UK Laverda Auction Results

With this particular SFC in mind, I was referring to the high costs of restoration, not routine maintenance which, as you say, isn't too bad. And of course, this isn't a Laverda only issue, it concerns all makes. I mentioned Laverda in particular 'cos it's a one make club chat site, and I own one.
If I was chatting to friends in the old Ford car club I'm in, then we'd probably at some point, get around to talking about the high relative cost of 1500pcf engine bits, or something..
You are bang on about the crap excuses given by our 'beloved leaders', and it varies depending on where you live I suppose? Things ain't great in the UK at the moment, that's for sure.
Modern bikes are expensive to repair, agreed. Parts prices can be eye-watering, in addition to 'creative' labour/repair quotes which can lead to mildly damaged bikes being written off, maybe unnecessarily. Not a direct comparison to 'our' machines though, I don't think, and can be avoided if you don't fall off (fat chance in my case..).
Race bikes have a way harder time of it than road machines, so inevitably cost a bit more to fettle and keep in shape surely? Tyres alone would cost an unsponsored racer a fair bit over a season, not to mention any mechanical issues. Used to compete in a bit of Production Bike & Supersport club racing back in the day, short circuits and MGP. Not on Laverdas, just the usual suspects (LC/YPVS/CBR6/ZX6 etc). Kept at it for 17 years and loved (almost) every minute of it. Great sport to be a part of, but a costly one nonetheless. Ironically enough, one of the things I used to do to make a bit of extra dosh for racing, was buying insurance write-offs (some bikes but mostly cars), repairing them, and selling them on.
Anyway, if you are competing next season, I wish you a safe, successful and cost-effective year!(y)
 
With this particular SFC in mind, I was referring to the high costs of restoration, not routine maintenance which, as you say, isn't too bad. And of course, this isn't a Laverda only issue, it concerns all makes. I mentioned Laverda in particular 'cos it's a one make club chat site, and I own one.
If I was chatting to friends in the old Ford car club I'm in, then we'd probably at some point, get around to talking about the high relative cost of 1500pcf engine bits, or something..
You are bang on about the crap excuses given by our 'beloved leaders', and it varies depending on where you live I suppose? Things ain't great in the UK at the moment, that's for sure.
Modern bikes are expensive to repair, agreed. Parts prices can be eye-watering, in addition to 'creative' labour/repair quotes which can lead to mildly damaged bikes being written off, maybe unnecessarily. Not a direct comparison to 'our' machines though, I don't think, and can be avoided if you don't fall off (fat chance in my case..).
Race bikes have a way harder time of it than road machines, so inevitably cost a bit more to fettle and keep in shape surely? Tyres alone would cost an unsponsored racer a fair bit over a season, not to mention any mechanical issues. Used to compete in a bit of Production Bike & Supersport club racing back in the day, short circuits and MGP. Not on Laverdas, just the usual suspects (LC/YPVS/CBR6/ZX6 etc). Kept at it for 17 years and loved (almost) every minute of it. Great sport to be a part of, but a costly one nonetheless. Ironically enough, one of the things I used to do to make a bit of extra dosh for racing, was buying insurance write-offs (some bikes but mostly cars), repairing them, and selling them on.
Anyway, if you are competing next season, I wish you a safe, successful and cost-effective year!(y)
That 750 SFC won't cost much to restore because it won't be ridden.
As for raced, forget it.
Paul
 
Oui, Andy J a raison SFC 1000.
Voir le premier message, page 1.
Stephen.
Okay.
It's the racing mention that put me on to the 750.
The 1000 "SFC" is hardly a race bike.

It sold for £4140, the same price as a Honda 500/4 in the same sale.
The Jota which I've seen discussed, probably on the ILOC forum, a past owner's wife pointing out that the history given in the auction blurb was codswallop, sold for £ 10 580. Myths sell.
There were some really nice British bikes in that sale that went for peanuts.
Paul
 
Paul.
Yes, the chat did go off at a tangent a little, as they tend to do..
I've seen the threads discussing this particular Jota, and its debatable provenance. Codswallop is putting it mildly I think.
I hope despite all that, that it proves to be a good buy for its new owner. We can all get carried away here and there, and rightly or wrongly, a little 'mythology' always seems to grease the wheels. And sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
You are right, there were some great looking British bikes on sale, and going for little money. Every sizeable bike auction seems to have a
whole bunch of them now. Very tempting indeed.
Regards, Steve.
 
