The ultimate 70's Italian stallion, we ride a Laverda 1000 Jota 3CL Endurance Racer Replica

[@Airedale721]

I worked at a Laverda dealership here in the States back in 70”s and I owned a 74 750SF and my roommate who was the head mechanic at the shop had a Jota and it had the best exhaust note I’ve ever heard.

[@RockyDave]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="217">3:37</a> I think the Jota in standard trim is the best-looking bike ever. First time I saw one in the flesh, my jaw dropped.

[@RickyJr46]

Agreed!

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Saw my first Jota round about 1980. Me and a mate were on our nifty fifties and heard it coming down the road to the mini roundabout we were waiting at. It came down the hill, braked slightly and set off like a rocket. When I say "set off" it wasn't quite like that. Instead it went from zero to a blur in a millisecond. You couldn't really appreciate the way it accelerated as such - it was almost like a glitch in time. Zero - then Fast, with nothing in between, an explosion of orange! We got pipped at from a car behind as we had actually sat motionless in total awe of that incredible spectacle. I love the rev counter by the way - which hints that if you can make it safely through the 6500-7500 portion - you're good to go, right up to valve bounce ;-)

[@kdsowen2882]

When I owned my 1200 mirage, I was told just that, dont hold it in the red-segment, go fast through and change gear when it stops making power ! Dave NZ

[@xavier.c359]

Hello, that was my dream when riding my 1000 laverda in 75, bought new on my soldier's pay... The sound with my 3/1 was much pleasant than on the video but the look was just great I would love to get one now on my 65 years old..!! with just one spec, the wire wheels..!! on Borrani rims..! Thanks

[@fidelcatsro6948]

love the bug eyes on that thing! 🐱👍🏿

[@neville_bloody_bartos]

I love that Vyrnwy road.

[@davidyendoll5903]

I owned aa Laverda 750 SF2 for many years and rode a few friends 1000 cc triples , even a Mirage so say 1200cc . All of the big Laverdas had still clutches , even the hydraulic ones . The carbs . Dellortos , had a ramp in either the front or rear side of the carb pistons . When you grabbed a lot of throttle , quickly , the rising ramp in the carb would move a plastic seesaw follower which then would push down on a valve , which then allowed inlet manifold vacuum to operate a jet squirting neat fuel down the inlet . This was called the accelerator jet . It was a solid line of fuel , a miniature hose pipe squirt ! Anyway all that made the throttle action heavy and acceleration 'interesting' . Then the gear change , on the right ( i was used to Nortons , etc ) that was tractor clunky . Then the super hard suspension and fairly hard seat . My SF2 ( Super Ferrini --- super brakes ) had brembo twins up front and Laverda's own rear drum . My friend's SF had the same drum , back and front ) . The SF2 had the race , SFC, head , but not the race camshaft . I digress from overall Laverdas . All these big Laverdas were not for beginners for sure . They demanded riding like you really were used to them and then the package became sensible . You had to drive these things , Even after years of ownership and riding mine I found out mine was capable of more , I was driving round a corner I knew well , full of confidence , and suddenly noticed a brick in the way . I managed to take the bike lower than I had previously dared and went inside off the brick . The thick frame tubes on the 750 connect with the Cam box and back of the gear box . It makes for a very stiff frame , but it is heavy ( 480lb dry I think ) . The 1000cc triples are prettier than the 750s but the engine is evolved from the Sf ; just like the Triumph Trident is evolved from the Bonney . The gearbox on the 1000cc machines is the same I believe . The SFC 750 gearbox has magnesium parts , but the same design . The later 1000 machines had a 120 degree crankshaft instead of the 180 original , so they sound different and feel different . Slaters had a 1000cc 120 model called the SFC which was the prettiest Laverda of all by far in my opinion . One lived in my garage for ages , hiding from my mates wife ! Buy a Laverda for an education . Once you have mastered it all other bikes will become so so easy to ride but you will hate that you sold your Laverda . I most certainly want my bike back ! Can't you tell ? Lol

[@CarbonC50]

Funnily enough I recognised those garages right away. I'd always pondered what was in them now I know! I used to have a restored 1980 Jota 180 that I kept about 100 meters from that one. The sound is just so reminiscent to me as are the comments about the vibration and the way it has to be ridden. At the time my main bike was a GSXR1000 and obviously it was nowhere near as speedy but even with that contrast it never felt down on power. Loved the video. Loved my Jota.

