SF0 Bars and controls and stuff

[RGSChris]

Hi All,

So I opted for a good value 750 in the end.  I think it's a '72 sfo from its frame no. There are a few howlers on it I'd like to sort out, mostly because it rains all the time here and I've probably got some of the right bits.  These kind of posts must irritate folk as Laverda fitted all sorts of parts to all models.  I'd just like to get a practical and correct-ish set of the following.

Levers - mine look like Tomaselli Matadors but say made in Japan on the clamps.  I've seen many bikes with Verlicci levers chromed steel with the castellated black adjusters are these correct on the SF0?  Correct or not are the Verlicci levers uncomfortable with the std clutch?

Throttle - mine's an old Daytona 2c - the parts books show a single cable with a splitter.  Did they fit the single Tomaselli or a Super Pratic B even to the SF0?

Ignition switch slidy cover - jocking apart can you buy these?

Bars - mine are a bit tall - maybe an an inch or two higher than the low rise bars you usually see but they are still lowish compared to US high bars and have the holes for the cables.

Steering damper?  The gubbins for a damper is there under the stem

Gators or dust caps on the forks?

Grips?

Downpipes - currently no link pipe anywhere

The front tyre is a 4.00 Pirelli Mandrake which has to go,  BT45 or maybe you can still buy the Exedra which looks fab and works well on my Motobi 650.

Thanks in advance

 

[Paul Marx]

Verlicchi levers are not uncomfortable with the clutch if you're confortable with it.
Single cable is correct. Tomasseli I think, the super Pratic being on the older models.
Ignition cover: have a look on german sites for old BMs. One has been mentionned here a few times. I probably have the address at home.
Bars: whatever suits, watch out for steering lock of course.
Yes, steering damper. Nice alloy knurled knob.
Gaiters or dust caps? Dust caps I think.
Originnaly the down pipes would have been linked in front of the engine. Even the later S had those.

Paul

 

[RGSChris]

Thanks Paul,
Found some of those Verlicci levers in the shed but the brake lever has a small cutout - for a different bike perhaps I'll work something out.  Tomasselli single pull - check, and I think a cable splitter some place.  Stuck for the steering damper, may have to post a wanted ad.  A set of downpipes with balance pipe for the exhaust seems difficult, Armours may be able to mod one of their sets for less than the usual suspects want.

Managed to take it for a spin last night.  Good handling, slightly over stable but nothing like as reluctant to steer as the RGS was.  Clutch ok but needs longer travel at the lever to help the clutch release better and hopefully alleviate the stiff gear change.  Vibration was strong or maybe I should say a firm throb but not unpleasant and only reaching a buzz when in the wrong gear.  Brakes excellent and far better than a brand new grimeca, they squeal when pushing the bike about after a run, maybe one shoe is dragging as they are not centered when released.  Starter seemed reluctant at the garage so I'll need to check the charging voltage is high enough for the big AGM battery fitted. The suspension was fine... I thought the Ceriani fork was supposed to be too stiff, the rear shocks are old cheap italian aftermarket but worked well.  I'd like to get some Cerianis or fit the Ceriani preload adjusters to some modern shocks to make some lookalikes.  May have to go for indicators too as it's a pretty intense ride so I want to keep my hand on the throttle.  Maybe discrete bar ends or some round cast alloy CEVs from the period, white lenses at the front of course!

I'm quite pleased really, it feels like a keeper and I'm now glad I didn't go for the triple this time.  Nothing wrong with a triple but I've owned one and this is a different experience.