Morini 500 for $3500

[sdcr]

Admittedly, I don’t know much about the 500 Morini’s. Thoughts on this one...
https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/princeton-1983-moto-morini-ducati/7323016094.html

[Steve Scott]

Morini is a 500 SEI, 6-speed transmission and doesn't need a battery to start.

[Canuck750]

I would prefer this 350 K2 over the 500



https://www.ebay.com/itm/164874900650?hash=item26634f54aa:g:GNAAAOSwnZ5gpbYP

[sdcr]

The “decorated” Ducati is a little scary, but the Morini appears fairly unmolested. Possibly the seller does not know a lot about the machines.

[Tom]

They were his Dad's.  He passed.  That Ducati has some ugly on it.  The Moto Morini would be the better buy.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Seems a bit early for a Sei-V (earliest I've seen in the US was '85) so that makes me wonder if that just a 5 spd. with stickers. Seat and tail section do look like Sei-V parts though. A lot could have been changed in the last 38 years, though. It has a K2 fairing on it, no 500 ever came so equipped AFAIK.

[SLDMRossi]

I agree. Here's what an Sei-V is supposed to look like.

https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Moto_Morini_500_Sei-V

That's a photo of mine, taken in my driveway.

Steven Rossi

[sdcr]

So Steve, maybe you can give us the lowdown on the 500. What’s good, what is not so good?

I agree. Here's what an Sei-V is supposed to look like.

https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Moto_Morini_500_Sei-V

That's a photo of mine, taken in my driveway.

Steven Rossi

[sdcr]

If that was a few thousand miles closer, and could be had anywhere near the current bid, I’d grab it. Very nice machine.

I would prefer this 350 K2 over the 500



https://www.ebay.com/itm/164874900650?hash=item26634f54aa:g:GNAAAOSwnZ5gpbYP

[Canuck750]

My 1978 500W Strada 5 speed, been fettling it for two seasons and I think I finally have it sorted,



It is a small motorcycle, I fitted Tarozzi rear sets, much more comfortable to ride now (I am 5'-9"), decent power, very smooth, brakes are great, handles great, probably the easiest Italian motorcycle to ride that I own. This is a great around town motorcycle.



The electric starter works great now that the starter clutch has been rebuilt. I changed out the Ducati Electonica ignition to Elektronik Sasche programable ignition and battery /coil, carbs are stock Dellorto, stator was rewound, new reg/rec and wire harness. Motor has a full rebuild starts right up. smooth idle.

[SLDMRossi]

It's all good. They all handle well and while there's not that much power, you learn how to ride by keeping your momentum up. As is often said, it's more fun to ride an underpowered bike fast than a high output bike slow.

You'll particularly appreciate a Morini if you like rooting for an underdog. Of course when I first got into it, I had the advantage of Herm Baver's support in Port Clinton, PA. There was even a national Moto Morini Club then, based in Maryland (Mike Siegerest). And then there was North Leicester Motors in England.

And as I've said before, the best Morini engine I ever experienced was with my 501 Camel. In addition to that I had a 500 Strada with Sport fittings and the Sei-V. Today there's still a 350 K2 in the garage.

The only trouble with Morini now is finding one! So when people start picking them apart when it comes to fine detail, the question's simple: "you want to wait 2 or 3 years until another one comes along?" Life is full of compromise, but you won't be disappointed by the Morini experience.

Steven Rossi

[road island guzzi]

imagine the trouble you could get into with a bigger garage ;)

[SLDMRossi]

I'm already in trouble...

SR

[Kremmen]

Life is full of compromise, but you won't be disappointed by the Morini experience.

Amen. Very satisfying ride. They sound *great*, too.

A lot of people rate the 350s ahead of the 500s, I've only ridden the 500 so I couldn't tell you. It's a really likeable machine though.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

that Monster has a hell of a wart on its nose

[Canuck750]

I realy like the ride of the Morini 500 Strada, I swapped out the stock Dellorto carbs for a pair of Mikuni 26mm carbs on Sunday (they slot right in an fit the same rubber boots) the Mikuni carbs have brought the Morini to life! The previous owner had Mikunis on the bike but I opted for stock, glad I put the Mikuni carbs back on, smoother idle, much more responsive throughout the range.

Riding this 500 around town puts a wide grin on my face, its just so effortless to ride and the brakes are great.

Morinis are thin on the ground, the 500 is a real nice simple bike, if anyone is interested in trying one I think the one offered here could be a good candidiate.

[sdcr]

Canuck750,

Thanks for the real seat time report on the 500. I would like to try either a 3 1/2 or the 500, but not sure about the one posted in Maine. By the time I bought it, brought it up to a roadworthy standard, I’d probably be approaching $6-7 thousand. I will keep looking for one that is already rideable, and in a better cosmetic state for about that much, or less.

[Canuck750]

Canuck750,

Thanks for the real seat time report on the 500. I would like to try either a 3 1/2 or the 500, but not sure about the one posted in Maine. By the time I bought it, brought it up to a roadworthy standard, I’d probably be approaching $6-7 thousand. I will keep looking for one that is already rideable, and in a better cosmetic state for about that much, or less.

Easy to go down the rabbit hole with an old bike, I bought my Strada 500 believing it needed only a cosmetic refreshing, sadly I quickly found it needed a full engine rebuild with new liners and pistons, ouch! I know I can never get my money back on this one, good thing I really like riding it.

I have 1975 3-1/2 Strada that needs an engine rebuild but otherwise is nice, I wanted a 3-1/2 but found the 500 in Canada first so grabbed it while I had a chance. I may sell the 500 but I think I need around $8K USD and that will be very hard to fetch. The 500 is probably a better bike to ride in town with the triple discs, the 3-1/2 is drums at both ends. The 500 has the bonus of eletric start but the later 3-1/2 have electric start as well.

The weakness on the Morinis seem to be the stators, I got mine rewound in the UK for $150 USD. The Ducati Electonica ignition can give up the ghost and its pretty crude by current standards, I swapped it to Elektronic Sasche, other than that they are pretty simple bikes. With NLM in the UK having sold its Morini parts stock to Mdina Italy and Stuart Mayhew retiring getting parts and service advice may become harder to get. The Morini Riders Forum is a great source of info.

[Stretch]

I'd love a Morini, but at 6'3", I think I'm just too big for one. 

The Rifle fairing and hideous top box do the Monster no cosmetic favors.
Monsters are cool bikes, though.  And only a few thousand miles on it.....

                                                   -Stretch

[Canuck750]

I'd love a Morini, but at 6'3", I think I'm just too big for one. 

The Rifle fairing and hideous top box do the Monster no cosmetic favors.
Monsters are cool bikes, though.  And only a few thousand miles on it.....

                                                   -Stretch

At 6’-3” you would be bent up like a pretzel!

 I am 5’-9” and it’s just right for my size with rear sets and almost flat handlebars. I have had the 500 out on the road for the past three days now that I sorted the carbs and charging. I think this is my all time favourite Italian motorcycle to ride of all the Italian bikes I have owned. Too small for touring or blasting down an interstate for hours but city, backroad and twisty bits this is a brilliant motorcycle, I now understand what all the hype is about with these diminutive twins. An absolute blast to ride!