Laverda tooling - what happened??

dothebeat said:
Even if the moulds would still be existing, it would be a huge task to actually machine the parts out of the castings. As long as the drawings are still available not all is lost. However, in any case somebody would have to go the all the way to put them on CAD as without that nowadays it's virtually impossible to do any machining.
The moulds for the castings would not be too difficult to reproduce with today's tech and machinery.
In the end it's all a question of scale whether somebody would be willing to do this. I believe this was the basis for Aprilia or whoever to just scrap it.
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It's not just moulds, it's all the specialist machinery and jigs for each and every little piece that needs to be manufactured. Just try making multiples of a simple bracket, building the required jig can take longer and cost more than the actual product.

CNC may be the answer for final machining, but even there, special jigs are required to hold everything in place on the machine. It's not as simple as clamping a casting in the milling machine vise, and, hey, presto, 10 minutes later, here's your new primary cover... :rolleyes:

Things were simpler in the 1920-30s where "manufacturers" could order 95% of the stuff they required from outside suppliers. Major part of assembly was slapping the own brand name on the tank...

piet
 
Yep - Piet and others are bang on the button - the presence of a casting mould is actually the simple bit. To try and utilise old moulds and go from there would actually be the most difficult, lengthy and expensive way to do it these days. Anyway, a wooden mould would be buggered by now, full of cracks and distortion from thousands of temperature and humidity cycles.

The only tools I can think of that might be useful would be press tools for sheet metal (tanks, 750 side panels, etc) - i.e. the 'A' surface stuff. Even then the efforts required to assess, refurb, trial and quality-approve would be beyond commercial sense.
 
Reminds me of the original Cool Aid party in some South American Jungle, or was it a Caribbean Island? Pick a date. Naa I got a few more ks in me and my bikes.
 
Paul Marx said:
Laverda is dead.
We are dying off.
We're not riding enough to justify selling parts or working on the bikes.
Game over.
Paul
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All of this is true ......... You can`t breathe life back into a corpse ......

Better that Laverda remains dormant , than suffers the fate of say , Benelli .... now made in China ......... That`s the way of the world nowadays ... Just be grateful Laverda hasn`t suffered that indignity ...... ( Hopefully that will never happen , as the fewer of us that are around , the fewer will remember the name Laverda ....... No point sticking a Laverda badge on something , if that badge means nothing to the majority of people it`s targeted at ....... ) ......

It`s a strange thing , but when the Mirage was parked , it seemed to attract much more interest from non - motorcyclists than other bikers ...... and these passers - by were usually a lot more knowledgeable than the MCN brigade , as well ........
 
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Tippie said:
So let's all just take a trip to Switzerland and get it over and done with. Barrel of laughs. Paul.
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I was just reacting because there have been pages and pages on the same subject on this very forum.
Nobody in their right mind would invest 1 kopek in a stock of old molds and tools. The stock of factory parts has kept worldwide 2 or 3 people going and the people still doing work on these machines aren't young and sprightly and know full well that within 10 years they won't be able to make a living out of repairing and maintaining Laverda motorcycles because machines that aren't used don't need maintenance or repair.
Why does stating what has been obvious for years create a stir like that?
Paul
 
Paul Marx said:
I was just reacting because there have been pages and pages on the same subject on this very forum.
Nobody in their right mind would invest 1 kopek in a stock of old molds and tools. The stock of factory parts has kept worldwide 2 or 3 people going and the people still doing work on these machines aren't young and sprightly and know full well that within 10 years they won't be able to make a living out of repairing and maintaining Laverda motorcycles because machines that aren't used don't need maintenance or repair.
Why does stating what has been obvious for years create a stir like that?
Paul
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You are right Paul, however: the decission and the offer were done 2002 or so. Even Wolfgang was in his mid-50's at that time, Andy was much younger, so was the OCT team. And yes, it might not make finanically sense and yes, Piet, it is dificult to do. However, Andreghetto is reproducing engine covers since some years (and he was older than ALL Laverda-Dealers are today when he started that...). It is possible, it is obviously do-able and looking at his prices (which he even gives discounts to to resellers...), it is even financially possible.
 
