#5 lives... almost

[Andy J]

If Gunther wants to run the bike as close as possible to original he needs to get him and the bike over to the IOM!
No noise limits here.

 

[Andy J]

So the bike isn't going to run with 17” Zane wheels so you can fit slicks?

 

[sfcpiet]

So the bike isn't going to run with 17” Zane wheels so you can fit slicks?

Nope. New Battlax CR11, possibly a little better than period Phantoms.

18" period magnesium Marvics fitted, would be a shame not to use them. Front is actually brand new, was never fitted after Günther experienced a major mishap in the '80s.

If Gunther wants to run the bike as close as possible to original he needs to get him and the bike over to the IOM!
No noise limits here.

Other issues preventing that I'm afraid. We are thinking about visiting the Manx GP next year, as spectators.

piet

 

[Andy J]

Next year

Nope. New Battlax CR11, possibly a little better than period Phantoms.

18" period magnesium Marvics fitted, would be a shame not to use them. Front is actually brand new, was never fitted after Günther experienced a major mishap in the '80s.


Other issues preventing that I'm afraid. We are thinking about visiting the Manx GP next year, as spectators.

piet

I think I agree about the tyres!
2027 will be the 50th anniversary of the production by the factory of the 500 twin so I will probably be organising some sort of celebration at the Manx next year.

 

[KERMIT1200]

Hi piet, Bridgestone CR11 far far superior to period phantoms. Used CR11 up and till 2024, now switched to 17inch wheels.

Andy

 

[sfcpiet]

Hi piet, Bridgestone CR11 far far superior to period phantoms. Used CR11 up and till 2024, now switched to 17inch wheels.

Andy

That was sarcasm mode Andy.

I don't think I've ever experienced worse "premium" tyres than the Phantoms, hated them with a vengeance. Weren't made for my riding style.

piet

 

[chrisk]

A wipe over with olive oil might soften them up a bit

Oh you Kuwus….. They’re slucks, not ducks.

 

[ozijotati]

Pirelli make the new Phantoms in two versions, one road tyre and another in track compound. Fitted a pair to my track bike and love them. Plenty of grip and if the marketing blurb is to be believed good for a season’ worth of racing9

 

[sfcpiet]

Spent a couple of hours with Günter in the workshop yesterday.

After my last installment, Jo contacted and quizzed me about Günter, turned out they had been collegues at the FoMoCo in Cologne for many years! We arranged for him to come over next time Günter was here, big surprise when Jo stood in the doorway, they hadn't seen each other for several years! Couple of other Laverda mates joined shortly after, lots of old stories were dug out. Around 4pm the workshop called for attention...

First up was installing the overhauled WP suspension unit together with a rubber splash shield. Old steel spacers were junked and stainless were made/found. Very easy. Prior to this session, I had designed and printed a pad to protect the swingarm from the chain, to my surprise it fitted perfectly! I'm finally getting the hang of CAD. Günter had brought over a NOS Regina GP drive chain that was duely fitted. I had suggested replacing the #530 with a #520, but as Günter had a couple NOS #530s in his old racing spares box, these will be used up first. Rear brake anchor arm recieved new heim joints and stainless jam nuts after a good clean and polish.

Chain pad


Regina GP


WP


Brake anchor


Refurbed


Front and rear brake M/Cs were temporarily fitted to determine required hose lengths. Clutch lever and perch had already recieved some TLC and was fitted together with the freshly lubed old cable that needed to be trimmed to fit properly... the original fitted length was about 15cm too long, but only at one end luckily. Sins of days long past. Quickly knocked up a new cable ferrule for the shortened outer as my stash yielded nothing suitable, a project such as this requires a lathe to be at disposal 24/7. Nearly every nut and bolt requires some sort of attention.

Designing and 3D printing an engine breather catch container is next, along with printing a couple of visually pleasing cable clips instead of using simple cable ties for brake lines and clutch cable, further eliminating old sins. The footrest carrier plates along with footrests and pedals require a little spit and polish. Brake lines and fittings to be ordered. The list goes on...

Despite that, we were quite pleased with our progress. Many thanks to Jo and mates for a most enjoyable afternoon!

Two old farts fiddling on an old motor bike...



