Description
Located in Australia, can help arrange shipping. Video available of it runn/ ride. This bike was featured in the November 2000 Classic Motorcycle Magazine in the UK and was known as “Fast Orange”.
Like many Italian marques of the era, the Laverda SFC’s were built street-legal with an underbelly that roared “race ready”. They were raced with some success with many being very competitive endurance racers. Laverda factory rider and team leader of the day, Roberto Gallina once told known Laverda aficionado Tim Parker, that between the SFC and Ducati’s “green frame” bevel 750 SS, “there was nothing in it performance wise”. In 1972, many SFCs were raced successfully both nationally and internationally, and in some cases they continued to be raced for many more years in the hands of privateer’s.
The 11000 series models are incredibly rare with a reported 55 units leaving the production line. The 11000 series is the last of the “drum brake” SFC’s as Laverda made a styling alteration to the model to stay current with other brands of the day. However, many owners moved over to the very popular Laverda SFC “disc brake” models as a sign of allegiance.
Fast Orange is an incredibly rare survivor, which over time has had minor some parts replaced, and other parts restored, which is understandable since these bikes were in the hands of experienced street racers.
Laverda’s frame and engine numbers, of this period, always matched and are always known by a four-digit number. The frame number has the “LAV 750 C” prefix, common on all drum brake SFCs. On the lower left rear of the crankcase is the “SFC” stamp, correct for the 11000 batch. The engine number is stamped on the left side of the crankcase 750* 11097*
Like all 750 SFCs, Fast Orange is an eye-catching color. Some say it is the most striking and memorable color used. The paintwork has been refinished to the highest standards with the correct shade matched to the original gelcoat that was used on the fuel tank. Over time the factory paint did not stand up well as Laverda didn’t put a great deal of emphasis on the paint finish of these production racers.
Most of the “consumables” have been replaced over the years with new Metzeler RoadTec tires 100/ 90 18 M/ C 56v front and 120/ 90 18 M/ C 65V rear, fuel hoses and cables.
Laverda Concourse Winner 2014 AUSTRALIA (Best Laverda)
The important items such as the Borrani WM3 18 RM 01 4446 wheels, sprockets, brakes, tach, headlamp, forks and frame are all original even though refurbished.
The steel tube frame, outsourced to Varricchi was returned to its original zinc coating finish in 2016 along with a seat refurbishment and complete repaint.
At first glance the frame looks like the SF (road) frame, but there are countless differences. Easiest to spot is the double skinning of the rear engine mounts, less apparent are the extra brackets for the lowered battery tray, the different bracket for the starter relay, the brackets for the electrics,
the coils, the seat, the fairing bracket, the extra set of hooks and studs for the tank rubbers. Holes were drilled in several spots for the zinc plating process. Lugs for the fitting of a nylon chain guard can be found on the right side.
The all-important engine stamping can still be clearly seen on the lower left side at the rear of the sump.
The engine still offers almost 200psi of compression with previous knowledge that the crankshaft has been overhauled.
The generator has been re-wound and serviced, new mufflers were fitted in 2017 along with wheel bearings and starter motor engagement ring. The original Amal 1036 carburetors have been replaced with DelOroto PHF 36 carburetors as the 1036 Amal's were more suited to the race circuit.
The mufflers have been replaced with a beautiful pair of factory Laverda DGM 5933S units. The internal condition of the engine is strictly speaking unknown but with its current performance the owner considers it a good engine. There is an inherent strength of the build specification, the raw power of this engine when operating, that there is little to fear as to its condition.
The crankcase is correctly stamped (at the factory) 750* 11097*. All the fasteners on the engine are period correct.
The Bosch ignition is still the original and still carries the original coils, kill switch block and regulator. The gearbox cover is cut open in the proper way. This was done by hand at the factory and all covers are thus slightly different from each other, but all to the same style. The special swinging arm pivots on bronze bushes have been replaced 2017. Only 55 production units ever made.
Owned by Tim Isles, the author and guru of Laverda’s in the 70’s and then passed down the line to riders like John Richardson (owner of 7 Laverda’s), tracked by Marnix van der Schalk in Europe, it certainly has been in the hands of legends. It started with registration YYJ 512Y, but it was Tim Isles who changed registration being a UK grey import to ABW 111K which is still proudly displayed today.
Incredible history as seen in photo files (attached)
The stunning color, it elegant stance sets it apart from today's modern classics and is an icon of the era.
Italian 70's at its best.
