1974 3ce

Don't think they were ever stamped 3ce were they? Slaters modified a few complete imported standard 3c's, the "E" was never an official factory model. 3c wire wheel, or 3cl, cast wheel. Subsequently "Jota" was only a name conjured up by the UK importers, nothing to do with the factory in the first instance and they never warrented a stamp even after the factory adopted the name they were all stamped up 3cl.



      Keith.
 
Bit late in coming but may be of interest ref 3CE spec. I asked Richard Slater what mods were made to the engine & he confirmed only the exhaust & carb jetting - big bore collector & free flow uk made silencers, good for 8-9 bhp at rear wheel . This is backed up by period tests by Motorcycle Sports back to back road test of Laverda 3C & 3CE in Dec 1975 & Dave Mintons 3CE test for Motorcycle Illustrated Dec 1975.

My 3C had these mods carried out by Slaters  years ago when Steve Winterton was there & the difference was significant enabling the bike to rip past 70 to a ton in third & it has clocked 140 on numerous occasions (on the continent of course...). Needs positive input & commitment to ride but very rewarding, still gives me a buzz after all these years.
 
Jim,

My 3C has had SFC yokes.  I fitted them in an attempt to cure handling problems, some of which were later traced to other causes (tires & and a cracked piston in a Ceriani rear shock, which was there from new). 

My understanding is that the parallel SFC yokes should sharpen up the handling, but I can't say that I noticed a huge difference.  A racing friend tried SFC yokes on his 3CL, also in an attempt to improve handling, but to no avail.  He found that fitting the Marzo yokes helped cure his problems.  My understanding, again, is that the Marzo's have less offset, which equates to more trail, which is what helped.

Tom

 
I have now seen (as pencil rubbings) a few 3C "E" s with the addition of the "E" as in done later than the original stamping, or added on if you prefer plus I know of one bike that has the welded bosses on the frame, for the crossover (cable) rear brake and gearshift conversion, meaning that factory rearsets cannot be fitted, that one does not have the E stamped but clearly is one.
CLEM
 
Ref handling of 3C / 3CE sure most know this but for anyone new to these bikes basics are important i.e, correct tyres & pressures & wheel alignment are critical, stearing head bearings & adjustment, wheel condition -bearings, rim runout, spoke adjustment etc all make a difference as does front suspension damping oil & sticking to original lighter gauge chain. Just a basic checklist -lots of info available on forum & in Parkers Green Book.

When riding set up for corner braking first if necessary (engine braking is strong) , can keep back brake trailing lightly to scrub off bit more speed as turn in & then keep power on through bend. I found leading into a corner with my shoulder & counter steering helps. They take while to get to know, they don't respond to telepathy you have ride them in a positive way.
 
What do you mean by original lighter guage chain? It is universally agreed that changing to 530 or even 520 is far better than sticking to the original 620 or was it 630 spec which takes  grinds stuff away .. The addition of decent rear shocks helps...I cant imagine putting the beautifully restored Marzos back on. I get a bit of flightiness at about 115  but when you think that there is no fairing and the wind is pushing on the mirrors as well as bulky old me, its not unreasonable and as my neck  is somewhat strained at that point it is a good sign to ease off😁
 
Which triple originally had a 620 chain?
I thought the 630 first appeared on the 1200s.
I have a 520 on POP and it never has needed adjustment yet. But can't really say it is an improvement over a 530.
Only fitted it (with offset sprockets)  to clear the 150 rear tyre.
Also had a 520 (for same reason) on the Corsa and it handled the 4000km mad dash weekend on it's Breganze trip with no.issues and also didn't need adjustment.
 
As the 3CE came before the Jota I would say the Jota wore 3CE silencers.  8)
Slater was first converting 3Cs to 3CEs and all the development work was done before they started converting 3CLs to Jotas.
 
Pete3C said:
Bit late in coming but may be of interest ref 3CE spec. I asked Richard Slater what mods were made to the engine & he confirmed only the exhaust & carb jetting - big bore collector & free flow uk made silencers, good for 8-9 bhp at rear wheel . This is backed up by period tests by Motorcycle Sports back to back road test of Laverda 3C & 3CE in Dec 1975 & Dave Mintons 3CE test for Motorcycle Illustrated Dec 1975.

