@@ragimundvonwallat8961 the new ones are Chinese made. The brand was bought by a big Chinese scooter group, apparently everyone these days can just buy a defunct brand and claim legitimacy. Not fooling the purists, though. This is not a comment on actual bike quality but on the sad reality that various zombi brands try to pass as authentic to squeeze a buck from many uninformed customers.
Bellissima moto, nel 81 avevo 19 anni e possedevo una 350 sport in Italia si doveva avere 21anni per guidare cilindrate superiori, ma la ricordo con piacere, perché la possedeva un mio amico più grande di me. Ogni tanto me la faceva provare in zone poco trafficate, non era tanto più potente della mia, ma la coppia e l'elasticità di marcia era superiore e la trovavo anche più confortevole. Complimenti per la scelta, è una moto con un ottimo motore ed una tenuta di strada perfetta e costi di gestione ridotti, le moto Morini avevano motori con un ottima termodinamica e molto affidabili. Ti mando un saluto speciale dal lago maggiore e buona fortuna e buon viaggio ciao Morinista.
Owned a 1986 Moto Morini Camel 500 which was a dual-purpose bike that was a blast to ride--light, beautiful handling and easy maintenance. Bought it at a Moto Morini dealership in Port Clinton, PA--Hermy's shop. Now a Moto Guzzi owner--love Italian bikes--mike
I bet I'm not the only one to have watched this with a nostalgic tear in the eye. I too had a 350 bought new in 1982 which I kept for about five years. The engine was reliable, the electrics less so and the speedo would swing around wildly. Nonetheless I look back on it very fondly, it was full of character and a dream to work on back in the days when you did all your own maintenance, needing only a decent tool kit and an understanding of how it worked. I would love to have another for old times sake.
Italian electrics of the era. Why the Ducati Darnah was such a breakthrough with its Suzuki Switches and instruments. I had a grouch about that up top, as .I was about to buy one when the Prices Shot up hugely, after the Lira had a massive devaluation, which thevimporter said meant they were now more expensive as a result , when they should have been a hellmof a lot cheaper. Best Wishes, Bob. 👍🏴
Excellent video with a lot of insight. In 1982 I was choosing my first real bike. I was not sure if getting the Moto Morini 3 1/2 or the Moto Guzzi V35. The MM 500 had known issues with the starter motor, the 3 1/2 was sexy and fast but I wanted a reliable bike. The V35 was the little sister of the V50 used by the town police, so i went for the V35. (the 500 cc bikes were out of the question for the high tax mentioned here and as my mother would have said NO) It was a good choice, i crossed crossed Europe with that. Now people believe they need a BMW GS 1250 or ca clone for such travels, and they call it "adventure". Things for sure have changed.
Because my triumph was in bits I bought a Honda cm200 as a runabout. Went to Cornwall and back two up without missing a beat ( five hundred miles). You’re quite right, why do you need a car engine in a motorcycle?
You should have gone for the 3 1/2 Sport, never had a problem with it (I still remember the chrono test from Motociclismo: V35 138 KmH, Imola 155, 3 1/2 Sport 171...🙂)
Hi 👋 Sir, what a nostalgic bike. The factory you showed was based in Casalecchio di Reno, right where I live and Mr. Morini’s daughter has been a customer of my father who had a paintings and frames shop/lab for 54 years in the centre of Bologna. I remember when I was a kid I used to read my uncle’s motorbikes magazine for entire afternoons during summer vacation and those were the bikes that made me dream of freedom with air through my hair and the cutest classmate holding her arm around my waist. Anyway I think that its designer is the same who several years later designed the new Corsaro 1200.
@@alanhoughton3252 Unfortunately both first site in Bologna and last one in Casalecchio di Reno, are two different commercial reality now, a supermarket and something else. The only thing we’ve conserved is Weber (carburetors factory) Sign, as a historic monument. Coincidentally I work there. What you can do instead is visiting Ducati’s museum. I think it is worth half a day within a few days journey.
Excellent, I enjoyed the video. I founded the Monterey Bay ( California) European motorcycle Club in 1982 with long time friend and Ducati 900 rider Jim Brewer ( RIP) I have owned about 50 bikes, to include 15 BMWs 65-1990 . One Norton Commando, a Benelli Tornado SS ( not an S2), 2 Guzzi LeMans and many other bikes.. But my all time favorites.. MOTO MORINI.. A Tutto Gaz ! My first purchased from Herm Baver in Pennsylvainia, a BMW dealer and the USA importer of Moto Morini. There was another coupe, of con artists who claimed to be the US distributor (between Santa Rosa and Napa Ca) but they were frauds, the infamous Slater Bros.. More on them later. I bought a 500 Sport, red of course but more like the MAESTRO colors at 11:15 of your video. Gold and black pin stripes, gold wheels. , 5 speed 1 1/2 person up-swept saddle. Beautiful bike with a few short comings easliy done> First, yank the ridiculous air box out form under the fuel tank. Next, replace the carbs with 30mm , step up the idle jet and the main jet.. that is the biggest problem with hard starting, they are starving for gas. Install proper air filters foam type, light coat of oil. Next install the L5 cam shaft.. easy , done in a few hours. Next take a long length of ready bolt ( long threaded rod) 5/16ths or 3/8ths, get a hole saw and fix it to the rod. The attach to a drill. go back to your mufflers.. get some oil down onto the muffler.. and a liberal amount of the hole saw and insert until you hit a wall, bore through it.. Some of these mufflers have two of them.. it is a smog restricter just as the winky little carb jets and the air restricting original air cleaners. Do both sides.. You can then light up the bike and burn out the oil, or be dainty and remove them and clean them out with a solvent. Next ..bag those ridiculous front foot pegs and get some Tarozzi rear sets. And here in the states the bikes were sold with a kit to put the gear lever on the correct side.. 15 minute job. Next Dismantle the electric starter drum.. knock out the too small bad material shoes and get some Ferodo brakes or some other high quality brakes.. and cut them up and glue them in place of the originals. Now your bike will start. I also cut the stalks on all the turn signals, shortened them and reinstalled them I also moved the rear fender forward and bit.. as in drill new holes and rotate forward. Forget what else I did.. that was 82. Following that 500 Sport bought a 250 Sport...The n a 350 Sport which I rode from Kingston Wash. to Pacific Grove Calif .. 1014 mile sin 18 hrs 10 minutes. Then bought another 250 sport then a 500 Camel. More on those later.
