Another Moto Morini – 1980 500 Sport

For Sale: 1980 Moto Morini 500 Sport

This is the kind of bike I love to bring to our readers. It looks fantastic, has all the style that you would expect from the Italians, and it is pretty rare here in the US. The best part: the seller is willing to share pictures and details worthy of the bike. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sellers words and pics.

From the seller:
I have a remarkable and rare 1980 Moto Morini 500 Sport. It still has its original matte black paint and hand pinstripes from the Morini factory. It even still holds its original ‘La Strega’ decal on the rear fender.

It has Marzocchi forks and shocks. Triple Grimeca brake calipers and master cylinder. It has a very cool LaFranconi Competizione exhaust system and of course 26mm Del’Orto carbs. Notice the speedo is in KPH and if you do the conversion 32,000KM is 20,000 Miles.

The bike is in remarkable shape as you can see from the pics. There is some fuel staining on the gas tank and since I don’t know how to handle matte paint I haven’t tried to clean it so that I don’t make it worse. It is actually not really an issue for me anyway.

Timing belt replaced at 17000 miles. At that time the swingarm bushings were replaced and the shifter linkage was rebuilt. I have receipts from all the work, a lot of receipts from a few different shops in the SF Bay area, Munroe Motors, Scuderia West, and from Marzocchi who rebuilt the rear shocks in 2005. Most parts have come from Herdan Corp in Pa. I have records for the last 15 years or so on the bike. The Pirelli Sport Demon tires are nearly new, still have the nubs on them.

I have the original shop manual in Italian and a reprint in English. I have the original owner’s manual and alot of little bits and spares, gaskets, o rings and other small parts. I also have a shop manual on CD that will go the bike. The bike also comes with nearly every article from the bike magazines that was written about Morini, both 3 1/2 and 500.

From the seller:
The bike runs great with the LaFranconi exhaust and the K&N Filters but I also have the original airbox for the bike. The original airbox is in like new condition and is unobtainable at this point.

The previous owner put foot controls from a Morini 3 1/2 on the bike to keep things a little farther back. I have the original controls and also a very trick set of milled Tarozzi rear sets that will go with the bike.

The records from the bike show it came in through Canada. I’m not sure if the red frame is original or if it had been powder coated red at some point. In any case it is a great job and looks great. If you look at the letter I have included in the pic it talks about the original color and that the bike came in through Canada. There is also a stamp from a Canadian dealer in the original owner’s manual.

Of course I have the clear California title and the bike is completely legal in the states…it has been here a long time.

The electric starter was recently rebuilt and works beautifully. Every switch and light works as it should. there are no bugs anywhere in this bike and the original wiring is all in tact and has not been modified in any way. This is a remarkably original survivor and deserves to go to a Morini lover.

The seller clearly has passion for this bike – I think it shows in the add as well as the bike itself. It’s cool to see someone with a bike like this share details and stories – and not just some gargantuan price tag.

This is a neat machine that would be a great addition to any collection. This is a retro bike that you can ride and enjoy – just like the Italians intended. With good looks and noise that won’t break the bank, let others argue over the going rate of a RC30 – this Moto Morini will give you your fix without all the drama. Check out the details and all of the pictures – and then tell me you wouldn’t want this cool motor in your garage!

MI