All who dare the access in the still new automotive technology early in the century, come from other professions. Alfonso Morini, for example, is a trained farrier. Who shod horses, is well versed with ferrous materials and also looks after wheels. From this will a production plant for smaller motorcycles, first of all two-stroke engines together with Messrs. Mattei, Massi and Mazetti in 1924. Morini also be racing and grabs the class victory at the GP of Monza 1927. Follow records over long distances, and because the engines will larger, even four-stroke engines. From side-controlled engines will top-controlled already in the thirties. Particularly praised for their speed, the 350s.
The company Moto Morini founded in Bologna in 1937 blooms again with a 125cc, presumably partly taken over by DKW after the Second World War. After all, nearly 80 km/h are possible in good conditions. Of course, faster and especially racing versions not be long in coming. As reward beckons the winning the national championship in 1980. The racing successes remain, also as Morini adds a four-stroke engine of the same displacement, soon with a little more displacement and an overhead camshaft.
Production motorcycles
1946
125er Turismo tow-stroke
1953
175er Turismo Settebello four-stroke
1954
Gran Turismo
1956
Briscola
1956
100s Sbarazzino
1958
Tresette
1963
Corsaro/Corsarino
1967
Regolarita
1970
Dollaro 50
1971
3 fi (3 1/2)
1983
K 2
2004
9 fi (9 1/2)
2004
Corsaro 1200
2008
Granpasso 1200
2012
Rebello 1200
The race wins remain true to the company, also as the 175cc will be further developed to a racing machine. It also remains at the production motorcycles in this displacement area and there is some degree of success. Larger than 250cc are not produced until about 1970. One brings the racing successes abound in this category. Also the market proves to be for the larger machines as not very profitable. With Alfonso Morini's death there's a break, but the was well been overcome by his daughter.
In the pictures, you may recognize two descendants of the developed series approximately from 1970. It is the rare transverse-V2, which can be seen here with OHV, somewhat unusual for motorcycles. 350 cm³ are initially announced later is still added one with 500 cm³. By the way, the camshaft will driven by a short toothed belt drive (!).
Problems with the cooling of the rear cylinder is counteracted by extending the cooling ribs each to the side where the cylinder in any case protrudes by more than the width of the connecting rod (50 mm). Both cylinders may be designed nevertheless equal and built-in twisted by 180°.
Relatively unknown in Germany ...
In the 70s, Morini developed the somewhat unusual Heron combustion chamber for motorcycles. This is a relatively shallow recess in the piston opposite a perfectly straight cylinder head with parallel, using push rods operated valves. One seeks so to lower production costs and pinch-off edges for better turbulence of the mixture. The crankshafts work in rolling bearings until 1977.
Moto Morini is part of the Caviga Group since 1987, but has retained its name. Later the naming rights are sold to his nephew Franco Morini, who revives the brand 2004. There is a new plant and a new big motorcycle (see videos). 12/13