Wannabe Dart Owner

The Cagiva era Morinis
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nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

Hi People,

I'll post on the Wanted Board too, but I thought I'd introduce myself here first. As a small-of-stature lover of Italian bikes, vee-twins and unusual bikes, and especially fond of Cagiva-related two-wheelers, I feel that a Dart should figure sometime soon in my life. I'm lucky enough to have several machines to play with, from a Ducati ST4 to a Cagiva Canyon traillie, but have never owned or ridden a Morini. When I discovered the Dart, with its Freccia alloy frame and old-school vee-twin, I was intrigued and I really like the sleek enclosure.

Any hints and tips you might be able to pass on to me will be most appreciated, but especially any leads that might result in me finding a decent low-mileage example. If anyone fancies a change and is looking for a good home for their Dart, there's a nice warm garage and a caring owner waiting in Darkest Norfolk (UK, that is!).

Cheers,

Nick
EVguru
Posts: 1528
Joined: 01 Aug 2006 11:13
Location: Luton
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Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by EVguru »

There aren't a lot of Darts changing hands, so I'd consider any bike you see for sale. Mechanically they're very reliable and capable of high milleages if given regular maintainance. Body condition is probably the most important thing to look at as the plastic wasn't the best quality to start with and hardens and cracks with age. Fibreglass panels are now available, but you're looking at around £60 to £80 per panel plus painting.

The frame is steel and a bit rough and ready (The Mito had an alloy frame, but is just 5Kg lighter than the Freccia). I've had to make minor repairs to them occasionally where they've cracked, sometimes because the weld has mostly missed. Cagivas were cheaply built and it shows in places!
Paul Compton
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/user/EVguru
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

EVguru wrote: The frame is steel and a bit rough and ready
Ah, thanks for the correction Paul. I live in hope of clapping eyes on one...

Nick
EVguru
Posts: 1528
Joined: 01 Aug 2006 11:13
Location: Luton
Contact:

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by EVguru »

Have you seen the short article on my old one?

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/morinidartgileracx.html
Paul Compton
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/user/EVguru
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

EVguru wrote:Have you seen the short article on my old one?

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/morinidartgileracx.html
Yes, an excellent read and I wish you were still looking for a buyer!! I don't suppose the new owner has tired of it?....

Nick
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corsaro chris
Posts: 1162
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 21:28
Location: Berks, UK

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by corsaro chris »

Nick;

There's a very nice Dart advertised in the current ATG (not mine, I hasten to add); it's expensive but looks very original and has extremely low mileage, unlike mine which has over 60,000 kilometers on the clock...

Good hunting, and welcome to the Forum,

CC
"I'll use the Morini"
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

Please, can someone direct me to the details of the ad in ATG? I've just joined MRC and paid my subscription but fear that the opportunity to check this bike out may have gone by the time I get my access entitlement/paperwork!

Thanks,

Nick
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corsaro chris
Posts: 1162
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 21:28
Location: Berks, UK

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by corsaro chris »

Nick;

pm sent,

CC :wink:
"I'll use the Morini"
BOF
Posts: 7
Joined: 16 Aug 2009 14:04

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by BOF »

[color=#4000FF]'Yes, an excellent read and I wish you were still looking for a buyer!! I don't suppose the new owner has tired of it?....'[/color

[color=#000000]Yes after repainting and some modifications I did get tired of it and sold it on, that owner also only kept it a few months and also got rid of it.
No idea where it is now......[/color]
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

BOF wrote:'
Yes after repainting and some modifications I did get tired of it and sold it on, that owner also only kept it a few months and also got rid of it.
No idea where it is now.....

This is all sounding most discouraging, just when I'm hot for a Dart and am hard on the heels of a couple of prospects! I can see that it may be a bit tame in a world of mega-power snarling beasts and therefore not the ideal one-and-only bike, but all the roadtests I've read suggest it has so much charm that it still wins hearts.

Hopefully, I'll soon find out!

By the way, you didn't paint yours yellow, did you? That bike got totalled, apparently...

Nick, Diss, Norfolk
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Wannabe Dart Owner

Post by nickst4 »

Just to round this topic off (for me, anyway), I'm no longer a wannabe Dart owner since Andy in Scotland kindly offered to let me take over his bike. Of course, there was a small matter of money involved too, but I'd still be looking if it wasn't for this forum and Andy's selflessness... Cheers, Andy!

There's a little fettling to do on the less-visible bits, and I've already lashed out on one of NLM's GFRP huggers as the one on Andy's bike has been abbreviated. Perhaps fortunately, the cold and consequent salt has just returned today, so I'll have a month or two to look over the bike before I take it out. I can still admire its beautiful lines though. :lol:

Nick, Diss, Norfolk
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