List of Laverda Motorcycles

Last updated

This is a list of motorcycles manufactured by Italian manufacturer Laverda.

Contents

1950-1987

During this period Laverda was under the control of the Laverda family. [1]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
50 ccLaverdino1959-50 cc 4 stroke moped. [2] Laverda mopet.JPG
49 Mini1960-49 cc 4 stroke scooter fitted with 2 speed gearbox and single seat. 3 speeds and dualseat fitted from 1962. [3]
LZ 50 Pippo1981-1983 Zündapp engined 2 stroke. [4]
LZ 50 Sport1981-1983Sports version of the Pippo with nose fairing. [4]
OR 50 Atlas1985-1990 Cagiva/Minarelli engined 2 stroke enduro. [4]
60 cc60 Mini1962-Enlarged version of the 49 Mini. [3]
75 ccMotoleggera 751949-1960Introduced in 1949 with a 75 cc ohv engine, 3 speed gearbox, pressed steel frame and cantilever leaf-spring rear suspension. In 1950 a pressed steel spine frame was fitted and 1952 the model gained a tubular frame, swinging arm rear suspension and a 4 speed gearbox. [5]
Milan Taranto 751952-1960Tuned version of the Motoleggera following success in the Giro d’Italia. [5] Laverda 75 Sport MT 1953.jpg
100 ccTip Sport 1001953-1960Enlarged engine capacity version of the Milan Taranto 75. [5] Laverda 100 Sport Lusso.jpg
Tip Tourismo 1001953-1960Touring version of the Tip Sport 100. [5]
125 cc125 Sport1965-Ohv single with near horizontally inclined cylinder. [6]
125 Trail1965-Off-Road version of the 125 Sport. [6]
125CR1975-1976Off road bike with air cooled Husqvarna 2 stroke engine
LH 1251976-1979Off road bike evolved from the 125CR. 3 generations of the model produced: LH1 - LH3 [7]
LZ 1251977-1983Road bike powered by Zündapp water cooled 2 stroke engine. [4] Laverda125LZ1983R.jpg
LZ 125 Sport1980-1983Sports version of LZ 125 with nose fairing. [4]
LZ 125 Elegant1981-1983Custom version of the LZ 125 finished in black and gold. [4]
LZ 125 Elegant1981-1983Chopper styled version of the LZ 125. [4]
LB 125 Sport1983-1985Following the demise of Zündapp, Laverda started to produce its own engines based on the Zündapp design. [4]
LB 125 Uno1984-1986Updated version of the sport with square-section frame, 16" front wheel and oil injection. [4]
LB 125 Lesmo1986-1989Replacement of the Uno with full fairing and increased power. [4]
LB 125 Sabbia1986-1987Touring version with rack and saddlebags. [8]
175 ccLZ 1751977-1983Road bike powered by Zündapp water cooled 2 stroke engine. [4]
200 cc 200 Bicilindrico 1962-1976200cc 4 stroke twin
250 cc250 Chott1974-19762 stroke off-road model. [9]
250 2T/R1976-1977Revamp of the Chott with more power and a stronger frame. [9]
250 Enduro1977-1979Replacement for the 2T/R using a Husqvarna 2 stroke engine. [10]
350 cc 350 1978-1981 DOHC twin derived from the 500T. Introduced after Italy raised sales tax on motorcycles over 350 cc.
GS Lesmo 3501986350 water cooled v-3 2 stroke prototype that was never put into production. [11]
500 cc 500T 1977-1978Air cooled DOHC 4 stroke parallel twin. Known as Alpino in the UK and Zeta in the US.
500S 1978-1983Updated and restyled version of the 500T with engine balance shaft. Known as Alpino S in the UK. Laverda 500 S dx.jpg
Formula 500 1978-1980Track racing version of the 500S. Laverda 500 Formula.jpg
Montjuic 1979-1984UK only high performance version of the 500S. 1979 Laverda 500 Montjuic.jpg
500SFC 1981Germany only cafe racer version of the 500S.
600 ccOR600 Atlas1986-1989On/off-road machine using a 571 cc DOHC twin derived from the 500T. [12]
CR600 Cruiser1986-1989Roadster using the same engine as the OR600 Atlas.
650 cc 650 GT 1968650 cc SOHC twin
668 ccCR668 Cruiser1986Prototype using a development of the 600 cc twin with oil cooling, Weber-Marelli fuel injection and enlarged to 668 cc. [1]
750 cc 750 GT 1968-1974750 cc SOHC twin Laverda 750 p1.JPG
750 S 1969-1970Sporting version of the 750GT
750 SF 1970-1973Developed from the 750S Laverda.750SF.jpg
SF1 1973Updated SF Laverda 750 SF.jpg
SF2 1974-1975Updated SF1
SF3 1976Updated SF2
SFC 1971-1976Hand-built production racer developed from the SF Laverda750sfc.jpg
750 GTL 1974-1977Updated version of the 750GT Laverda 750GTL (1976).jpg
1000 cc 1000 1973-1974981 cc DOHC triple
3C 1974-1975Updated version of the 1000 with disc brakes 1974 Laverda 1000 3C in Red, front right (Greenwich).jpg
3CL 1975-1981Updated version of the 3C with cast wheels. US version had left hand gear changed and designated Jarama. Laverda-1000.jpg
Jota 1976-1982High performance version of the 1000 cc triple Laverda1000Jota1982.jpg
1000 V6 1977 V6 endurance racer. A single machine was built which raced in the 1978 Bol d'Or. The following year endurance racers were limited to four cylinders so the project was terminated. A second machine was built from spares in 1991 ahead of a planned production of 25 road bikes which was subsequently cancelled. [13] Laverda-v6.jpg
Jota 120 1982-1984120° crankshaft development of the Jota
RGS 1982-1985Development of the 1000 cc triple with 120° crankshaft
RGS Executive 1982-1983Upmarket version of the RGA
RGS Corsa 1984-1986High performance version of the RGS
RGA 1984-1985Cut down version of the RGS
RGA Jota 1984-1985Sports styled version of the RGA
RGA Jota Special 1984-1985High performance version of the RGA produced by the UK importers, Three Cross Motorcycles, the model had an RGS Corsa specification engine
1000SFC 1985-1988High performance replacement of the RGS
1200 cc 1200T 1977-19791,116 cc triple developed from the 981 cc 3CL.
Jota America 1977-1979US version of the 1200T complying with noise and emission regulations and with left hand gearchange.
Mirage 1978-1982UK high performance version of the 1200T. Laverda 1200 Mirage.jpg
Formula Mirage 1981Limited production version of the Mirage with higher performance.
30th Anniversary 1200 1979Limited edition to celebrate Laverda's 30th anniversary. Finished in gold and black. Laverda 1200 side (cropped).jpg
1200TS 1979-1982Gran Turismo replacement of the 1200T and Jota America.
1200TS Mirage 1979-1982Higher performance version of the 1200TS. Paris - Bonhams 2016 - Laverda 1 116 cm3 Mirage - 1982 - 001.jpg

