Tangerine Dream: 1973 Laverda 750SF1 for Sale

1973 Laverda 750SF1
Miles: 23,495
Clean Title
Bid at post: $5,100
Auction ends: April 6th, 2025
Reserve Not Met

I like to mix things up, and normally wouldn’t post two bikes of the same make one right after the other, but I guess “when it rains, it pours” and time is running out on this Laverda SF1, as the auction ends later this weekend. Introduced in 1967 and first sold in the US under the American Eagle brand name, Laverda’s 650 and later 750cc [744cc] parallel twin was backed by a five-speed gearbox and built to last, with five main bearings, and the bike incorporated the best componentry the world had to offer at the time, including Bosch electronic ignition, Nippon-Denso gauges, and Ceriani suspension. Most distinctive was the massive front drum brake that gave the bike its name: the SF stood for “Super Freni” or “super braking.” It wasn’t a lightweight machine, but handling was excellent and the bike made an excellent platform for endurance racing, an arena where Laverda did well during the period.

I’ve been interested in these firey orange twins ever since I got into vintage bikes, so this bright orange Laverda 750SF1 is at the top of my fantasy garage list. Aside from missing passenger accommodations and those slightly too-modern mirrors, this one looks about perfect and, although the later disc braked versions are probably the smart move if you plan to spend a lot of time street riding, there’s no denying the visual appeal of that giant front drum brake. Laverdas have steadily increased in price over the years, but still generally sell for far less than an equivalent Ducati, making them something of a vintage bike bargain: they’re durable, well-built, and handle well and look stunning. What’s not to love? Well, maybe parts availability…

-tad