Photos of my new RGS Corsa

[rpo83]

LH panel looks ok, seat not located on it's pins correctly.

Thanks Legs, i saw at the fixings and thought the panels couldn't move. The place selling the bike had to get aerostart into the carbs to get her fired, so i'm assuming they undid a few things to get to the airbox. Thanks for your comment

 

[rpo83]

Question but hopefully related:

Can you use oxalic acid to clean up the fuel stains? Works great on the Guzzi but alloys ain?t all the same. Wondering if it?s safe on your lav.

Thanks, i'll look it up...

 

[rpo83]

I see you have the ignition key. There?s 3 others- steering lock, fuel cap, seat. There are fixes to be found on this forum for all of them but if you get the keys it?s easier 
Corsa huh? You lucky thing 

Now you have me worried Let's hope the 4 keys are there... What were Laverda thinking with 4 keys!! I don't expect the bike to arrive in Australia until maybe March, so when it arrives i'll know what i'm in for..

Yes i do think i am very lucky i found myself at the right place at the right time, and she seemed like a good original bike in dire need of TLC.

 

[rpo83]

Congrats, fine looking machine even after sitting unloved! Best to give the covers a proper polish as you will be removing them anyway for recommissioning. Who knows if customs agents went poking around bike and were unable to fit tail section & side panels. Enjoy the work ahead!!!

Thanks IAG, it amazes me that someone could let a bike like this sit unloved... But she does look incredibly complete and original. The bike is still in Japan, so my customs agent has just collected her and documented her condition. I'm really looking forward to her arriving

 

[rpo83]

Nice! Looks generally to be OK and unfuckedaboutwith 17000km reflects that.

Carb strip and rebuild, new fuel hoses and taps and a bloody good service will see it a good way there. Cosmetics seem sound, so a deep clean and polish, along with a pair of silencers (or rechrome the originals). Probably a brake strip and clean, new tyres (how old are they?), perhaps chain and sprockets once the bike's up and running.

Keep us updated.

Alan

Thanks Alan,

She'll get a good going over, i don't get the bike for a few months, but basic plans will be, new tyres, rebuild kits through all brake master cylinders (if available) and calipers, new brake lines, new battery, wheel bearings and have a good look at the chain & sprockets and headstem bearings and suspension.

Yes i'll keep you all updated as i'll need a lot of advice as this is my first Laverda.

I'd love to keep the original mufflers, so i'll need to have a good look at them, otherwise it will be a new set of Jota mufflers...

 

[rpo83]

Its a shame but you're going to struggle to find someone to re-chrome the mufflers. Many years ago I had 2 done somewhere in Sydney. They pickeled, soaked them in a bath used to clean engine blocks, for days. One came out clean, the other kept leaching crap. They chromed them and said never again as the crap stuffed their chroming tanks. If you try maybe start the cleaning immediately. Car engine places and old style radiator shops used to do pickling, no idea if it's still about though.

Hi Vince, yup this is the general feedback i'm getting, i'd love to be able to use the original mufflers, but i'll have to wait for the bike to arrive to have a good look at their condition, i've been talking to Malcolm Cox so worst case i'll get a set of his Jota mufflers.

 

[rpo83]

Nice score - a very hard-to-find bike in very very original condition, cosmetic corrosion looks to be the worst of it.  I'd be surprised if it's not a 'proper' Corsa, it seems to have all the bits.  Aside from anything else, very few people tarting up a normal RGS bother to fit the floating rear disk.

Thanks Steve, i'm now 100% sure she is the real deal I hadn't even noticed the floating rear disc!! Not many road bikes in the world with floating rear discs!! I'm really looking forward to her arriving, and i just hope she is OK mechanically

 

[rpo83]

Found this, no idea if it is ok
https://www.redistrip.com.au/REDI%20STRIP%20information%20sheet%20booklet%20_3_.pdf

WOW, thanks Vince, they might be able to help... I have bookmarked their website and i'll contact them once the bike arrives and i have an idea if the mufflers are beyond repair or just covered with surface rust...

 

[rpo83]

As Alan, Steve.  Also:

Definitely change the tyres - and also the wheel bearings, front and rear and in the sprocket carrier.  It's just not worth not doing.

