1982 Moto Morini 350 Sport
Discussion
Of all the classic Italian bike manufacturers, Morini are perhaps the least fashionable, and so you can buy a 1970s or 1980s Morini 3 1/2, a bike built by some bloke in Bologna, for not much money. Parts are still available.
This one has the Sport engine, which has 39 BHP, compared to the 35 BHP of the Strada version, but the riding position and the fairing are more tourey than sporty. Wide V Twin, two little Dellortos (usually only one needs to be choked). Good electric starter, gears on the right, no neutral light (annoying). Most of these have twin pipes but this one has a two into one.
It's not especially fast, but it handles and stops very well. I like it!
This one has the Sport engine, which has 39 BHP, compared to the 35 BHP of the Strada version, but the riding position and the fairing are more tourey than sporty. Wide V Twin, two little Dellortos (usually only one needs to be choked). Good electric starter, gears on the right, no neutral light (annoying). Most of these have twin pipes but this one has a two into one.
It's not especially fast, but it handles and stops very well. I like it!
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th May 16:04
Well, it's interesting to me! Before I started researching Morinis pre purchase, I had never heard of a Heron Head.
The engine is quite smooth, and makes a good noise without being stupidly loud. My previous Italian bike was a 1976 MV Agusta 350S Ipotesi, and the rather old tech parallel twin on that was hard to start, very noisy, and vibrated a lot.
The engine is quite smooth, and makes a good noise without being stupidly loud. My previous Italian bike was a 1976 MV Agusta 350S Ipotesi, and the rather old tech parallel twin on that was hard to start, very noisy, and vibrated a lot.
The engine makes it a Monza. It is tweaked a bit by reference to the V50.
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian...
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian...
carinaman said:
Thanks Breadvan. Is it your first shaft driven motorcycle?
It is. I have lusted after some 1970s BMW tourers, but have never ridden one.I may or may not sell the Morini and just have the Guzzi, although I do have a vague yen for a Norton Commando. They are a bit pricy.
The Morini has an agricultural six speed gearbox, and no neutral light. The gear shifter is on the right. The Guzzi has a less agricultural five speed, and a neutral light. The gear shifter is on the left. I wear quite clunky 1970s Goldtop police boots, and I am a bit clumsy footed. I prefer the gear shift on the Guzzi. It feels a good deal quicker than the Morin. Both do very pleasing cornering. I drive like a nutter when in a car, old or new, but I do not ride fast.
As observed of another thing - not new, not much of a deal.
PS: actually, each of the bike and the car that I have recently bought were below the market price for the types.
Marie Kondo says one in one out, so the fates of my Morini, my Lotus Eclat (knackered), and maybe my Lancia Beta hang in the balance, but I suspect that all but the Morini will stay. The Morini is fab, but the Guzzi has the edge, and the Morini may be worth 5K ish, so maybe.. .
Marie Kondo is wrong, by the way.
PS: actually, each of the bike and the car that I have recently bought were below the market price for the types.
Marie Kondo says one in one out, so the fates of my Morini, my Lotus Eclat (knackered), and maybe my Lancia Beta hang in the balance, but I suspect that all but the Morini will stay. The Morini is fab, but the Guzzi has the edge, and the Morini may be worth 5K ish, so maybe.. .
Marie Kondo is wrong, by the way.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 1st July 08:29
Colossal faffing yesterday in attempt to ride Morini for first time since last September. End result: failure, but trying again today. I will not go into to the comedy that ensued when I attempted to fit into unforgiving bike clothing after some months on the pies. Also, my best boots and gloves have hidden themselves somewhere. This was expert level f
king about.
king about. 
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