Benelli
T50
benelli 1970
Competition from Japanese brands like Yamaha and their FS1 sports moped saw a fall in popularity of European bikes. Determined to win back customers, Benelli’s new owner Alejandro de Tomaso hired Paolo Martin, who had worked for Bertone and Pininfarina, to design a range of new motorbikes. The quick introduction of new technologies and production methods delivered a line of modern bikes like the T50, briefly putting Benelli on par with their rivals. Mounting problems forced motorcycle production to end in 1988, followed by the sale of their factory in Pesaro. It was the end of an era with sports mopeds giving way to scooters.
T50
Engine: 49 cc two-stroke single
Bore/stroke: 40 mm × 39 mm
Power: 1.2 hp (0.89 kW) @ 4,200 rpm
Ignition: Magneto/alternator (6V-18W)
Transmission: Wet, 5-speed, chain
Weight: 78 Kg
Wheelbase: 1,220 mm (48 in)
Paolo Martin
Born in Turin, Italy, in 1943, Martin started his career in 1960 working for Giovanni Michelotti and went on to design the award-winning Ferrari Modulo for Pininfarina. Alongside the design for the T50, Martin created the successful Benelli 750 Sei and 500 Quattro motorbikes (Paolo's website).
An early press photograph of the 1972 factory display model shows how Paolo Martin’s original design sketches were brought to life in the finished moped.
Throughout the 1970s, Dutch motorcycle brand Eysink was the official importer of Benelli mopeds in Holland. Dick junior took over the family business in 1958, producing sports mopeds under the name Eysink-Renata. Facing stiff international competition, he switched from manufacturing to become a wholesaler for the Italian moped brand Benelli.
T50 IN THE NETHERLANDS
Eysink launched the Benelli T50 in 1973, backed by an aggressive advertising offensive. Including a photoshoot with rising motorbike racer Wil Hartog who became the first Dutchman to win a 500cc Grand Prix. Over the next five years, they released two notable dealer upgrades that added new features and re-styled the bike’s appearance.
1973 BENELLI T50
To comply with Dutch regulations pedals replaced the T50’s kickstart, a four-speed gearbox was fitted and the maximum speed restricted to 45 Km/h.
1976 BENELLI BS50
A sports upgrade with a narrow angular tank, drop handlebars, front fairing and a seat spoiler launched three years later. Only the clumsy plastic chainguard let down the sleek styling.
1978 BENELLI GTV50
Everything from tachometers to crash bars were fitted to the GTV50 range. All models had a two-person buddy seat from the Benelli T125, and often a chrome baggage rack came as standard.
Exploded diagram from the official Benelli parts catalog for the Dutch export model. The parts marked in blue were unique to mopeds sold in The Netherlands.
BENELLI T50
BENELLI BS50
BENELLI GTV50
Number of registered Benelli T50 mopeds in The Netherlands as of August 2021.
HOW TO – Engine Breakdown
Step-by-step tutorial showing how to disassemble the Benelli T50 engine.
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