Thanks for taking the time with your detailed comment Jeff, much appreciated. Did the mods you describe make much difference to performance? Which was your favourite Morini? Apparently Franco Lambertini's favourite of his designs was the 250 single which is quite surprising, he said it was very torquey and fuel efficient. Would love to try one! All the best, Richard
@@richardayton3556 Yes the mods made a substantial difference. My favorite Morinis in this order... 350 Sport , 250 Sport, , 500 Sport, First Series 500 Camel
@@dogfeathers5646 I will expound to the best of my memory. I owned 5 Morinis. 4 were bought from Herm Baver in Pennsylvania. I wanted a 350 Sport and Herm was out of them. I saw an add in a local SF Cal bike publication listing Slater as the Morini dealer. They were way out in the boonies between Santa Rosa/Sonoma. When I got there it was a ranch, kinda swank as I recall..with a large barn like building. In it were Jotas and other Laverda bikes as well as Morinis. They had a a couple 3 1/2 Sports I picked one. Bought it and proceeded back home. I was living on Mt Veeder 14 miles from Napa. I took all the paper work to DMV. They declined to register the bike as the paper work was inadequate and they were not a verified dealer. They wanted a statement of origin and proof the Slaters were authorized Calif dealers. I called Slaters and no answer.. called several times , no answer. Drove over there in my Mercedes ( I was a factory rep ( District Manager of Mercedes-Benz of No America) I took it rather than my truck which I used to pick up the bike initially.. I did not want them to recognize me. .No worries.. they weren't there. The place was cleaned out !!! I called Herm Baver and he said that he, himself, was the only authorized Morini distributor/importer in the US. He proceeded to tell me that the Slaters first went to Canada and had troubles there so came down to Calif. Herm was in the process of suing them. I went back to DMV and explained the situation. They allowed me to keep and register the bike with a special document stating the facts and if there was any party who claimed to own the bike and showed up at a later date with a demand, I would have to relinquish the bike. Nothing ever happened. I sold the bike to a retired CIA operative, SAAB Owner, Guzzi Owner, in SF, Calif who later moved his family to Portland Oregon. He had no problem registering the bike. As I understand it.. the Slater Bros finally returned to England. I hear other stories about these two cons.. all regarded them as "slimey".
@@jeffhildreth9244 Jeff, Thanks for the the update. Certainly sounds like slippery slime balls to me. Wonder they did not settle in Washington DC among others of their kind.
I've never seen one here in the American Colonies. I've read about them, and have always admired their look and exotic qualities. Thanks for presenting this one!
Another treat to watch. I knew nothing about Morini other than they are an Italian manufacturer. Every upload is an education for me and a total joy to watch. Keep up the good work guys. I get excited when you upload a new video and I’m sure I am not the only one.
I saw them in a shop I frequented in the 70's, but never saw one on the road. That's a very interesting design, never saw the combustion chamber before. Thanks for all the detailed current information.
Lovely! Removing the fairing was a wise move. The 500 is probably a better engine than the 350, although it lacks the mystique. A Morini makes no sense until you have ridden one. After you have ridden one, other bikes seem odd. On the public highway, one-up, a Morini is perfect. Fun on a track, too, but not the quickest. I ended up with a compromise... A 501 big valve motor in a 350 Sport frame. Which I thought was perfect.
@@lordbogus1985 I did it in 1990, before things were routinely videoed. The crank cases of the 500 and the 350 are externally identical, so the motor just drops in. Same with the exhausts, apart from a little jiggling to fit. Morinis of that era are like Lego. It was a long time ago. I have it still, but haven't started it for 30 years. It was just like a 350 but with 42-ish BHP instead of 30-ish. You had to drop the front of the motor to remove the front rocker cover, because it was a tight fit. And I ran it 12v although the donor bike (a 501 Camel) had been 6v. Not a rocket ship, but a sort of Morini Sport Plus.
'...the 3 1/2 couldn't pull a boy scout off a grandmother' Hilarious! Great review Mike - gets better with every episode. Like most, I was only aware of the smaller machine, so it's great to see this review. I also got very excited to see a BMW R90s at the beginning - I have a '76 in grey.
@@LemonDrizzleGang I have now! Don't know how I missed it. Great review that reflects many of my experiences with the 90S. Mine still has the remote master-cylinder, and calling the brake response 'wooden' would be a massive understatement.....She's a totally different character to my later R100, and is, IMHO, far smoother and more responsive thanks to the Dell Orto's.
'Better for longer distances' (lol)... I had a 3 1/2 Strada that I rode from Calgary to Vancouver and back (900 km each way) four times.When it reached 65 thousand km it was getting pretty long in the tooth (ridden hard ~ put away wet) so I gave it to an employee of mine at the time as his first bike. One of my favorite bikes ever. Now I ride a V7 ... apple didn't fall far for the tree. Nice video. Thank you.
My first bike back in 1989 Canguro 350, after 4-5 years i bought another one and a third for spare parts. My heart gets excited only by seeing the logo...in a positive way, ofcourse.
love the bike Richard ,another excellent video always love the look of the 350 but they were so small .the 500 looks like the perfect bike for the Shropshire back roads.look forward to seeing it in the future .
Dey is Bud, the 350 is always the better machine for the smaller roads, the 500 is over weight etc. I've owned both and the 350 out lasted the 500. Bag your self a ride one day you not regret it.
What a total stunner! The camera really likes the bike. I particularly enjoyed the tank, the top curves are superb, also the details stand out nicely, the 500 badge is eye candy too. Great video.
I throughly enjoyed your video. A very good friend of mine purchased a brand new 3.5 sport on 1981. It was like nothing else on the market at that time and having ridden pillion on the machine, remember the pure character, exhaust note, handling and fun. Your videos are fantastic 👍
Great coverage of the Morini. I own a 70's 350 Strada and adore it. So light, nimble and sublime handling. I bought a couple of years ago. I have enough bikes of my own to compare it to. My very highly tuned LeMans is great but is brutal and I certainly wouldn't use for short local trips. I have a 67 Bonnie, and am not sure about your comparison between this Morini and the earlier Triumphs. I used to ride a 73 Daytona. Great handling but thrived on revs. I live up in the Pennines and most of our roads are small and twisty. Can't think of a better place to ride the Morini. It was an object of lust for me as a teenager and I'm so glad to have finally got the opportunity to own one. Its a keeper.