[@ianhoyle8459]

Beautiful back garden, I’ve subscribed thanks.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thank you its a bit wet and dreary today though - cheers Mike

[@mangoMango-ck3et]

always luvd those Jotas,,

[@ErgonBill]

I was besotted with Laverdas during the '70s and 80s but was very difficult to get hold of one living in Tasmania. This review only justifies why the rawness appealed so much. I think I'd like Dave to be my new bestie. Great vid.

[@gsd4me00]

There were a few knocking around West Oz at that time, as well as Ducati 900SS', Guzzi Le Mans and Moto Morini's. I played it safe and had a /6 BMW.

[@rogerramjet5302]

Timeless classic - every detail is on the money.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

In the early 1980's I owned a 1980 Laverda 1200TS "Mirage", it was one of the first Laverda's with left hand gear shifting using a shaft mounted to the rear of the motor on saddle clips. The Laverda demands a lot of rider input as the clutch and throttle operation is heavy, snapping of the control cables was a regular occurance. The stock triples have a tall motor and the whole plot is top heavy, the seat height is also tall, mine was 33". Performance was fast and furious with tall gearing, I once saw 90 mph in first gear with the needle half way into the red zone. Regular oil changes are essential as the motor doesn't have an oil filter, it just has a wire mesh strainer in the sump. When looked after a Laverda triple is a rewarding machine to own and ride. Mine was very thirsty, 27 mpg t.o 30 mpg was all I got from the bank of three Dell'Orto pumper carbs. In 1986 I traded the Laverda in against a 1980 Benelli 900 Sei which I still own to this day. The Benelli now has a bank of six 22 mm Dell'Orto's and it returns 45 mpg. Dave's Laverda race replica looks and sounds great, it's a credit to him. The 'L' stands for "Legga" which as Dave correctly said is cast alloy wheels, the wheels were cast in Laverda's own foundry.

[@edwardroberts8761]

I remember the only Laverda that came in the Suzuki shop I worked at. The clutch pull was horrendous and I had pretty strong hands being an apprentice mechanic.

[@tommillar2821]

my mate owned one got a go on it and he rode my r90s after about ten minutes i stopped and said give me my bm back. laverda lovely to look at, lovely sound, horrible to ride.

[@edwardroberts8761]

@@tommillar2821 those BMs were refined bikes. Lightweight. Great touring bike. Those big fours, all of them, were super heavy, until Kawasaki redesigned the Zed range for reduced weight with the J models. The Z1, etc felt like the engine was made of lead. Truly awful.

[@gastonlechef6382]

@@tommillar2821 well, if they are well prepared they are quite easy to ride. And they are very reliable.

[@tommillar2821]

@@gastonlechef6382 no doubt very tough engines i know, but cannot get near the smoothness of a flat twin my 90s was just easier to ride, that may have changed when they altered crank spacing 120-180 cannot remember now.

[@richardfenner6096]

Had a Jota in the late 7f0's. What a Bike! Why my last bike bike, at 75, and beating cancer, was a 2013 V4 Aprilia Tuono. :-)

[@edwinthompson159]

What a wonderful sounding engine. Great riding POV footage!

[@rgadave]

I bought a new Laverda 3CL from Slater Bros in 1982, the best bike I ever owned, did numerous rallies both in the UK and Europe, Autobahn cruising at 90/100 mph with 'throw-overs', tank top bag, tent across the back. Totally trouble-free.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

No bigger con artists than the Slater Bros.. Infamous. Avoid at all costs.

[@owenfarmer4197]

You’ve never shown a bad bike on here but that endurance fairing raises the bar, like being a kid at Le Man again. Wonderful wonderful wonderful

[@stevenwatling3160]

I could almost feel the vibration as well as hear the amazing roar of this beast & imagine myself in the cockpit of this beast from my armchair! Awesome!Thankyou so much for this experience !

