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Moto Morini KJ 125 Kanguro

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Model

Moto Morini KJ 125 Kanguro

Year

1984

Engine

Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2 valves

Capacity

122.9 cc / 7.5 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 59 x 45 mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 11.7:1

Induction

Dell'Orto VHB  24BS carburetor

Ignition 

Electronic CDI
Starting Electric

Max Power

13.5 h / 9.5 kW @ 10000 rpm

Transmission 

6 Speed 
Final Drive Chain

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks

Rear Suspension

Single shock

Front Brakes

Single disc

Rear Brakes

Drum

Front Tyre

2.75-21

Rear Tyre

3.00x18

Dry Weight

119.0 kg / 262.4 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

7.5 Litres / 2.0 US gal
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In the mid 1980s Moto Morini brought out a trail version, the 125 KJ.

Styled very much as the Kanguro v-twin, this was virtually a new bike, except for the engine. For a start, the frame had a single, rather than twin front down-tube.

There was monoshock rear suspension. In fact, as regards its chassis components, the KJ was far more akin to the Kanguro vee than its other single-cylinders. The styling is best described as 'Dakar Rally'.

It was in many ways the best of all Morini's modern singles. Whereas the roadsters had conservative styling, the trail bike 125 KJ was very up-to-date in its appearance, matching anything at that time available from competitors - even from Japan.

Never as popular as its v-twins, the 250 and 125 singles nonetheless have their place in the history of the Bologna marque during the 1970s and 1980s. Probably it was only the company's use of the modular production system which allowed their existence. Designed as entirely new models they would have simply been too expensive to justify.