as Americans kept wanting more and more power and speed.

[@stellarproductions8888]

A lot of you had a funner youth then I did. My parents never let me have any moped, mini-bike, motorcycle, ATV, gokart. The best I had were video games, back in the day when you were considered a dork for playing them. Now days video games are considered cool, most people play them, and they even do professional championships over them. Now days, I just have a 1990 Craftsman riding mower, that I did a pulley swap on, that makes it go 20-MPH in 6th gear. I put beefy tires on it, sucker could pull a 1-ton truck on pavement easily lol.

[@offgridcabinbelgium]

A neighbor had this one on his sail boat in the early 80s. For the shopping at marinas he visited. When he bought a diblasi foldable it became my first bike. Once you qet going you could let go the clutch. Great to see one back.

[@Hjerte_Verke]

Neat, that is a perfect application as a small, compact, take along vehicle substantial enough to take you sightseeing and shopping on dry land.

[@Paul-FrancisB]

Good morning all from Lincolnshire UK

[@Jesselovespinball]

Massachusetts USA here ! Good morning!

[@todaywefly4370]

@@Jesselovespinball Hi from Queensland Aus

[@TheCrystalGlow]

California girl here. 🥰

[@stephenmartin1007]

Good morning from a London Lad.

[@waltalbright]

Wadley Alabama

[@nobbybrown8056]

I believe the clutch is working as intended, the clutch lever is to force the clutch to lock up so you can bump start the engine or in other models to pedal start it like the Vespa Ciao. Great video again Mustie1.

[@mqb17]

Right! Came here to comment as well. Had a moped in Italy in the 80s. Third lever was to pedal start, or push / go down a hill and pull the level to start.

[@stevensteltenpool904]

Second that on the bump start. Here in Europe the kickstart was usualy an upgrade. The Puch maxi's all have this lever.

[@catsbyondrepair]

It to disengage the clutch

[@Rick1984P]

​@@catsbyondrepair I think it engages the clutch, linking the back wheel to the crankshaft

[@Rick1984P]

The lever makes a small excentric axle rotate, pushing the plate onto the clutch assembly, effectively linking the crankshaft to the output. Brings back the Puch Maxi vibes for me 👌

[@jawright2878]

Now we can start our Sunday! Good Morning everyone from Peoria AZ

[@Jesselovespinball]

The mineral spirits you used was the environmental friendly version . Notice the milky white color . In my experience it’s completely useless in place of the normal stuff . Great video Mustie !

[@kenstrayhorn5923]

Yep. In my experience if the label says "green" or "earth friendly" it might as well say "does not work." The "green" carb cleaner is especially worthless. You might as well be spraying the carb with water.

[@shockcoach]

Back in the early 90’s I was buying some engine degreaser. The guy behind the counter said to me, “Don’t use that $#!+ that’s good for the environment. It doesn’t work!” 😂

[@dave1135]

I remember the original formula chem dip carb cleaner, you could put the filthiest, grungiest carb in that stuff and it would come out pristine. The stuff now won't clean butter

[@Hjerte_Verke]

@@dave1135 Mustie's Chem Dip (in his ultrasonic cleaner) disagrees with you. Still pretty darn effective.

[@markhamilton1847]

Like Phosphate-free TSP

[@dietersmythe9649]

Ever thought about filling those rusty tanks with Evaporust and leaving overnight? That stuff is amazing! Thanks for another great video!

[@twooldcampersandadog8169]

Fiiiiiirrrrssst! Got my coffee. Hangin' w/ Muste!

[@kristiankristiansen133]

That model of Dellorto does not like to run without aircleaner assembly if you can’t find the Benelli housing the Vespa Chiao one is readily available

[@jefferyrightmire9520]

When you were on the gas tank , and said "a bit of a Colestrol problem" I almost fell out of my chair-- busting a gut. Great videos my friend.