[@paulm749]

Only ever got to see one Laverda triple in traffic many years ago, and didn't really get to hear the motor very well, so this is an aural treat! I thought my 955 Speed Triple with its 270-degree crank sounded similar to a standard I-4, but this 180-degree triple sounds more like an old Italian sports car - it has a throatier growling note. It even seems to have a bit of a twin's syncopated beat; I would really like to hear this first-hand to get a better sense of it. Thanks so much for presenting this fine bike here!

[@johnmcclain3887]

I wasn't aware of the crank setup, but it explains the very nice bark! Thanks for that bit of information. It really does sound like "an old italian sports car".

[@lbpltd34]

i wish i could post photos of my 1984 laverda rga 1000 jota. bought brand new on may 8, 1985, and took possession here in albuquerque nm, usa, where we’ve been ever since. jay and slater bros. always took care of needs, then wolfgang became the man. an excellent machine with a chrome 3 into 1 from slaters and bikini fairing with lower bars. rode to los angeles from here a couple of times- overnight. and back a couple of weeks later also overnight. endurance machines for sure. never a problem except for running out of gas outside of needles, california, that cost me $71 for a gallon to get me to the station. memories. great video and a beautiful baby there.

[@iivaridark6850]

More or less my dream bike... Great! Thanks!

[@jaratt85]

This has got to be the best sounding triple I've ever heard.. I wouldn't have guessed it was one until you said it, I can't believe how throaty it is.

[@johnwiffen6655]

Enjoyed a lovely camping weekend at Slater Bros in about 1985

[@RickyJr46]

I owned a silver RGS1000, it made for thrilling commutes to the Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant (and several egregious speeding tickets!). Rain or shine, the RGS was a very reliable machine, and it drew attention everywhere it went!

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Dave had a Red RGS at one time

[@tiberius8256]

Simply fabulous. Dave is one lucky bloke to own (and know how to fettle) that. The best bike so far IMHO.

[@Vince1266]

It's a tiny bit later than 76, the 76 models had more vertical rear shocks. Probably 77 or 78. Bloody lovely bike absolutely. I love my 75 3c.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Concur. Wonderful.

[@arthurclarke7072]

Great video, great bike, just a great sound.

[@mikegreenfield5102]

I bought a 3CE new in 1976. LVJ 871 P £1900.00 I rode her regularly everywhere for nearly 30 years.

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

one of my friends had one these back late 70's early 80's lot fun great sound really nice bikes

[@KernowekTim]

Slaters was only two miles from where I sit. Sad day when they packed up.

[@blipco5]

Great video. You went back in time. It's a time machine.

[@ericbergman9701]

I've ridden a '77 3CL with Jota engine upgrades (Axtell cams instead of 4C) for a decade. You nailed the qualities of this bike extremely well. They are different. They feel more animal than mechanical. The gurgle made by that engine always makes me think of a very large lizard in a bad mood. For my taste this is the best motorcycle ever made. There are lots of faster bikes but nothing as exhilarating. Riding it fast is a great workout. The old joke about filling in time between missions in the Stuka dive bomber is very apropos.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

As I said in the video its the one bike of Dave's that intimidates me it sits there like a Velociraptor daring you to try and tame it - cheers mike

[@loddude5706]

I came to appreciate the brutal magic of Laverdas at 'Pooh Corner' in Newark. Thank you Klug, you're sorely missed.

[@rgadave]

Mention of Klug and Pooh Corner takes me back 30 years or more.

[@eggertneistrup5238]

I had a cl 1000 and put a new crankshaft in it and jota pistons during rebuild. Fantastic feeling driving it ! Never experienced the sensation from the Laverda of being able to absorb the asphalt, let the motor chew on it and spit it out via the back tire. True 180 crankshaft ofcourse ! Often below 10 km pr liter gas 😊

[@royevans4581]

It sounds .....Fooking Awesome!!!!!!

