Modify and be damned

I have been modifying the crap out of my Atlas, getting a bit sick and tired of having to alter bits made for other bikes to fit. Today I modified the modified part to fit with another modification. They're all playing nice now in very close harmony after me attacking them with hack saws, files, and drills I just dreamed up another modification, maybe I can plastic weld the old handlebar covers to the new Barkbusters Storm guards and get more coverage over the front brake master cylinder. I really do have a sickness.
 
Paul Marx said:
... which leads us to if you want a modern bike, buy a modern bike,FFS. 🤣...

Paul
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Exactly that is your missunderstanding, Paul. I don't want modern bike, I wanted a classic bike that doesn't try to kill me. I want a bike that could have designed and made working like that in 1981, when all components I have on my bike were available (well - the YSS did not exist by then, but better shocks than the AG Strada did...) and not one that still lived with components of 1960. Else, I would have bought one from 1960... 😂
 
Laverdalothar said:
Exactly that is your missunderstanding, Paul. I don't want modern bike, I wanted a classic bike that doesn't try to kill me. I want a bike that could have designed and made working like that in 1981, when all components I have on my bike were available (well - the YSS did not exist by then, but better shocks than the AG Strada did...) and not one that still lived with components of 1960. Else, I would have bought one from 1960... 😂
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Well Lothar, when I read your comments about how your standard Laverda bikes try to kill you, it makes me marvel at the fact that so many people who raced, or still are racing standard or near standard Laverda motorcycles with great success, managed to survive.
Paul
 
wasn‘t is Piero who said, Laverda produced the basis and the customers may customise the bike …. or similar
 
Laverdalothar said:
Why do manufacturers like Laverda offer different bikes in different styles, colors, etc. and do offer options for it? Because taste differs. Laverda did offer a wide range of bikes from 50ccm to 1200ccm, from touring over sport to offroad (well, kind of...). You could order I think 15 different colors, different heads (triples), cams, partly exhausts etc. etc. etc. So - why should one not individualize the bike to suit ones taste if Laverda offered it ex factory?
I find it weird that people judge over other peoples bikes and how they have to treat them. Everyone may do what they want with their rides. Sure I don't have to like it, but also nothing wrong if others do.I think though it's wrong to criticize people that want their Laverda to work or look better in their eyes. Best example: there is a guy in Germany with a pink sprayed Cico-style Laverda bike. Would I paint mine in pink? Hell, no! But if it floats his boat - so may be it. Sure he gets a lot of attention and also for sure, he had a reason to paint it pink. Should he bring it back to factory standards (and if so - to which, considering the options that were offered...) and dislike potentially what he ends up with? Why? Just to satisfy people that want collectors bikes? Not my way really, but OK if others see it differently!

A bit of tolerance is never wrong I feel. I took a basic bike and developed based on that my own bike, which I love to ride (and just did on the last weekend for 1.000km roughly). Have I thought about buying a new bike to get rid of the problems? Oh yes, more than once to be honest (and that would have potentially definitely been the cheaper route... But I wouldn't have had the fun that you get when all of a sudden, things work as they should...

I am not the most talented rider and I typically shy-out more than I ride "with a knife between my teeth". However, the bike now with the modifications done gives me the confidence back that I lost with the original setup due to several slips and drops of the bike. I can focus on fun, on corners etc. without worrying to much about how the bike will try to kill me (which the 750 did several times, so did the Jota innitially). Maybe I should have sold it years ago instead of investing into it to improve it, who knows? If I ever change my mind, I could go back any time, as all the parts are still there...

Years ago, I restored a 1000 SFC Classic. I rode the bike right after I rode my modified 1000 SFC and although the Classic was a great bike, it did not have the punch, the stability and handling of my 1000 SFC. Freeing up the potential of these bikes is really big fun. If they don't break though...
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Is this modified? got old back standard
 

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andre g said:
wasn‘t is Piero who said, Laverda produced the basis and the customers may customise the bike …. or similar
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I have been told by at least one person, who raced a highly modified Laverda, that he gained the impression Piero wasn’t impressed because he thought the factory design was good enough.
However, that was just their opinion.
 
Laverdalothar said:
Exactly that is your missunderstanding, Paul. I don't want modern bike, I wanted a classic bike that doesn't try to kill me. I want a bike that could have designed and made working like that in 1981, when all components I have on my bike were available (well - the YSS did not exist by then, but better shocks than the AG Strada did...) and not one that still lived with components of 1960. Else, I would have bought one from 1960... 😂
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I stand to be corrected but I am not aware of any Laverda, unlike KH triples etc, having a widespread reputation for trying to kill its owners, although I acknowledge some bikes, when pushed to the limit, will inevitably bite back.
However, I do accept that if certain components of better quality etc had been available back in the day, it is likely they would have eventually found their way on to the production line. I also accept changing components to suit your riding style is not unreasonable and also probably a good idea if you intend to search out the limits of your bike on a regular basis.
 
Provoking slides will over time result in gravity attacks, been there done that. Learned not to poke the bear too hard. Tickle yes, poke no.
 
Power sliding my 3c on dirt is problematic,easy to do but not smart. The first time this happened was heading to St Alban's pub on the far North side of Wisemans Ferry. I had just passed another Laverda that usually won prizes for best-looking bike at shows and it suddenly struck me that peppering him with rocks from a spinning tyre as I went past wasn't going to go down well so no roosts from me. I learned to tiptoe past. I used to ride with a bloke who had bought a 550 KTM 2 stroke ex Fink Desert Race Bike, he specialised in launching boulders at you as he passed.
 
As long as you don't put a brown seat on it or wrap the exhaust you can do what you like with YOUR bike.
If you do any of the above, standby to be hung;).

PS: Add sticking insulation tape over your headlight to the above list.
 
What I like most about the two bikes above, despite the modification, the outline is still immediately recognisable as an iconic 1970/80s Laverda triple. 👌
 
Legs said:
As long as you don't put a brown seat on it or wrap the exhaust you can do what you like with YOUR bike.
If you do any of the above, standby to be hung;).

PS: Add sticking insulation tape over your headlight to the above list.
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I had a Honda CB500T many years ago. Brown seat as standard. Owning up to ever riding one of these usually brings howls of derision !
 
Legs said:
As long as you don't put a brown seat on it or wrap the exhaust you can do what you like with YOUR bike.
If you do any of the above, standby to be hung;).

PS: Add sticking insulation tape over your headlight to the above list.
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PS: Had to, to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, since Slater supplied them with a LHD dip lens, which was handy for European trips
Haven't done the brown seat, yet, but the right shade might look quite good with Green. It works for trees.


lav front jpeg straight.jpg
 
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