1973 Laverda 750SF
Listed Price: $7,500
Like many famous Italian motorcycle brands, Laverda got its start building motorcycles to supply the desperate postwar need for affordable transportation as the country got back to work rebuilding itself. Early machines were naturally small-displacement, but Laverda had dreams of competing with the likes of Triumph in the larger European and American markets, where they knew they’d need motorcycles with much larger engines. By the 1970s, this resulted in bikes like this Laverda 750SF, with the “SF” standing for “Super Freni” or “Super Braking,” a reference to the oversized drum front brake that was eventually replaced by a pair of discs on later bikes. Stable and fast, the bikes were well-built and reliable, and did well in endurance racing events of the period. The parallel-twin engine featured five main bearings, and parts not made in-house were chosen for their quality, not their country of origin: Italian suspension, German ignition components, and Japanese electrical systems all combined to make for a bike that would last.
Downsizing my classic car/motorcycle collection.
’73 Laverda 750SF. Last year of the large “Super Freno” front drum brake. Have both solo and twin seats, manuals, etc. Needs paint. $7500 firm
I’m also considering selling my ’51 Vincent Rapide and mint original 8000 mile ’89 Honda Transalp. Open to offers.
Can be seen in Ventura, CA
Compared to bikes from Italian rivals Ducati, classic Laverdas really haven’t appreciated in value very much, excepting the three-cylinder models like the 3C and Jota, so affording one generally isn’t the issue, it’s finding a good one. 1970s Laverda twins like this 750SF provide plenty of character and performance, although parts might prove difficult to come by. Fortunately, the 750SF is generally considered to be a pretty reliable and well-built classic, and there are online resources that should help handy owners keep one running.
-tad
I always liked these Laverda’s because of their frames, brakes, and OHC “Honda like” engines. Think they have as much “character” as any other Italian make.