The Affordable Museum-Quality 1958 Motobi Imperiale Lusso
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
As the pretty Motobi Imperiale recently for sale on eBay suggests, the endearing charm of classic Italian motorcycling need not be only for the well-heeled.
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Haven’t Heard of Motobi?
Motobi isn’t the first Italian motorcycle manufacturer that probably comes to mind. It probably isn’t the second, either. Or the third. But Motobi—an offshoot of the slightly more familiar Benelli - opens in new window or tab. bike brand—deserves a place in Italian motorcycle history.
Having survived two world wars, Benelli faced several challenges, including a mostly destroyed factory in Pesaro on the Italian Adriatic coast. If that wasn’t enough, Giuseppe, the factory manager and one of six Benelli brothers who ran the firm, disagreed with his siblings about how to recover their fortune.
He split from the company altogether.
Giuseppe Benelli was a talented engineer. He had studied the subject in Switzerland, so it’s unsurprising that a new range of small-engined motorcycles named “Moto B Pesaro” (soon renamed Motobi) emerged from Giuseppe’s new enterprise.
Family Reunion
Signore Benelli’s first wave of machines used small two-stroke engines - opens in new window or tab. and quickly earned a reputation for performance and smoothness. In 1955, Motobi introduced 125-cc and 175-cc four-stroke motors, which continued the two-strokes’ good reputation.
Between 1959 and 1972, the 175 won nine Italian road racing championships. Racers were so impressed with its performance that they named it “the Power Egg” due to the distinctive shape of the crankcase.
Sadly, Giuseppe Benelli only witnessed a fraction of his motorcycles’ success before he passed away in 1957. His two sons continued running Motobi before reuniting the family by selling it to the larger namesake Benelli firm, which kept the Motobi brand alive until 1973.
Lusso or Sport?
The machine for sale on eBay is one of the “Lusso” or “Luxury” models. Lusso bikes feature a traditional two-seat layout, whereas the Sport has a “monoposto” or single-seat configuration.
The engine is a 125-cc overhead valve unit with a modest 6.5:1 compression ratio (necessary to run on the various fuel standards available after World War II) and around six horsepower. It sports what became a trademark Motobi feature—the distinctive cooling fins.
The rest of the bike is beautiful, particularly the stunning fuel tank and bars that angle downward at the end to mimic a racer. They encourage the rider to hunker down, elbows out.
Gene Ponder, a vast private car collection owner, reportedly restored this particular example. Most of Ponder’s collection sold for over $24 million at a Sootheby’s auction - opens in new window or tab. in 2022. Photos show the motorcycle in excellent shape, although the listing clearly states that it has not run since being rebuilt.
Running Challenges
Motobi bikes are rarely seen in the United States, but this one could easily hit American streets. Assuming the museum it was kept in was dry and not too cold, there’s no reason why the fuel and ignition systems shouldn’t be recommissioned to bring the Motobi back to life.
Once it is running again, you’ll have to make a tough decision: put it back on the road or preserve it indoors as a tribute to Giuseppe Benelli and his legacy.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.