28796
Curmudgeon
Ever hear of a Morini???
Certainly!! I bought a new Moto Morini 3.5 Sport in 1983 & still own it. Hermy Baver, a BMW/Triumph dealer still active in Port Clinton, Pa. imported the 250, 350 & 500cc models from the mid 70's until the company's demise. Morini was a small family owned company that got bought out by Cagiva in the late 80's after the elder Morini passed away & his daughter tired of running the company. Franco Morini, who is not related to the original family, bought the name from the Castiglioni brothers (Cagiva) in 1998 and is reviving the company. The original designer of the 350 V-twin, Lambertini, is back on board and they have already shown a running example of the new V-twin motor which will be built in displacements ranging from 750-1200cc.
The 350 Sport has a jewel of an engine with 11 to 1 compression using Heron heads, a dry clutch, 6 speed transmission & belt drive to the cams (a motorcycle first). Not bad for 1972!! The sport model redlines at 9000 rpm but will pull further without valve float.
Now you know.