Which bikes have made the greatest contribution to the laverda marque?

    Well, some might say the 1967 AFC110 self propelled mower,  followed by the even larger AFC 150.
      But to my mind, the 1971 production of the M100AL Combine with crosswise, and longtitudinal
      SELF LEVELLING system, really paved the way, for their monumental assault on the development
      of the MCS [Multi Crop Separator] 1992
              l rest my case
                    eric
 
Keeping within two-wheeled motorbikes, I believe it's als a matter of who you ask and when. In earlier periods I am sure Piet is right. It was the small ones who made it after wwII, when everyone wanted a motorized means of transportation, and cheap and reliable.
I recent years, it's got to be the Jota name. Aske anyone who may just have a clue, or once read an article about Laverda in widespread motorpress: they allways name the Jota. Being a 3C, 3CE, 3CL, 1200, Mirage, whatever... They still thinks it's a Jota.
The whole 120 series including the 120 Jota (in old frame) is completely dead in people's mind. They simply don't know about them. The press wrote things like: A Jota it's called but it sure ain't, as they are silinced and sanitized, now following the rules of the market, etc. But ask if they know the deardfull yamaha XS750 tripple? Sure.
Old times: the small ones as Piet said.
Newer times: Jota name, no matter the bike.

Cheers,
Jacques.
 
Maybe a "Freshman's" view is interesting.

Before buying my SF project just recently and not having been into Laverda's enough to research the marque until now, I was only really aware of the early 1000 Jota and the 750-SF   I was aware of later triples but ignorantly thought them all just plastic "update" developments from the original jota.  (edited to add, "just as described in Jacques post above" )
I was not even aware of the existence of the 750 SFC  :o

So in my opinion and "Probably" the general public's non historically informed view it has to be the 1000 Jota (be that 180 or 120)

Everyone wants a Jota in there collection now don't they!

Julian
 
My first exposure in the UK to Laverda was in the late 70's early 80's and as expected the model Joe Public knew was the Jota. Though I dare say that in Europe it may have been a completely different model. At the same time I also became aware of the Mirage and Monty although I only ever saw one Monty on the road.
Even though a keen motorcyclist in the 80's I was never really aware of the other Laverda models as good as they are. I guess the models that catch the public's attention are those that achieve success on the track. I am sure that there are exceptions which will now be brought to my attention :D

Scrumpy   
 
Maybe it also have a slight relation to specific markets. Like France and Holland being 750 country, where those models were well known, bought and sought after.
Still, today, it'll be the Jota name, all models being one  :-\

Cheers,
Jacques.
 
The RGS reprsents Laverda finest,the V6 had to be made it was Laverdas flag ship just as the concord was to the British people it was the best neither made any money but thats besides the point,great things in life things that lift peoples spirits very rarely do,the SFC 1000 did not make money for Laverda it was not there most profitalbe bike it kept going for 3 years because they were using up all the spares from the factory,eg SFS,s with 3C clocks on etc, the body work may have been new but thats it,the SFC 1000 was a parts bin special,look to the smaller bikes for the best ones ,apart from the fabulous RGS that is ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
 
I did not know that they had 500 Corsa heads laying around, SFC Footrest-Plates, M1R Forks, Oscam wheels, Seat units, Clock-brackets, Oro Calipers, Alloy swing arms etc. etc. etc. - really surprises me what they all had laying around...

Ignoring the facts is not making it become the truth...
 
Maybe the bulk of the parts were available from Italian sources, but Bayflex was produced by Bayer, a German company.
Bayflex was incredibly expensive, and thick, vs what we see these days with paper thin PP injection moulded parts.

My thoughts are that they had cheap access (sale or return maybe?) on the metalwork.
 
Rufustbear said:
Lothar all those parts were left  over from the V6 they had to do some thing with them ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Click to expand...

sure...  ;)

we are going from bad to worse here in the mud throwing contest: Not only that at the start of the discussion, the design was critizized, now it's said that all parts (that were never used on any other bike...) are left-overs and the bike is half-hearted thrown together out of returns (sure... The M1R has a special size, the Footrest-hangers are made for a Ducati SFC etc.). You folks must be very desperate in trying to protect the RGS. Which is absolutely not necessary, the bike is nice!

Rufustbear said:
Its true thats why ive got one of the 12 SFC 1000,s with shaft drive ;) ;) ;) ;)
Click to expand...

that was a good one, +1 Rufus!  :D

I am glad that you think a German Product is superior to anything made in Italy. Wonder why you are not into BMW's then instead of Laverdas...  ;) Fact is, the Bayflex is a good product - until it breaks (which it does not that easy as CF, that's for sure) or get's scratches and you want to repair and paint it again...

But - let us stay away from that in this thread at least, please. The question was a different one and for sure neither the RGS nor the SFC 1000 contributed most to the marque, I think we can agree on that, right?

Leaves it to the following options:

-75/100
-750 GT/SF
-750 SFC
-1000 Jota
-V6

I think that's basically it - or?
 
Ok it has to be the V6 every one dreamed of it becoming a production bike Laverda owners would have sold there houses/ wife's/children even the(last resort) dog to own one,if you rode a Laverda you knew that that name on the side of your tank meant that there existed the possibility of becoming part of that elite group of the worlds fastest production moter cycle,just as the Jota was,the stuff that dreams are made of kid,and remember it would have took the Japs at least 3 years to catch up thats how much the V6 was ahead of its time And if the Japs had not caused it to race again(they were the ones who ended its racing carear) who knows.
 
Oh, so now I suddenly have a parts bin special made up of ducrapi and V6 parts? Great, it just makes it even greater...
In fact I think I'll assemble a little Laverda meeting this afternon to celebrate it!
Maybe the SFC1000 even is meant to be the first to be on the Moon? Come on. It's a last bike from a great company, who dared to have it's own philosophy, contrary to (most) others. And it's a propper bike. Change of subject back to thread.
I think the 4*4 car did the worst for the company.
The great V6 is what it is, but I don't think it made the greatest contribution to Laverda.

btw. maybe something escapes me, but I think the fairing, front fender, and the seat/sidepanels is not CF but fiberglass.

Cheers,
Jacques.
 
The first SFC 1000s had old stock Smiths instruments that had dried up inside and were useless so had to be replaced.
That is definitely parts bin special status to me.

I think people are having fun with you saying it had V6 parts etc...
 
The first bike Massimo/Piero rode,it always amazes me that people ask Piero to sign the front cover of this book and not the photo,(Laverda by raymond ainsco and tim parker)
 

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For me, who have the chance to own Laverda since 1970, the answer to that question is obvious, that the 750 S / SF.
But 40 years later, it is the ultimate question we can legitimately ask:
What is the Laverda the largest in the history of the brand?

There are several responses to my review:
- most important for the economic health of Laverda SPA is uncontested; the 750 GT / S / SF (19000 copies)
- the most representative in endurance competition: the SFC (drum brakes)
- The most beautiful, that is a subjective matter;
(my answer: 1? SFC Elettronica - 2? RGS -  3? SF 1970/71)
- The largest technical supremacy on the world motorcycle industry: the 1000 V6

Now, if we must choose between her children: I would say ...
first for its looks exceptional, and for its achievements in competition,
and also the fantasy of a generation of bikers ...
there is only one: his Majesty : The 750 SFC

Happy New Year to All

Bertrand
 
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