Next (personal) project - Moto Morini 3 1/2 Strada

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Picked this up for $300. Missing parts and there's no title, but the engine turns over and has compression. The tires are original, so it's likely it doesn't have many miles on it (speedometer is one of the things missing). Tank is dent free and solid. What form it takes depends on if I can find the parts to resurrect it back to stock-ish spec. If not, then it'll go a little less original...





Last registered in '89.

 


Bobbed fender. 

[huub]

looks like a 1977 model , over here only the sport had a steering damper, but that might be different for other markets. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

looks like a 1977 model , over here only the sport had a steering damper, but that might be different for other markets.

I was thinking '77 also due to the diamond pattern on the seat cover. All of our Morinis seem to have been equipped with a steering damper.

[cliffrod]

Very cool.  Are no-title issues hard to resolve in MD?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Very cool.  Are no-title issues hard to resolve in MD?

I'll be registering it in Vermont, then using that to obtain a MD title.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Unloaded it from the van and assessed the condition a bit. Engine has clean oil in it, transmission shifts through the gears perfectly. Tires aren't original like I thought - date codes are for 1982. More photos.

Seat cover is toast of course, but the foam looks good.



Solid pan too.

 


Tool tray is still in place. Wiring is for the signals.


Underside of the tank is rust free and solid. 


The inside is rusted, but that's no biggie. 


All of the wiring appears intact.


I was very happy to find the key in the box of bits.


The transducers are still in place. 


CEV "snuffbox" for the headlight, signals and horn. 


The forks tubes look good in the travel area.


Just a little rust where the headlight ears attach. 


Missing the "half-rings" for the rear cylinder headpipe. 


Another clue about what year it is - "12/76" is cast into the wheel.


Some of the bits in the box: warning light panel, gauge mount, gas cap, most of a taillight lens and the clutch lever assembly.


Stuck the cap back on the tank...


...and the lever back on the 'bars. Hooked up the cable - clutch works!


Once upon a time, it had crashbars mounted up - there are dings in the frame tubes from the u-bolts. 



30 seconds with some aluminum foil and WD40 made a big difference. Not bad. 


Put the tank and seat back on in their proper positions.


Cleaned and lightly buffed the tank. Looks pretty good. 


Unfortunately, it does have a dent in the right front corner.

[Groover]

Pretty cool project. Looking forward to the progress!

[canuck750]

 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I hope you have lots of popcorn! Not much will happen for a while, although I might get it up on a lift soon and give the engine a once over and see if it'll run. Definitely will need a timing belt replacement and I'll want to check a long "laundry list" of items before the attempt. If it runs and doesn't make any "funny" noises, then it could happen a lot sooner.

[danomar]

It is a Sport. I can see the "S" at the right base of the front cylinder. The front mudguard is the short Sport version, and the steering damper confirms everything. The tank paint scheme seems like a 1978 or 1979 model.

It appears to be in very good condition overall, all things considered. Obviously, a new cam belt is the first thing to get. Wheel bearings and steering head bearings also should be checked. The rest will be a matter of cleaning and the usual replacements. The nice thing about Morinis is that the factory used top-shelf components for their day. They need very little to keep running well.

I would say that you got a very nice deal. Enjoy the restoration!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

It is a Sport. I can see the "S" at the right base of the front cylinder. The front mudguard is the short Sport version, and the steering damper confirms everything. The tank paint scheme seems like a 1978 or 1979 model.

It appears to be in very good condition overall, all things considered. Obviously, a new cam belt is the first thing to get. Wheel bearings and steering head bearings also should be checked. The rest will be a matter of cleaning and the usual replacements. The nice thing about Morinis is that the factory used top-shelf components for their day. They need very little to keep running well.

I would say that you got a very nice deal. Enjoy the restoration!

Not a Sport. There is no "S", just dirt.  The front mudguard has been bobbed - the edge is very rough. Steering dampers were o.e. on all 3 1/2 Morinis sold in the US, not just Sports.

The diamond pattern seat cover means this is pre-'78. Along with the "12/76" cast into the wheels, it's reasonable to assume that it's a '77.

This isn't my first Morini: I've owned three previously (500 Strada, '86 350 K2 and '85 350 K2). Finished restoration of a very early 3 1/2 Sport last year and am currently starting on the second one from the same customer.

I purchased the missing exhaust pipe half rings on ebay this morning and a timing belt is on my McMaster-Carr order. When time allows, I'll "go over" the engine and ignition system, rebuild the carbs, etc. and see if it'll run. The results of that will determine how quickly the "restoration" happens, but it will eventually be done. There's also the chance it might go a different, completely non-original direction. 

[canuck750]

I hope you have lots of popcorn! Not much will happen for a while, although I might get it up on a lift soon and give the engine a once over and see if it'll run. Definitely will need a timing belt replacement and I'll want to check a long "laundry list" of items before the attempt. If it runs and doesn't make any "funny" noises, then it could happen a lot sooner.

Looking forward to hear how you make out with it.
I got back from my European motorcycle tour this week and a pair of re-sleeved Morini 500 cylinders from LA Sleeve were waiting for me.
I fitted the new pistons, rings and fitted the cylinders and heads back on today.
Should solve the low compression issue I had trying to save the old over bored cylinders and poorly fitted pistons and rings the previous owner fitted.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've collected a few parts, bought some and have more coming this week.

