Interesting Moto Morini

[canuck750]

This 1982 Moto Morini 500 is advertised on Craigslist Vancouver BC, no relationship, he is asking $7750 USD

I have never seen one, are they desirable? and is the asking price in line for an original bike in this condition?


http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/mcy/5603365173.html

[Triple Jim]

From what I've heard, the 350 is more desirable, and that price for a 500 is high.  A friend has a 3-1/2 and may know something about value.  If you like I can get you in contact.

[Yukonica]

I think the price is quite high by a factor of two. Anaheim classic bikes had a 3 1/2 in his shop. Maybe shoot him a line.
I owned a 3 1/2 Strada for a number of years. Wish I had never moved it along. Great little machines.
Rode a 500 once in the 1980's but considering I was stepping off a GSXR 750 it left me a little less than amazed. Still: nice bike.
The add shows two 350 Strada in the background. Either a 'meet' or someone thinning a collection.

[cwiseman]

I've seen a 3 1/2 up close and rode behind it. Very nice indeed! 

[jas67]

.... Anaheim classic bikes had a 3 1/2 in his shop. Maybe shoot him a line....

Charlie to the white courtesy phone.
Charlie to the white courtesy phone, please.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Anaheim?  Wrong coast, don't think any Civil War battles were fought there. 

My first Morini was an '80 500 Strada, looked very similar. Nice enough, but the '86 350 K2 that replaced it was actually quicker. But, that 500 was only a five-speed. If that truly is a "Sei V", it should have a six-speed transmission. Plus the Sport was a little faster than the Strada.

I can't say I've ever seen a Sport Sei V before - had to look it up to see if they really existed. Apparently they do and are one of the more rare models. So, what's it worth? No idea. Whatever someone is willing to pay, I guess. Should look like this with the fairing and lowers mentioned in the ad.



The late Fred Heistand of Heistand Motors in Manheim, PA built an interesting hot-rod. '80(?) 500 (actual 478 cc) Sport chassis with a 501 (actual 507 cc) Camel engine in it. Probably the fastest Morini I ever rode. It's been for sale a few times, for about a grand less than the Sport Sei V on CL.  I actually bumped into the owner this past Sunday.

[Yukonica]

Anaheim?  Wrong coast, don't think any Civil War battles were fought there. 

I was close... Knew the name began 'An'... and you had a Morini in the shop recently. My apologies.
My Strada wasn't particularly quick but it was flickable enough to run on a gokart track for giggles.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

No apologies necessary - I was just poking fun at ya'. 

I did have a 3 1/2 ('79 Strada) in the shop back in 2012 and more recently the '85 350 K2 that I now own.

3 1/2




My K2




I can't even begin to express how pleased I am with the K2. Power delivery is amazingly flexible for such a small displacement. No need to rev the crap out of it to get moving, will dawdle along one or two gears too high and still accelerate without chattering/juddering. Most of the power is above 5k rpms though and it feels best when you running up there. Smooth, sounds great and is quite efficient - 74 mpg average so far. Excellent handling and braking just add to the package. The suspension is even compliant enough that it doesn't beat you to death. Board-hard seat and adjustable clip-ons, but still comfortable enough that I rode it 359 miles this past Sunday. 

[circlip]

It's bad enough that I'm still kicking myself for selling my K2 back in 2000, but I read these posts and now I'm kicking myself twice as hard. But I also traded my V7 Sport for a five speed Morini 500 in 1985. Oh, the follies of youth!

The K2 and the V7 are the two bikes that I wish were still in my garage.

Except for the 500 Camels that I had, I always preferred the 350 motor. Although I had a 500 Excalibur motor in my K2 for about a year. That was extremely interesting.

I love Morinis, but in my opinion the bike in Canada is very interesting, but too expensive.

[huub]

the 5 speed 500 morini's are a bit disappointing compared to the 350.
the gear ratio's between the ( six speed) 350 and the 500 are pretty much the same , but on the 500 they simply didnt fit the first gear.
they did fit a much taller gearing,
so it is not as fast off the line, and struggles to stay in its power band between gear changes.
the wheelbase of the 500 is longer too, so it is not as easy to throw around as the 350.
the 350 is the one to have as a fun bike.

i'm  a long time morini addict , bought the first one ( a drum braked 350 sport  ) in 1981
( it was cheap , and i needed a ride because the norton had broken down again)
then things got out of hand, i've now got three 350 , three camels and a kanguru .....

[canuck750]

Thanks for the information fellas, I have never seen a Morini let alone ridden one but I am really taken by the look of that V twin.

I would prefer a 3 1/2 Sport but little chance of finding one up here, would probably have to bring one over from the UK.

[JJ]

Always liked these...almost bought a red 3 1/2 like this one back in the day in Oakland, CA, but the owner wanted way too much money for it, I think $6500 as I recall, and it was not that nice. 

Anyway, a good compliment next to any Moto Guzzi in one's garage!

[Yukonica]

Thanks for the information fellas, I have never seen a Morini let alone ridden one but I am really taken by the look of that V twin.

I would prefer a 3 1/2 Sport but little chance of finding one up here, would probably have to bring one over from the UK.

You might actually be surprised at the number of Morini and such sitting in Alberta sheds. You'll just have to do a bit of investigation.
Back in the 1980's, just as the super bike wars really began to heat up, there was an active Italian bike dealer on 42nd Ave in Calgary. Jamaican guy by the name of Frank (he was a carded asphalt racer too). He sold Ducat, Laverda, MG, Morini, and even a Gilera. The Morini I so cherished was bought from a guy who bought it new from Frank.

[canuck750]

There was a dealer here in Edmonton in the 80's as well, at least I think he sold Morini, he carried Guzzi, Laverda and Ducati, International Motors on 118 ave in Beverly. I don't know where all those great Italian bikes ended up, I never see them around here.

Jim

[Yukonica]

There was a dealer here in Edmonton in the 80's as well, at least I think he sold Morini, he carried Guzzi, Laverda and Ducati, International Motors on 118 ave in Beverly. I don't know where all those great Italian bikes ended up, I never see them around here.

Jim

My suspicion is that many were ridden for a few years then mothballed in a garage as 'life' got in the way. That was the story with my Morini. Good luck in your search.

Don.