Re: What did you do to or for or with your Laverda today?

redax5 said:
would you like it back ?
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I've got a heavily welded one too you can have as well. That ally tank was a pain the arse from day one. In fact the very first ride after building the Motodd, rode to the serviuce station to fill up for a long ride and fuel started pissing out from under the tank. Had to dump half a tank of fuel to stop it leaking! Over the next 25 years I must have welded that tank at least 20 times, 5 times in one week!!. Couldn't go anywhere without a tube of epoxy. They never fitted the frame that well either so I decided to make a replacement out of carbon. No point taking a copy from the original as it didn't fit so ended up scratch building it. Fits like a glove, doesn't slide around and I gain an extra 3 litres.

Hey Red, is that tank from Scotts MK3 and is it currently residing in your workshop?
 
Every Motodd I have seen has had the original alloy tank welded to death.
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Strangely enough I've never had one leak - been touring Europe and raced all over England. I've seen plenty that have leaked after touching the metal of the frame. I make sure that there are plenty of good rubber mountings (See photo)- without proper ones - trouble will follow.
      Grant's sweeping statement is incorrect (I wonder how many "every" is?) as he's seen my Mklll and the tank is original and unmolested on that one. - regards - Phil
 

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I have seen 5 Motodds up close and they all had welded repairs to the tanks.
I have not seen Phil's up close. It may have been in the back of his workshop when I was there.
As they are not that common I would say that the 5 I have seen were representative.
Not a sweeping statement Phil. I saw what I saw. Should I not say what I see?
As you say the damage is probably due to inadequate rubber supports for vibration damping.

 
Should I not say what I see?
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Of course you should say  Grant - but I've owned more than 5 and not had one go yet so I must say that too.  Any repairs made to the tanks will not be done as per the original process - The tanks were gas welded using parent metal strips as filler rod. My Mklll is on full view in my largest shed! - Regards - Phil
 
Not having a go Phil.
After 30 odd years I think they are standing up well.
Obviously I have seen less Motodds than you, but 5 out of 5 that I had the opportunity to closely inspect/work on had the issue.
Can't recall seeing your Motodd in the shed as I was looking at and talking about other bikes with you.
 
hi for what its worth I've had mine for 22 years and its never needed a repair or leaked but I've never dropped it either ,hope the pic comes out.
regards andy
 

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Dellortoman said:
That's difficult to get right. If I'd tried to do it I'd have ended up with a puddle of melted aluminium on the floor.
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  yes Cam - I remember the 1st time I tried "lead Burning" - the lead just ran away from my mini Saffire oxy/acetylene gun - took ages to get it just right! - The old boy who made the Saxon/Motodd tanks etc worked out of a shed by a quarry - he had no 'phone - only could contact him at lunchtime on his home 'phone. he was more of a "Smithy" than just a welder - he made lots of panels and tanks for us. The business has now passed to his apprentice (probably in his 50's now too)
 
Well today I took the Aussie drummer out for a few more Kms, I have nearly completed the whole project now and just waiting for the front stop light switch to arrive and she is ready for consistent use, I spent the last week replacing the starter clutch, fitting the rear indicators fitting her new header pipes and changing oil as well as  cleaning the strainer.
Here is a couple of pics sorry about the quality but it was the best I could do in the receding light and eye phone.
She may not have been ready for this years concourse but she will be definitely up for a ride to next  years event.
I couldn't imagine what a monster this bike must have been in 1973
 

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Ha Ha, caught you out Maurice, being trying not to mention a certain team but as you have let the cat(s) out of the bag. Go Hawks ;)
 
Hey Maurice , was referring to one of your pics up on the hill at the local Torquay Tigers Grnd  ;)

Don will shed a tear when he lays eyes on his old girl in the flesh  8) 8).

Peaking rather early Tezz  its only July  :o :o
 
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