Early Moroni's had a double sided twin leading shoe front brake which, at that time, was the best best braking / handling bike I had ridden. A thing of joy on a highland road. Brings a smile to my face remembering the rides.
Definitely, screen OFF !! Another lovely bike. I always loved the 3 1/2 particularly the early 'Sport' with the Grimeca front drum brake. I didn't really take to the 500s but this one is such an eyeful of beautuful Italian lines, what a great find, no wonder Rich' bought it. Great video, thank you.
Thoroughly enjoyable episode. The 3 ana half sport may have been rare in the UK, I owned mine in mid eighties Dublin, I think it was the only one around. Such a joy, both on the road and on the eye.
Thank you for this very informative review of Morini history. As the original owner of a 1978 3 1/2 Sport (last ridden in 1983) i greatly enjoyed learning more about Morini. Found your video while searching for photos of a Morini Dart. I plan to put a full fairing on my sport, probably something from airtech.
Always had Guzzis without any regrets. Had Ducatis, too, but never a Morini. Quite fancy a 500 if one came my way as they’re light, economical, offer good road holding and, crucially, have that added Italian charisma. Thanks for posting.
Wow. What a motorcycle. And very good overview/history of Moto Morini. I would definitely love to own a Morini in future, when/if an opportunity comes. -From California, USA.
Thanks guys for this video. There's definitely a vacancy for Morini 500 stuff on TH-cam! I'm coming to the end of a year long restoration of my 1978 500, which I have changed to Sport spec including Tarozzi rearsets. It would be good to meet up once I'm done - not too far away in Northwich.
+Jonny P that would be great Actually we have something planned for a meet up of sorts that we will talking about in the next week or so bee good to meet you
I have a 1978 500 W/Strada since 2000,a 1974 3 1/2 Sport,1978 250 T single and 1956 Sbarazzino 98cc,you could say I'm a fan of Morini's,I would make one correction to the commentary,the 9 1/2 is still a 1200(1187)cc but with a detuned 117 bhp motor.
Thank you I have found that out since posting the video I should have done my homework better Sounds like you have a great collection of these fantastic bikes Cheers Mike
I have an original patina 3 1/2 (350) Sport - 1974 drum-braked model - which is IMHO the best of the breed. They have their limitations - don’t try selecting neutral once you have stopped, and no neutral light. RHS gear change. Mine has rear sets and the monoposto seat which is fine for me at age 68. I’ve replaced headlight with an LED replacement and speed is now GPS one. Much better because the original speedo is like most of the era, useless. I’ve got all the original bits and wired the loom so the original bits can go back on quite quickly. Lovely little bike to ride and the front brake is awesome. Speaking of RD350s as you were, you have to row the 350 along like a two stroke to get any pace out of them. They love to rev.
I had one many years ago...350 Standard in blue...Spoke wheels and drum brakes...Gorgeous italian design,gorgeous sound of little ,tiny engine,roaring like far more bigger bikes(on exhaust pipes was graved "decibel" and really did this job good..!! Very easy to handle,but full of italian temperament and sporty heart...From two thousand revs till five and half it drove like normal bike with incredible and deep sound,but from five to eight and half revs it changed sound into sporty roar and complete character of bike changed...Not my real taste of bike....I am calm driver with no sporty feeling...Sold it with no regrets...!
I’m enjoying your classic bike videos. I ride a BMW R1200S (2006), which I’m hoping to see become a rare classic. Visited the Deer Barn Cafe at Bradgate Park near Leicester, and tried their lemon drizzle cake. Very nice, but I’m more of a carrot cake man myself. The Carrot Cake Mob - has a certain menace to it. Keep up the good work.
Hi guy’s. Just recently came across your channel and after watching the second video I just had to like and subscribe. Love the passion and interest you have in some cracking bikes, some of which I longed for back in my day but unfortunately where out of my price range. I had a Suzuki 125 Stinger a TS 250 Hustler and a Yamaha YDS 7 to name but a few. I had a longing for a Morini 3 1/2 as they looked great and was something a bit different. Loved this video on the 500 and can’t wait to see what you come up with next.keep up the good work. Best wishes, Steve.
Wonderful! In 1982 I bought a new Kawasaki GPz 550 and I don't remember seeing the MotoMarinis at the time where I lived in Western Canada. It would have been a good choice back then.
No. You picked a great bike. Reliable Japanese technology. I worked as a Kawasaki mechanic back then, and I'll say a Suzuki fan. Those early 80's Zeds were great bikes and changed my mind about Kawasaki. The Italian bikes look great but the Morini saved money in the cylinder head design. Italian bikes are junk, loveable junk.
What a gread video ... and what a rare motorcycle. I only saw the Morini 3 1/2 Sport one time in my life and one time the normal version just 2 or 3 years ago. Not sure if I remember right but I guess one daughter of the Morini boss married an engineer from Ferrari.
+Dave123 if you look very carefully in the title shot there is a guy in waders fishing and in the shot where I pull back from the clocks in slowmo he is wandering around by his car my wife said who is that wierdo in a rubber suit? (she is Australian so the finer points of fly fishing are lost on her )
I have several Moto Morini bikes including 350 sports and a 500 W, the 500 is very similar engine feel to a 500 Triumph Daytona that I used to borrow when I was a lot younger. Morini are very under rated bike a absolute hoot to ride with a very good riders club in the uk. Good review, but as Morini Dave said the the new 9.5 bike is a 1200 cc bike.
I rode with a guy that had a 3 1/2 here in California. Quite a beautiful bike. When I think of the Moto Morini I think about their older bikes I didn't know that they made bikes in the '70s and '80s and even in the 2000s. I like the newer designs a lot. But it all comes down to dealer and at work and having trained mechanics which is a hard part for even established companies. But I would like to see them around!
Just one of the bikes lusted after when I was a teenager in the seventies, but everything from Italy back then cost two year’s wages! Still, I probably should have bought that SS900 with my college grant, eh?
I had a Morini 350 which developed a serious engine fault, it needed new engine crank cases, basically. I sold it as a non-runner project as the spares situation seems to be perilous now that North Leicester Motorcycles have closed and there's very little left in Italy. They're lovely bikes but I would be concerned about owning one again due to the spares supply.
I'd be curious to know what the fault was did you blow the engine , run a main through oil starvation etc or some such, they're pretty reliable in sensible hands I've owned several and rebuilt em, and thrashed em but never ruined a set o cases. Bad luck there Boy; try and get a goodun and give em a second chance you'll not regret it.
