by ringer » 05 May 2009 08:08
Hi Nigel,
Welcome back to Morini ownership. You are just discovering that 20-30 year old bikes tend to leak and generally fall apart unless they are very well looked after. Not quite (but not too far off) your original experience all those years ago, eh?
Reference oil leaks. Check the engine oil level - is it overfilled? Check the breather pipes from top of cylinder heads - are they blocked? Don't just check the pipes - check the holes where they fit as well. Wipe clean all surfaces, take the bike for a short run, then recheck the surfaces to see exactly where the leaks come from. I have two or three leak points on my engine but I seem to lose very little oil from the engine - only had to top up once. It leaves a bit of a mess but it is liveable for the short term. Most important factor here is, make sure the oil doesn't find its way onto your back tyre.
Carburation. Yes, get an overhaul kit for the carbs. No doubt they have not been touched since new, and if the bike has been standing for any period of time longer than a couple of months then the carbs are probably partially gunked up. You may just find one of the floats is a bit sticky and so remains partially open, leading to the leaking you witnessed. Take off the fuel pipes and assess them. I was about to replace mine until I checked them out off the bike - they are still reasonably flexible and do not leak. Only replace if necessary.
Nick - 1979 500 Strada