You Could Have A V-Eight!

YOU COULD HAVE A V-EIGHT!

THE MORBIDELLI 850 V8 is not a motorcycle for the faint of heart. From its 32-valve, eight-cylinder engine to its approximate $160,000 asking price, the Italian machine requires true intestinal fortitude, not to mention a healthy bank account.

The 850 is the brainchild of Giancarlo Morbidelli, who built 125 and 250cc grand prix bikes in the 1970s. Morbidelli's primary business is in the woodworking industry, and as a result the bike was built in his furniture factory.

It first appeared several years ago at the Milan Wood-

working Show (CW Roundup, August, 1994), then was tested, revised, revised again and the final version debuted at last November's Bologna Show.

An eye-catcher, to say the least, the dohc, 90-degree, 847cc engine exhales through a pair of three-way catalytic converters, and furnishes power to the fivespeed transmission with the aid of a twin-plate dry clutch. Producing 120 bhp, the Morbidelli is said to have a top speed of 150 mph.

Originally, Morbidelli planned to build one V8 per month. That plan has been modified, however, and now the pearl-gray machines will be manufactured exclusively to order. At presstime, three r:. Morbidellis had been commissioned, built and sold. Anyone care to make that four?

Wendy F. Black