Nice to see a mint example! A few years ago I bought one, engine overhauled not even broken in, came with all bills. But the rest was so bad, brakes, switchgear all rotten. And what's more, these bikes don't have battery-coil ignition. Rather a sort of magneto, so called transducers. Anyhow, I put it up for sale and it was gone in a minute.
Hi Jim, I've also owned a V50 Monza back in the day and it was a lovely little bike. The Morini is a bit rarer and more exotic and I love it (I think it may be a keeper) however objectively there is little to choose between them in terms of performance etc. Obviously the Guzzi has a shaft drive which is nice, on the other hand I think the Morini is a bit prettier so it's swings and roundabouts! Overall though I think I'd go for the Morini because it's just that bit more rare and exotic and I think it looks so beautiful!
Hi Paul, yes the revolving tacho is one of the little niggles I need to sort still! Funnily enough, T140 Bobby ones often do the same! Re the exhaust collets, Morini folklore suggests they need either regular tightening or they're seized solid!
I took various Morinis all over Europe (Pyrenees, Alps, Balkans) and the toolkit was extensive. Never absent was the castellated C-spanner for the exhaust collet. Also big (32mm?) spammers for chain adjustment.
I had a 500MM in the `80s.had a love/hate relationship with it,The best handling bike I`ve ridden.Worst electrics i`ve ever had on a bike.Sold it in disgust after 3 years,mist it ever since.Had the opportunity to buy a 350 about 20 years later,its still in parts .I have to pull my finger out and put it back together.Australia
We had the 350 here in South Africa in the early 80's don't recall any 500's they were quite a few around. Like all bikes in those days they were thrashed to death just like the Yamaha triples and water cooled 550 and 400 V Twin XZ Yamaha's, I doubt if more than a handful still exist
I never rode one, but thought they were a lovely looking bike. All Italian bikes were expensive compared to the Japanese stuff, I paid £3100 for a one year old Laverda Jota 120 in 1982. Which I think was about twice the price of a Z900?
I had a three and a half strada 40 years ago with ace bars not much power but a nice ride gear shift on the right handled really well but build quality wasn't up to being an every day ride consequently didn't keep it for long but still remember it fondly
Wow, where do you find these bikes? Maybe you can find an MZ-TS250, weren’t up to much back in the day, but I’d have one today, no worries. My bike at the time was a W reg, a Kawasaki Z250, in green with the mag wheels.... my cousin had a KH250, in lime green, blue. And white.
Morini's are the most underrated classic bike out there.
new ones are fire
@@ragimundvonwallat8961 the new ones are Chinese made. The brand was bought by a big Chinese scooter group, apparently everyone these days can just buy a defunct brand and claim legitimacy. Not fooling the purists, though. This is not a comment on actual bike quality but on the sad reality that various zombi brands try to pass as authentic to squeeze a buck from many uninformed customers.
@@poatemaine6200 Benelli is Chinese owned too.
Bellissima moto, nel 81 avevo 19 anni e possedevo una 350 sport in Italia si doveva avere 21anni per guidare cilindrate superiori, ma la ricordo con piacere, perché la possedeva un mio amico più grande di me. Ogni tanto me la faceva provare in zone poco trafficate, non era tanto più potente della mia, ma la coppia e l'elasticità di marcia era superiore e la trovavo anche più confortevole. Complimenti per la scelta, è una moto con un ottimo motore ed una tenuta di strada perfetta e costi di gestione ridotti, le moto Morini avevano motori con un ottima termodinamica e molto affidabili. Ti mando un saluto speciale dal lago maggiore e buona fortuna e buon viaggio ciao Morinista.
When I was young I dreamt of the Morini 500 and the Ducati Pantah 500. Beautiful classics.
Owned a 1986 Moto Morini Camel 500 which was a dual-purpose bike that was a blast to ride--light, beautiful handling and easy maintenance. Bought it at a Moto Morini dealership in Port Clinton, PA--Hermy's shop. Now a Moto Guzzi owner--love Italian bikes--mike
I bet I'm not the only one to have watched this with a nostalgic tear in the eye. I too had a 350 bought new in 1982 which I kept for about five years. The engine was reliable, the electrics less so and the speedo would swing around wildly. Nonetheless I look back on it very fondly, it was full of character and a dream to work on back in the days when you did all your own maintenance, needing only a decent tool kit and an understanding of how it worked. I would love to have another for old times sake.
Italian electrics of the era. Why the Ducati Darnah was such a breakthrough with its Suzuki Switches and instruments. I had a grouch about that up top, as .I was about to buy one when the Prices Shot up hugely, after the Lira had a massive devaluation, which thevimporter said meant they were now more expensive as a result , when they should have been a hellmof a lot cheaper. Best Wishes, Bob. 👍🏴
I have owned two Morini 3-1/2s and they were by far some of the best bikes I have ever owned.
sums up my feelings for my 3 1/2 perfectly - why did i ever sell it!
Excellent video with a lot of insight. In 1982 I was choosing my first real bike. I was not sure if getting the Moto Morini 3 1/2 or the Moto Guzzi V35. The MM 500 had known issues with the starter motor, the 3 1/2 was sexy and fast but I wanted a reliable bike. The V35 was the little sister of the V50 used by the town police, so i went for the V35. (the 500 cc bikes were out of the question for the high tax mentioned here and as my mother would have said NO) It was a good choice, i crossed crossed Europe with that. Now people believe they need a BMW GS 1250 or ca clone for such travels, and they call it "adventure". Things for sure have changed.
Because my triumph was in bits I bought a Honda cm200 as a runabout. Went to Cornwall and back two up without missing a beat ( five hundred miles). You’re quite right, why do you need a car engine in a motorcycle?
As as a new biker I had Honda XLR 250 87 model and Imola v35 92 to 95 best of both worlds at the time.
I was poor.
You should have gone for the 3 1/2 Sport, never had a problem with it (I still remember the chrono test from Motociclismo: V35 138 KmH, Imola 155, 3 1/2 Sport 171...🙂)
Hi 👋 Sir, what a nostalgic bike.
The factory you showed was based in Casalecchio di Reno, right where I live and Mr. Morini’s daughter has been a customer of my father who had a paintings and frames shop/lab for 54 years in the centre of Bologna.
