Morini 350 double drum Sport.

[Mark]

Hello all.
This is one for owner's of this early model plus any enthusiastis Morini historians.

I have the chance of aquiring this bike but as it's not totally standard I'm hoping someone out there can confirm the
following frame numbers as correct for the period/model.

A/1 * 05760*
DGM: 1104-OM

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

Cheers.

[Broadbandylegs]

Hi Mark - mine's a 75 model with frame number just slightly higher than your, if it helps

[hendre]

Mark, the frame numer indicates that
A/1: yes indeed it is a genuine 1st series sport
*05760*: it is a '74/'75
do you have pictures? Maybe we can see what is not original on this bike or it is maybe a original frame with other bits put on just make it look complete...

[Mark]

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for your reassuring input.

I was reasonably sure it was ok from the research I'd already done but it's nice to have a second opinion.

Pretty much everything now seems ok as the frame number is right, the "S" in on the engine and the drums/Borranis are the correct ones. There are one or two small "mods" such as late model indicators added, but nothing that can't be put right.

One thought, can anybody tell me if there's a difference between a Strada kickstart lever and a Sport's and if there is, what should this model's look like?

Thanks again for your help.

Mark.

[George 350]

Hi Mark,

The early Sport and Strada shared a short 'fold at the top' chromed steel kickstart. Around 1976-7, when the disc braked bikes came along, the Sport got some slightly rearset footrests and a bottom hinged aluminium kickstart. Around 1980-1, when the 'K' models arrived, the kickstart changed again to a bottom hinged painted steel one.
If what you have is "wrong" for your model year, don't fret as the original handlebar/footrest positioning was dreadful, so many owners fitted rearsets that the top hinged kickstarts wouldn't clear. If you find that you have rearsets fitted, look on it as an asset, not a desecration of the original as it will save you a trip to the osteopaths.
If you take a look at the NLM website - used bikes for sale, the Red 1975 Strada has the top folding steel kickstart, while the '76 Sport has the later aluminium type, and the 350 K strada shows the late bottom hinged steel style.(as does the brown 1975 Strada)

Hope this helps,
George.

[brianh0_4]

Hi Mark,
is it French registered? As André says, any pics.

Brian

[Mark]

Thanks so much for the kickstart info George, I had no idea there were 3 different types.

I've actually got a late model 350K but since I started researching this bike I've learnt a whole lot more.

It's Italian registered Brian and I don't have any pics yet, but if I buy it I'll be sure to post some in the next few days.

Thanks to everybody for your help.

Mark.

[Brett]

Hi Mark,

Mine dates back to late 1973 it's number is A/105179.

Cheers

Brett

[EVguru]

Thanks so much for the kickstart info George, I had no idea there were 3 different types.

At least FOUR actually!

The first Stradas had a different kickstart (short and quite awkward).

[corsaro chris]

I'm looking at a V5 which quotes a number A1/04537 which translates (I think) in to;

A/1
4537

It's from an Italian machine first registered in March 1974.

There can't have been that many first registered in 1973 - that's got to be a real rarity, Brett!

For the anoraks out there - note that the early Press photographs (quoted as 1974 in the Clark book, which I'm also looking at) show both the Strada and Sport sans indicators; the very first Stradas also had a round tail light, although the Sport always seem to have had the squared off version which became common to both bikes from later 1974 (?) onwards.

Buy it, ride it, enjoy it ~ that's what counts!!!

CC