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Laverda SFC1000 (by Ian Falloon, Mar 2022) ![]() Laverda's
eighties swansong Laverda’s legend was built around the 750
SFC; the bright orange
factory racers that dominated European endurance racing
in the early 1970s. As
the 750 twin became outclassed Laverda turned towards
the fire breathing
180-degree 1000cc Jota triple to sustain the myth. But by the 1980s not even the roguish
exhaust note or rush of
upper end power could disguise the 180’s excessive
vibration caused by the two
outside pistons rising and falling together. Laverda
sought to tame their
triple with the more orthodox 120-degree crankshaft
layout, in the process
creating a motorcycle with a completely different
character. Like all Italian manufacturers Laverda
struggled to survive in
the early 1980s. The 120-degree triple was still an
engine rooted in the past
and the RGA, RGA Jota, and RGS Executive were misguided
attempts at increasing
sales. By the end of 1984 it was obvious that Laverda
was in serious financial
difficulty but they surprised everyone by releasing the
SFC 1000 for 1985. As a limited edition model the SFC 1000
was packed with special
features. The engine was hand assembled, the forged
10.5:1 pistons from the
factory F1 racer, and the cylinder head modified to
include larger (40.6mm)
inlet valves and smaller (34.0mm) exhaust valves. The
power was 95 horsepower
at 8,000 rpm, and a Formula One racing kit was optional.
This kit included P1
(Prova 1) camshafts, 36mm carburettors and a close ratio
transmission. The SFC 1000 chassis was significantly
uprated over the standard
RGS 1000 but it was still old fashioned. This chassis
now included a Verlicchi-built
box-section aluminium swingarm, 41.7mm Marzocchi M1R
fork, 300mm fully-floating
front disc brakes, and three-spoke 18-inch Oscam wheels.
The brakes were Brembo
Gold Series, and the rear disc full-floating with a
frame-mounted linkage. At a
time when most other manufacturers were moving towards a
single rear shock
retained a pair of new Marzocchi remote reservoir shock
absorbers. The red-painted fibreglass bodywork was a
similar style to the
1000 RGS, but the 22-litre fuel tank had twin screw type
filler caps. The
beautifully milled SFC-emblazoned footpeg brackets set
the SFC apart from more
mundane motorcycles. Unlike the automotive-style instrument
panel of the RGS the SFC
panel was a simple aluminium plate with three
instruments (tachometer, speedometer,
and oil temperature gauge). Rolling on a long 1528mm wheelbase and
weighing a daunting 248kg
the SFC 1000 created a huge presence and the SFC 1000
was an overwhelming
motorcycle for anyone short of stature. But once rolling
it was impressive.
Stability was unquestioned and the power seamless almost
from idle. At a time when motorcycle design was
embracing innovation the
SFC 1000 remained a bastion of conservatism and although
representing an
earlier age the SFC 1000 ensured the Laverda legend
didn’t die with a whimper. With classically beautiful styling the
SFC 1000 also benefited
from nearly 15 years of the development. What was
already a robust design was
perfected into an extremely reliable machine, with
excellent handling and
performance. With the wonderful SFC 1000 the classic
Laverda triple finally
finished, and for many they were the last real Laverda
motorcycles. ------------------------------------------------- Produced by AllMoto abn 61 400 694 722 |
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