D
Davo
Guest
Sporteous said:
+1
Buying a Zane Laverda 750?
- Thread starter Paul LeClair
- Start date
+1
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ok, so a Marchesini five spoke wheel on a 2000 orange and blue Formula. Likely 5,500 Euro + for a low mileage unit, then another 3,500 Euro to have the crank bearing's etc addressed properly. Then on top of the 9,000 Euro's, shipping from Europe to western Canada, so likely looking at close to 10,000 Euros by the time the bike lands here, plus import taxes.
Hmmmmmmm, that is over $14,000 currently pathetically weak Canadian dollars. I can feel my enthusiasm waning rapidly, I can buy a lot more motorcycle for $14,000 Canadian than a Zane 750, like another triple project with all the upgrades and mod cons.........
thanks all for all the information! I am going to keep looking for a Zane opportunity, but not 10,000 Euros worth.
and Ron (LaverdaSF), I have no idea what you are on about, but entertaining reading none the less......
Paul LeClair
Hmmmmmmm, that is over $14,000 currently pathetically weak Canadian dollars. I can feel my enthusiasm waning rapidly, I can buy a lot more motorcycle for $14,000 Canadian than a Zane 750, like another triple project with all the upgrades and mod cons.........
thanks all for all the information! I am going to keep looking for a Zane opportunity, but not 10,000 Euros worth.
and Ron (LaverdaSF), I have no idea what you are on about, but entertaining reading none the less......
Paul LeClair
MarnixSFC
Hero member
The bke that JLO mentions is from the first production under the I. Mo. La, name. That was in summer/fall 1994.
Production commenced using (proper) parts from before the folding of the mother company Zanini in 1992.
These are NOT the early homologation bikes, which really were prototypes.
When van Dijk and I took delivery of the first 5 bikes (we had ordered 20) as brand new importers, they looked a bit crude (especially body parts and paint). We were recommended to not let the press ride them and keep an eye on them because some detailing was not as it should be. Later turned out that these first 5 bikes were superior to everything they made from that moment on!
Of course we gave it to the press and they took it to the race track for a day riding against Ducati 900SS, put it on the Dyno etc etc without troubles. They all thought it was hewaps of fun despite the lack of grunt.
Still have the bike and all it really needed every once in a while was fresh piston rings when oil consumption became spectacular! It's been a fine machine, took it to the mountains, race tracks, all in all 40.000 km without major trouble.
Still have that first test bike, mostly for sentimental reasons. In the meantime it badly needs some TLC, it deserves it.
Marnix
Production commenced using (proper) parts from before the folding of the mother company Zanini in 1992.
These are NOT the early homologation bikes, which really were prototypes.
When van Dijk and I took delivery of the first 5 bikes (we had ordered 20) as brand new importers, they looked a bit crude (especially body parts and paint). We were recommended to not let the press ride them and keep an eye on them because some detailing was not as it should be. Later turned out that these first 5 bikes were superior to everything they made from that moment on!
Of course we gave it to the press and they took it to the race track for a day riding against Ducati 900SS, put it on the Dyno etc etc without troubles. They all thought it was hewaps of fun despite the lack of grunt.
Still have the bike and all it really needed every once in a while was fresh piston rings when oil consumption became spectacular! It's been a fine machine, took it to the mountains, race tracks, all in all 40.000 km without major trouble.
Still have that first test bike, mostly for sentimental reasons. In the meantime it badly needs some TLC, it deserves it.
Marnix
Attachments
MVma
Hero member
Hi Marnix, is there a chance that the bike that I told about (sent to Hypersport in France, it was end of summer 1994) was one of these bikes? I have pictures if you need them. I remember that it was intensively used and abused by the journalists and by some potential customers, and it was also used as a sort of commuter by the owner of the store, and never had major problems, at least until it was sold in fall 1995.
On the other hand, there were at least three 650 Sport ordered later by a specialist in Toulon (it was in 1995) that never worked correctly (injection problems for at least 2 of them), that had been put under seals waiting a judicial decision.......... I have seen them in 1996 in the back of the store, covered by tons of dust...
