Best Italian 'small' Bike

[REV]

Hi I'm an Italian Car fanatic but enjoyed my teens with Japanese bikes. I am thinking of getting an Italian machine. They are extremely rare in this part of the world so I want to be a bit individualistic. And if the cars are anything to go by, I feel the bikes will be great too. I need a bike that will be taken out not very often, but I don't want it breaking down all the time as well. I'd like a bike from the 70's or 80's that is or will be a classic. The other requirement is that it should be a smallish engine. Say 500 or below. 250 will be ideal as we have a restriction on importing any bikes that are above 250. Pls make your suggestions. Thanks.

[Blue]

the easiest answer for me is the vee-twin moto morini 3 1/2, because i have one and have always loved them dearly - well, the early ones at any rate.  aim for spoked wheel models - about 1973-76 - but the most desirable are the early Sport models with drum front hubs (the Sport has double-sided single leading shoes, the Strada [tourer] has a twin-leader)

however if you really want a 250cc you cant go past a Ducati desmo.  the pre-desmo single-cylinder dukes are a painful bike if you're anything over 5 foot tall, but the mkIII'D' is a dream.

both the morini and ducati are available in other capacities between 125 and 500cc, but the 350 morini and 250 duke are the most sought-after in their respective ranges

also bear in mind that whilst the italian bikes of this era are very reliable, they are an enthusiasts machine - be prepared to take good care of them, checking oil and tappets regularly, as well as the electrics ... but then, if you own italian cars im sure you can guess what youre in for! good luck.

[REV]

Thanks so much Blue. What kind of price do they both trade at? I really don't need a project so would like to get a fully restored one.

[Blue]

im not fully sure to be honest; it depends largely on where you are.  im in australia and our prices are usually quite different from the UK and the states, but a fully-restored 1974-5 Morini 3 1/2 Sport like mine would probably be in the region of AU$8,000-9,000; remember this model is the most wanted, the disc-brake bikes are cheaper.  North Leicester Motorcycles in England are the best for Morinis if you're in the UK/Europe

The Dukes on the other hand could be anything.  A fully restored 250 desmo came up for sale recently in Aus for AU$10,000 but I can't say whether or not it sold for that.  If you're in america theyre probably a bit cheaper, if the UK probably a bit more.

in general i'll make a bold statement that the morinis are generally easier to find and cheaper than the ducatis.  this is bold because i have a sneaking suspicion the dukes are more common in the usa

sorry i cant help much more than that, but now you know what direction to head in youll probably be inundated with the bloody things!

best of luck in the search,
blue