[@jeynes14]

Stunning bike

[@johnmcclain3887]

I've really enjoyed these, I used to go up to a small bike shop in Chicago, to get parts for my Ducati 250, only shop with parts, and they had Laverda's, I remember a 750, and perhaps my last couple visits, a 1000. I've never ridden one, but inspected them carefully, and the owner was quite enthusiastic about them. Those three big cylinders bark nicely, you can hear the power as you roll on the throttle. Very nice indeed, and fast!

[@patthewoodboy]

Great channel , thanks. On my 5th in the last 2 hours 😃

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thank you for taking the time to watch it is appreciated - cheers Mike

[@2Truth2you]

Sounds like it's firing on 3 cylinders.

[@robertwoodliff2536]

On a good day..when it goes onto 4......there's a problem..

[@boronsniify]

Arf, arf!

[@marksimpson4258]

Went to the Isle of man on a 1200 mirage, brilliant bike so fast, brilliant road holding.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

I have some great footage of me trying to catch Dave on the Laverda over the mountain, I am putting a LDG at the IoM over the years video together as a Christmas video

[@sirrick59]

Awesome sound - -the triple which is a twin with an added cylinder - -180 degrees between cranks. Later ones were evened out to 120 degrees cranks - and are still awesome, but a completely different sound. These ones sound like an inline 4 with only 3 cylinders running - -awe3some sound

[@seniorrider9337]

Laverda broke my heart when they decided not to produce the V6 in the mid-late 70's. I saw the article in a cycle magazine and started saving my money. I left on a 6 month deployment to the western Pacific ocean and when I got back I found out that Laverds had cancelled the V6. Bummed me out. Probably saved my life too! Instead I turned an RD 350 into a cafe racer. Light, fast, and inexpensive to maintain. :-)

[@steveparish9210]

What a beautiful bike, in 88?,saw some Jotas at Atlanta bike show. A ton of charisma!

[@woodsmn8047]

the shape of the engine cylinders is reminiscent of the old Honda 250 and 305 engine .. it looks like a scaled up version of one of the afore mentioned ... I have never before seen or heard of one of these ... most impressive ... thanks for the video I really enjoyed it

[@georgebarnes8163]

Both Benelli and Laverda copied the Honda designs

[@davidyendoll5903]

@@georgebarnes8163 The 750 Laverda twins barrels do look like Honda CB92 barrels grown up three times . In all other respects Laverda does not copy the Honda though . Absolutely every rotating part is has a roller bearing on the 750 , even the centre stand is phosphor bronze bushed ( and extremely easy to use , so easily that the side stand was usually junked ; it could ground out too !

[@georgebarnes8163]

@@davidyendoll5903 I had a rare modified for police use Laverda SFC3 750 twin for a while, big heavy brute of a thing with an very over engineered engine, sadly the weight of the engine killed the bikes performance but the double sided TLS front brake was awesome.

[@jameshaywood878]

Love the look of these bikes, but I bet they are a handful to ride on normal roads, with that riding position, well they would be for me, at my age now. I use to have a Suzuki TL 1000s full power version, and that was a bit of a animal, but I loved it.

[@matthewmontanari6824]

i miss my SF750. It may not have been as fast as a triple, but it sounded better! How sweet it would be to see a visit with one. Regarding pronunciation - definitely Ho-ta, never Joe-ta. Regarding handling - never rode a triple but have ridden a bevel-drive 900 and the SF750 is FAR more flickable. I reversed my lower fork legs to put the brake calipers behind the fork: made a big difference. I can't relate to your comment about scary - I never felt more safe and secure on a bike than my demo ride on a SF750 - that ride was the reason I bought one. Compliments to the video and audio quality and to the choices of scenes. Love seeing the bikes come and go around the sweeper and hearing the approach as well as the departure. Awesome! Thank you.

[@motolorraine]

I love this bike, I had the pleasure of riding over the TT mountain course alongside it.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching, yes I remember how surprised you and Stew were at how fast this was over the Mountain

[@patthewoodboy]

@@LemonDrizzleGang My cousin had the standard Jota and he was riding over the mountain sometime in the late 70's , he thought he was going fast until a German plated Jota went past him with ease.