On the other hand, there were at least three 650 Sport ordered later by a specialist in Toulon (it was in 1995) that never worked correctly (injection problems for at least 2 of them), that had been put under seals waiting a judicial decision.......... I have seen them in 1996 in the back of the store, covered by tons of dust...
tyelav13
Hero member
- Location
- Wales (gods own country)
Ron (LaverdaSF), I have no idea what you are on about, but entertaining reading none the less......
+1
:-X
+1
:-X
blab
Hero member
- Location
- Adelaide South Australia
Pretty easy to understand.Ron was saying he loves his Breganze 750,its simplistic and beautiful,can be repaired on the kitchen table and goes like stink.No need for this modern rubbish.tyelav13 said:Ron (LaverdaSF), I have no idea what you are on about, but entertaining reading none the less......
+1
:-X
Yogi
Hero member
- Location
- Bellingen NSW Australia
blab said:
+1
Good to see so much passion for the Breganze twins from Ron after 40+ years of owning the same bike from new.
I get it, Ron - and love seeing you express yourself as you do, mate.
You are a real champ in my eyes and one of the few on here that have continuous ownership of the same bike from new going back that far.
Ride on and thanks for the photos of the drum brake.
As the saying goes, Ron is way cool.
Yogi
VanguardontheLav
Hero member
- Location
- Cambridge, UK
Paul LeClair said:
It's rather a cute little thing IMHO... Obviously doesn't hold a candle to my Sprint (lots of photos of that) but a bit faster and loads more fun on a track...
I am 1.85m and 100kg so it takes a bit of squeezing on, but once I've cracked my knees its surprisingly comfortable. I feel like I am round the bike cuddling it, rather than on it. Unlike Lothar I find the balance speed nearer 100kph otherwise it gets
Makes a lovely noise - my son following behind says it's brilliant. Never been there, but it does sound good from the riders perch. It has the Termis, which Lothar will be jealous about! Always starts first or second tap on the button. Engine is totally flat below 3k, needs tickling up to 4k in higher gears otherwise the drive train snatches but it pulls quite cleanly. Above that it pulls stronger and stronger to the red line (9k+) and gears are nicely spaced to keep the engine boiling. The 180 crank feels like a GSX400 I rode for a week or two back in my despatch riding days. That broke its crank too...
To be honest, I'm a bit scared of riding it on the road, as it makes me feel like that old Superbike review of the Monty - you remember the one, where the rider is extracting his brain. I turn into a hooligan when I'm riding it, want to burn everything off, with two or four wheels... Dangerous to both health and license!
Took it to Cadwell a couple of years back for a track day. Bloody fantastic. Had a great scrap with a Ducati 749, which seemed to be pretty competitive. We passed everything else since the handling was so good, including R1s and such (they came back on the straights but couldn't keep up over a lap) except one other bike that blew us both off. A Morini 3?! God that little thing went round corners!
Reliability so far has been good. I bought it from Crispin after he and CJ had run it round Europe back in 2008 and hence the AUS sticker. Several videos of that trip at this link to The Perfect Corner Series 2 Euro 2008. Specifically, there were two videos to promote the sale of the bike.
I actually bought it for my brother who had come on his Triumph to a few Laverda events (Spa, FoTB) and was taken with a couple of these that he saw. But being older and less bendy than me, and though he loved the ride, he decided he would never be able to ride it so I kept it. I expect it will blow up one day and that'll be it. Never mind. If it be, it be. So far has done 21000km so must be about to happen!
Hope these impressions help.
--
Dick
tyelav13
Hero member
- Location
- Wales (gods own country)
I don't do modern stuff myself and am quite passionate about older bikes too but as much as I also admire Rons passion for his SF (and rightly so he should be) I still have no clue what he was on about (Sorry Ron).blab said:
thomas@hauge.net
Senior member
- Location
- Gothenbourg, Sweden
I think there where a batch of 750 with WP suspension?
Anyhow, I had formula with 3 sp wheels. Had it on a few trackdays. I was a bit scared to drop it so i did not gave it all I could. Mine was rebuild in Sweden and I'm not sure exactly what was done to the engine.
Nice and sweet handling bike but the engine need high revs.
Compared to my 748R trackday bike (which I'm not afraid to drop..) the Formula engine is a bit tiresome as you have to rev to get it to move at all.