American Eagle models

From 1968 to 1970 Laverdas were imported to the US by John McCormack under the American Eagle brand. [14]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
150 cc150 Renegade1968-1970Based on the European 125 Trail with enlarged engine and bodywork by UNICON. [14] Laverda AmericanEagle Renegade150-1970.jpg
750 cc750 Classic1968Based on the European 750GT with buckhorn handlebars, restyled seat and tank, [15] crash bars and luggage rack. [14]
750 Road Sport1969-1970Updated version of the 750 Classic. [15]
750 Super Sport1969-1970Higher performance version of the Road Sport with higher compression ratio and sportier camshaft. [16]

1987-1990

Laverda was run as a government backed worker's cooperative. The company name was changed to Nuova Moto Laverda in 1989. [1]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
125 cc125 Toledo1989Chopper styled water cooled 2 stroke. [17]
125 GSR1989Prototype replacement for the 125 Lesmo that never reached production. [18]
125 GP racer1990Disc-valve 2 stroke single racer. Its only appearance was at the 1990 Mugello GP. [19]
668 cc700 El-Cid1989Enduro prototype using the 668 cc engine first shown in the CR 668 Cruiser prototype. [1]
700 Hidalgo1989Cruiser prototype using the 668 cc engine. [1]
650 Sport1989Fully faired sports bike prototype using the 668 cc engine and an aluminium twin-spar frame designed by Nico Bakker. [1]

1990-1993

Laverda was taken in 1990 over by Gruppo Zanini, who formed a partnership with the Japanese Shinken corporation. Zanini were in financial trouble by 1983 and the Italian government intervened. [1]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
125 cc 125 Navarro 1990-1992Sports bike with the same engine as the Cagiva Freccia.
668 cc650 Sport1992-1994Fully faired sports bike using the Bakker chassis and an updated version of the 668 cc engine. [1]