I remember when I was a kid I used to read my uncle’s motorbikes magazine for entire afternoons during summer vacation and those were the bikes that made me dream of freedom with air through my hair and the cutest classmate holding her arm around my waist.
Anyway I think that its designer is the same who several years later designed the new Corsaro 1200.
That's a great story, thanks for sharing! All the best, Richard
I must come to Bologna one day on a Morini pilgrimidge to soak-up all that history.
@@alanhoughton3252
Unfortunately both first site in Bologna and last one in Casalecchio di Reno, are two different commercial reality now, a supermarket and something else. The only thing we’ve conserved is Weber (carburetors factory) Sign, as a historic monument. Coincidentally I work there.
What you can do instead is visiting Ducati’s museum. I think it is worth half a day within a few days journey.
Excellent, I enjoyed the video.
I founded the Monterey Bay ( California) European motorcycle Club in 1982 with long time friend and Ducati 900 rider Jim Brewer ( RIP) I have owned about 50 bikes, to include 15 BMWs 65-1990 . One Norton Commando, a Benelli Tornado SS ( not an S2), 2 Guzzi LeMans and many other bikes..
But my all time favorites.. MOTO MORINI.. A Tutto Gaz !
My first purchased from Herm Baver in Pennsylvainia, a BMW dealer and the USA importer of Moto Morini. There was another coupe, of con artists who claimed to be the US distributor (between Santa Rosa and Napa Ca) but they were frauds, the infamous Slater Bros.. More on them later.
I bought a 500 Sport, red of course but more like the MAESTRO colors at 11:15 of your video. Gold and black pin stripes, gold wheels. , 5 speed 1 1/2 person up-swept saddle. Beautiful bike with a few short comings easliy done>
First, yank the ridiculous air box out form under the fuel tank.
Next, replace the carbs with 30mm , step up the idle jet and the main jet.. that is the biggest problem with hard starting, they are starving for gas.
Install proper air filters foam type, light coat of oil.
Next install the L5 cam shaft.. easy , done in a few hours.
Next take a long length of ready bolt ( long threaded rod) 5/16ths or 3/8ths, get a hole saw and fix it to the rod. The attach to a drill. go back to your mufflers.. get some oil down onto the muffler.. and a liberal amount of the hole saw and insert until you hit a wall, bore through it.. Some of these mufflers have two of them.. it is a smog restricter just as the winky little carb jets and the air restricting original air cleaners. Do both sides.. You can then light up the bike and burn out the oil, or be dainty and remove them and clean them out with a solvent.
Next ..bag those ridiculous front foot pegs and get some Tarozzi rear sets.
And here in the states the bikes were sold with a kit to put the gear lever on the correct side.. 15 minute job.
Next Dismantle the electric starter drum.. knock out the too small bad material shoes and get some Ferodo brakes or some other high quality brakes.. and cut them up and glue them in place of the originals. Now your bike will start.
I also cut the stalks on all the turn signals, shortened them and reinstalled them
I also moved the rear fender forward and bit.. as in drill new holes and rotate forward.
Forget what else I did.. that was 82.
Following that 500 Sport bought a 250 Sport...The n a 350 Sport which I rode from Kingston Wash. to Pacific Grove Calif .. 1014 mile sin 18 hrs 10 minutes.
Then bought another 250 sport then a 500 Camel.
More on those later.
Thanks for taking the time with your detailed comment Jeff, much appreciated. Did the mods you describe make much difference to performance? Which was your favourite Morini? Apparently Franco Lambertini's favourite of his designs was the 250 single which is quite surprising, he said it was very torquey and fuel efficient. Would love to try one! All the best, Richard
I am from Nor Cal. Please expand on your Slater Brothers story.
@@richardayton3556 Yes the mods made a substantial difference. My favorite Morinis in this order... 350 Sport , 250 Sport, , 500 Sport, First Series 500 Camel
@@dogfeathers5646 I will expound to the best of my memory. I owned 5 Morinis. 4 were bought from Herm Baver in Pennsylvania.
I wanted a 350 Sport and Herm was out of them. I saw an add in a local SF Cal bike publication listing Slater as the Morini dealer.
They were way out in the boonies between Santa Rosa/Sonoma. When I got there it was a ranch, kinda swank as I recall..with a large
barn like building. In it were Jotas and other Laverda bikes as well as Morinis. They had a a couple 3 1/2 Sports I picked one. Bought it and
proceeded back home. I was living on Mt Veeder 14 miles from Napa.
I took all the paper work to DMV. They declined to register the bike as the paper work was inadequate and they were not a verified dealer.
They wanted a statement of origin and proof the Slaters were authorized Calif dealers.
I called Slaters and no answer.. called several times , no answer. Drove over there in my Mercedes ( I was a factory rep ( District Manager of Mercedes-Benz of No America)
I took it rather than my truck which I used to pick up the bike initially.. I did not want them to recognize me. .No worries.. they weren't there. The place was cleaned out !!!
I called Herm Baver and he said that he, himself, was the only authorized Morini distributor/importer in the US.
He proceeded to tell me that the Slaters first went to Canada and had troubles there so came down to Calif. Herm was in the process of suing them.
I went back to DMV and explained the situation. They allowed me to keep and register the bike with a special document stating the facts and if there was any party who claimed to own the bike and showed up at a later date with a demand, I would have to relinquish the bike.
Nothing ever happened. I sold the bike to a retired CIA operative, SAAB Owner, Guzzi Owner, in SF, Calif who later moved his family to Portland Oregon. He had no problem registering the bike.
As I understand it.. the Slater Bros finally returned to England. I hear other stories about these two cons.. all regarded them as "slimey".
@@jeffhildreth9244 Jeff, Thanks for the the update. Certainly sounds like slippery slime balls to me. Wonder they did not settle in Washington DC among others of their kind.
Such a Morini is an unfulfilled bucker list wish for me.
I rode one of these.
It was the smaller 350 V-Twin.
I can ride wheelies with it!! Soft power and good torque.
It was a fun bike.
Very nice bike with super efficient brakes. The 350 cc model was even more fun to ride!
Always loved the 3 1/2 and 500 Morini. Just beautiful machines.
Beautiful bike and a really interesting video. You guys are really living the dream. Great channel.
I've never seen one here in the American Colonies. I've read about them, and have always admired their look and exotic qualities. Thanks for presenting this one!
Another treat to watch. I knew nothing about Morini other than they are an Italian manufacturer. Every upload is an education for me and a total joy to watch. Keep up the good work guys. I get excited when you upload a new video and I’m sure I am not the only one.
