1972 Laverda 750SF
Miles: 33,909
Listed Price: $12,500 CAD [Approx $8,921 USD]
Unfortunately nearly forgotten today, Laverda was once a notable player in the sportbike market. Early Laverdas intended for the European market were naturally of smaller displacement, but the company had bigger ambitions and an eye on the American market, so they planned a 650cc overhead-cam parallel twin supposedly heavily “influenced” by a Honda engine that quickly grew to 750cc seen here in the Laverda 750SF model. That SF stood for “Super Freni” or “super braking” in reference to the enormous aluminum brake drum up front that gave very effective stopping power until it was replaced by a pair of disc brakes on later models. The bikes were well-engineered, but somewhat overbuilt and heavy at 485lbs dry. They incorporated the very best componentry available at the time: Bosch ignition, Nippon-Denso gauges, Ceriani forks and shocks, combined to make the 750SF a surprisingly reliable bike, with excellent handling, and the bike made an ideal platform for endurance racing.
One of the motorcycles that established Laverda’s reputation for building fast, robust, high-performance motorcycles.
We’ve owned this bike for the past 18 years. It starts easily (cold start video available for serious enquiries), runs beautifully, and has been exceptionally reliable throughout my ownership.
- Carburetors rebuilt by renowned Laverda specialist Wolfgang Haerter
- Original Borrani alloy rims and Ceriani forks
- 750SF replacement engine (correct period, 12 digits off frame number = non matching numbers
- Everything works and it’s ready to ride
Includes a box of spare parts, the Green Bible, Wolfgang Haerter’s list of spare parts.$12,500 CAD = $8,900 US approximately at current exchange ratesLocated in OntarioInspections welcomed. Happy to anser questions and provide more photos. Will also assist in arranging transport if required.
This Laverda 750SF isn’t a perfectly-preserved, all-original garage-queen to win concours events. It’s a rolling restoration in solid mechanical condition with some shiny new orange paint and plenty of details that could use your attention if those things bother you, or could be ignored if you just want to get on with riding. These Laverdas are famously solid machines when well cared for, and this one is claimed to be “ready to ride” and is fairly priced for such a good-looking and usable machine. It’s an absolute shame that the Laverda brand continues to languish in obscurity. I feel like there’s maybe room for just one more Italian brand, one that focuses on street-oriented performance and handling, powered by a big, beefy parallel twin and painted in glorious orange…
-tad
