Morbidelli 500cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle Project

Frame no. none Engine no. 955M

• Ultra-rare early square-four model
• New frame and tank made using factory drawings
• Incomplete engine and transmission
• Comes with numerous spares and factory drawings

Morbidelli was founded in Pesaro, Italy by Giancarlo Morbidelli. Morbidelli's line of business was manufacturing woodworking machinery, which provided the means to fund his passion for motorcycle racing. Morbidelli's first foray into Grand Prix racing came in 1969 with a 50cc single designed by Franco Rhingini, which was followed by a 125cc twin, also the work of Ringhini. Over the succeeding years, Morbidelli progressively worked their way up the capacity classes, winning five World Championships on the way. Apart from the '50', all Morbidellis had been twin-cylinder two-strokes before the company entered the premier class in 1979 with a 500cc square four. Unfortunately, the engine's design resulted in a too high a centre of gravity; rider Graziano Rossi (Valentino's father) struggled all season and failed to score a single point. The successor V4 version proved equally disappointing. Very few of Morbidelli's Grand Prix 500s exist.

An unfinished project, this machine has been built from the last remaining original Morbidelli parts, which came directly from the factory, plus other used and new parts made from original drawings. The frame and tank are the only newly made parts, the former being constructed in Holland to 1979 tubular specification (the 1980 bikes had an aluminium monocoque frame) using the original Morbidelli drawings. The frame was built by a company that makes frames for Moto GP so the quality is exceptional. This machine also has an original Graziano Rossi fairing.

Currently the bike is loosely assembled for display. It is missing the gearbox, gears, crankshaft/rods, exhausts, CDI and some other small parts, and thus is sold strictly as viewed. The original engine cases are unused and not fully machined internally, and the machine comes with spares including a new set of un-machined cylinders. Also included in the sale is a very large quantity of the original Morbidelli factory drawings including those for the engine and gearbox. The carburettors shown are badly damaged and only suitable for show.

The vendor's many other commitments mean that he no longer has the time to continue the project, hence the decision to sell. A most exciting opportunity, only requiring a capable engineer to finish it off.
Offered without key