Thanks for your lovely comments, much appreciated!
I saw them in a shop I frequented in the 70's, but never saw one on the road. That's a very interesting design, never saw the combustion chamber before. Thanks for all the detailed current information.
One of my favorite TH-cam channels. Thanks.
+Ling COD thank you for your support really appreciate it
Lovely! Removing the fairing was a wise move. The 500 is probably a better engine than the 350, although it lacks the mystique. A Morini makes no sense until you have ridden one. After you have ridden one, other bikes seem odd. On the public highway, one-up, a Morini is perfect. Fun on a track, too, but not the quickest.
I ended up with a compromise... A 501 big valve motor in a 350 Sport frame. Which I thought was perfect.
any article or video showing how you have done it? must have been quite expensive
@@lordbogus1985 I did it in 1990, before things were routinely videoed. The crank cases of the 500 and the 350 are externally identical, so the motor just drops in. Same with the exhausts, apart from a little jiggling to fit. Morinis of that era are like Lego. It was a long time ago. I have it still, but haven't started it for 30 years. It was just like a 350 but with 42-ish BHP instead of 30-ish.
You had to drop the front of the motor to remove the front rocker cover, because it was a tight fit. And I ran it 12v although the donor bike (a 501 Camel) had been 6v. Not a rocket ship, but a sort of Morini Sport Plus.
Like the bit about your mother saying no. My mother wouldn’t let me have a new Kawasaki KH 250 😊
Nobody has forgotten these exceptional bikes !!
The Morini club is stronger now than 40 years ago
Superb Machines
i used to be a member 40 years ago myself
There was a Italian bike dealer in Conneticut in the 70s that had morinis I remember the big 3/1-2 on the side covers very stylish in its day
'...the 3 1/2 couldn't pull a boy scout off a grandmother' Hilarious! Great review Mike - gets better with every episode. Like most, I was only aware of the smaller machine, so it's great to see this review. I also got very excited to see a BMW R90s at the beginning - I have a '76 in grey.
+Chris Drake thanks Chris I was unsure about leaving that in as my 14 year old daughter told me off :-)
Have you seen our review on the R90s that we posted recently
th-cam.com/video/d9Z1jeyJJjE/w-d-xo.html
@@LemonDrizzleGang I have now! Don't know how I missed it. Great review that reflects many of my experiences with the 90S. Mine still has the remote master-cylinder, and calling the brake response 'wooden' would be a massive understatement.....She's a totally different character to my later R100, and is, IMHO, far smoother and more responsive thanks to the Dell Orto's.
Very much like riding an RD350 of the era - you have to row them along with plenty of revs.
'Better for longer distances' (lol)... I had a 3 1/2 Strada that I rode from Calgary to Vancouver and back (900 km each way) four times.When it reached 65 thousand km it was getting pretty long in the tooth (ridden hard ~ put away wet) so I gave it to an employee of mine at the time as his first bike. One of my favorite bikes ever. Now I ride a V7 ... apple didn't fall far for the tree. Nice video. Thank you.
Great story, thanks, sounds like the Morini served you well. Yes, I like my V7 too!
Beautifull motorbike !! and that sound.. Thanks for sharing ! Greetz from The Old Mechanic, ride save 👨🔧--->🏍
+The Old Mechanic Our pleasure thanks for watching Mike
My first bike back in 1989 Canguro 350, after 4-5 years i bought another one and a third for spare parts. My heart gets excited only by seeing the logo...in a positive way, ofcourse.
This is an excellent channel.
+Paul Fitzpatrick thanks Paul appreciated
Laverda Jota owner here, very interesting video guys.thanks.
love the bike Richard ,another excellent video always love the look of the 350 but they were so small .the 500 looks like the perfect bike for the Shropshire back roads.look forward to seeing it in the future .
Thanks Gareth, hopefully see you soon. 👍
Dey is Bud, the 350 is always the better machine for the smaller roads, the 500 is over weight etc. I've owned both and the 350 out lasted the 500. Bag your self a ride one day you not regret it.
What a total stunner! The camera really likes the bike. I particularly enjoyed the tank, the top curves are superb, also the details stand out nicely, the 500 badge is eye candy too. Great video.
I also hankered after these when they came out. This is a very nice example. Great to see you boys doing another video. nice one!
I throughly enjoyed your video. A very good friend of mine purchased a brand new 3.5 sport on 1981. It was like nothing else on the market at that time and having ridden pillion on the machine, remember the pure character, exhaust note, handling and fun. Your videos are fantastic 👍
Great coverage of the Morini. I own a 70's 350 Strada and adore it. So light, nimble and sublime handling. I bought a couple of years ago. I have enough bikes of my own to compare it to. My very highly tuned LeMans is great but is brutal and I certainly wouldn't use for short local trips. I have a 67 Bonnie, and am not sure about your comparison between this Morini and the earlier Triumphs. I used to ride a 73 Daytona. Great handling but thrived on revs.
I live up in the Pennines and most of our roads are small and twisty. Can't think of a better place to ride the Morini. It was an object of lust for me as a teenager and I'm so glad to have finally got the opportunity to own one. Its a keeper.
Early Moroni's had a double sided twin leading shoe front brake which, at that time, was the best best braking / handling bike I had ridden. A thing of joy on a highland road. Brings a smile to my face remembering the rides.
I run a 3 n 1/2 drum brake sport. Unbelievably light, revs out real easy, inherently handles, but yea one of the best looking bikes ever.
Looks like a fun ride. I don't recall ever seeing one in Canada. Thanks for sharing!
Richard spoke particular well, informative and interesting.
+Graeme SYDNEY dont tell him that he wont get his head in that rather fetching open face he wears
Thanks for watching
Great video for a great bike manufacturer. Nice to see a radical design and approach to making bikes.
That is a really good looking bike...
Lovely bike Richard and very interesting history of the brand. Thank you more please.
I have a 350 sport in Canada. It’s only weakness is ignition that I corrected with a vee twin ignition system from California designed for HD.
Definitely, screen OFF !! Another lovely bike. I always loved the 3 1/2 particularly the early 'Sport' with the Grimeca front drum brake. I didn't really take to the 500s but this one is such an eyeful of beautuful Italian lines, what a great find, no wonder Rich' bought it. Great video, thank you.
