New to the family.

Rhodieboy

Rhodieboy

New member
Location
USA
Good day to all. Newbie here. I've spent a couple of weeks browsing through posts and little by little my initial boyhood excitement at my new bucket list acquisition of a Laverda has been whittled away, and I now feel like I should be a proud member of the Lavatory club. :(
She's a 750 Formula. Yes, can hear the groans.
OK..I jest.
Pristine. 1860 kms. Un-ridden for 20 years. Been a display bike.
I've referenced JLOs Zane registry however I think my bike may be one of the "?" bikes noted as a US import.
The reg. documents indicate a '99 however I feel more inclined to believe it is actually a '98 production, imported, then sold to the original buyer in Sept '99 and registered as such. (I have that copy of the first reg, and the factory letter from Laverda congratulating the owner on his purchase)
I've attached a pic of the factory log with frame and engine numbers. If there's anyone who might have something to bring to the table in the way of knowledge...or I hesitate to mention...opinion, ha!
Looking forward to a great camaraderie here. Cheers.
 

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Welcome - nice bike - handle a treat - if you read up they have some weaker points but not insurmountable- great to ride - if it’s not run for 20 years likely unless totally drained that the fuel pipes are brittle and may need replacing - - cooling pipes and coolant need a look and check all electrical joints - just behind the seat pad there’s a joint that always fries straight from the generator to the rectifier - there is also a Zanelist website which may have some useful downloads C34E13D1-3D27-43D5-83CA-7556C57934C1.jpeg
 
Cheers and welcome to the Laverda maniacs ;-)

yours must be one of the quite early 750S Formulas, their numbering typically started afaik with 1001, so yours would count as the 359th ever built of the black/orange series (2 series of formulas were built). you are right, yours was built 1998 (mine is from 2000, last series).

you can find details of many bikes listed on the forum described above under the point "database": https://groups.io/g/zanelist/table

you need to create an account to watch the data though I think.

be aware that there are a lot of issues with your bike, all (well - almost all) of them are fixable. Some need fixing urgently (like the big end bearings...), else they'll produce a lot of mess and costs.

I assume you are in the US, so I'll stay away from recommending a workshop for doing the job. In Europe it would most likely be OCT in Germany, who have the most experience with the bike.

You will find that one person on here works for OCT and knows everything about these bikes - and does not really appreciate them. I can understand that somewhat as the faults repeat on each and every bike and have to do with cheaply hammering these bikes together by untrained people that did not give a shit instead of people with knowledge and care. Almost any part needs attention and the engine a lot of machining, electrics need a work over and starter gearing also some modifications to make them somewhat reliable. but when they are, they are really fascinating bikes...
 
Laverdalothar said:
Cheers and welcome to the Laverda maniacs ;-)

yours must be one of the quite early 750S Formulas, their numbering typically started afaik with 1001, so yours would count as the 359th ever built of the black/orange series (2 series of formulas were built). you are right, yours was built 1998 (mine is from 2000, last series).

you can find details of many bikes listed on the forum described above under the point "database": https://groups.io/g/zanelist/table

you need to create an account to watch the data though I think.

be aware that there are a lot of issues with your bike, all (well - almost all) of them are fixable. Some need fixing urgently (like the big end bearings...), else they'll produce a lot of mess and costs.

I assume you are in the US, so I'll stay away from recommending a workshop for doing the job. In Europe it would most likely be OCT in Germany, who have the most experience with the bike.

You will find that one person on here works for OCT and knows everything about these bikes - and does not really appreciate them. I can understand that somewhat as the faults repeat on each and every bike and have to do with cheaply hammering these bikes together by untrained people that did not give a shit instead of people with knowledge and care. Almost any part needs attention and the engine a lot of machining, electrics need a work over and starter gearing also some modifications to make them somewhat reliable. but when they are, they are really fascinating bikes...
Click to expand...
Apart from that, all's fine.

Paul
 
From my extensive research of Zane bike problems, I have learned that the best way to avoid any issues is to never ride it. Your fuel and maintenance/ repair costs will also be nothing.
 
Thanks to all for the welcome. My worst fears are true. There's a reason "due diligence" is the difference between security and poverty.
So it seems I've made the second largest mistake of my life. If any of you are married, you'll know what the first was.
So, before I get caught up in a respective boob job, botox, hair and nails and a designer wardrobe,-...... anyone want to buy her? I'll throw in the wife for free!
 
Rhodieboy said:
So, before I get caught up in a respective boob job, botox, hair and nails and a designer wardrobe,-...... anyone want to buy her? I'll throw in the wife for free!
Click to expand...

