78 Morini in New Mexico, USA

[Monstrodamus]

MotoM.jpeg (383.03 KiB) Viewed 12606 times

I fell in love 20 years ago with a 78 Morini 3 1/2 that a relative owned. He was an importer and rider of trials bikes. Followed along as he died and left it to his kid who rode it for a bit and left it to die in his backyard. Drunk dialed him one night last year and made a deal to buy it, sight unseen. Engine stuck, handlebar bent but looking surprisingly good. 11K miles. Freed the engine with patience, changed cam belt, cleaned and synced carbs and it's now a rider.
A3 Frame, S on the engine. Serial Number 14743
Now to my questions.
It doesn't have clip-ons. Instead, it has regular handlebars. How hard is it to find the upper triple tree to convert it?
I don't know if it was changed or if this was something that was done in some markets. It does have left hand shifting.
That would probably necessitate rearsets and I would want to covert to RH shifting.
Glad to be a member here as I'm thinking this will be a great resource. I'm in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I don't know how many others are still on the road here.

[3potjohn]

Having a Sport with clip ons, and though I don't find them uncomfortable,if I had regular bars I'd probably keep them on.But it looks like you have a fine bike.
John

[huub]

finding a sport triple tree will be a challenge, but you can machine the top off the upper triple tree and weld up the 4 holes, do a good polish , and you've got a sport triple tree.
( i just did the same on a bike)
the original clipons are really narrow , i fitted a set of guzzi clipons, they are slightly higher , and pretty comfortable.
rearsets are a good idea, the stock riding position is a bit weird.

[robint]

Welcome from frame number 14432 - Nov 78 in the UK, also a Sport but slightly different tank and side panel stripes - suspect it depended who was doing the job each day! Have fun and if going for clip ons then get rear sets - not necessarily the Tarozzi ones as kickstarts and brakes and footpegs relationships can be a little challenging. The Mauro Gini option (Google) looks interesting though.

[Mepstein]

I have an upper triple clamp from a sport. It’s black and good condition. $100 + 8 priority ship. PM me or email - mark@markepstein.net

And thank you for bringing another one back to life.

[Ming]

Hello, welcome and good luck with your search. If you are going to convert to right-hand gear-change, there are several people on the list (me included) who could be interested in the left-hand change parts.

[P&S]

Hello Monstrodamus,
Left hand shifting was produced by Moto Morini for USA market like some other particular features.( bigger headlamp and indicators with reflector)
Those bikes also have a black dot on the rear wheel shoe holder.
Could you tell us what it is?

[davel182]

Why butcher a top yoke (upper triple tree) with clamps (they are even harder to find than the Sport version)? Just fit clip-ons and leave the clamps unused. I would happily swop my Sport top yoke for one with clamps but the postage between the UK/US is probably a spoiler.

[huub]

Why butcher a top yoke (upper triple tree) with clamps (they are even harder to find than the Sport version)? Just fit clip-ons and leave the clamps unused. I would happily swop my Sport top yoke for one with clamps but the postage between the UK/US is probably a spoiler.

if nobody else wants it i would be happy to swap mine, i've got i nice top yoke with clamps available
i live in the netherlands , so postage shouldnt be a issue.

[AntietamClassicCycle]

Those bikes also have a black dot on the rear wheel shoe holder.
Could you tell us what it is?

I suspect the black dot is rubber plug in the brake lining inspection hole.

[Mepstein]

Clamp looks to be in good shape other than needing a fresh coat of paint.

[Butch]

Ace bars?

[P&S]

Those bikes also have a black dot on the rear wheel shoe holder.
Could you tell us what it is?

I suspect the black dot is rubber plug in the brake lining inspection hole.

That's a good guess!
Let's wait for a confirmation from Monstrodamus

[P&S]

MotoM.jpeg

That would probably necessitate rearsets and I would want to covert to RH shifting. .

Either you convert to RH shifting or keep it as it is, ( I would keep it because it's original on your bike) could you post pictures of those parts and set up?
Custom conversion to lefthand shifting has been performed in many ways.
It would be interesting to see how Moto Morini made it.

[Monstrodamus]

[quote="P&S"]Hello Monstrodamus,
Left hand shifting was produced by Moto Morini for USA market like some other particular features.( bigger headlamp and indicators with reflector)
Those bikes also have a black dot on the rear wheel shoe holder.
Initially thought I had a disc but realized I was looking at my Yamaha. It is a rubber plug. Hard to see anything down in there so not quite sure.