Ha ha. This is a good one to come to the forum with.

I've been trying to track down an old mate from years ago and, as he used to ride a Moto-Morini, I joined their forum and posted up. After a week there was only one response.

My question is whether you lot read it as a piss-take or not? (the reasons for me asking will be made clear later).

This was my post.........

Hi Morini three and a half riders.
I've just joined your forum because I'm trying to track down an old friend whom I've lost contact with and this is a long shot but worth a try. I'm maybe moving back into the Bristol area and would really like to find him.
I used to know this guy when I lived in Bristol between about 1997 to 1999. He was called Patrick and I cannot for the life of me remember his second name so I have few leads to follow. He was Irish and a talented furniture maker and had a woodwork shop in Bristol, I think South of the river, maybe Bedminster. His girlfriend, wife, was called Katrina.
But what I do know for sure was that he had a Morini three and a half that he loved and cherished. I had an old Ducati 900SS and we used to go on rides together and talk bikes in the pub. His was a red and black one, pretty good runner and condition for it's age. He was mates with Hugo Wilson, who was, I think at the time, editor of bike magazine or something like that and he was also a Morini owner and fan. Knowing these bikes and the value of a good forum I would bet money that if Patrick still has the Morini he is on here and needed help to keep that pile running sweet!

This is the reply.........

I´m sorry that I can´t help you finding that Patrick, bur perhaps you can help me to find a Steve allthough he lived in a village near Bristol in the beginning of the 80s, but maybe he is still there today. I met him on my first long journey with a Tremezzo in the beginnigs of the 80s and spent two days in his house. He had a Laverda and his girfriend/wife Zoey had a Morini 350. I´ve made several intents to find them but still without results. If anyone can help me please ....Norbert. (Germany)

No

Yes

No sure.

Those replies just made me proper laugh!

Oh and good luck Bic! Without a surname though it's going to be a struggle.

Yes.

Hugo Wilson edits Bike Magazine at the moment, and his Moto Morini gets a mention in the current issue and has done in the last few. I'd drop him an email via the magazine and see if he remembers your mate.

The Morini lists are a lot more active than the Morini Forum.
Some post here
[email protected]
and some post here
[email protected]
and some post on both

Hey, Good idea Dickiedirt, I will give that a go! Didn't know Hugo was still in the business.

Anyway.....

The reason I ask is that I waited a week and only got that one answer so it pissed me off a bit because I really thought that Norbert was just taking the mick. So I wrote back with a bit of a sarky reply and then the following thread started to take shape.........

http://www.morini-riders-club.com/forum ... f=4&t=3376

Bic,

Norbert is sensitive isn't he?

Likely!

Comrade Dribble: An excellent judge of character

Comrade Bic: If he really was serious why the photo of Monza?

I hope you find your buddy. I would have thought Norbert was taking the piss as well, with a name like Norbert! At least you didn't make fun of his name...

Poor Norbert
Would've been better if it was a piss take

maybe they thought you were a forum noobie

Jesus, I hope none of those guys ever buy an SD. They wouldn't last a minute here, especially if they require apologies.

Maybe BassAgent should buy a Morini next and become a mod for their forums.

Sometimes it's really hard to judge anything written on the web. That's why emoticons are pretty useful just to put your intent in proper context. And language/cultural differences also make it a minefield for misinterpreting and getting the wrong impression.

This guy Norbert's response reads so much like something that Stupid Luke would have dreamed up. (but his would have been much funnier and cutting). I just cannot read it and see how he could be serious and yet write it this way. The similarity between what he claims is genuine language/cultural delivery and my understanding of UK sarcastic, piss-taking is unnerving.

Anyway, Not making a big issue out of all this, just interested what you lot thought of it all.

Mate, I just googled "patrick moto morini" and am up to Page 11 of about 2,570,000 results....

the best part about Norb's reply is the picture.
It's like a 4chan troll reply level 11.

I reckon you should post up that you've found him , thanks for the help

Bic,

In my line of work I meet new clients daily. Today, I met a Norbert. From Germany. I smiled and asked him if he owned a Moto-Morini. He said he didn't.

I was going to bitch slap him for you.

hI Bic

Zis is Norbert your friend from Sudatenland. Haf you found Steve yet? No pressure...BUT FAILURE VILL NOT BE TOLERATED, YOU VILL BE SHOT....