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

[Canuck750]

That is such a great looking bike, the proportions are spot on, I think its the prettiest 350 of the era, its looks 'athletic'.

You have really turned a sows ear into a silk purse 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Polished the ignition pickup cover, clutch cover, right side cover and the edges of the rocker covers today. Looks even better now. Installed the fuel hoses, pulled the plugs and kicked it over for a few minutes to get oil flowing, then installed the tank and started it for the first time.




Once I realized it didn't want any "choke" at all, it fired on the third kick and immediately settled into a steady idle. Set the timing and balanced the carbs. Smoking just a bit from the left muffler/rear cylinder, but that seems to be clearing up. The tachometer is dead, so that'll need to be sent away for repair along with the original speedometer.

Wheeled it outside, started it again, put on my helmet and rode around the 'hood a bit. Clutch chatters like a Ducati clutch when disengaged, shifts nicely through the gears, feels very torquey (maybe even more than my K2 did). Sounds great. Front brake works very well due to the 11 mm master cylinder I fitted. Rear brakes... nothing much so far. It was only 2 miles, but I enjoyed it immensely.

[Canuck750]

Impressive, are you running stock carbs with stock jetting, needle and atomizer? What plugs are you using?

Thanks
Jim

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Impressive, are you running stock carbs with stock jetting, needle and atomizer? What plugs are you using?

Thanks
Jim

Yes, everything stock in the carbs, original mufflers and even ignition. Using NGK BP6ES.

[Canuck750]

Yes, everything stock in the carbs, original mufflers and even ignition. Using NGK BP6ES.

Thanks again!

[guzziart]

Hi Charlie,

Geez, what an awesome job you did to resurrect this unusual bike and taking the time to share the experience here.

Thanks,

Art

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

"Gilding the lily" this evening. The original paint on the muffler end caps was mostly gone, so I used my Dremel and assorted wire brushes to clean away a little rust, cleaned the caps with acetone and then shot them with some aerosol "Honda Red" I had laying around.

[Canuck750]

Nice little detail, it just puts that little extra into the view from the rear.

I am kinda smitten with the look of the 3-1/2, it is so much more svelte compared to the 500 IMHO, narrow, lean and so well balanced.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Won my class at Classic Motorcycle Day! 

[2WheelsUp]

Awesome, congrats on a beautiful motorcycle!

[Canuck750]

Won my class at Classic Motorcycle Day! 

 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Still haven't put any more miles on it. I did buy a NOS sidestand and have it powdercoated (the original was bent and straightened, but still wasn't straight) and a nice original speedometer. Installed both of those about a week ago.







Debating whether to send the headlight bucket and rim to the chromer, both have minor patina. Still trying to find an upholstery shop that can do the original diamond pattern on the top of the dual seat cover.