Sport with an excaliber CS engine
Posted: 19 Aug 2015, 13:58
First off, I would like to apologize for not being able to post in Dutch; I use a translator to read different posts and do enjoy all the information and ideas available on this site!
Here is my story - I have recently purchased a 1978 Morini Sport that was undergoing a restoration by the previous owner. The chassis is an A3 serial number and the original papers reflect that it was registered in Barcelona Spain in February 1978 as a Sport. I am going to follow the 1977 look as I really like the black and red look and I cannot really assure when it was built, only when it was registered. Maybe it is a 1977 bike and not 78, who knows...
The challenge I know have is to make something nice from someone’s unfinished project that consists in a good chassis and aluminum (grey color) wheels along with boxes of assorted parts that some match the Sport and others are from a Strada.
Currently I am now targeting my engine and I have found that it is not original to the frame I have. What I found is that I have a newer engine (painted black at the factory and not by the previous owner) with Gilardoni Nikasil cylinders, an “M” camshaft, electric start “Ducati” flywheel and the newer style crankshaft. The engine does not have the “S” stamped under the front cylinder, but a CS stamped on the lower engine case indicating this engine is from an Excalibur.
I am ok with the Excalibur engine as far as technical updates, but worried the performance will be lacking in comparison to a true Sport. My idea for this engine is to have it wet blasted to remove the paint and show the aluminum, simulating a 1977 model bike. I know if I do this I´m missing originality but my budget cannot afford a new engine due to all the other bits and pieces I still must invest in.
Here is my question for the experienced; does someone offer higher compression sport pistons for the Gilardoni Nikasil cylinders?
Maybe I should just finish the bike and start to enjoy the experience of owning a Morini 3 ½ but I can’t help to think that maybe now that I’m working on the engine, I can up the HP´s and make it a bit more fun.
Here is my story - I have recently purchased a 1978 Morini Sport that was undergoing a restoration by the previous owner. The chassis is an A3 serial number and the original papers reflect that it was registered in Barcelona Spain in February 1978 as a Sport. I am going to follow the 1977 look as I really like the black and red look and I cannot really assure when it was built, only when it was registered. Maybe it is a 1977 bike and not 78, who knows...
The challenge I know have is to make something nice from someone’s unfinished project that consists in a good chassis and aluminum (grey color) wheels along with boxes of assorted parts that some match the Sport and others are from a Strada.
Currently I am now targeting my engine and I have found that it is not original to the frame I have. What I found is that I have a newer engine (painted black at the factory and not by the previous owner) with Gilardoni Nikasil cylinders, an “M” camshaft, electric start “Ducati” flywheel and the newer style crankshaft. The engine does not have the “S” stamped under the front cylinder, but a CS stamped on the lower engine case indicating this engine is from an Excalibur.
I am ok with the Excalibur engine as far as technical updates, but worried the performance will be lacking in comparison to a true Sport. My idea for this engine is to have it wet blasted to remove the paint and show the aluminum, simulating a 1977 model bike. I know if I do this I´m missing originality but my budget cannot afford a new engine due to all the other bits and pieces I still must invest in.
Here is my question for the experienced; does someone offer higher compression sport pistons for the Gilardoni Nikasil cylinders?
Maybe I should just finish the bike and start to enjoy the experience of owning a Morini 3 ½ but I can’t help to think that maybe now that I’m working on the engine, I can up the HP´s and make it a bit more fun.