Modify and be damned

[CAW]

I thought I would start this new thread as many threads get high jacked by debates over the whys and wherefores of ‘improvements’ etc to our aging pride and joys, a good example being the recent shock thread.
Sometimes the debates over the modifications are technically evidenced and can be more easily justified (e.g. ignition/carburettor issues), but often the new fitment etc is down to personal preference and therefore subjective, not that it necessarily means the choice is wrong. However, one man’s improvement is another’s anathema.
I have ‘modified/improved/wrecked’ etc many a Laverda over the past 40 odd years so am just as much open to acclaim or criticism as anyone else who owns a non-standard Laverda.
Many years ago I was advised , and this doesn’t just relate to bikes, never do anything that isn’t reversible as sometime in the future you may regret what was done. Probably wise words, not that I have always observed the advice.
I am also mindful of the reply I got from Jason Griffiths recently when I commented about the ugly looks of the new 765 Triumph triple and how I would want to change it. His blunt response was, well perhaps you better go and look elsewhere for that bike.
So if we want a bike that handles like and is as reliable as a Suzuki Gixer then perhaps that is what we should all buy?
Over to you folks…….

In my opinion, if it is your bike you can do whatever you like to it, it is nobody's right to tell you what you can/can't do with it.
That is one of the reasons I could not enjoy the British bike scene, too many humourless know-it-alls all too willing to tell you how your bike was 'wrong' or 'ruined'. it's not a stately home or listed building. Do what you feel I say

 

[Haggis]

I really enjoy improving my bikes. Always remember, what you have is the thoughts of an individual designer, following the lead of the chief engineer, on a certain day, in a certain era. There is nothing sacred about what they decided was to be put into metal, and there is no reason why you (after careful study and education) might not know better than they did.

 

[piranha-bro2]

I really enjoy improving my bikes. Always remember, what you have is the thoughts of an individual designer, following the lead of the chief engineer, on a certain day, in a certain era. There is nothing sacred about what they decided was to be put into metal, and there is no reason why you (after careful study and education) might not know better than they did.

Beautifully put Haggis!

 

[CDHE]

Hello Newbie here. Very interested in this conversation as I just purchased a 750SF in boxes, and I am pondering where to go with it. I also have a '94 Ducati. Lots to like, but the value engineers seem to have played a major role in its development. Improvements are required if one is to take the bike on any extended rides. I get the feeling that sort of thing isn't going to be needed on my SF, but what about the 750 that Wrench Monkees built? Did they go too far? I dig it!

 

[Vince]

Hello Newby, see my post on where is Piet, it's just about just you. I think it's great that anyone decides to buy a Laverda at anytime, good on you. As long as it's actually ridable I don't mind anyone's reinterpretation of classic bikes. I might not actually buy what they made though. Pics please so we can tear it to pieces with our brilliant insight.

 

[Tippie]

If the wrench monkey bike is an sfc copy, I strongly advise you to try an sfc on for size, they are not particularly comfortable for the average aged Laverda owner these days.
An SF is very easy to live with.

 

[Paul Marx]

Hello Newbie here. Very interested in this conversation as I just purchased a 750SF in boxes, and I am pondering where to go with it. I also have a '94 Ducati. Lots to like, but the value engineers seem to have played a major role in its development. Improvements are required if one is to take the bike on any extended rides. I get the feeling that sort of thing isn't going to be needed on my SF, but what about the 750 that Wrench Monkees built? Did they go too far? I dig it!

The SF is an excellent bike that can take you around the world without any problems.
Leave it standard.
If you want to heavily modify a bike, there's plenty of mass produced bikes out there, don't mess up the handmade product from a small family concern in Northern Italy.

Paul

 

[Gerald]

Spent the weekend at the LCO meeting, first time for me. Very few bikes present like they left the factory, mods done to suit the individual requirements and likes of the owners. Several older riders converted to higher handlebars and rearsets on 750's, bikes that appear to get ridden a lot with patina, score flies and road grime. It's nice to see a tiddler, twin or triple like it left the factory, but they are the exception.