[@georgemoskal2098]

Great video great sounding bike

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks 👍

[@grahamx8623]

The bike of my dreams since reading the magazine reviews as a teenager in the late 70's. The twisty road from Bromyard to Tenbury Wells past the old Slater premises is one of my favourite routes. I think they're good value compared to other stuff from that era, unfortunately the wife doesn't agree.

[@waveydavey750]

I do agree about that road to Slaters, however I remember chasing my brother (who now owns the Trophy in one of the other LDG vids) on my Laverda RGS down that road, he was on a Ducati Darmah and it was an unequal struggle!

[@paullacey2999]

The sound is awesome.Such a shame Laverda arent around now..

[@davidburne9477]

Fantastic. I was out on my brother’s RGS a couple of weeks ago. Has Mikuni flat slides on it and goes like a scalded cat. Brembo F08 brakes a little old school these days, though. Could do with some four-pot calipers…

[@h2allan]

Glorious Sound !

[@gekkofinger]

Love your videos. Keep up!

[@grahamt33]

Bloody marvellous, Gang !

[@michaelcornelissens6245]

Laverda always makes my heart beat go faster ! I had one in the early '70' s , it was a 750SF. In those days it was not common to ride this Italian bike in Belgium. Most of my Friends were riding Japanese bikes in those days. I was an outsider then. Still regretting I have sold that bike. But you know how it was, you needed to sell your bike for the money to buy another one. Ride Safe, Stay safe.

[@snakeplissken5480]

wonderous

[@ultimobile]

yeah I lusted after a rare-as-hens-teeth Laverda back in the day - they looked and sounded so good !

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I remember these from back in the day. My big brother went on and on about them, but was a BM guy at heart, who loved touring. He had a nice R100S. When my daughter wanted an old cafe racer as her 1st road bike and a Kawasaki Z500 is pretty much impossible to buy nowadays, I showed her the RE Continental GT650. It's a pretty nice retro bike.

[@georgebarnes8163]

Why would you even want a Z500, they are just a slow slug 500cc superdream.

[@stevesteve1965]

As a young lad in the 70s/80s I lusted after a Jota but by the time I'd got my bike licence thee price of Jota's had gone through the roof. The best I could get that was as near as I could get to the look, stance , sound, feel was a Mk1 1996 Triumph speed triple.

[@tvdinner325]

La-veard-a them! As we used to say in the 70s.

[@Toast-ej2lr]

Rare way cool bike! Luv the sound of a triple. Damn shame they weighed so much. Massive engine, they even look heavy.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Agree big old lump of an engine but this one feels magnificent to ride its a real sensual overload I loved it

[@crozwayne]

It maybe a 76 registration but its a 78 frame, the 76 frame had upright rear shocks

[@waveydavey750]

Yes I agree, that's always confused me but the frame stamping is definitely correct and pretty sure it's original, so I suspect it was modded at some point? The frame has been reinforced around the steering neck as well, so who knows? Thanks for watching and your comments.

[@c0neyisland]

Again, FULL SCREEN, and the open road beckons. What a lovely sounding bike, which delivers its best when overtaking. I've looked through you stable of videos and I haven't come across a CB750 K2? If ever you get the chance, ride one and video it. I owned the K2 and the later F2 with Comstar wheels. Although the F2 was meant to be "superior", it wasn't, because the K2 had a "soul" that the F2 didn't have - and only a few machines ever acquire.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

We have a friend with a CB 750 i think its a 73 model his brother and I are trying to organise a time with him to video it

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

Looks and sounds like a Roger Slater 750 GT Special.😆

[@majoy-osterlundfreeman5425]

I had the first laverda 1000 1976 which I was racing with and it had better acceleration than Yamaha tz 350. I ported the heads and famous tuner Hedlund in Sweden made new camshafts also run with open factory race 3-1 system. Much faster than all other big bikes. Eventually a con rod snapped and that was the end. Brutal sound and due to high compression Very difficult to start without starter engine.

