As an owner, I highly recommend the (this) Morini K2

[moto]

Rick,

Congratulations!

After you get a chance to ride it, I'd (and others I'm sure) would appreciate a comparison of your two 3 1/2's performance capabilities. This Cycle World review of the 1980 model said it was two seconds slower through the quarter mile than the 1977 one they tested:

https://tinyurl.com/1980moriniCWreview

But I understand your K2 may have had higher performance.

Also, do your two bikes have different wheelbases? Online sources (e.g., classic-motorbikes.net) say the wheelbase (apparently for all years) was 1371mm (53.98 inches), but Cycle World measured the 1980's wheelbase at 55.25" (1403mm), or 1 1/4 inches longer. I trust Cycle World more than the average internet site. If you could measure your two wheelbases to the nearest 1/4 inch and report what you find, I'd be very interested.

Sorry if my questions about your new purchase seem too intrusive! Enjoy your new bike! Congratulations again.

Moto

[Laverda Rick]

It looks like Cycle World knew the 2 second slower 1980 model had carburator problems.  I suspect it was most likely poor jetting to get past EPA.  I think my 3 1/2 will be a bit quicker than the K2, it has a race cam, pod air filters, 2 into 1 pipe and lower gearing.  In general the 350s were 15 second bikes through the 1/4 mile. Not as fast as an RD350 but they handle GREAT and the Grimeca brakes REALLY slow you down.   

[SLDMRossi]

Congratulations...y ou've got something pretty special there!

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT

[moto]

I think my 3 1/2 will be a bit quicker than the K2, it has a race cam, pod air filters, 2 into 1 pipe and lower gearing. 

Wow. What a deal! Have fun.

Moto