[@conbertbenneck49]

As a sailor in Europe, in 1973, I needed a "land dinghy" to get to the Immigration Office / Customs Office / get gasoline for my sailboat engine / and get ice. In the Adriatic a normal sunny day is 90 degrees. I found the BENELLI "CITY BIKE" but couldn't buy one in Munich, where we lived. On a yacht delivery trip from Elba to Viareggio, Italy I found a motorcycle store; and Yes, they had a BENELLI City Bike. It had been in a show window in a neighboring town - and being s two cycle engine required an oil / gasoline mixture. Back at the owner's main store and shop in Viareggio, he tried to start it, but the carburetor was clogged. His mechanic removed the carburetor was quickly removed and cleaned; then the mechanic took the elbow that connected the carburetor to the cylinder; took it to his drill press; got s large diameter drill and in seconds was making a pile of aluminum shavings. My wife stand there and watching this was aghast. What's he doing to our new BENELLI? Being and engineer, I knew what he was doing. In Europe, 50 cc vehicles are limited to 30 km on the road. This speed limit was accomplished by having a restriction in the elbow. All the mechanic was doing was enlarging the whole air path to the engine. When it was running again, and I twisted the throttle, - forget the 30 km speed limit - it emitted a roar and was good for at least 70 km/h. The handle bar folds inward, and then downward. The folded BENELLI fitted into my sail locker; could easily be lifted out and lowered into our dinghy. Then at the dock, I unfolded it; fired it up and could then look for ice / get gasoline from the automobile gas station at the edge of town; or get to the Official Offices the easy way. It was a wonderful solution to a sailing problem.

[@wingdwolf56]

I remember these! Sears sold them. I bought the next size up. It was a 65cc bike with a clutch. What a great little bike!!!

[@rickdunn7585]

That little bike made my life so much fun it is just like my first bike except mine was blue my dad and uncle had a Benelli dealership I got mine in 1973 for Christmas I was 10 it was used but I loved it I rode it for three years until the clutches gave out and I was to big to ride it good memories

[@Rockport1911]

When you wanna impress the girls with your italian " Benelli" but your still in Pre- school. Aewsome little Buzzer.

[@tom-ehill2713]

"Buzzerelli" 😂😂😂 You find some gems Mustie!!

[@N0Negatives]

50:15 I resemble that remark! We do take pride in our life's journey.

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

I always wanted one of those little bikes to play on as a kid, but my parents couldn't afford it, things were tough in the 1960's and 70's. Today, on a By-pass near to me, I saw a guy on a 1976 Kawasaki 900 4 cylinde 4 stroke potterin along at 40 mph, it was making a little bit of smoke , but looked in immaculate condition.

[@edgarcornette6387]

Thanks for another awesome trip back in time.. Those were the best of times riding mini bikes and dirt bikes as a kid. First time my dad started teaching me how to work on stuff and keep it running. Take care of yourself and get some rest. Thanks again.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

I really like this little Benelli. Yes when riding a Honda 50 when I was 15 I was coming downhill on a logging road. I was braking as hard as I could for a road washout. As I got right to it the bike slipped out from under me and I slammed to the ground. If that happened now at 75 I would be hurting for 6 months. At the time even though it really hurt, an hour later I felt nothing. So we learn when young and now my big rottweiler changed sides behind me in the park and I never threw the leash over my head in time riding my bike and flopped down and can still feel it when moving something heavy on the floor. Now I keep better track of where he is going and throw the leash over my head sometimes inadvertantly.

[@yur08]

Good heavens that bike IS mini!

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

These were the days of 20:1 premix

[@kevinleee3408]

Don't think I've ever seen a head that clean

[@privateer0561]

A friend of a friend had one of these when I was a kid back in the late 60s early 70s. It was truly exotic, even back then. Everybody else had Rupp and Fox mini bikes along with a smattering of Honda QA-50's. I remember seeing the guy ride it, and it seemed very foreign. It was.

[@brucepeebles4939]

I owned a Benelli mini-bike many years ago. When I got it... someone had run straight-gas in it. I totally disassembled engine and rebuilt. It was the quietest 2-stroke engine I ever encountered.

[@ShofarGuy]

I was stationed a Pease AFB there in NH in '89-'90. Enjoying watching you get this little scooter running.

[@user-vs4yd7on7f]

at the end of your video, the "clutch" on the bottom left is called a "starter clutch" and is used to push start this no-ped. On a moped you would pedal and squeeze the starter clutch to start the engine. The starter clutch locks the engine to the rear wheel.

[@darthmal]

That is the cutest mini bike ever.

[@welshy8216]

nothing beats a couple of curry pot noodle sandwiches & coffee with a new mustie video :)

[@Sev_Auk]

Haha, from Bridgeton, NJ. There are a lot of us Goombahs down here :) That explains the Italian mini-bike.

