back to the bikes indexWhat's special about Laverdas? The factory was a family business. They seem to have had a genuine enthusiasm for bikes and so the goals of the business where much what enthusiasts would want ... and they do appear to have realised a unique motorcycle. Most other brands of motorbike have their own uniqueness, but almost none seem to have an behind-the-scenes aim for quality that seems to have been given priority over business strategies.
Generally bike manufacturing seems to have revolved around making a bike that would be commercially competitively. Laverda seems to have wanted to go a bit further and make quality bikes. Both their standard of workmanship and their design lived up to the enthusiasts ideals.
What's happening to the Laverda factory?
Apparently Aprilia made sure that there is no trace of the factory left, for lability reasons is what I heard. I was told that even the moulds (or patterns or something) to reproduce the engine castings from the Breganze era were destroyed.
The last possibility that a new Laverda could be marketed was a project several years ago by Aprilia. The made a classy bike around their V-twin RSV. Unfortunately this plan never got to production and now there doesn't seem to be any prospect of another industry producing a motorbike with the Laverda name.
A better impression of what the future might hold for the Laverda marque is on Jean-Louis Olive's Laverdamania site.
Post: 11114 of 11158 From: *address deleted* (Zebee Johnstone) Newsgroups: aus.motorcycles Subject: Re: Can some one tell me about Laverdas Date: 27 May 1996 16:04:44 +1000 Organization: -deleted- Lines: 52 NNTP-Posting-Host: -deleted- X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.0 #5 (NOV) Alex Chalmers -address deleted- writes: > At lunch time, i walked past a second hand shop that > had a '74 laverda mirage(?) 1200 for $8,500. > It's registered until 01/97. looks to be in really > good nick but didn't have time to have a proper > look at it. They are big. Really big. Not as big as space I guess, but pretty big. You need the inside leg of a basketball player and a clutch hand like king kong... Verdicts on the 1200s differ. Some folks say that Laverda got it wrong with that motor, and that they are lumpy, shake too much and difficult to live with. I know that my mate Neil had a lot of trouble getting his working right. Others say they are no worse than any other Laverda :) They certainly don't bring as much money as the others, $8,500 is about right, depending on mileage. Lavs are big heavy beasts, but they are fun to ride, with goopmh and personality. Handling is not exactly Ducati-like, but pretty good for the era. Mind you - are you sure it's a '74? I think the Mirages were 78s? I'll ahve to ask EuroMoto. I can't remember what year Neil's was - but I thought it was 1980... Basically - Lavs are an acquired taste. If you like your bikes big, lumpy, uncivilised and different, you'll like it :) They are.. well.. a Man's Bike! Be prepared for something that's a bit top heavy, ergonomically weird (choke on the left front downtube...) hard to get bits for, and hard to find someone to service. Also be prepared to get *lots* of attention, addicted to opening the throttle to hear it boom, and end up looking for fast open sweepers to hoon round. If you find that it leaps out and mugs you, yelling BUY ME! BUY ME! (lavs are *not* subtle) then an owner's club is a must. THe international one is good, and I think there is one in Sydney. For parts, try Jim Eade's in Sydney. Oh and Forcycle have a Laverda - not sure what it is, looks like a modified RGS... Zebee
Mechanically it's life has been uneventful. And that includes the electrics.
Other Laverdas in Tassie: It's like a wilderness down here. I know of a few other triple owners but we never do anything. I'm in the Italian Motorcycle Club but there is only two Laverda owners there (wonderful old 750 twins). If there are any Laverda owners out there I would love to hear from you (write to theloser"at"tassie.net.au).
The last time I was on the road with another Laverda was at the MRA Toy Run 97. Here's a photo with just a hint of Laverda in it.
You can't just go out and buy 'em. There's no Laverda business now. For parts, you have to find someone who has something. Some parts for the old Laverdas are still made and used for the Ducatis. The turn indicators and tail light.
The instruments are Nippon Denso, used on the old original Honda 4 and who knows what else.
Brembo discs, calipers and hand units. Still seen on old Italian bikes.
Ceriani dampers on some Lavs. (I think my friends Guzzi has them) Others have Marzocci I think.
Some parts may be fairly easily made and you just have to find someone who makes the thing you want.
I know someone who makes seats for all sorts of bikes, including an early Laverda triple. He is Tony O'Connor in SA - El Dorado is the business. And he doesn't stop at the seat cover. He works with the supporting structure as well.
I think these guys may be the biggest parts suppliers.Wagner
Wolfgang.
Slaters in England.
Don't be critical of their prices. They have a huge load of old parts to store - and that's expensive, especially for a business that has to survive in these days of the worldwide competitive environment. And after all, they are really maintaining a community service, a most unprofitable excercise.
I've got the original owners manual/parts list for the 3C and that large, obsure brochure that has only pictures in it. Want to motivate me into getting some reproductions made?
A good book is Mick Walker's "Laverda Twins and Triples". It follows the history of the Laverda company. It has plenty of technical information and photos but this is of secondary importance. He seems to primarily be concerned about the history. Laverda has quite a story behind it.
Other Laverda sites:
Laverda Australia, Steve Battison
The Laverda section of Chris' site in Germany
Italia Connections' Laverda pages
Laverdamania Jean-Louis' site (english and French versions)
Laverda SA
The official Laverda site .... which is now empty! ... or isn't it?
International Laverda Owners Club
John Read's site dedicated to the 750S Formula
Pictures of 750s and 500s. Also there are the standard Jota and V6 images.
Micheal Moore's site
The Italian Parts Exchange
