Does anyone have one of the first twins, a 650?

1200ts

1200ts

Hero member
Location
USA - Riverside CA
It occurred to me today while working on a early 750 (1968) that I have never seem anyone mention owning a 650. I know not many were made, but does anyone here have one? Just wondering what happend to the few made?
 
I've seen some on visits to European events over the years that I seem to recall were French and Dutch registered and I think that one of the very early (founder?) members of the US club (Kendall?) had one that may have gone to UK with him back then (sidecar?) but memory is pretty fuzzy here - could pull out old LVVs and see if I can find more if valuable?
 
There indeed are a few 650s here in Holland, but they are all later imports as none were imported by Raymakers at the time didn’t see the point of ordering them when could have a 750 too.
Seen the most 650s in Italy and France over the years.

Marnix
 
I know of two 650's in the French Amicale, There were 42 in number of 650's made and the numbers are not 1001 to 1042, they are mixed with 750's which (sort of) happened because of the AE exsport bikes.
Kendals bike that he brought to the UK in 1972 was a 750 American eagle chassis 1222 made about 1968/9
I came accross this bike in October 2010, and it was in a neglected state, a piece of ILOC history for sure, the sidecar adaptions had been ground off (but where still visible and rusty bare metal) in an attempt to return it to true AE spec (Kendal rebadged it as a Laverda) I wanted to buy it because of the provenance and the times I remember in company with hal, but the vendor was unrealistic about the price and gave me serious doubts about his ability to co the work required, I was unsure if it still had the 74 SFC pistons and camshafts plus 36mm carbs, and maybe head, (engine closed, carbs elswhere) I wonder where it is now?
CLEM
 
It’s my understanding, from a comment made by a certain Mr Trotter the other night, some early 750 had 650 frames so some 750 owners may have a hybrid.
 
I have one.
As Marnix states, sales of the 52 made was mainly in Italy and France. I once knew the whereabouts of 25 or so of them.
Numbers are interspersed with the 750 because both 650 and 750 were made at the same time.
There must be 6 or 7 of them in the Amicale 750 Laverda.
Paul
 
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