[@arcflashed]

These little bikes bring back a lot of cool memories from when I was a kid in the late 60s and 70s.

[@ilgiusto6885]

Very rare scooter even in Italy! Mopeds with a maximum displacement of 50 cc were very popular because at the age of 14 you could drive them without a license! I'm talking about the 70s, all the guys obviously replaced the muffler with a louder one and the best ones tried some modifications to have a little more power. This Benelli is really very interesting, good restoration ! 👋👋From 🇮🇹

[@dominicgregoire2088]

Sunday morning with our friend Mustie

[@sass1ap]

That tube isn’t for a tool pouch it’s for the miniature Benelli shotgun

[@davidcolesr.8628]

I was Thinking that Banelli Produced a Miniature Saddle Rifle or Shotgun I Wasn’t aware of

[@KA-dx2kz]

Thought this bike is just the throw-in holster they gave you when you bought a new shotgun.

[@fishaussie9112]

Great to see mustie1 wrenching on rusty junk again

[@westernjeep4015]

He looks like the lil mini bike caricature from Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch! Great content, as always.

[@bigospig]

Sweet! I received the same bike for my 3rd birthday in 1970.

[@conbertbenneck49]

Mustie, the bottom of the filer cap is the fuel tank breather that can be screwed closed so that no fuel can leak out of the fuel tank if you are transporting the BENELLI in our boat, or in the trunk of a car

[@ITAMoDz]

I like to see those videos working with italian moped, The lower left lever is for starting the motor in a different model with the pedal. I have a Benelli Gentleman with the same engine, your model we call Motorella

[@mariosaccoccio1688]

Shopping list... Lacquer thinner Box 'O Rags! 😳

[@billpederson4831]

man that brings back good old times.

[@davidwallace785]

That's the greatest motorcycle I've ever seen!!

[@LearnandLive97]

Good morning from Winnipeg Canada.

[@countryking45]

Cute lil guy, hope you have a great memorial weekend Sir

[@timfricker4152]

I can remember back in the 70s make your own fan belts that was cut it to length and Super Glue the ends together

[@acalthu]

your videos are some of the best to watch whilst having my evening meal. there's no sense urgency, always calm and methodical. i own and wrench on a vw beetle thanks to the confidence your videos gave me over the years.

[@dockspa]

Moped nation.... I love the little ones too. At one point I had quite a collection of them... Thanks for the vids again.

[@ProtekNickz]

Takes me back when i use to make my own gaskets for motorbikes from cereal boxes and old biscuit tins , and used bathroom silicone for the gear boxes xD.

[@darthgator639]

I started driving a moped to work instead of my car when the weather is nice. It saves me time and money! And its fun 😁

[@scotttracey123]

Thanks for great content, always interesting and different !!!!

[@Engleberthumperdinck14]

Much Respect from Somerset UK 🇬🇧🙏👍

[@HebrideanBBQ]

When I cut and glue o-rings I do it diagonally to increase the area for the glue.

[@L8terdays]

Good morning Lincolnshire. Have a great day.

[@paulsmutzer8278]

I just wanted to let you know I watch All of your videos and they have expired me to go and get my dad's old garden tiller running again after sitting for 20 years

[@paulatkinson2849]

Yeah blame the new guy for blowing the tube  I had a moped and had some fun on it many years ago tempted to get another for fun 👌

[@mattinieminen9826]

Nice, we called those "Pitlane moped". That in year when Jarno "the Baron" Saarinen was the best driver in TT (road racing) 1972.

[@rm25088]

Good morning Mustlie1!

[@smifffies]

It's a mechanical clutch with direct drive. You need it with both wheels on the ground kick starting it would just bump you forwards. Pull in clutch kick it over, walk it forward whilst gently letting out clutch and away you go. Clutch also needed when stopping at traffic lights etc.

[@aliasfred]

I own a 2013 fuel injected Honda Metropolitan Moped it gets hunnert miles to the gallon. Does up to 40 mph (Downhill) lol. gas n oil separate. Bought it new when gas hit almost 6 bucks a gallon in 2013. It cost me 2400.00 out the door. Love it but, will probably sell it this year. Oh, the engine is a 49.6 cc.

