In the early Seventies Moto Morini
launched their first 72°
V-twin motorcycles, designed by
Franco Lambertini, and created by
Franco and Gino Marchesini. They
displayed a range of 144 kg 350
(actual capacity 344 cc) models,
including Strada and Sport. In 1977
500 cc V-twin models (actual
capacity 479 cc) emerged. (1) In
1981 a six speed model 500 became
available.
They all featured Heron
heads, one piece forged steel
crankshaft, ball main bearings,
plain big end bearings, and the
conrods run on a common pin,
offsetting the rear cylinder to the
front by 50 mm. Front and rear
barrels and heads are
interchangeable. VBH Dell'Orto 25 mm
carburettors are fitted to the 350.
Both kick-start and starter motor
are fitted. The frame is a steel
duplex swingarm design, with Ceriani
rear suspension, and Marzocchi front
forks. The early models had a twin
leading shoe drum brake up front (Strada:
200 mm drum, Sport: 230 mm drum),
but these were replaced with double
260 mm Grimeca discs on later
models.
In November 1981 a 500 Turbo was
shown at the Milan Show, producing
84 bhp @ 8300 rpm. It did not make
it to production. An enduro version
called the Camel 500 was released in
1981. In 1983 the Kanguro 350 was
released. In 1986 Moto Morini
brought out a cruiser version, the
Excalibur, available in 350 and 500
versions. Harley-Davidson became
interested in the Moto Morini V-twin
as a smaller Harley, but had
financial problems, and nothing came
of it. The 350 was conceived as a
modular design, and single cylinder
versions were made. (Looking like
the V-twin with the rear cylinder
removed) These were the 1975 six
speed 125 H and the 1978 250 T Mono,
both unsuccessful, as was the later
KJ 125 single of 1985.
In 2004 a new
motorcycle was
announced, the
Corsaro 1200 naked
bike, which appeared
in 2005. It was
followed by the "9
1/2" road bike.
There have been
criticisms of the
computerised fuel
injection mapping in
these early models.
They are both
powered by an
1187 cc Bialbero
CorsaCorta 87° V
twin-cylinder engine
that develops 140 bhp
@ 8500 rpm, and
123 nm at 6,500 rpm,
in the Corsaro, and
105 bhp at 8000 rpm
in the 9 1/2. The
engine was designed
by Franco Lambertini.
The engines are
tuned differently to
suit the different
applications. On 10
October 2006 a
Corsaro Veloce 1200
was announced.