DEFINITELY a brake strip and clean - and re-rubber throughout (master cylinders and calipers).  And change the brake hoses.  The old ones will be stuffed - weak and swollen.

Check the head bearings.  Drain and refill the forks.  The rear shockers will  most likely be stuffed - they leaked almost from Day One  .  Not worth re-building, IMO - DAMHIK, but Grant may disagree.  Get some new ones - plenty of advice which to chose, much depends on your budget.

The screen isn't fitting properly at the front.  Dunno what's going on, but they do slip off their supports.  Not serious - just don't leave it like that.

If the bike hasn't yet been crated, tell the shipping agent to be VERY careful with the indicators.  They are vulnerable and hard/expensive to replace.

If I think of anything else, I'll say.

And congratulations!

Craig

P.s Don't forget to change the horn blades.

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the comprehensive list, that basically covers what i'd want to do before i ride her

I've already talked to the agent about removing the indicators, at this stage i'm thinking about storing the originals and fitting something in keeping with the style of the bike. Horn Blades

Thanks for the info, i really appreciate it.

 

[rpo83]

P.s  If the bike is still running the original ignition, plan to ditch it as soon as money allows.  The reason is that the RGS has a nasty habit of 'lurching' at around town speeds, essentially 'cos of a poorly designed/executed advance control.

Replace with a Witt or similar and the bike becomes much (but much ...) more agreeable to ride.

Once i know what it has fitted, i'm assuming it is still the original system, i'll be picking the brains trust here about what to fit

 

[rpo83]

Nice Find Steve..
On the subject of shipping, another hard to find part is the original mirrors so I would be removing them also.


Graham 8)

Thanks Graham,

The mirors look like California's, they are the same as what is on my Bimota YB5's, i have a few spares, but the guys in the Bimota Forum have found suppliers for new ones, so i have some new spares too... So i'll probably remove the originals and keep them with the indicators and fit new ones. From the new ones i've received they are the same as the Bimotas, so fingers crossed they are exactly the same as the Laverda ones.

 

[rpo83]

Looks to me like a really good buy, but some of the corrosion looks to me a bit like someone has already spilt battery acid on the cases...

Thanks Andy,

that was exactly my thought when i first saw the bike, i wondered if it was someones pride and joy, then one winter when it was stored the battery leaked and damaged the covers and the owner got disheartened and she was simply left to sit in the corner of a garage...

I'm hoping the covers will polish up OK...

 

[murphus]

Thanks Graham,

The mirors look like California's, they are the same as what is on my Bimota YB5's, i have a few spares, but the guys in the Bimota Forum have found suppliers for new ones, so i have some new spares too... So i'll probably remove the originals and keep them with the indicators and fit new ones. From the new ones i've received they are the same as the Bimotas, so fingers crossed they are exactly the same as the Laverda ones.

They're not exactly the same, you'll have to modify them or the bracket. I believe Wolfgang sells the brackets. The two shown here, the one clearly labeled California I got from Wolfgang, I'm guessing he cuts off the extension for the swivel and then drills/taps to secure the stock bracket. The other came in a box of bits, the bracket was modified to secure to the extension for the swivel. Either way works, but Wolfgang's is cleaner. And the rubber gators are nigh on unobtanium.
Richard

 

[Ventodue]

Hi Steve,

I warned you I'd be back if I thought of anything else .. And I have 

When a bike is ridden hard*, the RGS headstock isn't as robust as it needs to be.  It develops cracks which could be  .. well, fatal eventually  .

But no panic!  For one, the factory issued a reinforcing kit with instructions about what to do - see below.  And since then, people have developed even better solutions - speak to Steve Battison, for example.

So, when you get the bike, tank the tank off and inspect the headstock.  And then, if it hasn't already been done, get it strengthened 

* And let's be honest: you don't buy a Corsa to go shopping ...

