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To All Morini fans: recently,
together with my friend Rob, we have gone over the various Sport models and we came
to the following result of the development of the 3½ Sport. (Please feel free to comment).
Moto
Morini 3½ Strada 1973 + 1974/5 (basis of 3½ Sport)
Moto
Morini 3½ Sport models:
Black frame. Fuel-tank red and black. Engine: alu,
Solo-seat with rounded back. Wired wheels, beautiful Grimeca air-cooled
drum at front. Stainless mudguards front and back. Chrome headlight. High
wheel rims. Colour of tank red and black.
Note:
The "kinked" frame should be seen as an
improvement. Of course the kink in the frame-tubes itself is no improvement
on the tubes, but the overall-result in stability by the much shorter pieces
of metal, below the
The column below of the different Sport models, starts with three photo's of the 3½ Strada
(or in Italy also called "GT", which stands for "Grand Turismo"). These models are from 1973, 1974/5 and 1976. From the first Strada model, the first 3½ Sport was developed and sold in the autumn of 1974.
the 2 colours and the striping on the fuel-tanks of the
very first Strada models
Note 1: the 1973-1975 Strada's were available in 2 metallic colors only as shown above:
turquoise (blue/green) and burgundy (dark-red) (see above). The models have a white striping on the fuel-tank.
Note 2: after visiting this page, don't forget to have a look in the new photobook pages.
Differences between the first Sport & first Strada:
the Sport has:
fueltank...
and side panels...
of the first model Strada.
Strada (or GT) 1973 model
the 1973 model (chrome tube over front fender & larger headlight),
2-cylinder V-twin (72 deg),
4 stroke.
Bore x stroke: 62x57 mm, 344 ccm.
Compression: 10:1. 38,6 hp (SAE).
@ 8,200 rpm.
Carburettors: 2 Dell'Orto 25 BS.
Full electronic ignition.
Battery 12 V, 9 Ah. Six speed.
Tyres: 3,25 x 18 front and
4,10 x 18 rear.
Weight 144 kg's.
Strada (or GT) 1974/5 model
the 1974/5 model (different front fender & head- and taillights),
technical details, see 1973 model.
Strada (or GT) 1976 model
the 1976 model. (Differences from the 1974/5 model are the colour scheme on fuel tank and side panels and the shape of the fueltank. It is a little "rounder"),
technical details, see 1973 model.
1974/5
Sport
2-cylinder V-twin (72 deg),
4 stroke.
Bore x stroke: 62x57 mm, 344 ccm.
Compression: 11:1. 42 hp (SAE)
@ 8,500 rpm.
(different camshaft used in
Sport-engine).
Carburettors: 2 Dell'Orto 25 BS.
Full electronic ignition.
Battery 12 V, 9 Ah. Six speed.
Tyres: 3,25 x 18 front and
4,10 x 18 rear.
Weight 144 kg's.
1975/6
Sport
Same as 1974/75 model, but with disc-brake at front.
This was an in-between model of the middle of, (or late) 1975. Double-disk
brake at front was optional.
mid 70s Valentini
This special model was produced by Moto Morini dealer Valentini in Prato/Italy. Valentini also built specials
of the Kanguro/Camel off-road models. Valantini Morinis were tuned and a special fairing was added.
Note: Perhaps this Special does not belong in this overview, as it was not a bike built by the factory (the basis was
ofcourse), but built - in small numbers - at the initiative of a dealer and available to anyone. Reason enough to add
it to this overview.
late 70s/early 80s Valentini
This special model was produced by Moto Morini dealer Valentini in Prato/Italy. Valentini also built specials of
the Kanguro/Camel off-road models. Normally Valantini Morinis were tuned. On this bike an
e-starter was fitted in a very special way. It does fit within the fairing!
Note: Perhaps this Special does not belong in this overview, as it was not a bike built by the factory (the basis was of
course), but built - in small numbers - at the initiative of a dealer and available to anyone. Reason enough to add it to
this overview.
1978
or '79 Sport
Example from the mini-poster, just above the 500
model. Stainless steel mudguard front. Black frame. First Sport, with alu
wheels. Last model with alu engine. From 1978 (late): electric starter
at some models.
1980
Sport
Same as 1977 Sport, but "bright-red" painted front mudguard.
Tank, sidepanels & frame, all bright-red. Seat: black completely (no
plastic part(s) at the back behind it). All chrome and aluminium painted
black, including the engine.
1981
Sport (K)
Everything red, but "kinked" frame. Seat which can
be opened to the left (with hinges, like the 500 model). Straight spoiler
behind seat, which consists of 3 parts. 2 Plastic parts are located below
the passenger seat on left and right. Tank slides over rubber caps mounted
on the front-side of the frame. Plastic cockpit. Drum-brake at back.
This 1981 model was also sold with rectangular headlight
small fairing, like the 1982 model.
1982
(late/early) 1983 Sport (K1)
Identical to K model, but different
seat with large spoiler behind it and lock at top of spoiler. Inside spoiler
toolbox. Spoiler in one piece. Discbrake at back. Front mudguard of polyester,
mudguard at back "squarish". Not the disks itself, but static part of disc
mounted on the frame (word ..... ?) of a new model. Front-brake: 2 disks.
1983 Sport
(K1)
1984
Sport (K2)
Ultimate Jap. looks. Technique identical to K1,
but "squarish" tank and sidepanels. Fairing around the handlebars and headlight
are standard on this model. Soft red, or silver-grey, black (!!!) frame.
Photo presents US spec model with fairing.
Sport K3 model does not exist.
1988
Dart (Sport K4/K5, as framenumbers start with "K4" or "K5")
Introduced as the Moto Morini Dart (under Cagiva management). Formed from an upgraded K2 motor fitted to a modified
Cagiva Freccia frame. Initially just the 350cc (K4?), but from 1989 a 400cc (K5?)version was available primarily for Japan
and Germany. Also a number of Darts were sold in Denmark. This continued to be produced in very small numbers until 1991.
350s can be distinguished from 400s by the former having rounded fins to the barrells and the latter having square fins.
The upgrades to the motor were largely in the electrics, KoKusan ignition and a Bosch Starter motor. The drive to the
starter is taken from the primary drive gear. The engine cases were also modfied. I believe that 350cc Darts have large
valve heads, whereas the 400cc have valves the same as K2s. Both will run on unleaded fuel.
The Cagiva Dart
The Dart was introduced after Cagiva took over Moto Morini. The frame of the Cagiva 125 Freccia and the 350cc Morini V-twin engine (later 400cc engine) were the basis of the Dart.
Cagiva also sold the Dart under it's own name. The photo of this particular motorbike was taken in Japan. Framenumber: K510065. A nice example of so-called ,,badge-engineering,,.
kinks, which hold the engine at the front is ! It should improve steering a lot.