I've had a 73 Interstate and currently have the 75 Roadster ... for a few extra kgs. I like the starter and the motor / gearbox layout is definitely better (and did blow a layshaft bearing on the 73 gearbox) but the decider was the LH shift 'cos I'm not mentally agile enough to change LH / RH gear changes from bike to bike. Even sold the TR6 for that reason.
Non-Laverda... any advice for buying a Commando?
- Thread starter beauchemin
- Start date
chrisk
Hero member
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
I have that issue with left hand drive cars. Even just getting in and out is awkward
beauchemin
Senior member
- Location
- Victoria, British Columbia
I'm in touch with him. There are two '71s available locally, but I'm not sure I want a drum front brake.
Steve G.
Hero member
I’ve owned a MK11 850 Interstate since 1991. And owned a highly modified 72 750 Combat Roadster for 7 years.
The 850 engine tune give very usable tourque and the engine itself is nicely overbuilt with factory installed Superblend main bearings. The 850 I consider one of the only old British twins that can be used regularly with minimal issues.
Parts supply is literally better than a new Kawasaki.
I’ve done a lot of improvements over the years, mainly comfort and “old electric component elimination”. The Interstate tank indeed pushes you back 1.75” back , so Norvil rear sets actually make it super comfortable. Roadster tank does not give enough fuel range IMO, smaller steel Interstate tank (Italian made from the factory) give 250 miles.
No bike out there is a do all. Laverda twins out here on the west coast of Canada are extremely rare. A Commando offers similar ownership qualities, the Norton more capable performance wise, the Laverda more reliable and solidly built. Both cool looking.
The 850 engine tune give very usable tourque and the engine itself is nicely overbuilt with factory installed Superblend main bearings. The 850 I consider one of the only old British twins that can be used regularly with minimal issues.
Parts supply is literally better than a new Kawasaki.
I’ve done a lot of improvements over the years, mainly comfort and “old electric component elimination”. The Interstate tank indeed pushes you back 1.75” back , so Norvil rear sets actually make it super comfortable. Roadster tank does not give enough fuel range IMO, smaller steel Interstate tank (Italian made from the factory) give 250 miles.
No bike out there is a do all. Laverda twins out here on the west coast of Canada are extremely rare. A Commando offers similar ownership qualities, the Norton more capable performance wise, the Laverda more reliable and solidly built. Both cool looking.
beauchemin
Senior member
- Location
- Victoria, British Columbia
Hey Steve - your 850 is a beauty - pretty much what I'm looking for 
Legs
Hero member
- Location
- Adelaide Hills
Handsome beast.
The Sock
Hero member
- Location
- London, England
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Porous head, main bearings were just some of the problems. Bright side to that was when I got it going for long nough I traded it in for my 3C .Never looked back
Jo
Hero member
- Location
- Cologne, NRW Germany
My buddy with his '71 (?) 750 Commando and I did some longer trips last summer. We were honestly amazed at what was posible in view of driving dynamics with such old clunkers.
Over a beer in the evening he asked me: "Did I understand right when you mentioned recently that you did buy the Laverda because you looked for kind of decelaration ...?"
Cheers,
Jo
Over a beer in the evening he asked me: "Did I understand right when you mentioned recently that you did buy the Laverda because you looked for kind of decelaration ...?"
Cheers,
Jo
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Steve G.
Hero member
I’ve been the blessed caretaker of an ‘81 Euro spec 180 Jota since 1992. Back to back comparisons of the two machines have been available to me for , golly, 30 years.I’ll say that there is no way to compare. Completely different in every way. Both eye Candy IMO. Any machine that causes you to look back for one final look before exiting the garage is very important. My neck hurts when I walk through my garage. Pure passion. We have so much to choose from.this is the golden era guys . In just 30 years, nobody will understand. The next generation are ‘autotrons’ lacking the capability to understand Gand made machines capable if massive amounts of character. Let it ooozzz into your body, the machines of the 1970’s-1980’s.
Richard 180.S2.81
Senior member
- Location
- North by North West
The continuation of the vertical twin is the Triumph Bonneville. I had a T100 865cc for a number of years and it's a great bike, over engineered, the engine will last forever. It's heavy but if you want a sports bike don't buy a Bonnie. Masses of torque, 52mpg and loads of style. 100% reliable, you could jump on one and ride 1,000 miles without a care in the world.
pf1
Hero member
- Location
- Portsmouth UK
I have recently bought a Mk1 Triumph 900 Speed Triple, I really like the bike.
Steve G.
Hero member
I’ve ridden old machines like that for sure. I need to own bikes that can operate in daily traffic including motorways or freeways.
I much prefer riding a modern machine in traffic. Quicker handling and lighter brakes than our old clunkers.
When a car pulled out on me as I was on the SF2, I hit it. I wouldn't have on my 750 Aprilia which is my chosen town tool for the moment. Will probably be an electric two wheeler in a few years.
Same debate as riding with drum brakes and other older technical solutions. Our Laverda are not adapted to modern traffic. Which is why I bought my Aprilia. Work trips in the dark, in the rain and in bumper to bumper car traffic with those old Brembo discs and their 2 second delay before they start braking when wet
Were we in our 90s, we would think that 30s bikes are the dog's bollocks. (Which they are)
As for 80s bikes, the 750 GSXR came out in 1985. Far superior to the umpteenth re-edit of a concept with it's roots pre-war sold by a dead factory. Surely only Enfield India were using chain primary drive at the time, going back to the separate gearbox era.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Laverda and ride them a lot, but rose tinted spectacles ain't going to transform the frog into a princess.
Paul
Richard 180.S2.81
Senior member
- Location
- North by North West
I rode to work every day for 10 years, you can't do it on a classic,. You need mechanical reliability and latest technology in brakes, machining tolerances for lower cost of servicing etc..
Apart from an interlude with a Gilera single, I rode to work nearly all my working life on my Laverda. From 1981 to 2017. Before 81, I rode Honda and my last year at work, a 750 Aprilia.
A Parisian friend rode to work all his life on a 125 Morini.
Of course you can ride to work on a classic. They were modern before being classic.
Paul