A little "before" and "after" comparison

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

October 2019.




April 2022.




The full build album is in the "Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only" section.

[JBU]

WOW!  That is an amazing transformation.

[circlip]

It looks great!
Photo #2 looks much like the one I used to own (including the humped-back seat), only yours is quite a bit more refined.
And mine had a Herm Baver 2 into 1 exhaust that was quite loud!
Oh well, I'm sorry that I do not hang on to al least one of the Morini's that I owned.
Anyway, pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

[chuck peterson]

That’s not easy to do. Beautiful..

[lucian]

Holy Moly did that buff out nice. You are fearless Charlie! Beautiful work

[berniebee]

Super nice bike! Went to the thread to see all the other great photos - love it.

[2WheelsUp]

Outstanding! Very cool bike Charlie. Looking forward to viewing the build log.

[Huzo]

Now THAT is a facelift…and a tummy tuck, eyebrow wax, breast enhancement, enema……
You and Canuck are beyond belief……

[80CX100]

     I've been following along; as always, excellent work

     

[StuCorpe]

    Great work!

[Scout63]

That’s a great before and after.  Beautiful work Charlie.

[John A]

Thanks, that brightened my day.  Cold and rainy here yet, it’s good for finishing up winter projects though.

[kingoffleece]

Simply irresistible

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Thanks everyone. All it required was 15 times the original purchase price and about 120 hours of my time. 

[Dave Swanson]

That poor neglected thing sure lucked out when you took over Charlie!

[Huzo]

Thanks everyone. All it required was 15 times the original purchase price and about 120 hours of my time. 

So a completely sincere question Charlie.
Harking back to some comments on these pages regarding the futility of “spending more on a bike than it’s worth..”(which I don’t necessarily ascribe to), is the Morini’s market value more than it now owes you ?

[cliffrod]

Looks really great, Charlie. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

So a completely sincere question Charlie.
Harking back to some comments on these pages regarding the futility of “spending more on a bike than it’s worth..”(which I don’t necessarily ascribe to), is the Morini’s market value more than it now owes you ?

If one doesn't count my labor (I don't - it was a "labor of love"), then the market value is potentially $1500-$2000 more than I've spent on it.

[Huzo]

If one doesn't count my labor (I don't - it was a "labor of love"), then the market value is potentially $1500-$2000 more than I've spent on it.

I mean this in the manliest way possible Chas….I love you….
Just for clarification purposes, you and Canuck are guys that appreciate the intrinsic beauty of something brought back from the brink of extinction, because you care….

I wish you were both bloody climate change scientists…

In any case, the (bike) world be the poorer for your passing. I’m not in your universe, either one of you, but I repeatedly tip my favourite Arai to you both,

 not only for your indisputable skills, but your thoughtful nature.

[Muzz]

 you and Canuck are guys that appreciate the intrinsic beauty of something brought back from the brink of extinction, because you care….

I concur.

[egschade]

Nicely done! Another classic saved from the scrap yard. What's it like to ride?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Nicely done! Another classic saved from the scrap yard. What's it like to ride?

I'll let you know when I ride it.  Haven't even started it yet, I still need to polish a few engine covers a bit more and hook up the fuel lines. Hopefully sometime this week.

[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.

[Italianmotofest]

Charlie Mullendore is truly awe inspiring. As always, just beautiful. And I’m sure it runs even better than it looks.

Bill

[Cam3512]

Nice work Charlie.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Imagine Charlie, Jim Canuck and Dave Swanson under the same “restoration” roof.   Cycle Garden who??

[vintage53]

Charlie , A wonderful job.

 
Too bad you don't make house calls.

[SSGG Geezer]

That is a beautiful bike now and it is an amazing restoration. Bravo!

[Canuck750]

Charlie your work is always of the very best quality and this Morini is no exception!  Lovely!

Many would have never have started the restoration given the sad condition the bike was in when it came to you. You know your Morini's and I appreciate all the advice you given me with mine, much appreciated.

I don't know the market value of Morini's here in North America, they are especially rare here in Canada and I doubt I could ever get my cost (less labour) out of mine locally, but I feel good having saved them none the less and there is value in the knowledge and skills gained regardless of a profit. Looking forward to your ride impressions.

Jim (Canuck750)

[Huzo]

I just hope that budding restorers are afforded the respect and support they deserve when they take on a project. Too often here, their sense of excitement and expectation is dulled by hard nosed couch critics, that want to pour derision on them for over capitalising on a “worthless” project.

It wasn’t that long ago……

There are home mechanics that aspire to become as skillfull as Peter Roper, tourers that look to Itchy Boots and all sorts of other enthusiasts that can look here and witness what can be done with patience, skill and above all passion.

When we see Charlie and Canuck’s work, we only have to remind ourselves that they are “regular guys”, who love what they do and you need no skill above that, because as long as you are enjoying what you do, then you will stick at it and just get better…and better.
If new and emerging restorers do not have their dreams crushed, they will be tomorrows luminaries after these two geniuses turn their toes up…..

I’ll bet anything you like, that you’ll NEVER hear “put down” comments from these two guys, possibly unpalatable advice occasionally, but it will be the truth and so it might hurt a bit and I’d wager that these gentlemen would do it by private message.