[@nncooper]

Had a 3CL in the 90's great bike, loved it but it vibrated a lot. Was my understanding the Jota had rubber engine mounting and the 3CL didn't, could have had bad info though.

[@JimiHendrix998]

The only reason I don't have one is the 33 inch seat height..Adored them for about 40 years...

[@seethebutter]

Fantastic

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I bought one new in 1980s from a dealer in Nor Cal. Put $2500 cash down on a Friday and arrangements made to pick it on the following Monday. I had a friend drive me 225 miles back to the dealer to pick it up. When we arrived we were told that the bike was not ready.. they had to remove 3 parts to fix another bike under warranty .. "My" parts would arrive in 4-6 weeks. I demanded, and got my money back and bought another Guzzi LeMans.

[@davidyendoll5903]

A Lemans , red with the black stripe . is at the front of my wish list . What are the newer 850s like compared to the old Leman ?

[@davidyendoll5903]

Incidentally I am about five foot , four and three quarter inches short . .... The battery had died one winter and I decided to bump start . I had fitted an SFC cam . The bike s tarted as soon as the clutch was in , but my butt had yet to land on the seat fully . Up came the front as my butt slipped backwards , ice on the floor in places , oh skittles , kept it up though ; I got out the jump leads following that !

[@doughopkins7567]

Late eighties owned a '78 Mirage which used as daily transport. Fabulous torque motor, interesting handling if needed to change line but poor electrical charging it's bug bear. The proddy raced ones had multiple steering dampers.. Fast mile eater

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

I loved the look of the Mirage, I think Dave had a blue one at one point

[@alanscott6088]

No lemon drizzle here boys............pure coffee & walnut 😉😉

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Very nice but a bit posh for us

[@DeereX748]

A guy I used to ride with had a Jota, forget the year model; it was the same orange, but had a full fairing. we all called it "The Great Pumpkin". Beautiful bike in its own way.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching, yous the big Laverda's are incredible machines

[@steveparish9210]

Remember those bikes beautiful. Had a door, flap In the fairing for fueling. I think 🤔?

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@steveparish9210 yeah, the RGS had that.

[@iancharlton678]

One I wish I had bought….. a friend rode a silver 180 Jota back in the early eighties…. Charismatic 🙂 I think the three into one kills the sound in my opinion, likewise my tuned Kettle had all speeds (music 🌟) and a friend had a stock kettle in a Sanders and Lewis, with Dymags, with a piper 3 into 1…… dreadful soundtrack…. My XS750 chop on slash cuts sounded like three of the four horsemen turned up to 11 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@Chrisjude100]

I used to call them LavERda too, until I moved to Italy. Now I know it's LAverda 😁😁- Friend of mine does QA at the Breganze (Vicenza) plant, making combine harvesters😢😢

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

+Christopher Hayes really I didnt know that really interesting I have some (non biking) italian friends i will get them to teach me the correct pronunciation of all the Italian marques

[@Chrisjude100]

@@LemonDrizzleGang👍👍Drop me a line, too, if you like.

[@monzarace]

@@LemonDrizzleGang Mine is a Moto Laverda Sport Freni Competezione Mille - SFC1000. Absolutely love it and it's been with me for many years. Had a Laverda RGS before that, also for a good many years. Really great bike. Yes, there are faster bikes, lighter bikes and what not. So what? Laverda is plenty fast, stable, beautiful and made with passione. They were made by a few men with little money and big ideas, contrary to most brands, where many men with lot's of money and less ideas, made soul less bikes. That's why people always buy another and another and another... Ole people, young people, even women, when they pass by Laverda, they stare and smile. My neighbours also like it, so they try to tell me something nice with sign language. It looks like a fist, but since I don't know sign language, it must be something positive. Forza Laverda!!! Kind regards.

[@Eduulopez]

Eso si que es una moto!

[@glennstatham960]

You'd swear that tacho is identically the same as a Kawasaki 900 one with different face.

