Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Canuck750 on February 28, 2021, 08:40:53 PM
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1983 Laverda RGS in need of some TLC, could make for a nice big gentelman's express
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Other-Makes-RGS1000/224368935032?hash=item343d6e4078:g:eysAAOSwxPRgO93~
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xJzYVCp/RGS.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcN1j1Zm)
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I almost bought one just like that, instead my LM3.
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"Big" is and always has been the problem with Laverdas and me. I really wanted that RGA Jota that Fred Heistand Motors had back in '86, but knew if I bought it, at some point I'd drop it. Just too tall and top heavy. :sad:
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"Big" is and always has been the problem with Laverdas and me. I really wanted that RGA Jota that Fred Heistand Motors had back in '86, but knew if I bought it, at some point I'd drop it. Just too tall and top heavy. :sad:
Yes...the three cylinder "Italian Freight Train!!" :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh: Still, a timeless classic... :cool: :thumb:
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I rode a Laverda RGS last spring. Most impressive and a perfect size for me. Great power. Nice sound and that all important feeling of unburstability that a fine machine communicates.
If I were to be swayed away from Guzzi, a Laverda might do it.
Nick
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"Big" is and always has been the problem with Laverdas and me. I really wanted that RGA Jota that Fred Heistand Motors had back in '86, but knew if I bought it, at some point I'd drop it. Just too tall and top heavy. :sad:
My sentiments exactly
I used to lust after Laverdas and nearly bought one, just utterly seduced by the 750 twins
Much later a mate had a Jota and when I sat on it I asked him to hold the bars as I got off, that's how unsteady it felt to me although I'm pretty short at 5' 7" (he was about an inch shorter and loved it though)
I couldn't believe how tall and heavy they were
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My sentiments exactly
I used to lust after Laverdas and nearly bought one, just utterly seduced by the 750 twins
Much later a mate had a Jota and when I sat on it I asked him to hold the bars as I got off, that's how unsteady it felt to me although I'm pretty short at 5' 7" (he was about an inch shorter and loved it though)
I couldn't believe how tall and heavy they were
I'm 5' 6", 30" inseam and had the same experience. Somehow, Fred, who was a little shorter than me managed to ride them though. I'd love to have a 500 Alpina S - I might have a chance of fitting on it!
(https://i.ibb.co/G2GnfhW/Laverda-500-Alpino-S.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G2GnfhW)
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Has had the tank converted to a normal filler. RGS's had the filler in the fairing. Stupid idea that didnt work very well. Owned three Laverdas. Recently sold an ex RGS race bike. Stupidest thing Ive done lately.
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Has had the tank converted to a normal filler. RGS's had the filler in the fairing. Stupid idea that didnt work very well. Owned three Laverdas. Recently sold an ex RGS race bike. Stupidest thing Ive done lately.
In case anyone is interested in the story behind the fuel cap in the fairing, it was told to me like this... Laverda was working on the prototype RGS and as a small company with no emissions experience needed some help with getting it US and CA certified. Nowhere else had motorcycle emission controls at that time. They contacted Alfa Romeo who was interested in the rights to some Laverda patents, something to do with variable cam timing or similar. The resulting deal had the director of Alfa USA engineering and another US based Alfa engineer sent to Breganze for the job, given their experience in US certification of Italian products. For 1984, the state of California was set to require evaporative emissions controls on motorcycle fuel tanks, and that was their biggest challenge. The second in command had the idea of adapting a car filler neck with its hose connections etc, I believe Fiat parts were used, and that led to the car style gas door in the fairing. For their trouble Massimo Laverda gave them an RGS which I believe stayed with Don Black, the lead guy until he gave it to the number two guy as it was too tall for Don to ride comfortably. Don later had a Breva 750 (Guzzi content) among a great many other interesting vehicles, told me the story above, and if I remember correctly mentioned that the younger number 2 guy who invented the RGS fuel filler solution (in desperation with time short) had yet to retire from an elevated position at VW in the US.
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I rode a Laverda RGS last spring. Most impressive and a perfect size for me. Great power. Nice sound and that all important feeling of unburstability that a fine machine communicates.
If I were to be swayed away from Guzzi, a Laverda might do it.
Nick
Wolfgang Haerter, the Laverda Guru and parts supplier in North America rides a RGS, I think he is about 6'-3", he told me he really liked the Tonti Guzzi framed bikes but they are too small for him and he has to fold up like a pretzel to ride one. I am 5'-9" and the Laverda SF1 I own is on the verge of being too tall for me plus its quite top heavy, I have never ridden a Laverda triple but they look to be taller but they are actualy lighter than the twins.
