My First Morini

In the following diary I will try to describe my Morini:

1. September 2006:

The first thousand kilometers are covered with my newly bought 3½’er, and I'm a very happy fellow!!!!

But let me go back in time: The last time I owned a motorcycle was 8 years ago - a GSX 550 ED - fast, fairly decent handling, a lot of fun.

My first motorcycle

Regrettably, I had to sell it for financial reasons. I made a vow that if I once again got enough money, I would get myself another bike.
Now, I not only have a bike, I have a Morini - And why is this so great? Well, we have to go even further back in time to when is was a teenager sitting in my good friends room reading "MC-Revyen". Every day after school we would sit there swallowing every word until we knew them by heart. Again and again we read about the small and (even then) a bit old fashioned 3½ that nonetheless every year got excellent reviews: "It goes in to corners like a bat out of hell" - "Super-bike riders will most likely get unpleasantly surprised when the roads get smaller“. etc. For that reason the small italian became a growing dream to me.

Back to the present, well, almost: 2 months ago I won a german ebay-auction: A 3½ from ´82. The Morini had done 30.000 km and it looked reasonably good for the price. Buying an unseen vehicle is in many ways a game of chance, but I'm quite confident that things are in good order, when it's germans you're dealing with.

A photo from e-bay

Transportation was also a bit special. Shipping agencies charge you rather heavily if they have to cross the borders. License plates are a hassle - also, I didn't know if the bike was able to take the tour. The solution was as follows: A shipping agency brought it to Flensburg - I have a mate whose sons mother lives there. From Flensburg I picked it up by car and trailer. It worked out and was the cheapest solution. The day of the pick up was of course a day filled with excitement, and seeing the little lady on my trailer I could hardly keep my feelings inside. I got the Morini back home in one piece, though, and I of course had to start it up right away. A couple of kicks (the e-starter wasn't working - big surprise!) and the small beauty sprung to life with a pleased roar. Of course, I had to take it for a spin.

First day in Denmark

Two things were missing now: MOT and danish taxes! For the MOT I needed a front tyre and brake pads for the rear. The tyre was ordered at motorradreifen.de and the brake pads I finally found at Bo Madsen after having searched through all of the local dealers - terrible service that this line of business delivers!
With the new parts the MOT was cleared, and on it went to the tax office. According to their lists on the internet the taxes would be between 8.000 and 12.000 kr. according to make of year, and I expected that I had to pay around 10.000 kr. But I guess the tax officer was in a good mood, for she only charged me 8.500 kr. Leaving the office I was in an excellent mood and I didn't mind the long queue at the police station to get the license plate. Half an hour in line and I was able to ride from the station with a shiny new plate!