Is it out there?

[Spider Wales]

The first Laverda's I encountered were in Kawasaki House, City Road in Cardiff in about 75/76, Twins and Triples. A friend bought a Jota from them, in 76, (the one in the picture, this photo was taken at Cyclo Rally near Oxford in 77, the first time I sat on a Laverda!) kept it for a few years and sold it on. We have always wondered if it still exists, Registration number was MAX 843P but according to the DVLA site it hasn't been taxed since 1986, so the chances of it being in one piece still are,,,, negligible. Anyone out there own it?

 

[Smartv11]

Cowbridge road...

 

[Spider Wales]

Yep, Cowbridge Rd is in Cardiff, what's the relevance Smartv11?

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]

Smoking while riding not recommended !

 

[pf1]

Smoking while riding not recommended !

It always amused me watching French guys on their mopeds with a baguette sticking out of a pannier and a fag glowing bright orange as they wobbled home from the local bar.

 

[Haggis]

A new V5c was issued to it just after the last tax date, so maybe the new owner scared himself, wheeled it into his garage and there it sits, to this day. Who knows?

 

[Spider Wales]

Ah yes! Fag in gob, I used to smoke for a hobby back then! I remember hearing that Bazza had a hole drilled in the chin piece of his helmet, so he could have a smoke whilst waiting on the grid. Dunno if it's true though.
The only reason I ask about this Bikes whereabouts, is the original owner would like to buy it back if poss.

 

[Patrick]

Tis true...there's a picture somewhere of him with a "tab on" on the grid, and also a picture of him racing with a bit of insulating tape over the fag hole..

 

[Exmoor beast]

Joey Dunlop would take a drag big enough to melt the filter, holding his helmet on the chinstrap half on his head on the start line at the TT, dart the butt , helmet on , strap tugged tight and off.
Sheene did smoke french fags through a hole in the helmet-seems mental that you could drill a 1/2” hole in a crash helmet when your world champion!

 

[SkinnyPinny]

I remember seeing a hole drilled in a sheen owned helmet at an automobilia auction at Stafford,
Then being told it’s for a cigarette, thinking ‘surely not’ but it seems ‘surely was!’

 

[DaveB]

I remember being at 2012 Dakar in Peru, wandering the paddock at Nazca. Vehicle comes flying into the pit area with both rear tyres shredded. Driver climbs out of windscreen aperture (no windscreens on the buggies), takes off his helmet and embraces his pit crew.
I look at him and realise it’s the legend of Dutch and European Motorsport, Tim Coronel (WTCC, Le Mans, F3, etc), twin brother of equally lauded Tom.

Being a true athlete, the first thing he goes for is not a cold drink, it’s a cigarette......

 

[Rusty Spokes]

 

[Dellortoman]

One of my favourite photos of a motorcycle racer with a fag in his gob is the shot of Giuliano Maoggi at the start of the 1956 Motogiro D'Italia on a Ducati Marianna. I've gotta go out so haven't got time to paste up a copy of the photo. Google his name and you'll see it.

 

[IAG]

Different motorsport but equally humorous:

 

[Exmoor beast]

He never sold much “ Dick Trickle” merchandise..can’t think why?

 

[Rusty Spokes]

One of my favourite photos of a motorcycle racer with a fag in his gob is the shot of Giuliano Maoggi at the start of the 1956 Motogiro D'Italia on a Ducati Marianna. I've gotta go out so haven't got time to paste up a copy of the photo. Google his name and you'll see it.

 

[Rusty Spokes]

Giuliano Maoggi, the ace of the 1956 MotoGiro, has passed away Sept. 2019​

 

[Paul Marx]

Wine was also often the refreshment at stops during the Giro d'Italia or the Milano Taranto.

Paul

 

[Dellortoman]

Thanks for putting the photo up Rusty. I had to dash off to a doctor's appointment.

That's one of the best examples of determination on the face of a motorcycle racer. It must have worked for him as he won the event.

 

[Laverda SF]

What a great PIC - Love it ;o)