 

[andre g]

Hi,
about the ignition.
I amrunning two SFC 1000 - engine spec.should be the same as the Corsa- one with Witt 2 and the other one with the original Bosch. Nothing to say against the Witt but the one with the Bosch is running fine, also in the cities where some claim it ifeels reasonably acceptable, I will not change it. You should test it.
Andre

 

[2622]

The mirors look like California's, they are the same as what is on my Bimota YB5's, i have a few spares, but the guys in the Bimota Forum have found suppliers for new ones, so i have some new spares too... So i'll probably remove the originals and keep them with the indicators and fit new ones. From the new ones i've received they are the same as the Bimotas, so fingers crossed they are exactly the same as the Laverda ones.

Top find it does look pukker and still has the small tabs to hold the back of the inner fairing in place which is rare in this day.........most bikes I see they not there anymore.

Interested about the number of the bike as it has black wheels it may have been a special order bike as its late in the run and by rights the second series had gold wheels so its kind of unique in this way.

As for the mirrors yep there are plenty suppliers out there for California's however the ones that Lav used had a few subtle add ons which are like hens teeth... they had small rubber tabs at the inner corners of the glass and also grommets. Good luck on finding new indicators but lenses can be had but the bodies hmm

Who says you need to rechrome the pipes clean em up and ride it first then make a call,( doesn't seem to bother my Silver Jota ) say Malcolm's RGS style pipes are real nice and sound great too boot had a pair on my RGS for a long time now and they are holding up.
I'd be worried more about the inside of the tank than that of the mufflers, if its had moisture in it for a long time they tend to rust out a the bottom front corners... but no biggy as can be fixed..........three are some great products about to sort that out. Just RGS tanks can be a pain to line but once done bob is your uncle.

Main concern with the original ignition is the wires to the pickups but a good sparkie can rewire ...........the boxes are fairly robust but can also die but this bike seems to be low use so would expect them to be OK but the biggest issue with the original ignitions is that they can be hard on starter clutches. Modern ignitions are a lot more gentle in this area.

Paper Air cleaners elements are also hard to come across but not impossible, an alternative paper solution can be had and with a little ingenuity can be re- manufactured  to suit.

Lets hope that the engine internals are OK and not ravaged by moisture if so you're one lucky man. If not then guess the engine will be off to Red to wave his magic over. 

Welcome to the Corsa family  Enjoy

 

[mauricejota7604]

So Steve which state do you live in???

 

[rpo83]

They're not exactly the same, you'll have to modify them or the bracket. I believe Wolfgang sells the brackets. The two shown here, the one clearly labeled California I got from Wolfgang, I'm guessing he cuts off the extension for the swivel and then drills/taps to secure the stock bracket. The other came in a box of bits, the bracket was modified to secure to the extension for the swivel. Either way works, but Wolfgang's is cleaner. And the rubber gators are nigh on unobtanium.
Richard

Thanks murphus,

it is amazing what you miss when glancing at images... as soon as i saw the shape of the california mirror, i didn't look any further, i didn't even notice the mounts!! Thanks for the pic, that clears things up. I'll make sure the mirrors are removed and the gaitors packed safely

 

[rpo83]

Hi Steve,

I warned you I'd be back if I thought of anything else .. And I have 

When a bike is ridden hard*, the RGS headstock isn't as robust as it needs to be.  It develops cracks which could be  .. well, fatal eventually  .

But no panic!  For one, the factory issued a reinforcing kit with instructions about what to do - see below.  And since then, people have developed even better solutions - speak to Steve Battison, for example.

So, when you get the bike, tank the tank off and inspect the headstock.  And then, if it hasn't already been done, get it strengthened 

* And let's be honest: you don't buy a Corsa to go shopping ...

Thanks Craig,

Just what i need to think about, a cracked frame, you are a ton of fun

How many RGS/Corsa/SFC's have needed this mod? When i was doing my initial research i didn't find the internet blowing up over broken frames, is this something to be aware of, or something that should be attended to even if no evidence of a problem?

I'll save your docs to my Laverda folder

 

[rpo83]

Hi,
about the ignition.
I amrunning two SFC 1000 - engine spec.should be the same as the Corsa- one with Witt 2 and the other one with the original Bosch. Nothing to say against the Witt but the one with the Bosch is running fine, also in the cities where some claim it ifeels reasonably acceptable, I will not change it. You should test it.
Andre

Thanks for the feedback Andre..