frame grab handles

[pedro]

I have only been into Morinis for a relatively short time, three years or so, but seem to be becoming a bit addicted.
I have recently acquired a 1st January 1977 registered, presumably 1976 model sport, a long way from original but who cares, it's a wire wheel, single disc bike, frame number 10506 with a grab handle both sides of the frame. Question is- would the frame number be right for a 76 bike, and I don't recall seeing two grab handles before, there seem to have been a lot of variations, more so than other manufacturers, and a bit of a minefield for a novice. I remember a local dealer had a new Strada sitting unsold in his showroom for at least a couple of years in the 70's, the price was an issue in those days, so it would have been registered a few years after manufacture.

[MarkB]

My wire-wheel disc Sport is 10824 and was registered in April '77, so like yours would have been made in '76. The grab rail on all 3 1/2s I've seen is on the left of the frame.

[Steve Brown]

Hi Pedro, I'd agree with Mark about the grab handles, never seen them fitted anywhere else. I would say email NLM about the number and date, if you haven't already. The wire wheel disc version is meant to be the shortest production run as well, so it would be interesting to know how many were produced in that 1976 version.
I bought mine new in October 1977, I really wanted a double drum job but there weren't any to be found. The price was a bit cheeky, for the same (discounted) £900 I paid it would have been easy to buy a 750 Honda or Suzuki or Triumph or Norton. But, I already new I wouldn't have kept them as long.

Mark, my bike is numbered 10828. Do you know where yours was originally sold or registered? Wasn't somewhere round Long Marston/Tring was it?

[pedro]

Thanks chaps,
The grab handles don't appear to be a later fitment, or if they are it's a very neat job, certainly looks like it was a factory job but maybe just a very professional later addition, but I would struggle to imagine why anyone would bother, strange one.
Like you Steve, I really fancied a double drum job but this one came up at not too silly a price so it's in the shed, good thought about NLM though. From your numbers it would appear about right for 76.

[SupermotoDave]

Fitting a second handle on the other side of the frame was a well known addition by individuals and some dealers because it works as a really good and subtle crash bar that saves seats and side panels. It's not a factory mod, but done properly it looks it, also somewhere else to strap luggage.
David

[SupermotoDave]

Ps
Could you send me a photo, this is a good subject for a page in ATG
David
Editor(at)Morini-riders-club.com

[MarkB]

Steve, my Sport is registered SPP, which I believe is a Luton plate, so not far from Tring etc. Interestingly I've seen a Laverda with the registration issued two numbers after mine, so perhaps there was an Italian bike specialist in the area.

On the subject of grab handles, the standard one is of course on the left because this is the side where you stand on the lever sticking out from the centre stand to haul the bike onto the stand. Perhaps an additional one on the right would make pillion passengers feel more secure. My Strada's grab handle was removed early in its life to allow the fitting of panniers flush with the frame rails.

Cheers, Mark.

[Steve Brown]

Mark, my bike came from Morphy Motors at Long Marston. They were also Laverda dealers so maybe yours was delivered along with mine?

Pedro, sorry to go off topic with your post, fwiw I didn't know that adding grab handles was so common. Most people I recall seemed to be chopping bits like this off to save weight. Silly really, if we needed faster we should have bought a Yamaha or Honda!

[EVguru]

The frame can crack at the rear on well used bikes. The grab handle bridges the area of flex, so it cracks on that side last.

I've seen frames without grab handles and no sign that a handle was ever fitted.