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I had one back in the 80's...still one of my all time favorite Laverdas - 1975 750 SF2! :thumb: :cool: :boozing: :wink: :smiley: If I were to ever get another Laverda, this is the one I would buy. For a pristine version, like this one, be prepared to pay $10K-$12K all day long!! :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh:
(https://i.ibb.co/4FkV7rd/Screen-Shot-2021-03-03-at-5-51-08-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/4FkV7rd)
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Yes...the three cylinder "Italian Freight Train!!" :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh: Still, a timeless classic... :cool: :thumb:
Best description i have heard in years , a friend has a 1200 laverda, the sheer size of the thing is amazing , especially if you realize the average Italian male is half a foot smaller than me.
Apparently for the 1200 they beefed up the clutch by fitting stronger springs, so it is so heavy just looking at the clutch handle hurts.
( and i am used to old guzzi's and ducati's)
still i came close to buying a 1000SFC , these bikes are gorgeous .
a big laverda is just as impractical as a bevel 900SS, italians tend to do that.
at least you have time to admire your bike while waiting for your fysio.
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https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1296559
Full resto by Malcolm Cox in the UK. I called him and he said he is building 4 and then he is done, the other 3 were built to order and pre-sold. This is the last one. A new Laverda for $15,000 US, because it is a 1983 very easy to import over here. The rebuild is covered in detail on his facebook page. If anyone has surplus cash that they can live without please PM me.
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If the only problems' the cosmetics and the recommissioning it may be a cheap entry ticket in to Laverda Land. Cosmetics aren't trivial based on condition of that gas tank, and if anything is bad in the engine / tranny you're upside down really really fast.
Steve
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Those engines are built like a tank. Not much to them, pretty easy to work on.
I have a 30" inseam, and loved my triple. 80,000 hard miles.
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and if anything is bad in the engine / tranny you're upside down really really fast.
Which is why I'm reluctant to bid. Most of the standard stuff looks pretty straightforward -
fluids, check the valves, clean carbs, maybe brake lines and tires.
But why was it parked?
If I knew the motor and tranny were good, and the tank didn't leak, it would be worth
taking a chance.
Those things are just porn on two wheels............ :cool:
-Stretch
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Which is why I'm reluctant to bid. Most of the standard stuff looks pretty straightforward -
fluids, check the valves, clean carbs, maybe brake lines and tires.
But why was it parked?
If I knew the motor and tranny were good, and the tank didn't leak, it would be worth
taking a chance.
Those things are just porn on two wheels............ :cool:
Exactly. I see 4-5 of these come up per year in the US in the 8-11k range. Figure this one at 4.5, then you spend another 500 on tires and lines, then probably 1500-2K on paint and you're pretty close to what you'd have in an out the door runner. Little room for error.
-Steve
-Stretch
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Exactly. I see 4-5 of these come up per year in the US in the 8-11k range. Figure this one at 4.5, then you spend another 500 on tires and lines, then probably 1500-2K on paint and you're pretty close to what you'd have in an out the door runner. Little room for error.
I would prefer to buy a cheaper and rougher one for half the price of one listed as 'good to go' and have it rebuilt to a good standard. I have bought more than one shiny object claimed to be restored that was crap mechanicly.
If anyone is interested in the bike I would reccommend calling Wolfgang Haerter in British Columbia, Canada.
Wolfgang is the go to guy for all things Laberda in North America and has an impressive warehosue full of NOS Laverda parts. He has been servicing and restoring Laverda's for decades. Wolfgang is an amazing resource for the Laverda community and he is very helpful. He can fully rebuild any Laverda model and stocks most anything one will need.
Columbia Car & Cycle
357 Shakespeare Road
Nakusp B.C. V0G 1R1
Canada
phone & fax:
++1 250 265 4502
phone shop:
++1 250 265 0165
laverda@lightspeed.ca
http://laverda.ca/
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Exactly. I see 4-5 of these come up per year in the US in the 8-11k range. Figure this one at 4.5, then you spend another 500 on tires and lines, then probably 1500-2K on paint and you're pretty close to what you'd have in an out the door runner. Little room for error.
I would prefer to buy a cheaper and rougher one for half the price of one listed as 'good to go' and have it rebuilt to a good standard. I have bought more than one shiny object claimed to be restored that was crap mechanicly.
If anyone is interested in the bike I would reccommend calling Wolfgang Haerter in British Columbia, Canada.
Wolfgang is the go to guy for all things Laberda in North America and has an impressive warehosue full of NOS Laverda parts. He has been servicing and restoring Laverda's for decades. Wolfgang is an amazing resource for the Laverda community and he is very helpful. He can fully rebuild any Laverda model and stocks most anything one will need.
Columbia Car & Cycle
357 Shakespeare Road
Nakusp B.C. V0G 1R1
Canada
phone & fax:
++1 250 265 4502
phone shop:
++1 250 265 0165
laverda@lightspeed.ca
http://laverda.ca/
YES!!! - - Wolfgang Haerter is "THE" go-to Laverda guru in North America!!! :thumb: :bow: :boozing: :cool:
(https://i.ibb.co/CHc4XZY/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-7-20-18-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/CHc4XZY)