New to Tresette

[Morini Jen]

I'm sure most of us don't know much Italian. More's the pity...

Still, the first thing to try, and it's worth a go, is to use Google Translate to write a message and send the translated message to the seller, presumably by clicking on the red box on the advert.

Here's my effort...

(Google Translate). I would like to buy the Speedometer, also the gasket set, for my Morini Tresette. Can you post to England? Many thanks.

Which becomes...

(Google Translate). Vorrei acquistare il tachimetro, incluso il set di guarnizioni, per la mia Morini Tresette. Potete spedire in Inghilterra? Grazie mille.

If they reply in Italian you can use Google Translate the other way round if you see what I mean?

Oh to be young, multi-lingual and a whizz with computers....

[Steve Brown]

There is a speedo for sale in Switzerland. 90 Swiss Francs which is £83:52. Half the price of a dodgy replica.

https://www.tutti.ch/it/vi/ticino/veico ... i/58939389

Hi Jen, I’ve tried the link, but can’t contact the vendor to buy the item as I don’t understand Italian.

If the seller is Swiss there is a fair chance he will speak Italian, German, French and English.

[Morini Jen]

That's a good point, Steve, although maybe if they see we've made a bit of an effort they may look kindly on us?

If Trinder strikes up a good relationship, there is a list of Tresette parts needed, so you never know...

[Steve Brown]

That's a fair point too Jenny. I think your suggestion of a google translate for the first contact is the way to go. From my experience of google translate the recipient will have a good laugh at deciphering it, so getting them in the right mood to help us out!
Seriously yes, I would try google first. I'll bet they reply in better English than wot I speek, innit?

[Morini Jen]

... I'll bet they reply in better English than wot I speek, innit?

Arp...

[trinder]

So, this is how far I’ve got into the project. I have all but finished the assembly of the engine thanks to purchasing the other two basket cases from Nichola for Donor arts and the magnificent Arthur Farrow who has supplied some very hard to get bits including a generator. He has also provided a very sensible Benjy Straw mod for the sump plate which I carried out which enables the use of a 14mm magnetic sump plug which makes an oil change far less messy. To complete the engine rebuild, I am just waiting for the M7 x 85 mm waisted bolt that holds the rotor and automatic advance and retard mechanism on to the crankshaft to be made (another hard to obtain part).

As the 19 inch wheels supplied with my purchase had no brake plates, I purchased some used replacements from BEB Recambi in Italy along with some other parts not with the bike and the two basket cases. I managed to find a replacement NOS headlight reflector from the US for $29 plus shipping ($24) which is an absolute bargain compared to the over inflated scabby badly abused offerings from Italia. I have installed the swinging arm into the frame, installed head-races and the top and bottom yokes and the top fork shrouds to the bottom fork yoke (a bit of a faff) and have put new fork seals into the forks and re-built them. A point to note: when removing and re installing the cap head screws that hold the dampers into the bottom of the fork legs you must use a pneumatic or electric rattle gun to do so. Also it is wise to purchase a seal driving kit (mine came from Amazon at £15.00) to make seating the new seals correctly and trouble free. The seal size is 30mm (ID) x 40 mm(OD) x 7mm and readily available. The frame is starting to resemble a proper motorcycle frame and not just a collection of newly painted parts. To be continued …….

[trinder]

The problem with the Swiss website is that you need to sign up to an account which I tried to do. However, when it came to verification of the account by SMS, the only country prefix numbers available were, Italy, Austria and Germany. I made numerous attempts to get it to accept a UK telephone number, but the computer still said NO

[Morini Jen]

Well, I'm sorry the computer said "No!", but still, it sounds as though you are making great progress with a little help from your friends.

I'm very impressed. Keep going.. you shall go to the Ball.. erm?.. The Giro!

[trinder]

“ you shall go to the Ball.. erm?.. The Giro!”

Thanks for the encouragement Jen.
Regards,
Neil

[trinder]

Just thought I’d post an update on the progress so far. I managed to purchase an NOS headlight reflector at a very reasonable price and a couple of weeks later managed to get an NOS Rolle Speedometer drive and a NOS voltage regulator from the same chap in the US. His prices were considerably cheaper than Italian vendors wanting over inflated prices for used parts in not very good condition. I now have the engine complete and awaiting marriage with the frame which will happen when I get my wheels rebuilt. I have gone down the route of purchasing Stainless rims and spokes from Devon Rim Company who are making custom rims and spokes at roughly half the cost of having the original rims re chromed before adding the cost of spokes and nipples into the mix. I intend to rebuild the wheels myself. I have now assembled the forks into the frame which caused a lot of bad language to be uttered, but they look good. I shall post a further update when I get the wheels finished and fitted.

[trinder]

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[Morini Jen]

Hi Neil.

It looks like good progress is being made. Did you do the red paint yourself? If so, just out of interest, where did you source the paint?

Going for stainless wheel rims is a good idea, and they look better than chrome in my opinion. Chrome plating seems to be getting more troublesome with each passing year, but thankfully there isn't much chrome on a Tresette.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Jenny.

[trinder]

Hi Neil.

It looks like good progress is being made. Did you do the red paint yourself? If so, just out of interest, where did you source the paint

Hi Jen, I can’t claim the red paint, that was done by the previous owner, I am however, going to get it colour matched for the inevitable touch up jobs that need doing no matter how careful you are putting it together, I have my doubts about the tank, as he had it painted in old English white with a red stripe down the middle and the headlight and number plate bracket also painted in old English white to match. According to his wife he was going to have two coach lines in green between the red and the white to make it the colours of the Italian comments welcome.

[Morini Jen]

Erm, I'm a bit baffled as to what the previous owner was trying to achieve with the paint job on the Tresette.

But still, 'Il Tricolore' was good enough for Ago's helmet so all you can really say is.. in the spirit of the Morini Riders Club.. each to their own.