Authenticating a Canadian-Delivery 1980 Mirage 1200 TS – Frame/Engine #2598

K

kspalinger

New member
Location
St. Louis Missouri
Hello everyone,

I am looking to validate the historical provenance and factory specifications of my 1980 Laverda Mirage 1200 TS.

It is a matching-numbers machine featuring Engine and Frame Number 2598.

The bike is an incredibly well-preserved, low-mileage survivor with only 10,300 original kilometers on the odometer. It features its original factory metallic silver paint.

Given its history, this bike features the unique hallmarks of a true Canadian-market delivery from 1980:

  • Clean Steering Neck: No riveted U.S. DOT compliance tag on the steering head; the serial number is cleanly stamped directly into the steel.
  • Dual-Scale Instruments: Features the original Nippon Denso/Veglia gauge cluster displaying a primary KPH ring with an inner MPH scale.
  • Left-Side Shift: Factory crossover linkage for a standardized left-side gear shift.
To ensure it remains preserved and mechanically protected for the long term, I have fitted it with a Redax digital ignition and upgraded 250-watt alternator kit (storing the original components safely away).

This is an exceptionally clean unmolested example, I will take pics and post them for the Forum.

I would love to hear from the community’s historians and registrars regarding where #2598 falls in the 1200 TS production sequence. Specifically:

I greatly appreciate any insights, factory bulletin references, or historical context the forum can share on this machine.

Best regards,
[Kirk/kspalinger]
 
I am sure you are spot on, I purchased the bike from from a bike dealer, he purchased it from a widow in Idaho. The widows husband was a collector and she said this was his favorite and the bike he most rode. The dealer was to purchase a still crated Bennelli 900 SEL, the widow asked if he was interested in the Mirage. He purchased the bike and put it up for sale, fortunately I was able to purchase.
 
I was hoping that someone on the forum had import information in the Canadian market and could tell me when it was imported. I also inquired with Richard Slater to see if they imported this bike and this is his reply.

Hello Kirk - just carried out some research and found that we did not import any 1200's from 2563 until well into the 2600's and so it looks likely that your bike was shipped directly from Moto Laverda and it is highly unlikely to have been fitted with the UK specific cams, with kind regards - Richard.

This led me to further information, one other piece of information is the airbox is not baffled it is an open airbox with filter only which aligns with the unrestricted Canadian complience. Shipped to Canada it would have had A11 cam and larger 34mm valve head for this year.
 
@kspalinger Same bike?:
R

Thread '1982 Laverda Mirage 1200 for sale: Boise, ID, USA. $8,500'

This bike is/was owned by "Lawrence", a member of this forum. Lawrence is a family friend, and unfortunately passed away recently. His surviving wife is selling Lawrence's bikes off to generate cash, and the Laverda is available - I'll be helping Lawrence's wife with the sale, since she is managing lots of other things. Importantly, I am a car guy, and don't know a whole lot about bikes. I've bought, restored, and sold old German cars though, and I'll try and approach this listing the way I would approach a car listing - as transparently as possible.

This Laverda Mirage 1200 fires and...
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Hi IAG

Good to hear from you, no not the same bike, this bike is all original no upgraded carbs, no chips on fairing or anywhere else on bike, tank not repainted. 10,822 Kilometers on odometer.
 
This is not the same bike as in your pictures and video. There are many differences in the two bikes.
Mine does not have the Vin tag on the head stock only the serial number and DMG number. The carbs are original Dellorto 32 mm carbs, the fuel lines are different color and plumb, there are no luggage bags or ever mounts for them. My mirrors are OEM originals the one is video are not. Mine has Oem unbaffled air box and rubbers not aftermarket K&N breathers. Other differences but not worth listing you get my point.

My serial number is 2598

I plan to post pictures in about a week.

I am in the middle of a complete detail and maintenance. The owner kept this bike in really good shape but could tell it was sitting for a while. Below is a list of maintenance and details done or doing.