I allways wanted one since I saw one when they where launched. It moved after one summer.
An orange 748 is not the worst you can ride on the track. But thats not what its all about, is it?
Get one if you want one and get ready to rev!
Anyhow, I had formula with 3 sp wheels. Had it on a few trackdays. I was a bit scared to drop it so i did not gave it all I could. Mine was rebuild in Sweden and I'm not sure exactly what was done to the engine.
Nice and sweet handling bike but the engine need high revs.
Compared to my 748R trackday bike (which I'm not afraid to drop..) the Formula engine is a bit tiresome as you have to rev to get it to move at all.
I allways wanted one since I saw one when they where launched. It moved after one summer.
An orange 748 is not the worst you can ride on the track. But thats not what its all about, is it?
Get one if you want one and get ready to rev!
Simonr501
Hero member
- Location
- Lympne, Kent. UK
Nice photography and nice bikes Thomas!
Looks like fun.
Looks like fun.
Laverdalothar
Hero member
- Location
- Germany
Hi Thomas,
not sure if they upgraded the bike to 2000 spec, the difference between the 3 spoke wheels Formula and the 5 spoke wheels Formula is also an engine upgrade. It brings just 3 or 4 HP at top, but 10 Nm at top and I think an overall improved torque curve. differences to be the cams and the chip at least. Also, the open cans do sound nice, but tests have shown that especially torque is better with the closed original exhaust.
Mine lifts front wheel sometimes in 2nd gear just by accelerating... me being a fat cat really who brings a lot of weight to the front, that is surprising... That said, I have a slightly changed secondary gearing, which copes with the issue around 3.000 revs better, but takes away roughly 10 KM/h top speed and might help on the acceleration...
There were WP forks used I think on the first series of Formulas, the black and orange ones. Not 100% sure though.
Oh - and yes - great shots of you and the bikes!
not sure if they upgraded the bike to 2000 spec, the difference between the 3 spoke wheels Formula and the 5 spoke wheels Formula is also an engine upgrade. It brings just 3 or 4 HP at top, but 10 Nm at top and I think an overall improved torque curve. differences to be the cams and the chip at least. Also, the open cans do sound nice, but tests have shown that especially torque is better with the closed original exhaust.
Mine lifts front wheel sometimes in 2nd gear just by accelerating... me being a fat cat really who brings a lot of weight to the front, that is surprising... That said, I have a slightly changed secondary gearing, which copes with the issue around 3.000 revs better, but takes away roughly 10 KM/h top speed and might help on the acceleration...
There were WP forks used I think on the first series of Formulas, the black and orange ones. Not 100% sure though.
Oh - and yes - great shots of you and the bikes!
thomas@hauge.net
Senior member
- Location
- Gothenbourg, Sweden
I think the mods on mine was just fixing the problems. However, previous owner used it a lot on track days and had a proper map made on a dyno so it run well. Compared to the duc 748 the Lav felt like it had less capacity and more tuning.
Chassie wise they are pretty much similar, given the 748R have full ohlins spec. Compared to a standard 748 with showa the Laverda would be the better one. The lav might be a bit quicker turning. Given the suspension is well taken care of.
Things that made me sell it:
I did not really "bond" with it. The engine feels like a tuned 500.
Mine had some marks and scratches and needed a full repaint.
To rare to use on track days.
Chassie wise they are pretty much similar, given the 748R have full ohlins spec. Compared to a standard 748 with showa the Laverda would be the better one. The lav might be a bit quicker turning. Given the suspension is well taken care of.
Things that made me sell it:
I did not really "bond" with it. The engine feels like a tuned 500.
Mine had some marks and scratches and needed a full repaint.
To rare to use on track days.
MVma
Hero member
MarnixSFC said:
Hi Marnix, I'm quite sure that the tests were done in 1994 but they took some delay before publishing the article. I know that as, if you read the article about my 1972 SF in the same magazine, you can see that I have a very unusual dressing, this is because I just had an accident in September 1994, the front drum brake retainer broke, causing the crash and I had the left leg deeply burnt as the bike felt on my leg. The accident occured the day before the journalist came near my home place, I just came out of the hospital and no motorcycling wearing anymore (at least in good state!).