[@TheModelator]

Benelli Buzzers were sold here in the UK, yip they had head, tail and brake lights. They were perfect for whizzing around London where the traffic is almost at a stop during peak periods. The one I had would occasionally hit back on the kick start for no known reasons when starting it. It always painfully caught you square in the ankle. Herw in the UK, if it's petrol powered we have to road tax, insure and have a tearly MOT tesr (roadworthy test) You are lucky riding without insurance etc. This brought back memories of the Buzzer that was sadly squished by a lorry whilst parked

[@richardgreening3533]

Tea baskets come in handy. Great job

[@jimboknowsit]

Loved this video. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

COOL! 😎A pocket mini-bike! I want one of those! 😎😎😎

[@budlistar5312]

I’m watching this on 6-1-23 and I to am working on a Riverside/Benelli but mine is a little bigger being a 250. Started a complete tear down for a total restoration.👍❤️🏍

[@Buses2Bikes]

Ride Outs are pretty popular right now. Minibikes, Mopeds, Quads, Ride-On Lawn Tractors...all kinds of cool stuff. If you can slap a Predator/Tilletson motor on it....people will take it on the street in huge groups and ride all over the place. A lot of the eBike guys are doing it too. Surons, Segways and similar Class 3 ebikes. Anything that can do 45MPH or faster. You have a ton of cool vintage rides. You should join in.

[@mikeromine6495]

Good morning from Houston Texas.

[@Rorschach1024]

Howdy neighbor!

[@mikeromine6495]

Howdy.

[@davidduvall4655]

I remember those things. Back then a lot of them ran 16 to 1 mix. You never had any mosquitoes around running those things. Some where I have what's left of a kit for making your own plug wires. You got boots terminals 50 ft of plug wire and a crimping tool. Great video have fun .

[@taurota1554]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@SWEET-2381]

I love your videos Darren!! I always look forward to them you always teach me something!!!

[@martinmarrero3996]

Mustie on a holiday weekend is always a welcoming sight. Thanks for the content mustie.

[@ayitsyaboi]

Yep, mopeds have had that scene for longer than you'd imagine. I got a lot of my old parts/bikes from Kalamazoo Moped Riders and Hot 'N' Readyz out of Chicago. They're really rad people and it's a super cool scene. Rallies usually have a support truck for the inevitable breakdowns hah.

[@taylorlapham6367]

When I lived in New Hampshire for 30 years I used to ride around Boston on a Mountain bike. You really realize just how small Boston is. I now live in the mountains of New Mexico and really enjoy your videos.

[@TruthIsNotTemporary]

My mother worked for a John Deere dealer for years and about 1969-70 they started selling Benelli minibikes on the side trying to entice the farmers kids, but not the smaller 50cc ones…bet it was a blast 😏

[@dond9633]

You do a excellent job, it showing and explaining the problem. I enjoy watching. and learning your techniques.

[@EVCarGuy]

Always a favorite way to start my Sunday Mornings! Hello from NE Tennessee!

[@TheBambie86]

Always enjoy just about every project you get. THKS

[@thomasjarosz7406]

Mustie 1 , "Lets Wrench". God Bless

[@grimace1965]

Class act as always. Love these videos. 🙂👍

[@ITGuyOhio]

Cool little bike. Can't wait to see part2

[@BikerDaddy22RideorDie]

I would have a hay day working on that beautiful classic😊

[@johnwootton9031]

Talk about fun in the 70s man my child hood days

[@brianloeppky2953]

Morning from Winnipeg Manitoba

[@meco72104]

My brother and I had a Benelli 65cc growing up, lots of fun.

[@toastrecon]

Looks like fun! Nice work!

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Very much enjoyed.👍

[@sailawaybob]

That's cool you saved that little gem i rember back mid 60's to eatly 70''s the Benelli minibikes were sold out at the JC Penneys auto center at the mall.

[@jordanbritnell9807]

Love how you clean your hands on literally the dirtiest shop rag ever! Keep it Up Mustie!

[@reidspeed77]

Flipping lovely . Real deal Italian casting, well imperial ✌

[@HitchHiker4Freedom]

One trick I did for cleaning a tank was putting a cup of sand and couple of cups of varasol then plug the two openings up. I bungy corded it to my car wheel with car on blocks. Start the engine then stick it in drive. Let it run for 20 minutes at idle. Pull it off and flush it all out. It was sparkling clean.

[@johnny22single99]

ABSOLUTELY------> AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!. 🙂