Before the early 1970’s there weren’t many light weight motorcycles with low seat heights. Even Hummers, Whizzers and most scooters had 25 inch or more seat heights, so kids had to wait until they grew to over five feet tall or so to learn to ride. But backyard mechanics, sometimes aided by plans and kits found in magazines like Popular Mechanics, created small two-wheelers with lawn mower engines, belt drives or centrifugal clutches and kids could learn to ride these home-builts especially in rural areas.
But some American and foreign motorcycle manufacturers saw the demand was strong and set about making fairly sophisticated machines sometimes with the small engines popular with very lightweight commuter motorcycles and mopeds in Europe. Montgomery Wards and Sears Roebuck were among the retail outlets offering a wide range of machines to young Americans looking to get out and ride on two wheels. Many of the machines they sold were made to spec in Europe. By the way, Honda lead the Japanese manufacturers with the popular Z50, but it didn’t arrive until 1968.
This 1969 Benelli Buzzer is one of about six Benelli models with various wheel, engine and frame sizes, single or multi-speed transmissions. Where many home-builts and American made mini-bikes used recoil rope starters, the Buzzer has a kicker. As kids grew, the seat could be raised, and even dad and mom could ride it as many were street legal and registered for road use. The Buzzer is equipped with single-speed transmission, automatic clutch, front suspension, a center stand, drum brakes, folding bars and foot pegs so it could lay flat in a car’s trunk. There’s even a speedometer, lighting, lots of chrome and candy apple red paint with gold pinstripes just like on big Benellis.
Benelli was founded in Italy in 1911 but then was just a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop, the Benelli Garage. Developing rapidly, just before World War II they made a supercharged four cylinder road racer. Tonino Benelli won four Italian championships on this machine. The brand remains current but has been owned by various companies since the 1970’s
This Benelli Buzzer shines like brand new and is on loan from Daniel F. Bubb. The Buzzer is displayed with other mini-bikes and scooters. For its size it’s one of the best detailed small motorcycles in the entire Museum.
Specifications:
- Engine: 65cc Two-Stroke Single
- Cooling: Air-Cooled
- Induction: Dellorto Carburetor, Port-Timed
- Ignition: Points & Coil
- Lubrication: Pre-Mixed Fuel
- Final Drive: Chain
- Brakes: Grimeca Internal Expanding, Front & Rear
- Instruments: Veglia Speedo/Odometer
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
Just returned to the St. Louis area from visiting the museum (for the first time) and really enjoyed seeing your amazing collection of history! That included this Benelli Buzzer, which I had as a child, and it really brought back some good memories to see it and touch it. Also appreciate how helpful and friendly the staff members were. Thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane!
In the fifties there was the Doodle-Bug which was even earlier made and sold in the USA. I had one in ’51.
It had an automat clutch and ran well.
I had the Doodle Bug and the Buzzer and the little Benelli was a Caddillac and the Doodle Bug was well the VW Beetle… hahaha! I loved them both for sure!
Hi Tim is the Benelli Buzzer still around I would Be interested in purchasing it from you Please let me know thanks Ted
The Doodle Bug is a great mini-bike and was made in Iowa, as were the Argyle and Egley scooters. The Museum has a Doodle Bug and an Egley on display.
My dad had one of these. Because if folded, it could fit in the back of his Cessna single-engine plane. So he’d take it with him as his mode of transportation at the other end.
I have one of these for sale if anybody’s interested contact me
Hi Bob, Is the bike still available? I’ve been looking for one. Let me know Thanks
Please let me know on the Benilli buzzer, have cash in hand to buy
Mr. Bobby Hutchins can you please email me thanks
Santo,
Did you find a Buzzer to purchase?
Thanks, Tom
I have a Benelli Buzzer for sale in good running condition
Hello, if anyone has a 1969 Benelli Buzzar for sale please email me. Thank you John
Hello Anthony, is your Benelli still available? Thank you John
like them
Hi Tom please Email would like to talk to you thanks
I’m looking to buy if one is for sale!!!
Sir, I work at the NMM.
I was contacted by a man in New Jersey in regards to your Benelli.
He name is Santo Russo
@ Bobby Hutchins
I’m sure to be too late…but do you still have your Buzzer for sale?
Thanks, Tom
Hi Bobby, I’m interested if you still have your Benelli Buzzer still available. If yes please send details. Thank you, Linda
AFH@austin.rr.com
I’m looking to buy a Benilli buzzer, serious buyer, cash in hand..1-315-559-6044 Dan!
Hi yes I’m interested in buying it
I have one still if you know anyone that is interested in buying it. Give me a call at 757-635-0519
I’m interested if you still have your Benelli Buzzer still available. If yes please send details. Thank you, Linda
I have a Benelli buzzer for sale. Indiana[olis Indiana
Hi Mark,
I might be interested in purchasing your buzzer. Can you email me your phone number at throwaway271511@gmail.com,. I have a few questions regarding the bike and the condition. Thanks.
Hi Mark can you please email me at throwaway271511@gmail.com I’m very interested I have a few question to ask you about the buzzer or you can leave me your phone number at that email thanks Ted
Hi Mark can you please contact me at throwaway271511@gmail.com I’m very interested in your buzzer I have a few questions to ask you if you can email your phone number i will call you thanks Ted
Do you still have bike
And is it for sale
Yes – we still have the bike and sorry, no it is not for sale.
Hi Karla any chance of getting you to email me a photo of the Buzzer scooter would love to see it thanks Ted
throwaway271511@gmail.com
I have a Benelli Buzzer for sale in good running condition
Best Regards,
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
I’m still looking for a buzzer. Can you email me your phone number so I can give you a call? My email is smr1954@gmail.com. Thanks.
Hi Anthony, if your Benelli Buzzer is still available, please email me details and a way to contact you please. Thank you, Linda
I have a 1972 Benelli Mini Enduro for sale. Completely restored and in running condition. Look it up “benelli mini enduro” on Youtube and if you’re interested contact me.
Have a 1969 Benelli Buzzer for sale in WY.
Hi Brit,
Do you have any photos of the buzzer you can send me? And do you have a price in mind? You can send it to my email. Smr1954@gmail.com Thanks.
Looking to buy a69 … if u have one for sale
Hi Brit can you please Email Thanks Santo
Seriously loooking to buy
315-559-6055 cash in hand
If anyone has a 1969 Benelli buzzer for please contact me.
Thank you
jhudson@hudsoncompanies.net
July 4, 2024
Just FYI…. We actually have two 1971 Benelli Buzzers 65 CC we are considering selling. Both have very low mileage & are in good condition. We are in Middle Tennessee.
Hi Maggie I was wondering if you pulled the buzzers out ,I am very interested in both please sent me some photos and price your asking .I see you reached out on the other buzzer site ,which I really don’t care for but I have my reason why, please keep me in mind thank you SMR1954@gmail.com
Hi M.johnson I’m very interested in both of your benelli buzzers can you please send me some photos please Email back so we can discuss condition and amount your asking for them ,thanks Santo
Looking for a 69 benelli for sale. Please contact if you come across any with a good deal or something that needs an engine to be rebuilt. Had one when I grow up. And I’d like to find another one again.