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

Laverdalothar said:
Hi stivesvelo

looks like a first series 1000 SFC, just like mine. They are top-heavy lumps and unless your legs and arms are still strong, they are difficult to hold upright once they decide to flip while standing... On the road, there are more agile bikes defenitely. You have pushed the fork legs through already as it seems to the necessary 4 cm, which is correct. However, if you have long legs, handling can be improved by some longer shocks (the Konis are just 367mm, the original first series Marzocchi AG Strada oro were 375mm).
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Yes it's 1986, I remember about the top heavy nature after dropping it due to the daft spring loaded suiside stand... I manage fine on good level surfaces but gravel car parks get my arse squeaking.
Have been thinking longer shocks would improve things, now that you point out the difference I see why (the bike came like that & I didn't get the original shocks), on the BCR 1-1/2 turns on the preload make all the difference (less than 1mm at the spring and a multiple of that at the wheel, but nowhere like 8mm), the BCR is on stilts with 835mm seat height & I have short legs, could do with lower fork legs on that but am managing at the moment so will probably be ok on the SFC1000...hopefully.
 
stivesvelo said:
Yes it's 1986, I remember about the top heavy nature after dropping it due to the daft spring loaded suiside stand... I manage fine on good level surfaces but gravel car parks get my arse squeaking.
Have been thinking longer shocks would improve things, now that you point out the difference I see why (the bike came like that & I didn't get the original shocks), on the BCR 1-1/2 turns on the preload make all the difference (less than 1mm at the spring and a multiple of that at the wheel, but nowhere like 8mm), the BCR is on stilts with 835mm seat height & I have short legs, could do with lower fork legs on that but am managing at the moment so will probably be ok on the SFC1000...hopefully.
Click to expand...

yep - happened to me, too... Even parked the bike uphill once on the sidestand with the engine running. Bad idea.... Bike jiggled off the sidestand and made it colapse... another set of turn signals gone.. :cry:

What really makes a difference are the lighter GSX-R rims, but I suppose you do not want to invest something like 1.500 Euro to get everything changed, right? Lowering the front a bit could do also the same trick as lifting the rear, just keep an eye on ground clearance (suppose though that you are not a kneeler anyway anymore ;-) )

Enjoy the bike as is and when it's time to move on, I am pretty sure you'll find a decent new owner who takes according care of it. Lucky me, my son develops some interest in the bikes and it might turn out, he get's some passion for it in the future. Mainly, he likes the Formula, but he also can't wait to ride the 1000 SFC and the Jota. I might end up swaping bikes with him (he has a Ducati Monster 695i.e. dark, which is also a pleasure to ride).

All the best for getting it back on the road! Take it easy on the first ride again, takes a while until you re-unite with it... ;-)
 
Laverdalothar said:
What really makes a difference are the lighter GSX-R rims, but I suppose you do not want to invest something like 1.500 Euro to get everything changed, right? Lowering the front a bit could do also the same trick as lifting the rear, just keep an eye on ground clearance (suppose though that you are not a kneeler anyway anymore ;-) )
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Lothar, I like the wheels idea but won't be shelling out at the moment, however am considering some longer shocks.
I had this RGA Jota a few years back & the Astralite wheels + modern tyres made a huge difference (not sure about colour, black is faster, the fairing mod is an improvement but you need a strong neck to live with that screen for any length of time, but a good looking machine though) engine had been worked by Windy Corner with lightened & balanced crank, gas flowed head, carbs etc. Jota cans etc. It did go well but I preferred the character of the SFC1000 engine & the aerodynamic fairing for covering any distance.

There are a couple of shock companies I've heard of, quality & price seem good for road use & have a good feedback - Falcon in Wareham (no price yet) & Shock Factory in France (£360 + vat).

Has anyone experience of either?

Welcome to Falcon Shock Absorbers Ltd from the U.K.

Falcon Shock Absorbers Ltd from the U.K. main catalogue for 2010
www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk

Shock Factory

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RGA Jota touchup.jpeg
 
stivesvelo said:
Lothar, I like the wheels idea but won't be shelling out at the moment, however am considering some longer shocks.
I had this RGA Jota a few years back & the Astralite wheels + modern tyres made a huge difference (not sure about colour, black is faster, the fairing mod is an improvement but you need a strong neck to live with that screen for any length of time, but a good looking machine though) engine had been worked by Windy Corner with lightened & balanced crank, gas flowed head, carbs etc. Jota cans etc. It did go well but I preferred the character of the SFC1000 engine & the aerodynamic fairing for covering any distance.

There are a couple of shock companies I've heard of, quality & price seem good for road use & have a good feedback - Falcon in Wareham (no price yet) & Shock Factory in France (£360 + vat).

Has anyone experience of either?

Welcome to Falcon Shock Absorbers Ltd from the U.K.

Falcon Shock Absorbers Ltd from the U.K. main catalogue for 2010
www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk

Shock Factory

Shop powered by PrestaShop
shock-factory.co.uk shock-factory.co.uk

View attachment 65153
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I’ve used Falcon, you can go there, discuss your needs and they build you the shock- high quality UK product.
 
Strong neck ? Sprint fairing is one of the best, never troubled me on European trips but maybe you"re talking speed not tour.
 
Exmoor beast said:
I’ve used Falcon, you can go there, discuss your needs and they build you the shock- high quality UK product.
Click to expand...
thanks for the suggestions, filled enquiry forms, also Maxton -quick response T260 £480 + vat (a friend spoke very highly of them), & Shock Factory, seem to be quite a few choices now that I look, v.tempted... will get it on the road first.
 
Decided to adjust my foot pegs on the Corsa have moved the pegs from 9 o clock to 6 o clock ( on this side )so down about and inch and a half and forward an inch and a half - hopefully give the memsab a bit more foot room - had to swap the rods over - will test tomorrow 998A92AF-AD31-46EE-AC14-B897E3CDD9BE.jpeg
 
Partial (partial because I did not rewind the coil, everything else cleaned, polished up and inspected)) rebuild of a BOSCH starter relay. Cleaned exterior of a second relay. Cleaned and painted mounting strap, ordered new isolation grommets. Doing more today just taking a break.
 

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I did exactly the same last week but found my left foot kept getting caught on the side stand so split the difference and went between vertical and horizontal. Maybe I have big feet!
 
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