Should I return what I thought was a Strada back to a Sport?

[trinder]

Since I visited NLM and found out my 'Strada' was really a sport, I have been having thoughts about returning it to its Sport guise. Problem is I would have to change the headstock unless I did what most Cafe Racers did and put a small section of chromed tube where the handlebar clamps fit. thing is, do I put Tarrozzi rearsets and bars on it? and what is the correct seat for a 1978 Sport with Mag wheels and disc brake front end and stainless mudguards?

Or do I let my heart rule my head and put one of the NLM repro humped seats on as they look so uber sexy? I know the purists will wave their hands in horror, but I always feel a bike is very personal to the owner and what I am contemplating can be undone and the original parts put back as they would be squirreled away. Comments please.

Neil

[morini_tom]

Neil,

Let your heart rule your head. This is the approach you should always apply to fully enjoy the morini experience. I'd wager that it's the reason you bought a morini in the first place.

Besides, morini folk are about the least purist you'll find- nobody will wave their hands in horror provided you get out and ride it. I don't think many morini left the factory exactly the same anyway!

I always find tarozzis and clip ons more comfortable too, although I realise that is pretty person specific.

Keep us updated

Tom

[Daddy Dom]

I know the purists will wave their hands in horror

I've never met a Morini purist, certainly not on this forum....do they exist? Our bikes were all built with purity of design and intention, not purity of parts-book. That's what UJM's are for, not Moto Morinis!
Cheers,
Dom

[Emmohaswheelsagain]

HI Dom,

They do exist but after 30 + years most have evolved as they passed through different owners.
My Morini's back in the 70's & 80's were all standard but then again I was either the 1st or 2nd owner.
I still prefer standard but still appreciate all examples whatever they are or whoever has created them.
The most important thing is that they are ridden.

Paul

[MarkB]

Hi again Neil, just do what you want. As you say, you can always return the bike to standard later.

When I bought my Strada three years ago it had a Sport seat, so I put clip-ons on and very handsome it looked too. Even with the bar clamp holes in the top yoke. It also made for a much more involving ride. However, I kept the standard Strada footpegs which made the riding position uncomfortable after more than 90 minutes.

Rear-sets make for a much more comfortable ride; I did 200 miles on my Sport yesterday and have done 300 in a day.

Cheers, Mark.

[unreal]

Go with the heart! Just make it the bike you want to use. You could get a local engineering firm to mill the top yoke flat which could look good.
As to 'purists', as others have said most Morinis have been tweaked to personal tastes, which I've always liked. I just hope that with the rising values that the obsession with nut and bolt originality that has gripped so many other marques doesn't take hold.
Bikes that are used benefit from some stainless, improved electrics help usability, as do better shocks etc.
Perfect original bikes end up under covers, no Morini deserves that fate!

Simon

[trinder]

Thanks for all the little nudges guys Heart has won out to head, I just ordered some Tarozzi clipons and rearsets. Hopefully I should have them fettled for Cadwell ------- (Yes, I have found a morsel of bravery from somewhere ) Now all I have to do is shell out a hundred quid on a Sport seat but when I have finished, she'll look good

Neil

[unreal]

Saw these on ebay, bit scabby but may sort your top yoke?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Moto-Morini-3-1- ... 500wt_1204

Simon

[Richard A]

I've never met a Morini purist, certainly not on this forum....do they exist? Our bikes were all built with purity of design and intention, not purity of parts-book. That's what UJM's are for, not Moto Morinis!
Cheers,
Dom

Yes, yes, I'm a purist... but, how can I say, in a jokey sort of way... which means one of the pleasures of living with a right foot change double drum with seemingly unbalanceable carbs is the ludicrous impracticality of the damn thing, which always gives me a laugh whenever I go out on it.

[EVguru]

You could get a local engineering firm to mill the top yoke flat which could look good.

Strada top yokes are now getting hard to come by!

[trinder]

Saw these on ebay, bit scabby but may sort your top yoke?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Moto-Morini-3-1- ... 500wt_1204

Simon

Hi Simon,

I put a bid in for max of €35.00 which is what I thought they were worth at a push as I read that the vendor said the pinch bolts were rusted through and corroded fast and found myself outbid. So I plonked another €5.00 on and it became the highest bid. The shipping was down for €30.00, so all in all not worth it so I didn't confirm.

Cheers Neil