3 1/2 Sport SPP 694R

[MarkB]

I've owned this lovely thing for 2.5 years now and wonder if anyone knows anything about its former history. I've got details from 1993 when it was bought from Wee Vee by Anthony Childe-Freeman, who then sold it to Noel Doran in 2000, after which it was bought by the owner previous to me. There are receipts for 400cc base and head gaskets, porting, clutch lightening etc, and I'd be keen to know more about this and anything about its earlier history.

If anyone has any information or leads, I'd be very interested to hear. Thanks, Mark.

[corsaro chris]

Hi Mark;

No hard information, but you also ask for leads...

A Sport with a similar registration (only a dozen or so numerals out, and with the same SPP and year suffix) was registered to Jeremy Wood - he lived in Oxfordshire and may well have bought the bike new from the Morini dealer in Cowley, Oxford. Interestingly that bike is listed in my records as having cast wheels.

Having said that looking further down the list another Sport with an achingly close registration was registered to Chris Watson, and he lived in Glasgow at the time the records were compiled!

So, no help but it shows that some-one's read your post and bothered to reply! And in looking through the records I've spotted that my original Silver Strada (SYD 661R) was still out there in 2000 although moved to Devon from Somerset, despite me selling it back in 1980 to buy a 500!

Ah well, back to work , see you soon!

CC

[MarkB]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps spoked wheels were considered passe (with an accent on the e) in 1976 and my Sport sat at the back of the showroom while everyone bought Morinis with those stylish modern cast wheels!

I know of a Laverda 750 with a registration only about 10 numbers away from mine, so I assumed that there must have been a specialist Italian dealer somewhere.

See you on Sunday! Regards, Mark.

[corsaro chris]

Mark;

Reference the fashion for cast wheels;

Perhaps spoked wheels were considered passe (with an accent on the e) in 1976 and my Sport sat at the back of the showroom while everyone bought Morinis with those stylish modern cast wheels!

It was just that Morini only produced these bikes for one season, in 1975 (?) for sales in late 75 and early '76... So they are one of the rarest, apart from the New York , and so there aren't many around. I bet that there is a high survival rate though!

Cheers, and catch up Sunday!

Chris

[Coventrykid]

Hi I am Noel this was my favourite handling bike so far (had several dozen over the years) when I got it from Tony Childe it was in fairly good condition with a spare sport motor included. The bike had been up in the air at the Croydon dealer on display so I saw it passing by and had to have it.
Soon after I road it the valve gear got noisy and off to NLM I went, actually several things were worn so I dived in and got Alex to give it the full 400 lightened and uprated bearings job. The bike ran really well and fast in fact as I only had one disc it needed more stopping power just did not get around to it could not stop riding it!
After a few years I had other bikes as well (907 Ducati, Superlight, VFR), amongst others not at the same time though so riding others I decided to have a change.
I have had two Kanguro's and a 500 Camel in fact not as fast or powerful as the Sport, so still love Morini so much I have another 350 Strada last Saturday its good to really good.
My bike of choice for everyday riding easily is the 350 either Sport, Strada or Kanguro with my Laverda SF1 being just on the road after 31/2 years.
Sounds like I have loads of cash not true just moved from one to another and at 59 my wife thinks the Sport was the best looking.
Have fun with the bike nOEL

[Ming]

Sounds like I have loads of cash not true just moved from one to another and at 59 my wife thinks the Sport was the best looking.
Have fun with the bike nOEL

I know exactly what you mean, I've had lots of bikes over the years. Best looking was a 3 1/2 Sport (actually a 'Sportised' Strada with a reworked Kanguro engine), but I found it uncomfortable (though my wife thinks it's very pretty). The Kanguro is my favourite, though I'd like to try a 501 Camel if I found one.

[Coventrykid]

Hi Ming
I had the Camel 500 twin shock the one that is highly thought of, it was good but not as much as I thought. The first of my Kanguro's went like stink and to be honest would easily keep up it spun up instantly but even after tuning and set up the Camel was only more torquey with a little bit more on top, not worth all the hype.
I have a Strada now got it last Saturday so I can give the Laverda a rest in colder times, its really in Sport paint trim but as I can get paint done very reasonably I will put it back to standard.
My Sport was and is as good as any bike in the handling department excepting the brakes with Koni shocks it was firm but arrow like, would have liked to keep it but moved on as you do. I like a 500 motor in the 350 frame but a well tuned 350 (Alex Mayhew) will do just as well and is more revvy I would say it is easy to get carried away with the hype over Morini's but having many bikes before and since some really classy like 907, Monster, Superlight (not easy in traffic) the 3 1/2 is real class.
NLM many years ago were very helpful and went out of their way when engine problems caused grief and got me home let me try several bikes and did not cost too much, all of this makes Morini ownership more fun.
Hoping to sort the clutch out this weekend on the Strada another visit to the stores, clutch plates all but one ok but clutch rod seal nackered then on the road again.
Cheers Coventrykid

[MarkB]

Hi Noel: I'm just back from holiday and there's the message from you; isn't the internet a wonderful thing? I've had loads of fun with the Sport, from the Cadwell track-day to a trip to Dijon for the Coupes Moto Legend, and it's just wonderful. The second disc was added about 6 years ago I believe, and yes, the bike's got enough power to need the good anchors - very different from my drum Strada!

I've got old receipts for swapping the motor on the bike which puzzled me, as it's got matching frame and engine numbers, so your reply explains what might have happened. I've got lots more questions, so I'll send you a PM.

Kind regards, Mark.

[Coventrykid]

Hi
Tony Childe told me the Morini Sport in the book by Mick Walker is actually yours, forgot to mention that.
Cheers Coventrykid

[Coventrykid]

Hi Mark
Forgot to mention the welding on the lug was due to stainless bolts getting loose and vibrating, I did not fit them on already.
Alex Mayhew told me it was very common for this to happen, last bit of info
Cheers Noel

[MarkB]

Thanks Noel, it's great to be able to piece together the bike's history.

Cheers, Mark.