I ride a rare 1974 Laverda 750 SFC

[@petercapon9878]

I'am a big fan of Laverdas and have owned a Jota since the early 80s and bought a couple of the later 750s. The first one a 750S was sitting in a shop in East London for over a year a friend of mine bought a Bandit from them and it kept catching my eye. I eventually succumbed and bought it, unfortunately it had an electrical fault and went up in flames in the Blackfriars underpass causing a huge rush hour tail back a few weeks after getting it. Once the insurance paid out I went back to the dealer and got them to get me 750 Formula S as the previous one was a joy to ride. The Formula S was more refined as it was built a couple of years later. A couple of friends and I were planning a trip to Italy anyway so I called the factory and asked if I could bring it to them for the first service they said yes. I still have it it's very low milage but has a niggle that stops me using it, the rubber on the very long ht caps has perished and as soon as it rains it splutters to a halt and I can't find any replacements. If anyone out there can help I'd appreciate it.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Hi Peter. I pinned your comment to the top of the comment session, making it easier for someone to spot it and hopefully help you find you a connection for parts.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Are you in the owners club?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Black silicone ??

[@ponch851]

Maybe try to call Riccardo Oro he own a motorcycle shop in Breganze and restored variuos old one (I don't know if he has Zané parts) or Breganze Moto (they are using a modernised version of the same engine, I don't know if the project is still running) or try to ask to the Museum in Breganze, or search for a Forum/Owners Club, probably closer to your location. Maybe it is just an off the shelf part, like the Paioli suspension.

[@johngreen8693]

I've owned a Jota for a similar period. For various reasons it hasn't been used for many years and I'm currently in the middle of a rebuild. I'm not very mechanically minded but I get by, so far. Very happy to use experts when I need to. I quite fancy a 750 as a lighter runaround - funded by selling my KTM LC4. Have you tried Laverda Paradies? NGK also sell a range of long bodied ones.

[@joenickel2371]

I road raced a Laverda SFC in the late seventies in the stock 750 class. It was unbeatable.

[@richardpeychers4076]

Fantastic a real iconic piece of Italian motorcycle history.

[@tedthesailor172]

This was back in the days when bikes were bikes, men were men and women were women...

[@idratherberiding3456]

Amen!

[@owen368]

Seconded!

What a great days were!

[@johndean3475]

Great video ! Well done !

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you!

[@ianh.6825]

My "Laverda I should have bought" story is a Laverda Montjuic 500 twin. I was offered one for £1500 (UK) back in 1985. However, it had been resprayed in black metal flake and I was still completing my apprenticeship so money was a bit tight. I opted for a Kawasaki z550A2 instead. How wrong I was! The Montjuic is now very rare and expensive.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for sharing. We can never predict anything.

[@SpiritintheSky.]

Splendid bike and video. Many thanks.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you!

[@SpiritintheSky.]

Grazie a lei!@@idratherberiding3456

[@MrOkorodeluxe]

One thing. Although you have Venteto DNA your pronounce the brand name wrong: It's Làverda in stead of Lavèrda. The family name of the founder of the Laverda famiglia is named of the little river Laverda which runs near Breganze. I have been riding a Laverda 750 SF2 for over 25 years, it allways have been a pleasure :) Greetings from The Old World and keep on riding (and forget about Ducati: I exchanged my Laverda for a Ducati, The Biggest Mistake of my life)

[@idratherberiding3456]

You are correct. My own last name is pronounced that very way , it even uses similar letters, but from the north of Veneto where they drop the last vowel. But it is known in the US the way I pronounced it.

[@paulbarnes6124]

Rode my father's SF750 that rode nicely as did a friend's 1200 mirage triple .!

[@kenkennedy5516]

My pal John had a SFC in an EGLI frame…..what a blast 😮

[@davidpeel8431]

Nice write-up of a superb machine. As an owner of a Laverda for 46 + years, I am very familiar with the heavy clutch pull which was getting heavier the older I got. The solution is a dog leg lever at the handlebar and a DAM Laverda clutch lever extension, easy fit no modifications needed, it makes the bike much more comfortable on the hands. The SFC is one of the finest bikes from the '70s, and yes I saw the "Art of the Motorcycle exhibit.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you so much for your comment. It adds important information to the video!

[@andyb.1026]

Laverda's core business was making agricultural machinery,, and that describes their Bikes pretty well,, built like a bloody Tank. I've had 3 of them.. The 6 cyl 1000cc racer was a peach.

[@idratherberiding3456]

I saw recently a video of the Museo Laverne where they start for the first time one of those 6 cyl machines. Sounded great.

[@paullacey2999]

What a bike!I wish Laverda could return but I fear someone would do it with a reworked Chinese bike brand.But you live in hope some passionate Italian does the right thing...

[@idratherberiding3456]

Agree. I hope Piaggio has the rights to the brand, that they haven't sold to the Chinese yet, like Moto Morini and others did.

[@bubot17]

Beautiful bike, i never thought that it's that rare it makes it much more cool

[@idratherberiding3456]

Yes, very few of these bikes were made. Thank you for your comment.