[@davidyendoll5903]

Nippon Denso I believe . Basically all the visible electrics are Japanese and hidden away electrics are German , Bosch . The 750 starter came off a VW Beetle I believe ; the bike would do 5 mph on the starter ! So no dodgy English or Italian electrics to put of buyers ; quality stuff fitted , Stainless mudguards , not chrome .... You just needed to remove your brain , excess weight of course , to ride the thing !

[@caribman10]

Pardon me fellows, but I think that's pronounced "Hota", isn't it? Laverdas are dream bikes for most of us; I couldn't even tell you where to buy one in or near New York City, which says a lot about their "dealer coverage", and yes, I do know about Ham's Cycles, which stretches the word "near". But we all lusted after them, or at least some did. The others just didn't want the headache of having an off-brand bike needing service.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching - Jota is a Spanish word and indeed Hota but it was a bike that was born in the UK (slater brothers) and it is never called Hota, but Jota is what it is always called if you went up to a Jota owner and said “i like your Hota” you would get an odd look back 👍

[@monzarace]

Well, my decades with Laverda's never ever warranted lot's of service; quite the opposite. Very reliable. Nothing has ever broken till' this day. And easy peasy to serivce. Kind regards.

[@kdsowen2882]

Dave owns some nice bikes ! I had many back in the day, including a 1200 Jarama/Mirage with a mildly-worked motor . It was raced a few seasons in a different frame then back to road-trim . A mate had the later RGS Jota-1000 . Mine was definitely suited to a taller-rider, top-heavy to shift around but a rocket-ship out on the road (horrible around town) I sold it and later bought a 74 Ducati 750 GT, which I foolishly sold to buy a 900 Darmah ...the stupidity of youth eh . How about testing a W650 ?

[@aceofspades5786]

bedroom wall poster bike, next to Linda Lusardi

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Hahah indeed 🤣

[@eowenspa2]

Lucky so and so

[@mickbrown8249]

When they run ok, but I thought they sounded rough even idling ..back then ..

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching - I like that rough brutal sound they make 👍

[@VickersV]

Animal a real bike

[@stevehopkinson4871]

Good vid boys but you must do something with the audio very quiet when interviewing

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching yes we had a mic malfunction and since then it has been rectified i splashed out on some wifi mic receivers That is the absolute hardest thing with these videos sorting the audio both on bike and off

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

The most evocative bike of the late 70’s and early 80’s along with the Ducati 900ss Darmah and GTS of the late 70’s. I think that the RGS Jota was prettier though

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Can you describe the layout of the crankshaft?

[@waveydavey750]

VERY distinctive, those who aren't fans describe it as a 4 cylinder with a plug cap missing. Here's a good demonstration, but it's basically middle cylinder at TDC when the other two are at BDC, or vice versa! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZqyl56AmK57fas

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

Lege',Leggera etc...means light in various Latin languages.......Alloy rims could certainly be all or part of the reason for the appellation...

[@pashakdescilly7517]

I hear that quite a number of Laverda 750s get reassembled with a 90 degree crank. I seem to remember that the 100-3 also has a built-up crank. Do people ever turn a 180 triple into a 120?

[@waveydavey750]

Well the factory did of course, the 180 motor becoming a rubber mounted 120 in around 1981. Phil Todd, a renowned Laverda engineer here in the UK did a few conversions, though I doubt he did many after the factory started doing it? Funny thing is most Laverda triple riders seem to prefer the rougher charm of the 180 motor (me included, and I also ride a 120 degree BSA of course) though the debate still rages on the Laverda forums! Thanks for watching

[@monzarace]

@@waveydavey750 Much prefer my 120 degree SFC1000. Kind regards.

[@barebonesmc]

Hi, am I ok to use a few clips from the video if i credit you please 🙂

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Yes not a problem just give us a mention and go for it , cheers Mike

[@barebonesmc]

@@LemonDrizzleGang bugger, ive already done that one now lol, i was on a mission, video went up thursday if you want a look, its the latest one on the channel, about the best sounding bikes

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@barebonesmc ahh sorry I am having some issues with my eyes at the moment and not on here as much as I usually am Will have a look at your video 👍👍

[@barebonesmc]

@@LemonDrizzleGang no worries mate, and i will try and remember, theya re bound to come up again at some point im sure, good luck with the recovery

[@jochenwagner5170]

Hello folks! Can you please register the colors in RAL in your answer? I need the Rim color number for a project in Winter….🚀

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

+Jochen Wagner I will ask Dave

[@nepiahemopo1702]

subed

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

+Nepia Hemopo thank you

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Laverda made ( or even make ) combine harvesters..........they also., are big and orange..

