Gallery Maven – 1988 Laverda SFC1000 with 359 Miles !

Back on eBay after BIN-er couldn’t complete the purchase…  Donn

The 1980’s found Laverda groaning under the weight of tightening emissions regulations, Italian taxes, and imported competition.  They took one more swing with the RGS1000, a deluxe sport-tourer, and segued back to the sport market with the SFC1000.  Despite its lack of racing provenance, it was reputed to be one their best of all time machines.  With just a couple of tanks of gas under its belt ( and exquisite care ), the SFC1000 presented here might be the best we’ve seen in a long while.

1988 Laverda SFC1000 for sale on eBay

As ever, the core of the SFC1000 was the engine, an upright air-cooled triple based on their earlier 3C and proud of 100 hp.  In hopes of smoother operation, a 120-degree crankshaft was developed, cradled in a classic downtube chassis.  Laverda buyers expected nicer components and got adjustable Marzocchi forks and shocks on the SFC, and dual 300mm diameter Brembo Gold Line brakes.  The upper-only fairing was similar to the RGS but produced in fiberglass for lighter weight strength.  A removable monoposto cover revealed a wholly inadequate pillion seat.

Coming to the owner by way of a Laverda dealer from back in the day, this SFC is very original, and went on display without even a weekend’s riding.  Metal finishes are outstanding, and the fairing practically glows.  The mufflers have been replaced, but the state of details like the dash defies explanation.  The owner’s comments from the eBay auction:

The dealer kept the bike for himself, in his house in the Santa Barbara area.  He sold the bike to me 3 years ago and I put the bike on display in my living room in the San Francisco Bay area.

He went through the bike at that time, changed all the fluids, oil and brake.  It has new tires on it.  We decided to replace the shocks and the silencers, both were deteriorated, and the shocks could not be rebuilt, the kit is no longer available. The shocks are top quality WORX and look identical to the Koni’s they replaced. Otherwise, the bike is completely original.

The silencers are new Jota type, which were an option originally.  So the bike is ready to roll if someone wants.  The battery will need to be replaced, and the calipers should be serviced.

But take a serious look for yourself, what you see is real.  It’s a new bike.  

I have a set a NOS  Continental mirrors I got from Richard Slater at Slater Laverda in the UK for it–they were an option.  Those alone are now unobtanium. They will go with the bike.

The Super Freni Competizione name reached back to Lav’s 750cc endurance racers, and the revival SFC was intended only as a stopgap until a new model was completed.  Reality put those plans on hold, halting production until Francesco Tognon stepped up and revitalized the brand in the mid-90’s.  So the SFC1000 is a snapshot of Laverda in the late 1980’s, and the condition of this example makes it a very high-resolution picture indeed.

-donn