[@johndean3475]

fabulous Italian classic ! must be worth a fortune nowadays. I knew Massimo Laverda and Augusto Brettoni back in the late 80's when I imported Laverdas into the UK.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for letting us know. It’s a brand that is missed!

[@pablonosnothing.1952]

I bought the 1974 Laverda SFC 750, New in 1974. I raced that bike and never lost one race, I changed out the rear sprocket then still toped out on the highway, doing 140. I ended up selling it due to money issues, I STILL THINK IT WAS THE BEST BIKE IN THE WORLD. Dear sir, the bike you rode does not have the Japanese gauges that came on it, you rode HISTORY, I RODE NEW. I paid just under $4,000 new in 1974, the bike was stored in a warehouse in Pennsylvania. I looked it up as far as value, it was the second most expensive MOTORCYCLE in the world, the most expensive was the 1,000cc triple Laverda. If you need more history, get in touch with me. Have a sparkling day.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you so much for the information you provided. Yes, it doesn't have the gauges that I learned, maybe I'm wrong, but were added to the bike to make them street legal. I did not know they were Japanese guages. I' m extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to ride that machine.

[@pablonosnothing.1952]

@@idratherberiding3456 Hi again, here are some facts about the Laverda SFC 750. 1) I paid just under $4,000 new, There was a dealer in Enfield CT, His name was Tom, and he owned a Vincent Black shadow. 2) The bars were Bravado. 4 point adjustment. 3) Cerreaini front end. 4 Makoinie Carbs. 5) starter was Harley Davision. 6) guages were japenesse. 7) the front breaks were duel rotor floating, rear single disc floating. The bike came with duel exhaust, which I was instructed had to stay on till break in was completed, then I had Tom install the 2 into 1 race header. 8) I raced this bike on the streets, never lost a race, beat Nortens Kawasaki's, Triumph's, HARLEY was a joke back then. I rode the bike for two years, till it started running terrible. I sold it for $1,500, as is. Some years later I found out a guy in Texas bought it for $50,000 put it in his Museum. I didn't know much about motors back in the day, but found out the reason it ran like crap was most likely due to the points being burned out. I do miss it but now I have a Hyabusia, top speed is 208, clocked, I have a great mechanic now, I also work on Bikes and cars. I'm now 68 years old but have owned over 10 motorcycles, logged over 500,000 miles, motorcycles are in my blood. Your video made my tear up, I loved that Laverda, though about getting another but there being priced to high now. When I bought it I was told there were only TWO in the USA. I was pulled over a few times by police, not for doing something wrong, they wanted to see the bike, GOD BLESS keep the shiny side up.

[@idratherberiding3456]

@@pablonosnothing.1952 Thank you so much, again, for adding valuable information to the video. I will pass this information to the owner of the Laverda (he sold it last year). He will appreciate it, I'm sure (and he is about your age too). He lived in Italy for a couple of years, he always loved Italian motorcycles. Once again, thank you!

[@wardje53]

​@@idratherberiding3456 I think the gauges were from Nippon seiki, Japan

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Very well done!

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thanks!

[@johndonlon1611]

The "Jota" (Fast Dancing Triple) and that nacent V-6 road rocket---what gorgeous rides those should have been. You are fortunate to have ridden a true survivor. Thanks for sharing.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I was fortunate to have had a chance to ride that motorcycle. I'm thankful for my friend for trusting me to do it.

[@twmlloyd5257]

Nice bike, always fancied a Laverda Jota 1000, there was a small garage in UK that used to import them from Italy , only garage in the UK at the time, this was in the 1970s, couldnt afford one at the time, so I went to Japanese

[@idratherberiding3456]

Jotas are nice. I shared the photo of one of them in this video. As far as I know, the Jotas had a three cylinder rmotor, first with a 180 degrees crank (middle cylinder traveled by itself), then a 120 degrees crank. I never rode the three cylinder Laverdas, but this same friend of mine had a Jota at some point. This 750 SFC I rode is an awesome machine.

[@paulbarnes6124]

Slaters garage ? Think they were responsible for jota triple !

[@derekp2674]

@@paulbarnes6124 Indeed they were :)

[@michaelgillett5477]

That was a good video, I’ve always wanted a parallel twin Levada, thank you. I’ve really enjoyed that video I don’t suppose all over and one just the original roadgoing one would be nice, but hey I’m not fussy any of them are gorgeous. Thank you Michael

[@idratherberiding3456]

I was surprised by how easy it was to ride it. And how good it felt. Nice machine. Thank you for your comment, Michael.

[@pasko59000]

Laverda SFC …des motos d’Hommes ✌️

[@idratherberiding3456]

Yes, not for everyone.

[@johncunningham4820]

I was surprised it wasn't worth more than that . Factory Special Model from a Now Defunct Classic Company . Wonderful Bike !

[@idratherberiding3456]

I agree. But I think its value will continue to increase.

[@williammuir638]

Proper bike 😊

[@idratherberiding3456]

Perfect description in two words.

