True early Sport??
Posted: 15 Nov 2007 20:10
Hello Morinistas!
Although I am a new subscriber to this forum, I have been interested in and riding Morinis since 1979, and presently have 4.
I would like opinions on a new for me 1974 3.5 Sport I just acquired.
This machine has a Valentini (or is it a Givi? not sure of that) fairing (this is the full rounded fairing with 4 design reliefs on each side) and is quite nice to excellent overall. It was sold to me as a genuine original Sport, Italian market (KMH speedometer) and at some time imported into Canada.
This bike was apparently listed on Ebay at one time a few years ago, although that is not how I got it and I never saw the listing. It has frame # A/1*04738. This would indeed indicate an early Sport frame number, and is about the lowest number A1 Sport frame I have seen in my research. Anyone have a lower number out there?
The numbers 04738, matching the frame number, are also stamped on the front of the motor just on top of the upper mounting boss. This is curious to me. Would this indicate an import into the UK at one time?
This motorcycle SEEMS all original with all the correct Sport equipment, Borrani rims, correct Grimeca brakes, fenders, forks and triple clamps, etc.
It has had a cosmetic restoration some time in the past, as the tank, fairing and side covers have all been nicely repainted, in the original red and black.
The one curious thing however, is that there is no S stamp on the right side lower case below the cylinder, as I assumed all Sports should have.
I know 1974 was a crazy year for Italian motorcycle manufacturers, Ducati certainly had unit to unit variations within model years, but could an early genuine 3.5 Sport leave the factory with no S mark?
Is the A/1 frame number prefix always a Sport model? Would the frame number have been stamped on the motor at the factory, or afterwards by?
Could this machine be a Valentini special by an Italian dealer some folks on the web mention?
Any opinions or even knowledge of this machine would be appreciated.
I will be happy to send photos to any one interested. Just PM me.
Regardless of the machines originality, it is quite excellent and a wonderful riding machine which I am very happy with!
Cheers,
Joe B.
Although I am a new subscriber to this forum, I have been interested in and riding Morinis since 1979, and presently have 4.
I would like opinions on a new for me 1974 3.5 Sport I just acquired.
This machine has a Valentini (or is it a Givi? not sure of that) fairing (this is the full rounded fairing with 4 design reliefs on each side) and is quite nice to excellent overall. It was sold to me as a genuine original Sport, Italian market (KMH speedometer) and at some time imported into Canada.
This bike was apparently listed on Ebay at one time a few years ago, although that is not how I got it and I never saw the listing. It has frame # A/1*04738. This would indeed indicate an early Sport frame number, and is about the lowest number A1 Sport frame I have seen in my research. Anyone have a lower number out there?
The numbers 04738, matching the frame number, are also stamped on the front of the motor just on top of the upper mounting boss. This is curious to me. Would this indicate an import into the UK at one time?
This motorcycle SEEMS all original with all the correct Sport equipment, Borrani rims, correct Grimeca brakes, fenders, forks and triple clamps, etc.
It has had a cosmetic restoration some time in the past, as the tank, fairing and side covers have all been nicely repainted, in the original red and black.
The one curious thing however, is that there is no S stamp on the right side lower case below the cylinder, as I assumed all Sports should have.
I know 1974 was a crazy year for Italian motorcycle manufacturers, Ducati certainly had unit to unit variations within model years, but could an early genuine 3.5 Sport leave the factory with no S mark?
Is the A/1 frame number prefix always a Sport model? Would the frame number have been stamped on the motor at the factory, or afterwards by?
Could this machine be a Valentini special by an Italian dealer some folks on the web mention?
Any opinions or even knowledge of this machine would be appreciated.
I will be happy to send photos to any one interested. Just PM me.
Regardless of the machines originality, it is quite excellent and a wonderful riding machine which I am very happy with!
Cheers,
Joe B.