Triple³ ...


Some may have noticed I have now written Günters' name differently. I've known the guy for around 50 years and only yesterday learnt he writes his name sans "h"! Both spellings are about equally common, I missed out on a 50:50 chance. Never too late to learn.

More to come later.

piet

 

[piranha-bro2]

What a stunner, Piet. Weld and paint quality are amazing and you're obviously dedicating time to keep the high standard flying high.

 

[sfcpiet]

What a stunner, Piet. Weld and paint quality are amazing and you're obviously dedicating time to keep the high standard flying high.

Quentin,

The frame tubes are actually bronze welded, hence the lovely joints. We're especially pleased with how the powder coating on the frame came out, sort of liquidy, an almost mercury-like sheen. We're also doing our best trying not to damage the finish while working on it.

While quite pretty, Günter's not over the moon about the paintwork. The tank was returned for re-doing, the wheels are quite rough over the cast surfaces, could have been done nicer. But, as the bike is to be used, scratches and knocks are bound to come eventually anyway. The bike will carry any future scars proudly.

Yeah, we're a lot cleverer now than back in 1985... attention to detail has definitely risen on the priority list.

piet

 

[sfcpiet]

In the meantime, I've also learnt that the v.Dijk bike was not able to be registered in the Netherlands, but the Schenk/Wagner bike did indeed some how attain german registration documents! Quite surprising as the german TÜV is rather stringent compared to dutch authorities.

piet

 

[Jo]

It was fun to surprise Günter like that; thanks again to Piet for keeping it a secret.

That bunch of lovely people certainly kept you away from work for quite a while, but one thing is for sure: it was a great deal for the understanding among nations!

Many thanks to Dory and Piet for the delicious coffee & cake.

Jo

 

[Jo]

One more thing: The Harris Laverda BoT racer on its way back to life, is truly a sight to behold!

 

[Vince]

Seem to remember one of the renowned English frames was bronze-welded, the gold coloured welds were very attention-getting. Not sure if it was Rickman, the original Norton feather beds, or the Slippery Sam Triumph Triples.

 

[sfcpiet]

Seem to remember one of the renowned English frames was bronze-welded, the gold coloured welds were very attention-getting. Not sure if it was Rickman, the original Norton feather beds, or the Slippery Sam Triumph Triples.

Brazing was almost universally utilised in the pre-war period, the quickest (cheapest?) method of industrial production of frames at the time. Also harkened back to the days of bicycle production methods. Automated welding hadn't yet arrived.

Bronze welding is excellent for one-offs and small production "runs", used almost universally by the specialist frame builders like Rickman, Seeley, Cheney, Egli, etc. The special high-strength thin-walled tubes used by these builders would have required very special and controlled welding environments, far too expensive for those small outfits. Bronze welding on the other hand was pretty hassle-free in comparison.

piet

 

[Otto]

In the meantime, I've also learnt that the v.Dijk bike was not able to be registered in the Netherlands, but the Schenk/Wagner bike did indeed some how attain german registration documents! Quite surprising as the german TÜV is rather stringent compared to dutch authorities.

piet

Hi Piet,
My friend Paul who build the bike out of the frame kit that Gijs van Dijk got from Uwe Witt never tried to get Dutch papers.
Instead he hammered the frame number from a stock 500 in. With that he rode on the roads, even to visit IoM in 1991.
I did the same with my Verlichi TT2 Ducati on Cagiva Alazurra papers.
The police in Holland don’t know about Laverda and Cagiva. The one who knows turn a blind eye

Ones a policeman let me stop and asked if the Cagiva was Spanish??.

In the meantime Paul sold the stock 500 so I have no papers with this bike. No problem, only racing the bike (Trackdays).
On the picture the Harris in road trim. Foto from Ruud Havik for Il Motorone,

 

[sfcpiet]

Thanks for clearing that up Otto!

piet

 

[Jo]

I know a bloke from another forum who did the same (as far as registration is concerned) with a Duc 750 TT1 - was also to the IoM - picture is from a meeting last September:

 

[chrisk]

I know a bloke from another forum who did the same (as far as registration is concerned) with a Duc 750 TT1 - was also to the IoM - picture is from a meeting last September:

Neat chain oiler.