[@andreamellon7505]

Spettacolo ❤

[@idratherberiding3456]

Grazie

[@johnnyrvf]

I remember chatting to an Irish lad at Box Hill, Surrey, U.K. a place south of London, very populat with motorcyclists for decades, back in the earlier seventies who had arrived on a Laverda 750 SFC, a genuine one, ( there are probably more replicas than authentic running around ). I drooled over it, knowing what it was and he told me it was for sale for, then 2 K sterling. He told me it was reduced because he had slid off it and although he had repaired the bike he wasn’t sure if the frame was bent. I was very young and naive ( and appeared it! ). Looking back I can now see someting was amiss but my overwhelming memory was the disappointment at knowing there was NO way I could find that sort of cash! I know it was overpriced because in 1976, whilst working as an apprentice mechanic in a London M/C dealer, I was offered a Laverda 1000 triple 3C for 600 sterling!

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for sharing this story.

[@FRCaars]

Nice... Classic is the best choice 👍

[@owen368]

Did not know Aprilia had Laverda as well as Moto Guzzi & Vespa have 2 of their bikes currently. Always fancied a go on Jota or Mirage triple.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Twins are awesome. Riding a Royal Enfield GT650 atm. Great engine, but frame and stuff is overweight. Gearbox and engine seem to be like you described the Laverda.

[@idratherberiding3456]

I've been thinking about taking one of these Royal Enfield motorcycles with the 650 twin motor with the 270 degree crankshaft for a ride. I would not expect performance. But the experience must be good.

[@alfred-vz8ti]

envy! elegant bike, although the resemblance to a certain honda model reduces credit for style.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Yes. But then again, several bikes from that era looked similar. The Laverda has some unique characteristics to it, though. But in the end, Hondas were winning races in the 70's. And they are still around. :-)

[@charlesbynum]

@@idratherberiding3456 The top end is a spitting image of a Super Hawk.

[@lagerx61]

Sounds Like a old BMW Boxer.

[@idratherberiding3456]

I see the similarity, but it is a completely different feel to it. :-)

[@robertof.d.camara920]

Amigo, você é daqui do Brasil? Você é torcedor do Grande Grêmio? Sou daqui do Estado do Maranhão Brasil ! Também sou fã do Jeep Commando... Tenho o sonho de comprar e trazer um Jeepster Commando 1972 aqui para o Brasil...

[@idratherberiding3456]

Fala Roberto! Sim, sou gaucho e gremista! O meu Jeepster Commando é da epoca da Keiser dona da marca Jeep. Os 72 sao da época da AMC (mais tarde a Chrysler comprou a marca Jeep da AMC). No meu o motor V6 e' um Buick, nos 72 em diante, os motores sao AMC V6 ou V8. AMC = American Motors Corporation. Abraco!

[@strokenumber3]

Very nice, but.........JOTA.

[@idratherberiding3456]

LOL, this same friend of mine used to own a Jota. And I do have a couple of photos of a Jota, to balance things out. :-)

[@fidelcatsro6948]

wow 50,000 dollars

[@idratherberiding3456]

Yes, it is that rare. :-) Especially in this condition.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

When I was a young motorcycle mechanic we had a Jota in the shop. I had strong hands but that clutch lever pull was nasty. Worst I've ever felt. Barely workable.

[@idratherberiding3456]

In my case, after riding the SFC750 for a good chunk of time, it seems it gets even harder. It requires a left hand workout.

[@Vince1266]

There are easy fixes for the hard clutch pull, mine is light as a feather after the mod. It's a well know fix in Laverda circles.

[@idratherberiding3456]

@@Vince1266 Or ride it more often. Especially, it was the case of me riding it in the Spring, at that time of the year the left hand had not acquired yet its ideal physical form. :-)

[@TheMickvee]

I converted my Jota clutch to hydraulic. Problem solved!@@idratherberiding3456

[@thomasobrien5976]

I owned one could shake your fillings out and blur your vision at 80mph british made smiths clocks bosch electrics massive battery. Put it up for sale in 1996 couldn't give it away eventually sold it for £1500...would i ever by another?....no

[@idratherberiding3456]

This one, at about 80 mph (estimated by my friend, the owner, who was riding behind me) was extremely smooth. But it's a two cylinder motorcycle, any issue and it will vibrate.

[@bananabrooks3836]

"Its not run in yet, so l cant....etc ...etc..." So many journos spout these cop out lines. Why bother, do it later when it IS ffs.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for your comment. This bike is valuable, rare, and the owner was there with me. But most importantly, I'm not a journalist. So I will take that as a compliment. LOL.

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@idratherberiding3456 So, if the owner wasn't there you'd have red lined it? It is valuable but it's function was and remains a production racer, made by the factory to withstand competition use. I used the term 'journos' generally, as this habit of riding bikes that have constraints of intended use applied is annoyingly widespread.

[@idratherberiding3456]

@@bananabrooks3836 No, I would not have red lined it.

[@barbare0440]

Viva Italia