1969 Benelli Dynamo Compact Mini-Bike - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1969 Benelli Dynamo Compact Mini-Bike - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, vintage magazine article.
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
BENELLI DYNAMO COMPACT
Chapter Two: Enter The Mincing Dandy
AFTER THE BONANZA bombard,
what is there? Is anything left,
minibike-wise, surviving in the
overkill rubble after the Double-
Looped-Chrome-Piped-Hyperscooter has
rumbled its way back to San Jose?
Indeed there is, boys and girls, and
it’s even more fun than playing “Doc-
tor.” The Benelli Dynamo Compact.
This mini has some features until now
reserved only for big bikes. And even
though the Benelli engine has half as
much displacement and one less ratio in
the transmission than its competitor, it
has its compensating virtues.
The Dynamo is very stylish. It ap-
pears to be designed more as a miniature
motorcycle than a child’s plaything.
Note the 8-in. wheels. These are larger
than wheels found on other minis, and
on top of that, the factory offers
knobby-tired 10-inchers as an option.
Also, the frame seems very sturdy. It is
made of large diameter tubing welded
into a basic triangular configuration.
This allows the engine to be slung lower
and more forward in the chassis, con-
sequently, better weight distribution.
Front and rear brakes are provided,
both of the internal expanding variety.
They are strong and progressive and
capable of locking either wheel at speed
without being overly sensitive.
The rear hub also accommodates a
rubber biscuit type cushion to absorb
driveline shocks, a feature rare on minis.
Another virtue is the seating position.
The seat itself is large and comfortable
and, combined with the lowish pegs and
high bars, affords the rider a very
relaxing attitude. Passenger pegs are also
provided, and considering the bike’s
size, two-up riding is not too un-
comfortable.
For a mere 50-cc powerplant, the
Benelli engine is quite industrious. It’s
bore and stroke are well oversquare at
49 mm by 39 mm. The engine is not
highly tuned, as it will poke along at
what seems barely faster than a com-
plete stop. Nor does it tend to load up
at slow running. A tiny Dellorto carbu-
retor mixes the fuel, and a flywheel
magneto supplies electricity, while
straight-cut primary gears and a multi-
disc wet clutch relay power to the
transmission. For all of its three cubic
inches, the engine proved a willing
workhorse capable of taking two people
to 30 mph or a solo rider to about 40
mph. Care must be taken to keep that
front wheel on the ground. Clutching is
not needed for wheelies, particularly in
first gear. Just a little impatience at the
twistgrip will do the job. And still,
the rider must be very careful not
to slide too far back on the seat,
as the short (37 in.) wheelbase is
highly sensitive to weight distribution.
The Dynamo’s handling is sur-
prisingly akin to that of a motorcycle,
particularly off the pavement. Under-
standably, street riding invites a few
stunts. But thanks to those big wheels,
surface irregularities don’t affect the
Benelli as much as most other minis.
Regardless, one should bear in mind
that Knieveling around the highways
and countryside on a mini should be
done with caution.
The Dynamo Compact also sports an
array of big bike features. It has a
dimmer switch, kill button, odometer as
well as speedometer, tool kit and stop
light actuated by either brake. We might
mention too that the handlebars can be
folded down in order to fit more easily
into your car-boat-plane.
The benefits of such a completely
appointed machine are obvious (remem-
bering, of course that it’s still a mini-
bike). The machine is light, portable,
relatively well performing and street
legal. It’s not the fastest mini available,
but it’s far from being the slowest. And
while you may not be immediately
struck with its styling, you must admit
it’s one of the very few that are styled
at all. Sure, with all that chrome,
polished aluminum and pretty bitie
paint it looks foppishly fragile, but it’s
not. It is an excellent toy.
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