I had a 500 engine in a 350 frame... oh yes!!
interesting
Nice one love the look of all these Morinis
Great video of a great bike👍 PS Rykas at Boxhill do a wonderful lemon drizzle cake😊
Thoroughly enjoyable episode. The 3 ana half sport may have been rare in the UK, I owned mine in mid eighties Dublin, I think it was the only one around. Such a joy, both on the road and on the eye.
Thank you for this very informative review of Morini history. As the original owner of a 1978 3 1/2 Sport (last ridden in 1983) i greatly enjoyed learning more about Morini. Found your video while searching for photos of a Morini Dart. I plan to put a full fairing on my sport, probably something from airtech.
Always had Guzzis without any regrets. Had Ducatis, too, but never a Morini. Quite fancy a 500 if one came my way as they’re light, economical, offer good road holding and, crucially, have that added Italian charisma. Thanks for posting.
Bennelli is also bought by Zhongshan.
Wow. What a motorcycle.
And very good overview/history of Moto Morini.
I would definitely love to own a Morini in future, when/if an opportunity comes.
-From California, USA.
Thanks guys for this video. There's definitely a vacancy for Morini 500 stuff on TH-cam! I'm coming to the end of a year long restoration of my 1978 500, which I have changed to Sport spec including Tarozzi rearsets. It would be good to meet up once I'm done - not too far away in Northwich.
+Jonny P that would be great
Actually we have something planned for a meet up of sorts that we will talking about in the next week or so bee good to meet you
Keep up the good work chaps, great to watch
I have owned two Moto Morini 3-1/2 Stradas at different times and they were both fantastic bikes.
I have a 1978 500 W/Strada since 2000,a 1974 3 1/2 Sport,1978 250 T single and 1956 Sbarazzino 98cc,you could say I'm a fan of Morini's,I would make one correction to the commentary,the 9 1/2 is still a 1200(1187)cc but with a detuned 117 bhp motor.
Thank you I have found that out since posting the video I should have done my homework better
Sounds like you have a great collection of these fantastic bikes
Cheers Mike
I own a 1974 drum-braked 3 1/2. IMHO the best of the breed…
Indeed the drum braked 3 1/2 is the best looking of them all
You lucky man David, they're one of the most beautiful bikes ever built!
I have an original patina 3 1/2 (350) Sport - 1974 drum-braked model - which is IMHO the best of the breed. They have their limitations - don’t try selecting neutral once you have stopped, and no neutral light. RHS gear change. Mine has rear sets and the monoposto seat which is fine for me at age 68. I’ve replaced headlight with an LED replacement and speed is now GPS one. Much better because the original speedo is like most of the era, useless. I’ve got all the original bits and wired the loom so the original bits can go back on quite quickly. Lovely little bike to ride and the front brake is awesome.
Speaking of RD350s as you were, you have to row the 350 along like a two stroke to get any pace out of them. They love to rev.
Very good.
Yep! I bought one in 1981. Loved it.
I had one many years ago...350 Standard in blue...Spoke wheels and drum brakes...Gorgeous italian design,gorgeous sound of little ,tiny engine,roaring like far more bigger bikes(on exhaust pipes was graved "decibel" and really did this job good..!! Very easy to handle,but full of italian temperament and sporty heart...From two thousand revs till five and half it drove like normal bike with incredible and deep sound,but from five to eight and half revs it changed sound into sporty roar and complete character of bike changed...Not my real taste of bike....I am calm driver with no sporty feeling...Sold it with no regrets...!
Very nice bike, never saw one in Canada even didn't know it existed. Thank you for sharing these unique bikes !
Great video as usual MIke, I love two brands of Italian bikes, one Bimota and the other Moto Morini, especially the mid 1970's 3 1/2 Sport
Bimota was my dream with a Kawasaki 1000cc engine, sigh ......
I saw one years ago in California. It was red and looked like the one your reviewing.
'Wouldn't pull a boy scout off a grandmother'? I'm too afraid to ask what you mean 🤣
+John James an alternative to wouldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding, doesn’t mean anything just a silly turn of phrase 😀
Always loved the 3 1/2 and 500 Morinis. Still affordable...spare parts are sometimes a little bit problematic.
You bet!
Great stuff again lads! Really tweaked my desire buttons. I have very fond memories of the 3 and a half. Can’t wait till the next vid 👍🏼👍🏼
+Rob Birch we have one of Russ Campbells Harleys next (if you remember Russ)
Mike
@@LemonDrizzleGang oh great! Yes he occasionally dropped into my breakers in Chester.
@@rob2475 I am also hoping to do some of Alans bikes as well (Stews, Alan)
@@mikefry6765 Good to know Alan’s still into his bikes. So, he has a collection does he?
+Rob Birch was thinking about it tonight you are one of the original Lemon Drizzle boys love to catch up if possible we had great times back then 👍
I’m enjoying your classic bike videos. I ride a BMW R1200S (2006), which I’m hoping to see become a rare classic. Visited the Deer Barn Cafe at Bradgate Park near Leicester, and tried their lemon drizzle cake. Very nice, but I’m more of a carrot cake man myself. The Carrot Cake Mob - has a certain menace to it. Keep up the good work.
Hi guy’s. Just recently came across your channel and after watching the second video I just had to like and subscribe. Love the passion and interest you have in some cracking bikes, some of which I longed for back in my day but unfortunately where out of my price range. I had a Suzuki 125 Stinger a TS 250 Hustler and a Yamaha YDS 7 to name but a few. I had a longing for a Morini 3 1/2 as they looked great and was something a bit different. Loved this video on the 500 and can’t wait to see what you come up with next.keep up the good work.
Best wishes,
Steve.
Great video again Mike
Lovely machine
Great channel 👍😎😎
Thank you appreciate you watching
Wonderful! In 1982 I bought a new Kawasaki GPz 550 and I don't remember seeing the MotoMarinis at the time where I lived in Western Canada. It would have been a good choice back then.
No. You picked a great bike. Reliable Japanese technology. I worked as a Kawasaki mechanic back then, and I'll say a Suzuki fan. Those early 80's Zeds were great bikes and changed my mind about Kawasaki. The Italian bikes look great but the Morini saved money in the cylinder head design. Italian bikes are junk, loveable junk.
I drew a 350 Spada in school.😉
Never had a go of the little Italian marque though.Good looking bike.Keep up the good work 👌
Had a new 500 Morini in 1979, I do miss it! It wasn't a Sport, so Black frame and candy apple red.