Gerald

 

[Tippie]

Moving the footpegs a bit to the rear is a fairly common mod on SF, after doing it I could see why, it feels just right for me.

 

[Gerald]

One of the first mods I did with the 3CL, couldn't find a setting with the factory footpegs and shift lever that worked for me.
OEM Jota rearsets work best IMHO.

Gerald

 

[piranha-bro2]

Leave it standard.
If you want to heavily modify a bike, there's plenty of mass produced bikes out there, don't mess up the handmade product from a small family concern in Northern Italy.

Paul

You definitely won't like my SFQ Paul, but I didn't build it for you.

Yeah, yeah, where are the pics and vids?! Coming ...

Been flat out with other things. And with the bike I'm battling a 'new' LiFePo battery that sat unused for 31 months. Doesn't look like it will ever develop the 500CCA it was rated at. Supposed to cope with a year on the shelf but I left mine for so long because a) the bike wasn't built and b) I checked the voltage regularly using the LED readout on the battery and it maintained at least 13.3v - so assumed it was OK. I bought it 'early' so I could make my battery box. Gonna hassle SSB for a longer warranty tomorrow.

 

[CLEMTOG]

The thing is, if you buy a bike that for all intents and purposes you see it as appealing to yourself, then when you actually have it for a few days or months, and find that a change might suit you better, as motorcyclist we generally change it or have it changed, sometimes very minor to sometimes extremely major, whatever floats your boat, just do it.

This reminds me of a story at a Biggin Hill air fair, must have been around 1967 (ish) the very famous ray Hannah (sadly now deceased and superseded by his wife and son, Ray, who both are atained Spitfire pilots), was flying his Spitfire at that air show, it was painted blue with white stripes, it may have been the only one flying at that time, (today there are something like 80 airworthy Spits) and there was a comentary link to the cockpit, he was quizzed as to why his Spit was not matt black underneath and disruptive cammo on top, his reply live on air was "when you own your own Spitfire you can paint it any fucking colour you like, this one is mine) they were not quick enough or not ready enough to beep out the expletive, this caused much furoar in the press but did no harm at all to Ray, so if its your Jota you can paint it any colour you like (excpet O&S)
CLEM

 

[Rossguzzi]

A possible newby here.
My history includes bevel single and twin Ducatis, Morini`s, Guzzi`s and way back Montesa`s. Very interesting thread as a couple of bikes Im thinking about are prime examples of this discussion.
1 is a fairly original Jota. I always liked the orange.
2 is a silver modified Jota.
At first I thought it had to be orange. But studying what had been done to both bikes, Im leaning towards the silver one.
I think practicality wins over being a stickler for originality.

 

[nick7]

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.


View attachment 82233

 

[Paul Marx]

Try and find a nice Ducati single nowadays, Scramblers apart.
They're all with clip ons, fibreglass and a megaphone. They were nice bikes before that.

One day, most 750 Laverda will have clip ons and orange fibre glass. Not very practical, but then, they'll come out 3 times a year to show off 10 km from home when the weather's fine. They were nice bikes before that.

All my bikes are modified, for riding. My Falcone puts out 12 volts and has a USB socket for the satnav.

Paul

 

[redfox]

Some people may think that if Laverda modified their bike, they call progression. If a private does it, they call it regression.
But if it's some one famous who does it, they call it marvelous.
Funny that is.

Any car, motorcycle, moped, bicycle, skateboard, rc plane, rc car, computer or HiFi component that I have ever had, I modified. But not it's character. But for the better. I still do this, and will continue to do so. Visible or internal.
Each to his own.
Cheers,
Jacques

 

[Paul LeClair]

" while you are at it you might as well.........."

 

[GregT]

All my bikes are modified, for riding. My Falcone puts out 12 volts and has a USB socket for the satnav.

Paul

Heresy....the family Airone puts out a wavery, optimistic sometimes 6 volts - and the mag is now so bad it interferes with cellphone signals

Laverdas are not the only make with cliche colours either. I've never seen a Guzzi flat single that wasn't red. FWIW there's probably more Laverdas in NZ than Guzzi singles.