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Lambourghini as well and Agusta Helicopters

[@robertwoodliff2536]

@@LemonDrizzleGang ....... though Lambo was part of the German pollution engineers..

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@robertwoodliff2536 how did I forget that they are indeed part of Audi

[@scipio1010]

F... I want a Laverda. I'm fed up with modern bikes.

[@elmerfudd1086]

I realize these things are rare and folks think they are as cool as McQueen but I dont get it. They dont sound as good as a bsa triple or a triumph, and kinda look like a shed build. Still, this could just be jealousy speaking so dont listen to me.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Dave and I had a chuckle at your comment

[@crozwayne]

You need to hear the 120 degree later version of this motor, which is the same crank pin radial spacing as the Triumph / BSA triples and the BMW K75 and the Yamaha XS750/850 and all modern Triumphs, this motor is the 180 pin spacing so sounds like a four with a misfire. The 120 Laverdas sound absolutely incredible

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@crozwayne Dave has owned a few of the later models

[@JimiHendrix998]

They all sound great to me. I must say the 120 deg configuration never sounded as delicious as the 180 imho...

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You like what you like. BSA and Triumphs were an older guys bike. These are equally as great, maybe. I'm a fan of all.

[@crozwayne]

Laverda DID make an SFC1000, it was the last triple they made before going bust in 88

[@waveydavey750]

I know, I owned one! I rode it back from Sweden about 5 years ago. God knows why I said that in the video, I was probably just thinking about the 750SFC style rather than the "RGS" style of the 1000SFC? I also owned an RGS back in the day which I preferred to the 1000SFC to be honest, even though my SFC was definitely faster.

[@crozwayne]

@@waveydavey750 nice bike nonetheless, I’ve got two Laverdas

[@davidyendoll5903]

Yup my friend Alex F had one in the Bristol area , swapped his marvelous green Jota ( which I wanted !) in at Slaters . The 1000cc 120 SFC was sort of like the Triumph Hurricane in that the tank and side panels were one piece , or seemed to be one piece . The SFC also had mag alloy wheels , not spokes . Alex's rear wheel broke up on the M4 going towards London . Some how he survived that one ; he was quite tall (and July , his then girl friend , his pillion was fine too ) . I forget how tha problem was resolved , its about forty years ago !

[@stephendinnes2568]

are there any velocette,s in the series

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

We have a contact with one that we are talking to so stay tuned 👍

[@gsd4me00]

Superlatives are inadequate when describing that bike.

[@practicalplinking6133]

The 750 SFC WAS SO MUCH BETTER RACING !!

[@waveydavey750]

Agreed, but quite probably worse on the road :o) Thanks for watching!

[@raymondl1043]

You should have seen Pete Davies ride his around the UK circuits, an astounding rider. The first time I saw him race I new that was the bike for me. I owned three Laverdas, a silver 180 Jota, a red 120 Jota and finally a red SFC 1000, and I loved each one of them. I have many happy memories on those bikes so it was great to see one on your channel, thank you. I'm riding a Triumph Speed Twln now and still enjoying getting out on the road at 70 years old.

[@mickmac9670]

Beautiful bike but those lights look putrid.

[@neilurquhart8622]

I agree, would look a lot better with a single headlight recessed into fairing…..really interesting bike though

[@alenanic9546]

Nothing sounds like Laverda 180, nothing!

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

try a honda cbx 6cyl it will blow your socks off

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for watching, have never ridden a CBX, I was at the IoM in 78 when they launched the bike with the travelling marshals, Dave used to own a Benelli 900 sei which was a fantastic thing

[@redtobertshateshandles]

The 1st one, later on they got weird looking. Never in the same league as a Laverda.