1963 Moto Morini 250 Bialbero
With Phil Aynsley
Sometimes, despite all the research you undertake before arriving at a collection, you get a surprise. One such occasion, and an extremely pleasant one, was at the Bruno Nigelli collection near Bologna.
I had seen a few pics of it online and and after making enquiries had arranged to spend two days photographing there during a trip to Italy in 2013.
The concept behind Mr Nigelli’s collection is that all the bikes and motors were manufactured by companies based in the Bologna region between 1919 and the 1970s – some 85 in all are represented.
Naturally enough amongst these are quite a few Morinis. What I hadn’t expected was that Taquino Provini’s 1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) was amongst them!
This, to my mind, is undoubtedly the pinnacle of classic Italian single cylinder race design. The history of Provini’s ’63 campaign against Jim Redman on the Honda 250/4 is one of Grand Prix greatest stories.
The Morini race department was a small concern, with the inherent organisational limitations that entails, and as a result they weren’t able to enter two of the ten rounds – with the result Provini finished second to Redman by two points – both finishing with four wins apiece.
Morini’s single made 38hp at 11,000rpm, weighed 107kg (dry) and had a top speed of 225kph.
It should be noted that there are a number of 250 Bialberos in existence as a result of the factory disposing of the contents of the race department after they quit racing. This particular bike is documented as being Provini’s ’63 mount.
