Right foot rear brake.

The 3 1/2 forum
Post Reply
Morini Jen
Posts: 407
Joined: 12 Jun 2022 18:49
Location: Warwickshire U.K.

Right foot rear brake.

Post by Morini Jen »

A few years ago I downloaded some photos of a 3½ K1 Sport which was for sale at The Bike Specialists in Sheffield. What made it interesting was that it had a right foot rear brake pedal and a left foot gear lever. I have no idea whether it was a neatly done homespun conversion, or if it left the factory that way. The K2 arrangement is quite different so it doesn't seem to be an interim model.

Still... Here are the photos...
Attachments
moto-morini-350-0ecf45769a11.jpg
moto-morini-350-0ecf45769a11.jpg (226.51 KiB) Viewed 2271 times
moto-morini-350-6bd654dc6272.jpg
moto-morini-350-6bd654dc6272.jpg (234.08 KiB) Viewed 2271 times
moto-morini-350-bb17ff0d32b9.jpg
moto-morini-350-bb17ff0d32b9.jpg (151.98 KiB) Viewed 2271 times
Morini Jen
Posts: 407
Joined: 12 Jun 2022 18:49
Location: Warwickshire U.K.

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Morini Jen »

...
Attachments
moto-morini-350-44c4b34d2ef4.jpg
moto-morini-350-44c4b34d2ef4.jpg (229.61 KiB) Viewed 2270 times
moto-morini-350-e0909e80afa4.jpg
moto-morini-350-e0909e80afa4.jpg (197.41 KiB) Viewed 2270 times
Morini Jen
Posts: 407
Joined: 12 Jun 2022 18:49
Location: Warwickshire U.K.

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Morini Jen »

K2. (Note the enclosed chain).
Attachments
44837-0.jpg
44837-0.jpg (136.56 KiB) Viewed 2270 times
AK99
Posts: 24
Joined: 10 Jun 2025 15:00
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by AK99 »

Interesting.

If it wasn't a factory fit, certainly looks to be a well executed conversion.
A BigVee, a WeeVee, and a triple.
3potjohn
Posts: 1469
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 13:58
Location: Devon

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by 3potjohn »

I don’t have a problem with my K1 with a right hand gear lever and left foot brake nowadays. This is because this bike has clip ons whereas now my other two have raised bars so I adjust.
I would like a fully enclosed chaincase though.
Arthur Farrow
Posts: 158
Joined: 24 May 2008 09:09
Location: Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Arthur Farrow »

A friend has just acquired Rick Stemps late model 500 (W 2 if you like). t has a similar conversion and the foot pieces look proper Morini so presumably such was available. If not in UK then in other markets maybe.

The K2 pictured has the German made alloy full chain case made in the late 70's early 80's .....the late Rob Kenton's sport had one fitted.
God save the King (& my pistons)

ARTHUR
'It must be a .....'
Posts: 477
Joined: 12 Sep 2010 12:25

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by 'It must be a .....' »

Becker in Germany made the alloy chaincase, yet it used MZ rubber tubes which only just fitted the 530 chain.
Laverda made a similar chaincase with larger tubes that fitted all their models (500/750/1000) plus it fits road Morinis
Peter Furlong in the UK made a glassfibre version again with larger tubes which was adapted to fit many bikes including Morinis (I think Arthur had one on his 500?)
The Norton Rotary also uses an oil bath chain case with rubber tubes (still available), yet the alloy chaincase which fits Grimeca wheels would need loads of work to fit within a Morini swinging arm.

The Laverda chaincase is the best option and they often for sale as not cool enough for todays Laverda owners!
Arthur Farrow
Posts: 158
Joined: 24 May 2008 09:09
Location: Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Arthur Farrow »

My 500 still has the Peter Furlong case. I worked with him to get it to fit. It uses MZ rubbers. Not sure if he made any more...never seen another. I can post a picture if anybody is interested

My Norton Rotary Classic has the full chaincase and its a nice thing sealed with oil in it permanently.. I have some spare NOS tubes and pretty sure they are MZ too.

My 700S Silk has a full case too

What does this say about me ?? Answers on a postcard...............................
God save the King (& my pistons)

ARTHUR
Vitesse
Posts: 277
Joined: 05 Jan 2019 13:42
Location: Barnacle
Location: Crowcombe

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Vitesse »

'It must be a .....' wrote: 11 Jan 2026 17:36 Peter Furlong in the UK made a glassfibre version again with larger tubes which was adapted to fit many bikes including Morinis (I think Arthur had one on his 500?)
I still have one of those in the shed from my Katana 1000. No rubber tubes, just a large glass fibre box. It really was not cool!
1977 3½ Sport, 1986 Kanguro & a "few" other bikes!
'It must be a .....'
Posts: 477
Joined: 12 Sep 2010 12:25

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by 'It must be a .....' »

I've also seen a DKW rotary and a Morini fitted with a Jawa 350 chain case - again it has rubber tubes similar to the MZ
Al B
Posts: 52
Joined: 03 Feb 2017 20:34
Location: Luton, UK

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by Al B »

Mine is A US import (kinked frame but not a K, drum rear brake) and has the chassis mods and parts for a left foot gear change. I've no idea if this is a factory version of a home brew one.

The gear lever runs through a short tube in the corner of the chassis tube
Image
then via a short drop link
Image
to a cross bar running through a tube under the back of the engine
Image
At the right hand end a little ear pokes up and has another link to the gear selector shaft
Image
the various linkages
Image

The brake lever has a simple mount for the brake cable and switch
Image

however the routing for the cable must be a nightmare as it has to loop up and over the wheel, which can't be good for effectiveness

NB these were taken when first acquired the bike...it's cleaner now!
RedVee
Posts: 303
Joined: 11 Apr 2006 18:40
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by RedVee »

NB these were taken when first acquired the bike...it's cleaner now!

Strangely, that was going though my mind! :D Although I would hate to see photos of mine from the same angles! :?
Morinis & Motorcycles - Is there anything else?
trinder
Posts: 95
Joined: 20 Jan 2012 18:10
Location: United Kingdom
Location: Halesowen UK

Re: Right foot rear brake.

Post by trinder »

Strangely enough, my 3 1/2 Sport/Strada had a similar arrangement to the American import that was a home brew version done by a previous owner who was a right lower leg amputee. The difference being that both the foot brake and gear change were on the left with the footbrake pedal suitably cut down to accommodate the gear change lever. This and its resurrection from a 20 year sleep is fully recorded in the documentation that came with the bike when I purchased it.
Post Reply