I've ridden on both. One was my SF1 (later type) and I had to get rid of it before I killed myself. I ended up off the road in the Adelaide Hills thanks to that brake. Maybe it wasn't set up perfectly, but I needed something that didn't require that much attention when I was young and poor. I always centred the backing plate when refitting the wheel, which always helped a lot. Replaced it with a Yamaha TZ 4LS and used that for many years - brilliant, but too fragile - went through two of them. With discs available and virtually trouble free it was a no-brainer to upgrade.
Rebuilt an SF a few years back that had the early type like yours - it had great bite on initial application but when you wanted more the lever came in but the rate of deceleration didn't change. Had to take evasive action to avoid running into the back of a turning vehicle (the car I was behind saw it late and flipped lanes very suddenly, leaving me exposed). Discs would have pulled me up without problem. Of course all this depends on how hard you want to ride/brake. My take is that if the brake can't lock the front wheel it isn't up to the task. Just my opinion and many will disagree.
I take your point, and tend to agree that if it won’t lock the front wheel it isn’t up to the job, now, as my SF is my first laverda, (and I love it!), i can only judge based on my bike. Perhaps I’m lucky, because my front drum will howl the front tyre, indicating it’s not far off lockup, so I’m content!
ive no idea what brake shoe linings are fitted, maybe they are feredo? I always used to rate them highly.
I always liked the aesthetics of the front drum, and I fully accept that the twin disc is superior in every way, im just going to ride my SF accordingly.
being a senior at 64, my crazy days are probably behind me !
i competed in enduro’s, did a bit of clubman roadracing, the odd observed trial, but nowadays I’m content and grateful to be out on the bike, enjoying the roads, scenery, and the company of good like- minded mates.
i still grind the pegs and push the envelope, just not all the time anymore!
incidentally, I’m looking for a match to the SF gear shaft splines for my rearsets build, if anyone out there knows of a stubby lever that suits( from another manufacturer) I would be very grateful for the info.
cheers all, Marty.