A couple of years ago I bought a new-old-stock Veglia speedometer on ebay for $60. It's been stored in a bin since then waiting a project that needed. It may not be the correct one for the Morini (no name on the face, only goes to 80 mph and has a tripmeter) but it's the correct ratio, so I'm using it.

I decided to use a Magura (V7 Sport) throttle I had in my stash, rather than spend the $$ for the correct Verlicchi one.

Found a good used horn and mounting bracket, bought the exhaust half-rings on ebay from Herdan Corp., and McMaster-Carr supplied the timing belt (same one that worked perfectly on my 350 K2).



I have an airbox coming, as well as a tach I just bought on ebay this evening. Chipping away at the list of needs...

[ozarquebus]

Great find! Tank is probably worth 300 since it looks like a good cafe candidate.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A few more parts have arrived. The tach I bought on ebay:




...and the airbox with elbows that Warren R. sent me:

[huub]

project is coming along nicely!
I would be tempted to start it,  so you can concentrate on the cosmetic stuff...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

project is coming along nicely!
I would be tempted to start it,  so you can concentrate on the cosmetic stuff...

I'm working towards doing just that. Just need to find the time and an empty lift table.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Thanks to canuck750, I'm a little bit closer to having all of the missing parts. These arrived today: Sport front fender, front caliper w/pads and bent mounting bolt, throttle and cables.








The "icing on the cake" is this Sport seat.




Fits nicely.

[huub]

wow, you found a sport front fender,
those have been not available for at least 20 years

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

wow, you found a sport front fender,
those have been not available for at least 20 years

As I mentioned on the other thread, Mdina Italia has them used: https://www.mdinaitalia.co.uk/M370418U.html

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

One more thing arrived today, direct from Italy. Engine gasket set.

[radguzzi]

One more thing arrived today, direct from Italy. Engine gasket set.

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Gaining...

Maybe I missed it but are you going through the engine in this...?

You have me beat on the registration tag too, the V1000 was last on the road in '91 according to the plate on it.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Gaining...

Maybe I missed it but are you going through the engine in this...?

You have me beat on the registration tag too, the V1000 was last on the road in '91 according to the plate on it.

"To Be Determined". I'll only tear into it if necessary. It turns over and has compression, oil looks fresh, shifts through the gears and the clutch works. Once I pop the rocker covers off and drain the oil (to see if there any shrapnel on the filter screen or in the bottom of the case), I'll know if I need to dig in or not. I bought the gasket set mostly for the rocker cover, manifold, exhaust and oil strainer gaskets. It was less costly than buying them individually.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My new (old stock) MZ - Grimeca master cylinder arrived today, only $50 on ebay. It's not the original type (which would have had a round reservoir) or the original piston diameter (which at 16 mm was way too big anyway) - this one is 11 mm and will have a more favorable ratio for better feel and braking power. It has an integrated mirror mount and mechanical brake light switch so I can run one hose directly from the master cylinder to the caliper. The original setup was two hoses (upper and lower) with a manifold and pressure switch in between.

[radguzzi]

"To Be Determined". I'll only tear into it if necessary. It turns over and has compression, oil looks fresh, shifts through the gears and the clutch works. Once I pop the rocker covers off and drain the oil (to see if there any shrapnel on the filter screen or in the bottom of the case), I'll know if I need to dig in or not. I bought the gasket set mostly for the rocker cover, manifold, exhaust and oil strainer gaskets. It was less costly than buying them individually.

Yup, good call.  Hoping for the best.

rad___

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I decided to contact the person that owned the Morini before Ron K., who I bought it from. Glad I did - he gave me this bit of bad news: "After I got the bike from Bob I was going to get it running. Drained the crankcase oil and a ball bearing came out."  Explains why it has fresh oil in it.

Sounds like a full engine teardown will be necessary after all. It's not that big of a deal really - once out of the frame, it usually takes me about two to three hours to strip one down completely. "Better safe than sorry". All of the ball bearings are commonly available, so is the upgraded roller bearing on the timing side, less than $100 for all of them. Rod bearing is a plain type and available from Mdina Italia.

[Groover]

That would be a surprise to find when draining the oil... I think "Good Call" figuratively and literally applies in this case    (assuming you called not emailed)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Sundays are my "me day", so this afternoon I rolled the Morini up onto the lift and had at it. The engine was out in 1.5 hours, disassembled to to the main cases in another 1.75. Nothing really super stuck except for the exhaust headpipes in the crossover. Someone has had the front cylinder off before as evidenced by the liberal application of orange RTV. Composite gaskets were used vs. aluminum on the rear cylinder. Cylinders and pistons look great - a light honing and new rings will be all that's necessary. No play in the rod bearings. Cam lobes look perfect. I did find the "smoking gun" though - where the ball came from - the cage of clutch side main bearing disintegrated and somehow one ball escaped. The inner race is quite damaged as well. The only other issue I've found thus far is stripped exhaust threads in the front head. It didn't help that the nut was cross-threaded into them. A tiny set screw was added in an effort to hold it all together.

[canuck750]

Glad tp hear its a solid engine other than a few minor issues, it will be a beauty when you are done with it

[Groover]

Crazy on the call bearing, lucky nothing else got chewed up. Looks like maybe more than one ball is missing. Was the cage the metal type or nylon?