‘S’ on left side of 1981 3 1/2 Sport

[shoval4113]

I just returned to the club after a 40 year hiatus and recently purchased a 1981 3 1/2 Sport which was restored by one of our members. But the ‘S’ is on the left hand side under the front cylinder not the traditional right. It’s a seraph ‘S’ with the arrows at the tails, Factory or fake? Any thoughts welcome.

[mbmm350s]

It wouldn't be unheard of for there to have been a mistake in stamping by the factory.

It's possible that an engine builder in the past rebuilt the engine to Sport specification and whilst wanting to indicate Sport didn't want to fake it? Seems unlikely to me.

You could measure the valve timing to see if it has Sport cam.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter so long as it runs well and you enjoy riding it.

Mark

[MickeyMoto]

I rebuilt the motor.

The bike is a K1 3FD, therefore a Sport.

There was no history with the bike.

I put it together as it came apart, including with the S cam.

Pictures show the two and eight it was in. Not the fault of the previous owner as bought for spares with no documents.

I have just reread the below.

https://morini-riders-club.com/forum/vi ... php?t=5291

Not sure I would repeat the exercise, although my current ride needs tidying. Oh dear, this starts as a clean up and ends as a complete strip down.

[morini_tom]

My k1 is of the same period as this bike. It has an s, in the correct place but also has a J stamped on the left case engine identifier… it’s clearly not a 250 2c and doubtful anyone’s taken the time to machine a 250 case half to fit 350 barrels etc… so I take the view, like mark says it’s probably sloppy stamping at the factory, especially in that period when things were a bit in flux and they were moving towards a common engine spec for all bikes.

I take the view that after 40 years all sorts of bits get changed for various reasons and if it runs well that’s all that really matters. ‘Matching numbers’ isn’t really a thing with morinis as most didn’t have engine numbers so having no stamps or wrong stamps doesn’t detract from anything like it would for a vincent for example.

It’s good that Mickey confirmed it was rebuilt with a sport cam, at least you know the spec is good.

Enjoy it!

[Steve Brown]

Oh no! Matching numbers is very important especially as the 350 Sport I'm SELLING has matching numbers and I bought it new. Did I mention it's for SALE? OK well it is, so if you want a matching numbers bike that I owned new in 1976 and is the ONE YEAR ONLY model with wire wheels and front disc brake-I have it FOR SALE!

Shameless plug, controversy courted daily etc etc. You know it makes sense-to me at any rate.

[morini_tom]

10/10 for the shameless plug Steve!

Obviously in the case of your bike matching numbers is most important. Particularly as I fully expect like last time you’ll regret selling it and buy it back a few years later, at enormous profit for whoever buys it from you now

Can’t believe nobody has snapped it up to be honest

[shoval4113]

Thank you everyone,

I sent this message out before I had made contact with Mike who completed the beautiful restoration of my newly acquired 3 1/2 Sport. Since then all has been revealed with the anomaly of the left hand ‘S’ seeming a genuine factory stamp made simply on the wrong side. I’m not fussed about what’s inside the engine so long as she runs well, but nice to know she has an ‘S’ cam. At the moment the bike is being serviced and a few things enhanced by Benjy. So, hopefully I’ll see you all out there soon!

Alon