What a gread video ... and what a rare motorcycle. I only saw the Morini 3 1/2 Sport one time in my life and one time the normal version just 2 or 3 years ago. Not sure if I remember right but I guess one daughter of the Morini boss married an engineer from Ferrari.
Wow, such a beautiful bike.
Richard is a wealth of information when it comes to vintage motorcycles. (I'd like to get my fly rod and fish that river behind him.)
+Dave123 if you look very carefully in the title shot there is a guy in waders fishing and in the shot where I pull back from the clocks in slowmo he is wandering around by his car my wife said who is that wierdo in a rubber suit? (she is Australian so the finer points of fly fishing are lost on her )
Beautiful.. Anything Italian.
ANYTHING ITALIAN...
Nice bike and a very enjoyable and informative presentation of the brand. I actually think that that seat gimmick is pretty cool!
Would that pic’ by the river happen to be down the Glyn Ceiriog Valley, perchance?
+Nigel Fisher no river Dee at Erbistock near wrexham
Beautiful old riverside pub The Boat
+Lemon Drizzle Gang ooops yes I just googled glyn ceriog I apologise I am an uneducated half welshman
I have several Moto Morini bikes including 350 sports and a 500 W, the 500 is very similar engine feel to a 500 Triumph Daytona that I used to borrow when I was a lot younger. Morini are very under rated bike a absolute hoot to ride with a very good riders club in the uk. Good review, but as Morini Dave said the the new 9.5 bike is a 1200 cc bike.
+Frank Boff wow I stand corrected I thought the 9 1/5 was a 950
I rode with a guy that had a 3 1/2 here in California. Quite a beautiful bike. When I think of the Moto Morini I think about their older bikes I didn't know that they made bikes in the '70s and '80s and even in the 2000s.
I like the newer designs a lot. But it all comes down to dealer and at work and having trained mechanics which is a hard part for even established companies. But I would like to see them around!
Our local Kawasaki dealer was also the agent for Morini and I wanted one of these with all my heart !!!! BUt.....ended up with a Z100ST....in the day.
Just one of the bikes lusted after when I was a teenager in the seventies, but everything from Italy back then cost two year’s wages! Still, I probably should have bought that SS900 with my college grant, eh?
I had a Morini 350 which developed a serious engine fault, it needed new engine crank cases, basically. I sold it as a non-runner project as the spares situation seems to be perilous now that North Leicester Motorcycles have closed and there's very little left in Italy. They're lovely bikes but I would be concerned about owning one again due to the spares supply.
I'd be curious to know what the fault was did you blow the engine , run a main through oil starvation etc or some such, they're pretty reliable in sensible hands I've owned several and rebuilt em, and thrashed em but never ruined a set o cases. Bad luck there Boy; try and get a goodun and give em a second chance you'll not regret it.
Nice looking bike
What a beautiful machine!
Nice to see a mint example! A few years ago I bought one, engine overhauled not even broken in, came with all bills. But the rest was so bad, brakes, switchgear all rotten. And what's more, these bikes don't have battery-coil ignition. Rather a sort of magneto, so called transducers. Anyhow, I put it up for sale and it was gone in a minute.
Very nice bike, engine looks great.
Nice bike. Would you take it over a good V50 or have the Guzzi?
Hi Jim, I've also owned a V50 Monza back in the day and it was a lovely little bike. The Morini is a bit rarer and more exotic and I love it (I think it may be a keeper) however objectively there is little to choose between them in terms of performance etc. Obviously the Guzzi has a shaft drive which is nice, on the other hand I think the Morini is a bit prettier so it's swings and roundabouts! Overall though I think I'd go for the Morini because it's just that bit more rare and exotic and I think it looks so beautiful!
Good to see the tacho is slowly revolving in the case! Do the exhaust collets still fall out too? Asking for a friend... :D
Hi Paul, yes the revolving tacho is one of the little niggles I need to sort still! Funnily enough, T140 Bobby ones often do the same! Re the exhaust collets, Morini folklore suggests they need either regular tightening or they're seized solid!
+Richard Ayton yep my 3 1/2 was the same re the exhaust
I took various Morinis all over Europe (Pyrenees, Alps, Balkans) and the toolkit was extensive. Never absent was the castellated C-spanner for the exhaust collet. Also big (32mm?) spammers for chain adjustment.
I had a 500MM in the `80s.had a love/hate relationship with it,The best handling bike I`ve ridden.Worst electrics i`ve ever had on a bike.Sold it in disgust after 3 years,mist it ever since.Had the opportunity to buy a 350 about 20 years later,its still in parts .I have to pull my finger out and put it back together.Australia
I lived in Aus for 25 years and never saw a single Morini
@@mikefry6765 You`d be lucky to find 25 bikes in the whole of Australia.
Exquisite
I remember seeing a road test in one of the bike magazines. Sad story, so many changes of ownership.
The origin Morini,s were outstanding
We had the 350 here in South Africa in the early 80's don't recall any 500's they were quite a few around. Like all bikes in those days they were thrashed to death just like the Yamaha triples and water cooled 550 and 400 V Twin XZ Yamaha's, I doubt if more than a handful still exist
I never rode one, but thought they were a lovely looking bike. All Italian bikes were expensive compared to the Japanese stuff, I paid £3100 for a one year old Laverda Jota 120 in 1982. Which I think was about twice the price of a Z900?
my dad had a 3 1/2 strader a 1980
I always wanted a 500 Morini . I did have an SF2 Laverda ; character and muscle forming machine !
I had a three and a half strada 40 years ago with ace bars not much power but a nice ride gear shift on the right handled really well but build quality wasn't up to being an every day ride consequently didn't keep it for long but still remember it fondly
My 350 sport 39 horse power
"It couldn't pull a boy scout off a grandmother..." 😆A different generation obviously. 😂
+Leonard Mills its actually a comment that Barry Sheene made on Australian TV commentating the Bathurst Supercar race
Wow, where do you find these bikes? Maybe you can find an MZ-TS250, weren’t up to much back in the day, but I’d have one today, no worries. My bike at the time was a W reg, a Kawasaki Z250, in green with the mag wheels.... my cousin had a KH250, in lime green, blue. And white.
+Master Cylinder funny you should say that Richard is a big MZ Fan and is about to tape possession of a Blue Super5 250
Watch this space
Monday we will release the video - we loved it
The Kawasaki dealer in Caterham Surrey also sold Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Moto Morini back in the late 70s/ early 80s