I have been riding Laverdas for almost 40 years, but for some strange reason never been aware of this forum, until two years ago. I was on holliday in Italy (same place I am now), and searching for a Laverda model kit. I therefore discovered (and ordered) the V6 model, and started reading the Forum.
That made me aware of Boba and his carbon work. I also realized that Lothar had quite a lot of contact with him, so I wrote Lothar and asked for his advice about ordering a set of carbon for for the SFC i had purchased to replace the two RGS I just sold. He advised against it, but he had a set himself, and after a short while we agreed on a deal where I could buy his set. He informed me that it was either the only set in existence, or one of two. Maybe someone here can enlighten me?
First I must mention: The bike is only about 98% finished, and has not been started or ridden yet. I have been working on it almost every day for 8 month. The original target was to have it ready for the 75th in Breganze, and it was a great disappointment that I had to take the 916 to Italy. Even though it’s a fantastic bike, that I have enjoyed for 30 years (mostly on small winding roads and a lot of trackdays) it is about the worst touring bike in existence. I have always had a tendency to get lost in small details. After my brain stroke three years ago, that tendency has increased. I get mentally tired very fast, have poor concentration and memory and everyday I have to look for parts and tools etc. Therefore I found this vacation a good opportunity to write this without distractions. Naturally there will more when I have the bike on the road.
The carbon parts- tank, fairing, front fender and seat unit had a total weight of 5,05 kg, and is the perfect start for a weight reduction program.
The first thing I did was to send the tank to Ammon Tanksiegel to have the tank sealed, so it could withstand the crap modern fuel. They did a fast and efficient job.
Unfortunately almost none of the parts/jobs after this have been plug and play. In most cases it’s been a matter of very long waits (I started ordering parts last year), and the record of waiting time was 11 month. Many parts I had to modify to fit, but that is what to expect when doing such a rebuild.
Next I tried to order a set of Marvic magnesium wheels. The model I wanted is the Campagnolo. A replica of the wheel that was introduced in Grand Prix racing in 1973. Unfortunately the had lost all data for Laverda wheels, and even though a friend send his Oscams to Italy it was still a long process and the end result required modifications to the fork sliders, additional adapters under the discs and completely new distance items for the axles. The biggest regret though, is that listened to advices concerning the widths. I intended to use their max sizes for 18”- 3,00 front and 4,50 rear, but ended up ordering GSXR 1100 sizes 2,75 front and 4,00 rear.
I have for a long time been road racing on a Formula 500 (and others of non Italian background) after I blew the engine on the formula at the end of the long straight on Anderstorp. After that many trackdays on a 1199 S Panigale and the 916. I therefore wanted some rubber that was well suited for the track. Not an easy task for 18” wheels. Metzeler had unfortunately stopped the production of the Racetec RR, but after a long search I found two sets in Italy 110/80 and 150/65. Unused, but from 2019. The fit on the narrower rims now have the sides of the rubber a little to steep, and I have 6mm of spacing from the 520 chain to the tyre. I even had room to fit the chain guard without modifying it.
The fact that it is a very rare set of carbon, have had me think long and hard about painting Bobas work. But I have since very young been a great fan of Italian vehicles, and in my opinion they should be RED
Therefore I ended up with a compromise: Let the lettering be kept in carbon and keep the rest of the bike red. On the front fender I added a gentleman that needs no introduction. I have had the pleasure of meeting him about 5 times- including the start-up of the V6 in his living room in 1991. I think that it’s very appropriate that he rides along.
That made me aware of Boba and his carbon work. I also realized that Lothar had quite a lot of contact with him, so I wrote Lothar and asked for his advice about ordering a set of carbon for for the SFC i had purchased to replace the two RGS I just sold. He advised against it, but he had a set himself, and after a short while we agreed on a deal where I could buy his set. He informed me that it was either the only set in existence, or one of two. Maybe someone here can enlighten me?
First I must mention: The bike is only about 98% finished, and has not been started or ridden yet. I have been working on it almost every day for 8 month. The original target was to have it ready for the 75th in Breganze, and it was a great disappointment that I had to take the 916 to Italy. Even though it’s a fantastic bike, that I have enjoyed for 30 years (mostly on small winding roads and a lot of trackdays) it is about the worst touring bike in existence. I have always had a tendency to get lost in small details. After my brain stroke three years ago, that tendency has increased. I get mentally tired very fast, have poor concentration and memory and everyday I have to look for parts and tools etc. Therefore I found this vacation a good opportunity to write this without distractions. Naturally there will more when I have the bike on the road.
The carbon parts- tank, fairing, front fender and seat unit had a total weight of 5,05 kg, and is the perfect start for a weight reduction program.
The first thing I did was to send the tank to Ammon Tanksiegel to have the tank sealed, so it could withstand the crap modern fuel. They did a fast and efficient job.
Unfortunately almost none of the parts/jobs after this have been plug and play. In most cases it’s been a matter of very long waits (I started ordering parts last year), and the record of waiting time was 11 month. Many parts I had to modify to fit, but that is what to expect when doing such a rebuild.
Next I tried to order a set of Marvic magnesium wheels. The model I wanted is the Campagnolo. A replica of the wheel that was introduced in Grand Prix racing in 1973. Unfortunately the had lost all data for Laverda wheels, and even though a friend send his Oscams to Italy it was still a long process and the end result required modifications to the fork sliders, additional adapters under the discs and completely new distance items for the axles. The biggest regret though, is that listened to advices concerning the widths. I intended to use their max sizes for 18”- 3,00 front and 4,50 rear, but ended up ordering GSXR 1100 sizes 2,75 front and 4,00 rear.
I have for a long time been road racing on a Formula 500 (and others of non Italian background) after I blew the engine on the formula at the end of the long straight on Anderstorp. After that many trackdays on a 1199 S Panigale and the 916. I therefore wanted some rubber that was well suited for the track. Not an easy task for 18” wheels. Metzeler had unfortunately stopped the production of the Racetec RR, but after a long search I found two sets in Italy 110/80 and 150/65. Unused, but from 2019. The fit on the narrower rims now have the sides of the rubber a little to steep, and I have 6mm of spacing from the 520 chain to the tyre. I even had room to fit the chain guard without modifying it.
The fact that it is a very rare set of carbon, have had me think long and hard about painting Bobas work. But I have since very young been a great fan of Italian vehicles, and in my opinion they should be RED
Therefore I ended up with a compromise: Let the lettering be kept in carbon and keep the rest of the bike red. On the front fender I added a gentleman that needs no introduction. I have had the pleasure of meeting him about 5 times- including the start-up of the V6 in his living room in 1991. I think that it’s very appropriate that he rides along.
Hope the bike will run and behave as expected, when you start ridning it
In fact I have I quite a few bits from ProBolt already. Did you drill the hole, or was it made like this?
) at least a couple af kg more
I don’t think that the riding position will be very different from standard, except that have made the new set a bit more narrow- hopefully the better turning ability will compensate for that.