Accidental old Morini purchase

[Dickyboy]

Having had a few of them in the past & having lost my sister in law to multiple sclerosis back in 2020, when I saw that two Morini 500's had been donated to the MS Society for auction at the recent Iconic Auction and having wanted an older bike for pottering around on, it seemed a match made in heaven. As the weeks passed leading up to the auction I convinced myself that I didn't need a third bike, didn't have enough space & would rather spend the money on the ones I have, that didn't stop me from registering with Iconic & taking a nosey on the day though, oh no... Ooo I'll just bid that one up in the name of charity, can't let it go to cheap, someone is bound to bid more... oops no you've just won the auction & are the proud owner of a shiny red Moto Morini 500 Sport & am currently waiting patiently for its delivery, only an hour or so to go & it will be tucked up in the garage with its younger fitter brother

[Yorick]

Pics?

[KungFooBob]

Pics?

https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/news/ ... cycle-show

[mangocrazy]

Top bidding, sir! I've always had a soft spot for V-twin Morinis of a bygone age, so will be watching your progress with great interest. I remember an enthusiastically ridden 3 1/2 making monkeys out of much bigger and newer Ducatis at a DOC track day at Cadwell in the early 90s.

[Dickyboy]

Pics?

Due to be delivered to me in the next couple of hours.. but yes its the red one from the iconic auction

[Skub]

I convinced myself that I didn't need a third bike, didn't have enough space & would rather spend the money on the ones I have...

That's a very familiar thought process.

I'm currently trying to convince myself to stop looking at certain bikes I've no room for a 4th,which is very true.

That's a lovely 500,I've only ridden the three and a half. It was a sweet riding thing,a far better handling bike than the Jap stuff of the era,but the cosmetics being Italian didn't repay neglect.

Your good health to enjoy man.

[Lutin]

Nice one. I think I'd have taken the 1977 grey Strada myself - for the riding position, if nothing else.

[KungFooBob]

Is it you to n the pic Dicky?

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/202 ... ty-result/

[Supermofo]

Top bidding!

Followed a well ridden 3 1/2 the other year and was surprised how well it went and seemed to handle well. Was a few places I could've got passed but was happy to watch it as he wasn't holding me up to any real extent and it looked/sounded fab. When eventually I went passed it was definitely no garage queen but a nicely used example.

[Dickyboy]

Bit soggy outside for photos but I've just thumbed my way through the raft of paperwork that came with the bike, only 2 owners since 1990, the first for 30yrs seems to have had the engine apart more times than I'd have put up with & well over £5k of invoices, 2nd owner (since 2020) seems to have spent over £4k on getting the bike recommissioned, so fingers crossed I've bought a good runner even if it's a bit rough close up in the cosmetics dept. I was expecting to do a load of recommissioning myself so quite happy to keep it original sort of slightly oily rag runner and get some miles under its belt.

[Dickyboy]

Nice one. I think I'd have taken the 1977 grey Strada myself - for the riding position, if nothing else.

Me too, but it turns out the new owner of the grey 500 is probably only 10 or so miles away, so no doubt I'll get a chance to compare.

[Dickyboy]

Well blow me down with a feather, not only does it start but it ticks over & most of the electrics work, including the electric start which is some sort of miracle as I've never known a working example previously. Time to add some insurance de sorn it & go for a ride, AA membership to hand. Not sure if rear light works, might be the bulb (brake light does work) and can't rest the trip on the speedo - likely cable is rusted solid, but for a 44yo Italian I'm mighty impressed.

[Skub]

Well blow me down with a feather, not only does it start but it ticks over & most of the electrics work, including the electric start which is some sort of miracle as I've never known a working example previously. Time to add some insurance de sorn it & go for a ride, AA membership to hand. Not sure if rear light works, might be the bulb (brake light does work) and can't rest the trip on the speedo - likely cable is rusted solid, but for a 44yo Italian I'm mighty impressed.

Pics are mandatory.

[Rockburner]

Well blow me down with a feather, not only does it start but it ticks over & most of the electrics work, including the electric start which is some sort of miracle as I've never known a working example previously. Time to add some insurance de sorn it & go for a ride, AA membership to hand. Not sure if rear light works, might be the bulb (brake light does work) and can't rest the trip on the speedo - likely cable is rusted solid, but for a 44yo Italian I'm mighty impressed.

Is it an old dual-filament bulb? not sure - but you may be able to get an LED replacment - there's a company specifically making stuff for classics now.

[ZRX61]

and can't rest the trip on the speedo - likely cable is rusted solid, but for a 44yo Italian I'm mighty impressed.

Kroil...

[Dickyboy]

Been looking at the original owners manual, came with a whopping 6 months warranty but didn't include labour nor did it cover parts not actually manufactured by Morini, so brakes, wheels, lights, clocks, suspension, mind you no mention of any mileage limit

[Ditchfinder]

I'm going to stop checking in for pics, I can't handle the continued disappointment

[Dickyboy]

I'm going to stop checking in for pics, I can't handle the continued disappointment

Going for it's first spin after lunch, will get some nice photos, scouts honour.

[Dickyboy]

Moto Morini 500.jpg (1.49 MiB) Viewed 2226 times

Moto Morini 500 rear.JPG (929.67 KiB) Viewed 2226 times

Morini 500 side.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 2226 times

Hopefully that will keep the baying hoards happy.... Just did my first run out on it, 60miles around the Bucks & Oxfordshire countryside, forgotten how nice it is to ride a nice light bike, bit of a flat spot around 3 to 4k & the front brake pulses a fair bit but other than that all went well

[Ditchfinder]

Left-handed kick start, not many of them, my old MZ etz was a left pegger I think