What do you think this RGS is worth?

parrishsteve

parrishsteve

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Chicago, IL USA
bringatrailer.com

1985 Laverda RGS1000

Bid for the chance to own a 1985 Laverda RGS1000 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #91,242.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com

We will know what happened after a week but I'm curious what people think.

looks like someone else posted this, I would delete but I can't..??
 
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Things don't add up imho.

Too much wear and tear to be seen for the claimed 28000km, I'm almost suspecting a missing 100000. The paint scuffs on the tank and side panels usually don't show before 50-60000km. Lots of chipping on the fork sliders. Fairing is warped and ill-fitting, huge gap at the base of the windscreen. Probably only requires correct assembly. Why are the silencers painted? RH silencer has a huge dent. Non-working tach also points to a much higher mileage. Stock handlebar grips are almost indestructable, why replacements are not properly fitted beats me...

Lots of chain whine to be heard in the videos, so probably not serviced by an ace mechanic. Carb "rebuild"? I'd rather take another look.

If the claimed 28G are legit, it's pretty shoddy. If it's done 128G, it's in pretty good shape.

Do US imports always get a specific frame tag? US VIN entered in the old riders handbook?

Motorrad Schenk is still doing business, different address though.

piet
 
Interesting observations. The whine was odd to me too. I have an RGS with 6000 Miles on it and it's original (trust me the evidence when I was getting it road ready was overwhelming). My VIN does indicate U.S. and ends 0008 (I think there were only around 250 that were imported into the US).

Regarding the tach, Mine jumps around like crazy, not just when it's running but if you shake the bike it moves around. I think there's a counter weight that may have lost fluid..?? hence the jumping around..?? I would love to hear if there's a remedy for this.

The exhaust and the suspension being flawed/stripped of paint is other evidence of non-correct mileage.

I'm curious as to the value because I had every intention of "Flipping" mine for a profit. But I ended up falling in love and having a true appreciation of Laverdas due to this forum, and as far as I'm concerned, I am now a motorcycle aficionado by owning it. It's special in the motorcycle world...at least to me :)
 
No fluids involved in these tachs. The needle has 2 or 3 tiny lead counterweights that are folded over extensions of the needle, all very fragile and not meant to withstand the rigourous conditions of biking. They loosen, wear and eventually drop off, causing the needle to wave about randomly. On new instruments that I install, I place a drop of superglue on these bobweights to keep them in place, has held up nicely for almost 70000km in my own replacement instrument pod.

Difficult to move on a good condition RGS for more than €7000-7500 here, most go for around the €6000 mark. After all, it's not a Jota and seldom orange.... :rolleyes: Mine won't be going for less than 10G, which means I'll be holding on to it for quite some time to come!

piet
 
Bike supposedly sat for 20 years & seller did the freshen up. Painting the exhaust silver vs black bad idea, I assume chrome was tatty. Yes Piet, US import bikes have the headstock tag. Interesting that speedo is KPH.
 
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IAG said:
Bike supposedly sat for 20 years & seller did the freshen up. Painting the exhaust silver vs black bad idea, I assume chrome was tatty. Yes Piet, US import bikes have the headstock tag. Interesting that speedo is KPH.
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Recieved its pre-delivery inspection in Germany, so obviously a german market bike. Stock silencer fitment would have been chrome, these must have been very tatty... which points to the remainder being just as bad before the spruce.

So, looks to have had a hard life before being stored badly.

piet
 
Based on input...I'm pretty sure at this point that I spent too much money on it and too much on getting it like new...as long my wife doesn't know (I've been pitching it like an investment) it's mine for a while...maybe forever. Whatev' I love the reaction from people on road that know what it is.
 
I still think if someone can buy it cheap enough they will do okay and have a good bike to ride round on for quite a few years. Sure, it’s no show pony but if the new owner plans to use it as intended how smart does it need to be?
 
If it’s all correct and original and priced accordingly then it’s criticized as an overpriced garage queen. But if it shows evidence of regular enjoyment over the years and a recent cosmetic freshen up for sale then it’s a pig with lipstick and on its last legs! Surely there is some middle ground?
 
Alzero said:
If it’s all correct and original and priced accordingly then it’s criticized as an overpriced garage queen. But if it shows evidence of regular enjoyment over the years and a recent cosmetic freshen up for sale then it’s a pig with lipstick and on its last legs! Surely there is some middle ground?
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There is & we see them for sale occasionally. Typically long term ownership w/ regular use and referred to as an honest bike.
 
Alzero said:
If it’s all correct and original and priced accordingly then it’s criticized as an overpriced garage queen. But if it shows evidence of regular enjoyment over the years and a recent cosmetic freshen up for sale then it’s a pig with lipstick and on its last legs! Surely there is some middle ground?
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Everyone’s a critic I guess ……
 
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Wow,Lots of experts & skeptics among us.Yes,it doesn't look like a Bonham example,but the bike is solid.This bike was ridden by the previous owner,and then put away for 20 years or so without proper prep.Cosmetically it has some issues,but it is mechanically sound.Itwas was gone through by one of the most respected Italian bike mechanics in my tri-state area.Not sure what the concern is of the "whining" noise,but all has been gone through and she runs great.I have no reason to doubt that the mileage is not accurate,as the valve train,and cams showed little wear whenreplacing the cam chain.Carbs were professionally rebuilt,and not just sprayed with a can of carb cleaner.Thanks for everyones opinions,but at the end of the day,if she doesn't hit my reserve,I'll just enjoy her for another season.No loss,no foul.
 
Have fun with the bike, if you are the new owner, Laverdaguy 64. Regarding the whining, might be the primary chain. There is a tensoning screw at tle left side bottom, release it until the whining stops and secure again. If there is no change it also con be the cam chain, but I don‘t think so.
Andre
 
I agree with @andre g . Primary chain! I just adjusted mine via the instructions in the shop manual and that's exactly what it sounded like when I adjusted in...but then you have to back it out until it goes away. It might be a little too tight.

I am curious about "Do the primary chain static" I'm not sure I follow. Let me know what you know :)
 
Some history, in the dark ages, before Andy Chainman invented the indestructible Mersades Duplex chain, that's a twin-section chain out of a Mercedes he developed for Vincents first I think that replaces the standard Triplex chains that were hard to find in the RIGHT quality that was the standard Laverda Primary chain. The original way to adjust the old triplex was to tighten it till it sang while the engine did 2k revs and back it off till the sound stopped. That didn't work with Andys chain so the thread on the adjuster was calculated to see how many turns back from snug got the same result, but defining SNUG was a bit of an issue, Read this. BTW I think RGSs have 2 separate single chains so fitting Andys chain wont work on them.



Adjusting Andys Primary Chain

I do this so infrequently I forget how. From memory, the tight till it wines and back off till the sound stops doesn't work on Andys chain. I seem to remember Cam worked out the adjuster bolt thread pitch and gave a tight then back off turn number. Anyway, I have searched the forum for an hour...
laverdaforum.com laverdaforum.com
 
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