Laverdalothar said:
You are right Paul, however: the decission and the offer were done 2002 or so. Even Wolfgang was in his mid-50's at that time, Andy was much younger, so was the OCT team. And yes, it might not make finanically sense and yes, Piet, it is dificult to do. However, Andreghetto is reproducing engine covers since some years (and he was older than ALL Laverda-Dealers are today when he started that...). It is possible, it is obviously do-able and looking at his prices (which he even gives discounts to to resellers...), it is even financially possible.
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How old is Bepe Andrighetto now? Who will be taking over his business?
Paul
 
Hi Paul
Guiseppe is 81 , about his business🧐 a good question .
About: spareparts, where are some many for sale on the market.
And today you Can scan a spareparts, and make a new one
 
Paul Marx said:
Laverda is dead.
We are dying off.
We're not riding enough to justify selling parts or working on the bikes.
Game over.
Paul
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Not really seeing that issue here in Aussie, bikes are still regularly ridden and high mileage as well
I'm still working 7 days a week in a futile attempt to get on top of my workload

These days we hold a Laverda rally and approx 70% of the 50+ bikes that attend have my engines in them
Once I've done that other 30% I'll close up shop and sell off all my parts
Going to learn Lawn Bowling
 
...with bespoke custom made Lawn bowls, treated with low loss friction material, balanced to perfection, adjustable bias mechanism, all bowls identical and repeatable in action to traverse the great green land... can well imagine, "Redax" competition bowls kit, the choice of champions... then there will be the "Attire" that i will await.... expectations are high....j
 
Nostalgia, belongs in the past.

The most remarkable aspect is that you have, say 10 people on the planet directly supporting the Laverda brand, never mind where is original factory surplus, here and now is what counts, these 10 folk are the reason your still riding around on 40-50 year old bikes, speak for myself, am grateful to Redax, Wolfgang, JLO ( special bloke no question ) and significant others.

The motors will stop one day, we will stop one day.... press the starter button, all is redeemed. There is no Tomorrow, just here and now j
 
iis_iis said:
Nostalgia, belongs in the past.

The most remarkable aspect is that you have, say 10 people on the planet directly supporting the Laverda brand, never mind where is original factory surplus, here and now is what counts, these 10 folk are the reason your still riding around on 40-50 year old bikes, speak for myself, am grateful to Redax, Wolfgang, JLO ( special bloke no question ) and significant others.

The motors will stop one day, we will stop one day.... press the starter button, all is redeemed. There is no Tomorrow, just here and now j
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Wise words indeed Jon.
I have had a cardiologist tell me my heart will outlast the rest of me (makes you wonder what will stop first:eek:) and while Red made no such prognostication when he did my engine, there is a distinct possibility it may do the same :p
So while I enjoy shed time (Friday night in particular), nothing like getting out and riding em!!
 
I buy my brand new ‘obsolete’ parts for my 50 year old Yamahas from Thailand. Cheap as chips too. I do question if they are knock off, but the Yamaha packaging and part numbers are there, and everything fits as it should.

This thread has prompted me to see if there is any Laverda stuff (not clothes) next time I’m looking there.
 
There is a very interesting custom bike scene in Thailand and Vietnam. Like all over the planet young men are spending money customizing their bikes in hopes of attracting girls! Of course they are all 125cc bikes by and large due to local tax and import regulations, but still….

I’m surprised that there are new parts for old bikes as I’ve yet to see a restored car or bike. Old machines are just used up and discarded, nobody values the past. They just want the latest and greatest.
 
chrisk said:
I buy my brand new ‘obsolete’ parts for my 50 year old Yamahas from Thailand. Cheap as chips too. I do question if they are knock off, but the Yamaha packaging and part numbers are there, and everything fits as it should.

This thread has prompted me to see if there is any Laverda stuff (not clothes) next time I’m looking there.
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When I was looking for some parts when doing up a first model Honda Motosport I was advised you could get a lot of good repro parts for old jappers from Thailand.
Bought a whole headlight assembly from there including bucket, lens, chrome bezel, 6v bulb and wiring. Complete plug in unit for under $50. Looked exactly like the original except different colour bucket.
 
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