My 3C had these mods carried out by Slaters  years ago when Steve Winterton was there & the difference was significant enabling the bike to rip past 70 to a ton in third & it has clocked 140 on numerous occasions (on the continent of course...). Needs positive input & commitment to ride but very rewarding, still gives me a buzz after all these years.
Click to expand...

So no 4C cams and HC pistons then? I'm not sure about that to be honest..
 
Didn't 3Cs come with ~9.5:1 pistons as standard? It seems a lot of trouble to change the pistons out in Bromyard: the cams a little less so.
 
Thats what the man said & the period test articles say. Reality was probably during ongoing development for proddy racing some 3CE's in 75 may have got the 4c cams & hi comp pistons as well which then morphed into the jota as marketed in 76 when cast wheels came on the scene. In the real world on the road the 3CE exhaust & jetting mods make a big usable difference to a standard  3C with restricted exhaust system & the easier to live with & more tractable motor with broad spread of power & torque is retained.

On chains the early bikes had 5/8x3/8 (530) chains, later jotas & 1200 had the bigger 3/4x3/8 (630) chains. Smaller 530 chain is lighter with less unsprung & reciprocating weight so helps roadholding, accelaration & deceleration, runs smoother & less wear on other components.

Agree good rear shocks important for handling & roadholding, as are sound rear swing arm bushes (change early bushes to needle roller & keep well greased).
 
tom3c75 said:
Jim,

My 3C has had SFC yokes.  I fitted them in an attempt to cure handling problems, some of which were later traced to other causes (tires & and a cracked piston in a Ceriani rear shock, which was there from new). 

My understanding is that the parallel SFC yokes should sharpen up the handling, but I can't say that I noticed a huge difference.  A racing friend tried SFC yokes on his 3CL, also in an attempt to improve handling, but to no avail.  He found that fitting the Marzo yokes helped cure his problems.  My understanding, again, is that the Marzo's have less offset, which equates to more trail, which is what helped.

Tom
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info ...... I always wondered why someone would want more trail for a sporting bike. I haven't had a chance to ride my 3C yet ...... waiting for tank to be painted ...... but I know that old bikes will handle differently with new tire technology.
 
Back in the 70s Slater indicated they used a "kit" to upgrade the 3C to a "Jota? 3CE?"..Hi-Comp pistons, 4C camshafts and a more open stock looking exhaust. Laverda sold the same parts too, with the exception of the Slater exhaust. The Laverda factory production racing exhaust pipes were a three into one megaphone.

I bought the parts from Laverda including the exhaust.
 
...back in the 70s i remember  playing footie in the road and having to get outof the way sharpish as the guy with a n orange Jota screamed by .Fastest loudest most wanted thing! Blagged go on back. He died on it 2 weeks later head on into a truck i think...was out on mine last w/e with a guy on a blackbird and bmw 800...the jota just makes you want to go for it while they purr along .watch out if jumping on the bike after a winter layoff?
 
Pete3C said:
3C had 9.0:1 pistons as standard
Click to expand...

  Yes - true - but all C/R's quoted are subject to testing properly - have found many variances on the same models.
    Having been a dealer at the time I remember a  "genuine? 3CE" as having the Jota exhaust, h/c pistons & 4/C cams - along with the SFC 750 fork yokes. I suspect any 3C with the jota exhaust then became a 3CE as a good marketing ploy. Roger Slater was a canny salesman! - I did fit the engine  and exhaust mods to my 3C and it was down on performance on my brother's - I was extremely miffed and in denial at the time - I think this was what started me looking into cam timing a lot more seriously! Regards - Phil
 
Phil,
I lived in Hemel at the time and used to ride out to your shop near tring..always bloody closed! Pressed nose against glass etc! Maybe the guy up the road bought from you? Banfield? His son worked at the local  dealer Moores in Apsly and screamed arou d on a 400/4...he and his dad made quite a pair..
 
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