😂 I have a wife, but no Zane. Pfft, one problem is better than three.

There may be a single bloke out there that is totally clueless, he may take up your ‘sacrificial’ offer.
 
I will trade you my wife for the Zane. She has a lot of miles on her but still runs OK and is very pretty and can cook.

Now with such low miles on the Zane and nothing fucked up yet in the motor, it may not be too expensive to fix the problems before they happen. I have never ridden a Zane but have heard they are a very nice bike to ride if all is working OK. Talk to OCT and see what they say.
 
Rhodieboy,
Welcome to the Forum, a low mileage 750 Formula is a great find particularly since you are in the USA they hardly ever come up for sale here. My advice and I am sure I will cop a lot of flack for my blasphemy but it is what I would do if I came across a bike like yours.:cool:
Enjoy it as it is riding the wheels off of it until the engine breaks because it will, then find yourself a low mileage Japanese twin-cylinder engine to put into your Laverda rolling chassis;):) (maybe even a Yamaha triple engineo_O:whistle: Lots of wrecked Japanese twins out there with very fine donor engines. You would spend less money fitting a Jap engine into the very fine Laverda chassis than the cost of the Zane 750S Laverda rebuild. Enjoy your new bike for what it is a very fine Italian twin albeit fragile mechanically but keep your eyes peeled for that donor bike:ninja:. Let the flak fly!
 
Very wise words Dave. I've always said that's exactly what i'd do if I ever became a Zane owner. Seems crazy to suffer massive expense fixing the fragile heart of these bikes when there are better options falling out of trees out there!
 
Yep get her running and ride it - did 1000 miles last year and very much enjoyed it -nice and light - keep the oil changes regular , warm her up well - there’s nothing below 4 k and it will shake like a goodun under it but keep her in the 4-8 area , it’s plenty torquey !
 
Rhodieboy said:
The reg. documents indicate a '99 however I feel more inclined to believe it is actually a '98 production, imported, then sold to the original buyer in Sept '99 and registered as such. (I have that copy of the first reg, and the factory letter from Laverda congratulating the owner on his purchase)
I've attached a pic of the factory log with frame and engine numbers. If there's anyone who might have something to bring to the table in the way of knowledge...or I hesitate to mention...opinion, ha!
Looking forward to a great camaraderie here. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Models for the US market should have a standard VIN plate above the right footrest with the build month and year and the model year stamped in.
 
Laverdalothar said:
yours must be one of the quite early 750S Formulas, their numbering typically started afaik with 1001, so yours would count as the 359th ever built of the black/orange series (2 series of formulas were built). you are right, yours was built 1998 (mine is from 2000, last series).

you can find details of many bikes listed on the forum described above under the point "database": https://groups.io/g/zanelist/table
Click to expand...
Hi Lothar, was there a separate numbering series restarting at 1001 specific to the Formula motors?
Did those motors have a different prefix to the numbers or other external markings to identify them as equipped with Formula cams, pistons, etc?
 
Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond said:
there is also a Zanelist website which may have some useful downloads
Click to expand...
Welcome Rhodieboy, a few words from another Zane' fan who has seen plenty of ridicule here and in other parts of the Laverda community for daring to suggest that these bikes have any redeeming features.
They are very pretty motorcycles, If it's going to be a display and conversation piece just give it a good cleaning and admire it.
If you plan to use it then I expect you will find a much more sympathetic and helpful audience through the Zanelist https://groups.io/g/zanelist/topics. In the USA expect to be on your own doing the necessary basic recommissioning tasks though that online group will provide guidance. Get familiar with the parts suppliers that group will point you to, get a copy of the factory's maintenance manual, and plan to spend a fair bit of time learning how to do what should be simple tasks like replacing the fuel filter, battery, spark plugs, etc. where you will be amazed at how the designers put form before function as if user maintenance would never be necessary.
 
Ah, fuel filters - easy, eh! Just remove the tank, take out the old one, fit the newie and plug the fuel lines back in .... Ha!! What a friggin; nightmare.

Jobs like that have helped me no end in trying to design the SFQ to be maintenance friendly.
 
arancia said:
Hi Lothar, was there a separate numbering series restarting at 1001 specific to the Formula motors?
Did those motors have a different prefix to the numbers or other external markings to identify them as equipped with Formula cams, pistons, etc?
Click to expand...
yes to both, prefix and numbering series. you can see the difference from the link I shared after you logged into the forum
 
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