c.1969 Benelli 50cc Dynamo Trail
Frame no. 645658

Collectors' Motorcycles at the Barber Museum|5 October 2019, 12:00 CDT|Birmingham, Barber Motorsports Museum

c.1969 Benelli 50cc Dynamo Trail
Frame no. 645658

Italy's oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer, Benelli, was founded in Pesaro in 1911 by the six Benelli brothers. For nearly 100 years it has manufactured motorcycles of virtually all sizes and purposes. Its road racing successes are second to none even when stood next to its Italian cousins Gilera, MV Agusta and Ducati. Let alone its foreign competitors Norton, Honda, Yamaha and others. Benelli offered a 2-stroke 'clip-on' power unit for attachment to a bicycle just after WWI, and it was this 98cc engine, installed in a purpose-built set of cycle parts, that was used for the first proper Benelli motorcycle of 1921. By the late 1950s and early 1960s Benelli was pumping out a large range of machines, from small to large, many of them 2-strokes. It was Honda's Mini Trail 50, the cute little 'monkey bike' that taught so many Americans how to ride. Starting in 1968 it would go on to become one of the company's best sellers, with in excess of a half million units sold. In North America Honda's 'monkey bike' would soon have many competitors, good and bad. One of the good ones was the American-market Benelli Dynamo Trail, a 50cc 2-stroke kick-start single, this one with 4-speeds and knobby tires. It remains in excellent running condition – a new rear tire was installed in 2019 – with just under 1,300 lifetime miles on its odometer. Its finish is good and very nicely patinated. It reportedly starts readily, and idles and runs well. A rare moto scimmia......no, you didn't guess it's Italian for 'monkey bike.'

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
PLEASE NOTE: THE BUYER'S PREMIUM FOR THIS AUCTION IS AS FOLLOWS:
For MOTORCYCLE property the premium is 15% on the first $100,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the hammer price exceeding $100,000. Buyers are required to pay any applicable import duty, sales or use tax, as the case may be.
For MEMORABILIA property (Lots 1-22) the premium is 27.5% on the first $3,000 of the bid price, 25% on the amount above $3,000 up to and including $400,000, 20% on the amount above $400,000 up to and including $4,000,000, and 13.9% of any amount which exceeds $4,000,000.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Payment Notices
Payment for purchases may be made in or by (a) cash, (b) cashier's check or money order, or (c) personal check with approved credit drawn on a U.S. bank.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact: [email protected].
- Motorcycles