Getting back to the Laverdas sold at the auction, I’ve now had a look at the ILOc posts and can see that the ownership history of the Jota has been challenged, but trying to trace the full history of a bike 40 odd year’s old is (or even younger in the data protecting world of ours) can be a challenge. I’m not trying to defend the auctioneer, because I don’t know if they have acted in bad faith or not. However, unless they know or suspect the vendor is telling them a load of old baloney then they surely have to take what they have been told at face value. It’s then a case of caveat emptor, which is not really any different if you are doing a private purchase or from a dealer.
I’ve not seen the receipts either so have no idea what’s was purchased or when, but as I wasn’t about to buy the bike it didn’t particularly interest me. Had I been looking to buy, then I too would have been asking the questions others have asked.
As we don’t know who the ‘lucky’ purchaser is then we don’t know what due diligence he/she carried out before they bid, and what their motivation was for bidding in the first place. For all we know they are happy with their purchase, which is the main thing.
As aside, I was surprised the Darmah and S2 sold for more than the 916, which seemed fairly cheap to me, but what do I know?
 
As aside, I was surprised the Darmah and S2 sold for more than the 916, which seemed fairly cheap to me, but what do I know?
Having been around when those Ducatis were new, i'm astounded. imho there was a whole lot more about a 916 to make it very special than there ever was about a Darmah or an S2! In terms of a revolution in styling, the 916 is up there with a green frame AFAIC. Nothing to do with how good this one or that one was - my opinion is based purely on 'the vibe'.
 
Having been around when those Ducatis were new, i'm astounded. imho there was a whole lot more about a 916 to make it very special than there ever was about a Darmah or an S2! In terms of a revolution in styling, the 916 is up there with a green frame AFAIC. Nothing to do with how good this one or that one was - my opinion is based purely on 'the vibe'.
I actually quite liked the Drama look and was totally put off by the 916, which was indeed very special. But I simply couldn't get on with the overall design. That changed when the 999 appeared, made the 916/998 look rather pretty again! What followed never managed to rock MY boat... despite how "good" and "awesome" they might have been. Never caught on to the Monster or Multistrada etc either. Rode a few, but, nah, not for me.

The last of the Bevel S2 models also appealed to me, never really got on with the raw cosmetics of the SS, looked far too much like a backyard job to me. Even a '74 750SFC looks more refined to my eye, can't get much rawer than that!

piet
 
Having been around when those Ducatis were new, i'm astounded. imho there was a whole lot more about a 916 to make it very special than there ever was about a Darmah or an S2! In terms of a revolution in styling, the 916 is up there with a green frame AFAIC. Nothing to do with how good this one or that one was - my opinion is based purely on 'the vibe'.
As usual,
 
It's just my personal thing, but the sculptured seat on the S2 bevel was a step backwards. A mate owned one. I get that the plane mains were better in terms of engineering, but not my aesthetic. People be different, Ha. The Drama twin seat did help on one occasion. One Sunday night, a Drama turned up at a house I lived at, being ridden right across Sydney 3 up by some crazy mates. They all just fitted on its long dual seat. Still produced my jaw to drop; it takes all the craziness to do that.
 
I actually quite liked the Drama look and was totally put off by the 916, which was indeed very special. But I simply couldn't get on with the overall design. That changed when the 999 appeared, made the 916/998 look rather pretty again! What followed never managed to rock MY boat... despite how "good" and "awesome" they might have been. Never caught on to the Monster or Multistrada etc either. Rode a few, but, nah, not for me.

The last of the Bevel S2 models also appealed to me, never really got on with the raw cosmetics of the SS, looked far too much like a backyard job to me. Even a '74 750SFC looks more refined to my eye, can't get much rawer than that!

piet
Like this '85 Mille?
 

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That’s significant in its own right. The very last dozen!!
The SFC 1000 certainly was easier to ride than the SFC 750, for me anyways. My knees screamed when I rode the SFC 750.
Hi Steve, '86 SFC *2851* sold via Dreamcycle/Iconic out of Sorrento BC in April of this year for $13k USD plus usual additional auction fees. Looked to be a really decent example, especially for our side of the border.

Bello Moto SF also has a king's ransome RGS for auction right now...... the ask is approaching SFC750 territory.
 

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Hi Steve, '86 SFC *2851* sold via Dreamcycle/Iconic out of Sorrento BC in April of this year for $13k USD plus usual additional auction fees. Looked to be a really decent example, especially for our side of the border.

Bello Moto SF also has a king's ransome RGS for auction right now...... the ask is approaching SFC750 territory.
For sure I remember that. I stand corrected, but that particular machine I think was forum legend, recently passed away Jim Henderson.
 
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