My 3 1/2 had the ex-Devimead Morini Racer 5 gallon Tank.

[CJN904T]

Hello all, I'm a newby and thsi is my first post. I'm a ex-Morini Riders Club member from about 1979-1983 ish. A Tutto Gas was the Club mag if I recall correctly? Back then Benjy (Benji??) Straw used to run the club, I recall I sold him a new 3 1/2 Sport Engine in about 1980-81.

I'm going down memory lane a bit here, I've had a tally of two 3 1/2 Sports, the last one stolen in 2001.

My first 1979 Sport I sold in about 1981-82 and I've not seen it since.
Anorak bit - Unusual, in that I sold it fitted with Devimead's racer tank. That tank was a bulbous oddly attractive thing (if Brit cafe-racer style is your thing) and I fitted it… well - 'cos I could. I'm sure it held 5 gallons, it had a saddle-bag-like construction, the tank going way down the frame, I heard rumours that this tank still survives somewhere. I met a guy with a 3 1/2 in a pub just ouside Rickmansworth about 5-6 years ago, and he said he had what sounded like my tank at home. I never did get to the bottom of my tank but Devimead were a Morini Dealer in Tamworth and campaigned a racer for a bit. I notice that racer gets mention on this forum. Anyway i got the tank in about 1980, and stuck it on my road bike, I never did get to see the racer, and I've no pictures of that tank to show you. I see the racer gets a mention in Mick Walker's 'Morini' Book. The racer is shown but the pic I've seen shows it on a trade stand and is not too clear. I believe there may be two pics in the book of that bike.

My first bike [with the tank] was registered CJN 904T, and DVLA have it last taxed in 2008, and when I last saw it I'd fitted the early type side covers & single seat, painted like Devimeand had finished the tank in the standard Red/Black production 1974 Sport colours. It was a striking bike.
Even then I wanted a 1974 model. Anyone got it in a shed somewhere?

My last 3 1/2 was a real 1974 model, and the proper, proper 3 1/2 Sport, sadly pinched in 2001. I got it from NLM (North Leicester Motor Cycles) and I cry. It was a properly anorak-correct minter, front twin drum brake, the lot - I wonder where that is now? I was surprised to have such an obscure bike stolen, anyway it went.

One of those, is in my mind still the prettiest production bike ever made - on here I might be preaching to the converted… I want another.
Incidentally I paid NLM £3000 (in 1999-2000) for mine, which was overpriced then, I rang NLM and now that sort of thing goes for £7000. Jeeez…. funds won't stretch.

I first got the Morini bug as a 13-14 year old, reading a road-test in of all things 'Custom Car' magazine, [about 1975]. 'Custom Car' did bike road tests too, Not ina traditioanl car mag, I'm betting few of you have read that road-test. I was hooked. After a Garelli moped - which as you well know, like all fizzies and AP50s did 75 - it was to be my bike, got one as soon as I was able.

So, before i ramble on too much.. hello.