Rear-Set Joy

danomar · Post by **danomar** » 23 Aug 2009 20:26

In 1986, I bought my first Morini, a 1978 3.5 Sport. Actually, it was a Sport with a Strada engine, a typical option for the time. I rode it all 170 miles home and discovered that a 350 Morini actually can cruise at highway speeds. In addition, I discovered that VHB carburetor return springs really are heavy. I also discovered that the footpegs were ridiculously placed for a bike with clip-on handlebars. I don't know if I stopped more often for my wrist or my back.

Approximately four weeks ago I discovered that NLM stock a "swan-neck" kickstart lever intended for rearset pegs. The reason why I never installed rearsets was because I felt the Sport kickstart lever is ugly enough, but with the extender block it was uglier. I have used the old-style short kickstart lever on my Morinis because it best fit into my sense of what the 3.5 Sport should look like. I searched for years in vain for rearsets that were not too ugly and would let me keep my kickstart lever. The NLM lever solved my dilemma.

I spent most of yesterday fitting a set of Tarozzis. Today I rode it for the first time. Beauty is a Moto Morini, but perfection is a Morini with proper rearsets.

Just wanted to share the joy.

mgill · Post by **mgill** » 24 Aug 2009 02:48

Uh... so what's the trick? Your the first one I've not heard swearing and
moaning about fitting Tarozzi's.... The swan neck lever still contacts the
toe piece on the brake lever doesn't it? Did you shorten it?
BTW the rubber from a CB 350 kick start lever fits nicely.
Looks good!
Mathew

danomar · Post by **danomar** » 26 Aug 2009 02:16

The trick is patience. And time. Lots of time. And extra bits to fiddle with until everything fits properly. Oh, and proper tools. Did I mention a nice garage? And an extra hand, namely Mr. Trialanderror.

The kickstart lever ever-so-barely touches the edge of the brake peg sometimes. That is because the lever extends slightly past the second detent. I will see about getting a weld bead on the knuckle to stop that.

I cut the brake peg by approximately 5mm or one rubber ridge width. I also discovered that the lower the brake lever sits, the better it clears the kickstart lever. I put a spacer (approximately 10mm) on the cable underneath the holding point for the brake line. I cut off the tab that Tarozzi welds onto this piece in the vain hope it will hold a working brake light switchâ€”although in retrospect it might have worked with some fiddling.

Installation took one Saturday and a half, but I also made several other minor improvements in addition to the pegs. The Tarozzis are not the most beautiful things to look at, but they are beautiful to ride on!

Oh, and I do have the proper rubber kickstart lever piece, it just is not on yet. Thanks for the tip, though.