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.
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-motorLHS-002-Taquino-Provini-705x1024.jpg)
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!
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-fairing-003-Taquino-Provini-1024x700.jpg)
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.
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-headLHS-004-Taquino-Provini-1024x683.jpg)
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.
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-front3-4RHS-005-Taquino-Provini-1024x738.jpg)
Morini’s single made 38hp at 11,000rpm, weighed 107kg (dry) and had a top speed of 225kph.
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-front3-4LHS-006-Taquino-Provini-1024x790.jpg)
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.
![1963 250 Bialbero (DOHC) - Taquino Provini](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PA-Morini250-motorRHS-001-Taquino-Provini-699x1024.jpg)