Im interested in one of those new 750 things .
- Thread starter Seags
- Start date
Laverdalothar
Hero member
- Location
- Germany
Hi Seags,
you will find yourself in a big discussion with lots of people now, be sure...
Typically, there are haters and lovers of those machines - not much in between. The haters are mostly the ones that either work daily on getting them fixed or had a bike that blew up. Or people that never had one but heard only bad things about them... The lovers are the ones that got theirs fixed and simply enjoy the handling of these little, lightwaight bikes.
There is - just as with the Breganze bikes from my perspective and even other modern bikes - a long list of things to look after. The major ones are:
-engine: big end bearings need replacement, valve guides and seats need a look over and potentially a re-cutting, balancing of the countershaft might need adjustment. While you are at it, the water pump should be looked after and some other parts. Basically, a complete engine rebuild. While you are at it though, you could add Formula pistons and cams for extra power and torque)
-starter: the whole setup is wrongly designed and underpowered. It can be improved by changing the gearing, thicker cables, 4-contact plate on the starter, different starter relais, very good battery.
-electrics: mainly it's the regulator that shall be replaced by - best - a MosFet version (stays cooler). Else connectors can burn through. Sidestand-Switch also should be bridged as it is "over-sensitive" and might cut out the engine by a bump on the road...
I might have forgotten a lot of things, but I think these are the major ones. If you need a good company fixing it, bring - if possible - the bike entirely to OCT in Germany or buy a bike from them that has been fixed (or one that has been fixed by them). It does not mean it will never break, but they have the most experience to make these bikes somewhat reliable. Be prepared, they do not like frequent starts or letting them sit for a longer time. fuel pumps suffer from that as well as other parts, which are PITA to replace. If you use it frequently though, it is really big, big fun!
you will find yourself in a big discussion with lots of people now, be sure...
Typically, there are haters and lovers of those machines - not much in between. The haters are mostly the ones that either work daily on getting them fixed or had a bike that blew up. Or people that never had one but heard only bad things about them... The lovers are the ones that got theirs fixed and simply enjoy the handling of these little, lightwaight bikes.There is - just as with the Breganze bikes from my perspective and even other modern bikes - a long list of things to look after. The major ones are:
-engine: big end bearings need replacement, valve guides and seats need a look over and potentially a re-cutting, balancing of the countershaft might need adjustment. While you are at it, the water pump should be looked after and some other parts. Basically, a complete engine rebuild. While you are at it though, you could add Formula pistons and cams for extra power and torque)
-starter: the whole setup is wrongly designed and underpowered. It can be improved by changing the gearing, thicker cables, 4-contact plate on the starter, different starter relais, very good battery.
-electrics: mainly it's the regulator that shall be replaced by - best - a MosFet version (stays cooler). Else connectors can burn through. Sidestand-Switch also should be bridged as it is "over-sensitive" and might cut out the engine by a bump on the road...
I might have forgotten a lot of things, but I think these are the major ones. If you need a good company fixing it, bring - if possible - the bike entirely to OCT in Germany or buy a bike from them that has been fixed (or one that has been fixed by them). It does not mean it will never break, but they have the most experience to make these bikes somewhat reliable. Be prepared, they do not like frequent starts or letting them sit for a longer time. fuel pumps suffer from that as well as other parts, which are PITA to replace. If you use it frequently though, it is really big, big fun!
Rob
Hero member
- Location
- Midlands, UK
Mike.. Given your many Laverda experiences to date, I'd strongly recommend the Kwak route 
Hi Seags,
you will find yourself in a big discussion with lots of people now, be sure...
There is - just as with the Breganze bikes from my perspective and even other modern bikes - a long list of things to look after. The major ones are:
-engine: big end bearings need replacement, valve guides and seats need a look over and potentially a re-cutting, balancing of the countershaft might need adjustment. While you are at it, the water pump should be looked after and some other parts. Basically, a complete engine rebuild. While you are at it though, you could add Formula pistons and cams for extra power and torque)
-starter: the whole setup is wrongly designed and underpowered. It can be improved by changing the gearing, thicker cables, 4-contact plate on the starter, different starter relais, very good battery.
-electrics: mainly it's the regulator that shall be replaced by - best - a MosFet version (stays cooler). Else connectors can burn through. Sidestand-Switch also should be bridged as it is "over-sensitive" and might cut out the engine by a bump on the road...
I might have forgotten a lot of things, but I think these are the major ones. If you need a good company fixing it, bring - if possible - the bike entirely to OCT in Germany or buy a bike from them that has been fixed (or one that has been fixed by them). It does not mean it will never break, but they have the most experience to make these bikes somewhat reliable. Be prepared, they do not like frequent starts or letting them sit for a longer time. fuel pumps suffer from that as well as other parts, which are PITA to replace. If you use it frequently though, it is really big, big fun!
Well that was a very comprehensive reply.
So much.
The work your saying has to be in the region of £4000 sterling, at least.
That on top of the £2500 ebay price makes that type of bike not worth considering.
I can get a good 1200 for almost that.
Think I will buy the kwak zxr750 for the same price.
Had one of those in the past.
Did what it says on the can.
Thanks.