1993-2000

Laverda was taken over by a group of investors headed by Francesco Tognon and the company was renemed I.Mo.La. SpA (International Moto Laverda). Production was moved from Breganze to Zanè, 6 miles to the west. [1]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
668 cc650 Kevlar1994Limited edition model based on the 650 Sport with Kevlar fairing. [1]
650 Iniezione Elettronica (I.E.) Sport1995-1996650 Sport with new engine casings. [1]
650 Sport Formula1995-1993Updated 650 Sport with hotter camshafts, better brakes and carbon fibre parts. [1] Laverda 650 yellow.jpg
650 Ghost1995-1996Naked bike with steel trellis frame. [1]
650 Ghost Legend1995-1996Cosmetic upgrade of the Ghost with carbon fibre accessories and orange frame. [1]
650 Ghost Strike1995-1996650 Ghost with the Bakker aluminium spar frame and a bikini fairing. [1] 98laverdaghoststrike.jpg
668 Sport1996-2000Cosmetic upgrade of the 650 Sport. [1] Laverda668.JPG
668 Ghost1996-1998Updated 650 Ghost. [20]
668 Diamante1997-1998Updated version of the Ghost with half fairing. US models used the Bakker frame, other market were fitted with the steel frame. [1]
Black Strike 668 Café Racer1998Limited edition of the Ghost Strike finished in black and without a fairing. [1]
750 cc750S1997-2000Updated version of the 668 Sport with a new water cooled engine evolved from the 668. Using the Bakker frame, the model was initial fitted with the half fairing of the Diamante, [1] a full fairing was fitted from 1998. [21]
750 Diamante1998-Steel frame with half fairing. [1]
750 Ghost Strike1998-Bakker frame with bikini fairing. [1] Laverda 750 Strike (14924756599).jpg
750S Caraneta1998-Bakker frame with full fairing. [1]
750 Sport Formula1998-1999Higher performance version of the 750S. [1]
750 Sport Formula II1999-Updated version of the 750 Sport Formula. [1] Laverda 750 S Formula Blu-Arancio.jpg
PRC 750 Cup1999Prototype production racer which was a stripped down version of the 750S. [1]
750 Super Sport2000-2001Updated version of the 750S fitted with the Sport Formula engine. [1]
750 Black Strike2000-2001Updated version of the 668 Black Strike fitted with the 750 Sport Formula engine. [1]
790 ccTTS8001998Enduro prototype with an enlarged 790 cc engine. [1]
1000 cc1000 Super Sport1999Prototype 1000 cc 12 valve triple. [20] The engine design was later used as the basis for the engine in the 900 cc Benelli Tornado Tre. [22]

2000-2004

Aprilia purchased Laverda in 2000. Whilst there was some production of Laverda motorcycles, the brand was mainly used on brought in scoters and quads. Aprilia was purchased in 2004 by Piaggio who dropped the brand. [23]

Engine SizeModelProductionNotesImage
650 cc650 Lynx2000Prototype using a Suzuki SV650 engine. [1]
1000 ccSFC 10002002Prototype using an Aprilia RSV Mille derived engine. [24] Laverda SFC 1000.jpg

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The Laverda 200 Bicilindrico is a 199.5 cc (12.17 cu in) air cooled ohv 4 stroke parallel twin motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Laverda from 1962 to 1976. It was the company's first twin machine and the time of introduction it was Laverda's largest displacement model. Around 4,500 machines were produced, 2,000 of which were sold on the home market. Most of the remainder were exported to the UK and US as the 200 Gemini. The 14 year production run made it one of Laverda's longest running models.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Cormier, Jason (8 May 2020). "Zanè Laverda Twins – The Other, Other Italian Middleweight". Bike-urious. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "Laverda : Débuts en petite classe | Le Moto Collection". www.moto-collection.org (in French). Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 Aynsley, Phil (20 May 2020). "Laverda's attempt to compete with Vespa and Lambretta". MCNews. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "LZ 125/175". www.laverdino.de (in German). Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Laverty, Peter (1 July 2019). "Laverda Sport 100". Old Bike Australasia– via www.pressreader.com.
  6. 1 2 Cloesen, Uli (15 August 2014). Italian Café Racers. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 27. ISBN   978-1-84584-749-4.
  7. ↑ "Laverda LH3 125". Motociclismo Italy (in Italian). 10 February 2004.
  8. ↑ "Modèles de la marque Laverda - Moto Passion - Moto Collection François-Marie Dumas". www.moto-collection.org (in French). Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Laverda Chott 1974". Moto Collection. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "Laverda Enduro 1978". Moto Collection (in French). Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Laverda GS Lesmo 1986". Moto Collection (in French). Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Aynsley, Phil (8 April 2020). "Laverda OR600 Atlas 'Adventure Motorcycle'". MCNews. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  13. ↑ Aynsley, Phil (10 November 2017). "Cor Dees' Laverda V6 1000 Racer". MCNews. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Aynsley, Phil (10 August 2018). "Laverda Motorcycles in the US branded American Eagle". MCNews. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Bald Eagles". Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader. November 2002. p. 180.
  16. ↑ "American Eagle 750 Super Sport". Cycle World . April 1970. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "Laverda 125 Toledo". www.laverda-gemeinschaft-deutschland.de. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "Laverda 125 stradali". 125 Stradali. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Aynsley, Phil (14 September 2017). "Laverda's only entry into Grand Prix competition! - 1990 Laverda 125cc GP machine". MCNews. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  20. 1 2 "ILOC - Laverda in the 90s". www.iloc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "LAVERDA 750S (1997-2002) Review | Speed, Specs & Prices". www.motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  22. ↑ Pullen, Greg (23 October 2018). A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers. The Crowood Press. ISBN   9781785004889.
  23. ↑ "Whatever happened to Laverda?". www.motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  24. ↑ "Laverda's stunning new SFC 1000". www.motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
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