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1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 24 Aug 2017 11:49
by 72degrees
Am I right in thinking a 1980 Sport should have an electric start?

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 24 Aug 2017 12:55
by MickeyMoto
Maybe, but not necessarily. Mine didn't.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 24 Aug 2017 13:08
by 72degrees
Ok.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 16:43
by Al B
Mine does. It's a US import so that may have some bearing on it

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 17:14
by 72degrees
My 350 Sport registered in the UK in August 1979 was so I (wrongly it seems) assumed a 1980 would.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 20:33
by norbert
I think 1980 should be a K with electric starter. Has it got the modern frame with the bended front tubes?

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 20:39
by MickeyMoto
Maybe it is the wrong question!

Should it be which model year? A 1980 registered bike may have been manufactured in 1978! Or maybe it depended on Luigi. The engine case was non electric start so that was it!

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 21:51
by 72degrees
Well the bike which prompted the query (for sale on eBay) clearly had a side cover with the 'plug' for the inspection hole to see timing marks on the rotor up by the cam drive pinion not down on the crankcase. I know a lot were removed at some point in their history (when they stopped working).

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 22:21
by norbert
So you are more interested in the year of building than in the starter?

Is there any start button at your gas grip?
I remember to hear once, that there has been a time, when all 350 were sold prepared for the electric start (with the big side cover) but you had to pay extra for the starter, if you wanted that. Later all came with the starters mounted.

Is it the old or the new frame with the bended front tubes and flaping bench? I believe the new frame came with the K-model in 1979. What kind of seat? If your painting is still the original a picture would help to find it out.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 28 Aug 2017 06:38
by MickeyMoto
So, slightly unrelated, when did the Sport engine lose its bhp advantage over the Strada?

Ie lost the hc pistons and lumpier cam, no S below the cylinder? Electric start, kinky frame etc all evolutions making model id and manufacture date difficult.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 28 Aug 2017 08:00
by 72degrees
It was this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-M ... 2618029055
If I ever acquire another 350 it would be better if it had an electric start.

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 28 Aug 2017 22:00
by huub
72degrees wrote:It was this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-M ... 2618029055
If I ever acquire another 350 it would be better if it had an electric start.
or fit a dart/new york engine , the electric starter is way better than the old ones.
it may be japanese, but it actually works...

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 28 Aug 2017 22:00
by huub
72degrees wrote:It was this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-M ... 2618029055
If I ever acquire another 350 it would be better if it had an electric start.
or fit a dart/new york engine , the electric starter is way better than the old ones.
it may be japanese, but it actually works...

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 29 Aug 2017 06:07
by MickeyMoto
huub wrote:
72degrees wrote:It was this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-M ... 2618029055
If I ever acquire another 350 it would be better if it had an electric start.
or fit a dart/new york engine , the electric starter is way better than the old ones.
it may be japanese, but it actually works...
Take one angle grinder to the frame, cut, fit. Still ugly from the left!

Re: 1980 sport electric start?

Posted: 29 Aug 2017 13:10
by huub
Take one angle grinder to the frame, cut, fit. Still ugly from the left!
nope, remove engine and regulator, slip in the other engine put in a new regulator
done.
changing the ignition is optional
no need to alter anything on either frame or engine.