So much.
The work your saying has to be in the region of £4000 sterling, at least.
That on top of the £2500 ebay price makes that type of bike not worth considering.
I can get a good 1200 for almost that.
Think I will buy the kwak zxr750 for the same price.
Had one of those in the past.
Did what it says on the can.
Thanks.
helicopterjim
Hero member
- Location
- near Lone Butte, BC, Canada
Get yourself an old Honda CB750.
Jim
Jim
Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond
Hero member
- Location
- Cotwolds
They are good Looking 
Legs
Hero member
- Location
- Adelaide Hills
Strewth! Going by what Lothar says it's a wonder the bikes made it into production.
Seems the best thing to do is walk away.
Seems the best thing to do is walk away.
piranha-bro2
Hero member
- Location
- Melbourne
Or think about a replacement motor from another marque - brilliant handling bikes.
Costs can be held within reasonable limits if the engine is attended to BEFORE it shits itself. Once damaged, the repair bill explodes. Parts availability has now become a very real problem for some bits.
At least crankshaft and valve train need looking in to, crank overhaul and new guides are basics. Gearbox, balancer shaft, shock absorber hose and throttle cable routing and cooling pump are all questionable points, next to a greater part of the chassis electrics. Mostly minor stuff at first, but things that can quickly cause big problems. They wouldn't be such a problem if the factory hadn't worked so shoddily in the first place.
Yes, it is still costly, but has proved worthwhile for those that want one of these bikes. But, even then, they must be treated with care and require frequent REGULAR maintenance, best with a good road work-out, not once every 7 years or so...
piet
At least crankshaft and valve train need looking in to, crank overhaul and new guides are basics. Gearbox, balancer shaft, shock absorber hose and throttle cable routing and cooling pump are all questionable points, next to a greater part of the chassis electrics. Mostly minor stuff at first, but things that can quickly cause big problems. They wouldn't be such a problem if the factory hadn't worked so shoddily in the first place.
Yes, it is still costly, but has proved worthwhile for those that want one of these bikes. But, even then, they must be treated with care and require frequent REGULAR maintenance, best with a good road work-out, not once every 7 years or so...
piet
Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond
Hero member
- Location
- Cotwolds
Lothar is spot on - they need constant tlc and don’t appreciate being left doing nothing for any length of time so they are rare to see ! At recent local bike nights they have created a lot of interest and questions - price needs to include the proviso of possible Engine surgery - hence some of the cheapest Laverdas prices on the planet - nothing like a challenge. Owners are passionate and knowledgeable ( every day is a school day)
Laverdalothar
Hero member
- Location
- Germany
Well - if Breganze bikes were worry-free, we would only see travel reports and pictures of meetings... ;-) Look into ANY brand forum, you will never ever buy such a bike or car, right?
easy (well - kind of... getting a set might be problematic) to change if local emission rules allow: Termignoni...
testride a well sorted bike and you'll be happy to invest the money... There is barely a bike I have ridden that is that kind of a flicker and stabil still at top speed. Even me fat cat can produce stoppies, cudos to the modern tires and the fantastic brakes. That said, you should not be much shorter than 1,70meter and not taler than 1,85. Optimum is somewhere between 1,72 and 1,78 I would say (depending on length of the legs mainly).
And - was I right with my first two sentences of my first post?
You would but a lot of people prefer tinkering to riding.
No problems with a well maintained Breganze machine. They'll last forever.
It's like medicine, if you look for something wrong, you'll find it.
Talking of medicine, Zane bikes relate to a congenital orphan disease.
Paul
Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
So Paul, are you suggesting owning a Zane built bike is a common disorder for which there is no cure? If so, I would probably dispute that as I have found I can quite easily start buying all sorts of different stuff that also serves no useful purpose other than I like it. And I haven’t bought a Zane bike in weeks, so there....
Laverdalothar
Hero member
- Location
- Germany
That's probably why my Jota is - again - at OCT to fix the engine...
There are Breganze machines that run well, but many have their problems. They are not worry free at all to my experience. Are the Zane's as reliable as Breganze Machines? No. They are not built with the love and passion as the old Breganze ones. But all bikes have their issues, no matter what brand or what time they were built in. I fixed a lot of Hondas. And they are some of the most reliable bikes I have ever come across!
Sorry for having lost my rose-tinted glasses after 30 years of ownership...
BTW: the only bike running perfectly (just having had a battery issue) at least since I have it, is - my 750 S Formula...
Jota and 1000 SFC having their issues, Jota might need the second engine overhaul in 50.000km, 1000 SFC had its first at around 55.000km... Not what I call "lasts forever".
Last edited:
Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Mike don’t listen to the doubters you need to have one. After all an Atlas and a Formula Jota, or was it Mirage, isn’t a very good comparison to the Zane bikes. If at all in doubt I will lend you one and you can then make up your mind whether to buy one.
BTW, there are a number of options to improve the exhaust note, not least just removing the silencers full stop..
What the hell do you do with those machines to damage them like that?That's probably why my Jota is - again - at OCT to fix the engine...
BTW: the only bike running perfectly (just having had a battery issue) at least since I have it, is - my 750 S Formula...
Paul