c1958 Moto Morini 125cc Motorycle

Description

Established by Alfonso Morini of Bologna in 1945, Moto Morini was typical of the many Italian motorcycle manufacturers that flourished in the immediate post-war period, providing affordable transportation for a population ravaged by years of conflict. Morini himself was an accomplished rider in the 1920s and it was no surprise that his products soon found their way onto the track, with Masetti capturing the first Italian 125cc Championship in 1948. In 1949 Moto Morini switched to four-strokes for their competition bikes, while overhead camshaft engines powered their road range from 1953. A new twin-cam Grand Prix bike of 250cc capacity proved immediately successful in 1958 and Provini captured the world title on a similar machine in 1960. Moto Morini’s range of road bikes expanded to include a new overhead camshaft model, the 175cc Touring (and sporting Settebello offshoot) launched in 1953, joined by a 125cc four-stroke model named the Corsaro (Italian for pirate) in 1958. With a bore and stroke of 56 x 50mm and 9.8:1 compression ratio, the Corsaro developed 9 horsepower at 9000 rpm and could reach a top speed of 115 km/h. The bike used a proper double cradle tubular frame with telescopic suspension and was an attractive package, with ample performance. A sports model, dubbed the Veloce, was also sold from 1961, boasting a larger Dell’Orto UBF20BS carburettor and lower handlebars. Appreciated for its strength and versatility, the Corsaro remains one of the longest-lived and most popular models in the history of Moto Morini.