  • All three master cylinders Diaphragms replaced, Clutch Brakes. They were soft and starting to deteriorate, drained fluids and filled and bled all three with Dot 4.
  • Slight drip under oil filter. While I was at it; I removed complete exhaust system and cleaned. Evidently the last oil change they did not replace the oil seal ring. I replaced the ring and filled with Valvoline VR1 with zinc. Put new copper gaskets in exhaust ports.
  • Rubber toe on side stand was missing; I replaced with original part.
  • Possibly not needed but I purchased complete rebuild carb kit for all three Dellorto 32 mm carbs, rebuilt carbs, not cheap.
  • Purchased Redax Laverda complete upgrade ignition kit with 250 watt upgraded alternator. New PVL coils same as on Red’s race bikes. Purchased directly from Red.
  • Replace battery with correct replacement size from Battery Shark.
  • Throttle grip was cracked; replaced both grips with original natural rubber Tommaselli’s.
  • Although tank was clean; I decided to clean out, removed very slight sentiment.
  • Put non ethanol 91 octane in tank.
 
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Reactions: IAG
Hi IAG

The one thing that exclusively says this isn’t the same bike is the silver VIN plate on the bike in your video. The bike in your video is a USA market bike, US regulations were to put a VIN tag on all Laverda destine for the US, in doing so they drilled two holes in the head stock and placed the VIN sometimes over the serial number or the DMG number. Canada does not use VIN tags.

My bike is a Canadian import, no VIN tag or drilled holes.
 
The Sock said:
Unless the grading system is different in Canada, 91 octane might be a little low.
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Presuming they use the US 'Anti-Knock Index' system (RON+MON/2). 91 in the US is approximately equivalent to 95 (RON) elsewhere and from my brief experience there Lavs run fine on it. Paul LeC's 1200 certainly ran well on it on the dash for that ferry! :D
 
Sounds like a privately imported bike. I very much doubt that won't get far looking into factory records. Maybe the widow might know any riding buddies of her late husband who might know more. I privately imported a bike to Oz a while back, and that required lots of Government paperwork. Are there similar requirements in Canada?
 
kspalinger said:
Hi IAG

The one thing that exclusively says this isn’t the same bike is the silver VIN plate on the bike in your video. The bike in your video is a USA market bike, US regulations were to put a VIN tag on all Laverda destine for the US, in doing so they drilled two holes in the head stock and placed the VIN sometimes over the serial number or the DMG number. Canada does not use VIN tags.

My bike is a Canadian import, no VIN tag or drilled holes.
Click to expand...
Agreeable to all of that. Regarding the headstock tag consider checking under the tank just to be thorough. I currently have four Laverda triples in the garage & only the 1200 has the tag under the tank. I believe the majority of motorcycles imported into N America in that era entered through New Jersey or Maryland and then were allocated to selling dealers so the tag was a standard feature but Slater Bros also imported through Washington state & Vancouver, BC.
 
IAG said:
Agreeable to all of that. Regarding the headstock tag consider checking under the tank just to be thorough. I currently have four Laverda triples in the garage & only the 1200 has the tag under the tank. I believe the majority of motorcycles imported into N America in that era entered through New Jersey or Maryland and then were allocated to selling dealers so the tag was a standard feature but Slater Bros also imported through Washington state & Vancouver, BC.
Click to expand...
Hi IAG

That is why I joined the Forum, good inforation I did not know.

There is no tag under the tank or on the frame. I did contact Richard Slater reguarding the bike and it was not imported by Slater. I posted his reply to me in the prior post. I will reach out to Wolfgang Haerter to see if he has any information.

Thanks
 
Vince said:
Sounds like a privately imported bike. I very much doubt that won't get far looking into factory records. Maybe the widow might know any riding buddies of her late husband who might know more. I privately imported a bike to Oz a while back, and that required lots of Government paperwork. Are there similar requirements in Canada?
Click to expand...
Hi Vince

I purchase the bike from a US motocycle and parts dealer and ask if he had any paperwork or information on the bike. Unfortunately he had none, that brought me to my inquiries and eventually to join the forum.

regards
Kirk
 
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