Laverda Twins and Triples

Chapters ...

Introduction & Acknowledgements

Chapter I - A brief history of Laverda motorcycles until the 650 Twin
Chapter II - 650 and 750 Twins
Chapter III - 750 SFC
Chapter IV - 1000cc 180-degree Triples
Chapter V - 1200cc Triples
Chapter VI - 120-degree Triples
Chapter VII - Racing history
Appendix - Technical specifications

Features

- History of Laverda and how motorcycles evolved from agricultural machinery.
- Full description of the 750SFC and all variants
- How the 1000cc triple evolved
- Twin and Triple racing history
- Modifications to each model during the production run
- How the Laverda compared with the competition.
-Technical appraisal of the twins and triples
- Complete Appendices of technical specifications

Description

From humble beginnings in 1948, Laverda made the move into large capacity motorcycles in 1966. A successful racing program led to the release of the legendary 750SFC, followed by the 1000cc triple. This evolved into the spectacular Jota and a new-generation RGS during the 1980s.

Synopsis

Now part of the Aprilia - Moto Guzzi - Laverda group, Laverda has acquired a following of almost fanatical proportions. The large capacity twins and triples were some of the most charismatic and exciting motorcycles produced in a golden era. With a successful endurance racing program publicizing them, Laverda's twins soon earned a reputation for durability that wasn't usually associated with Italian machinery. Originally built for the British market, the 1000cc Jota was the fastest Superbike available in its day. While the twins faded before the end of the 1970s, the triples continued for almost another decade before dying with a whimper. By this time the company was in serious difficulty and went into receivership. Despite a resurrection in the 1990s, it is the classic twins and triples of the late 1960s through until the mid-1980s that Laverda is now famous for.

Independent Reviews

Review from MotorcycleClassics.com, November 2008

Although Laverda was never a major player in the market, the famed motorcycle manufacturer from Breganze, Italy, has acquired a following of almost fanatical proportions (including aficionados like our own editor Backus). In typical Italian fashion, the company?s fortunes seemed to forever rise and fall, before finally falling forever in the late 1980s, a mid-1990s revival notwithstanding. 'The Laverda Twins & Triples Bible' by Ian Falloon gives readers a fact-packed, year-by-year, change-by-change record of Laverda?s twins and triples, along with technical specifications and racing history. Like the bikes themselves, books on Laverda are rare, making this a real treat for fans of this classic Italian marque.
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Review by Ian Kerr for inter-bike.co.uk
UK website

Even Ian Falloon, who has built himself an excellent reputation as a motorcycle historian, cannot really do justice to a firm?s history in the space of one reasonably priced book. Therefore, he has started profiling some of the most significant models from some factories, thus enabling him to go into depth and produce a ?bible? for those enthusiasts of that particular make and model.  

Following on from his Veloce published 'Ducati 750 Bible' he has produced an excellent work for them on the Twins and Triples from the Laverda factory. While it may have been one of the smaller Italian brands, it was still very important in the development of the motorcycle that we know today.

As you will see in the 150-plus pages of this excellent work, their racing programme enabled them to produce bikes that are now iconic classics like the SFC and the Jota. Black and white period shots sit well with some stunning colour plates taken when the bikes were new, as well as modern shots of restored machines. 
 
As usual with books from Falloon, it is hard to fault the style and the accuracy of the text and it makes an excellent general read, as well as a must-have for the owner of one of these Italian stallions. The latter will, of course, really appreciate the technical information and detailed appendices at the rear.

However, this particular book should come with a health warning as it has now instilled a desire in me to buy one of the earlier twins, which is going to be more expensive than the modest £29.99 for this hardback book. Still, at least I will be armed with all the information I need to buy with confidence!
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Review from Classic Bike Guide, September 2008

lan Falloon seems to have hit on a good little number with his 'bible' series. This one takes a good long look at the 650cc and 750cc twins and the mighty 1000cc and 1200cc triples. It tells how Laverda moved into motorcycles, from agricultural machinery, gives a full description of the 750SFC development then the evolution of the triples, the most famous arguably being the Jota, which was actually conceived in the UK.

There's a section on the many races successes, the various modifications applied throughout each model's production run, plus the obligatory technical specifications. It's the regular A4 hardback of 160 pages with over 200 mainly colour images.
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Review by Greg Williams for Inside Motorcycles, January 2008

Author Ian Falloon traces the origins of Laverda in a fact-packed new book, 'The Laverda Twins and Triples Bible'. Published in the UK by Veloce Publishing, the book includes information relevant to anyone restoring a Laverda, or anyone just plain interested in these Italian motorcycles.

Falloon describes the history of Laverda ? a company that started out producing small capacity single-cylinder machines for the Italian market in 1948. He discusses Laverda's intention to build large-capacity motorcycles, and even how the company's first production 650cc twin engine was patterned after that of Honda's legendary CB77 305cc Super Hawk. While the engine was inspired by the CB77, Falloon reports the rest of the machine was inspired by a Norton 650SS and a BMW R69S. Falloon writes: "Beyond the engine style of the Honda, the BMW influence could be seen in the mufflers, and the side profile was reminiscent of the Norton."

Facts and details of all the Laverda twins and triples including the Jota and the rare RGS 1000 Executive are laid out in five chapters, with a separate entry for Racing History and an Appendix detailing Technical Specifications. The book truly is a bible for fans of the Laverda.
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Review by Grant Brown for Motorcycle Trader & News, December 2007

Chapter one starts our Italian odyssey with a brief history of Laverda and swiftly launches into chapter two where we find the 650 and 750 twin stories. The history of the 750 SFC, which has to be the most beautiful twin bike going (sorry Norton owners), follows, and then the next few chapters talk about triples ? 1000cc 18-degree, 1200cc 120-degree ? surely Laverda were, and always will be, the kings of three-cylinder technology. Jota, RGS and SFC 1000s must rank as three of the sexiest bikes ever The final chapter covers the interesting and quite successful saga of Laverda's racing history, and a jolly old read it is too.

What I find amazing is that so much of the history of this classic company appears to have been conducted almost continuously under the spectre of financial ruin. It's a great story.

As we have come to expect from Falloon, the detail is staggering. Photos of cylinder heads, crankcases, wheels, exhausts and gear levers sit alongside coloured boxes of highlighted specifications complete with distinguishing features of each model, right down to changes in specs by engine/chassis numbers. Where does the man get his information from? I cannot conceive of any information a Laverda fanatic would miss in this book.

And, then there are the dozens of beautiful photos of the bikes themselves. Black and white or in colour, almost every page has at least one shot of a beautiful example of Italian motorcycling art. The German market SRC1000 with wire wheels on page 134, the '81 Jota on page 99 and the Electronica on page 68 were stand-outs for me.

All in all, any Laverda junkie will need to rush to their nearest bookstore and uplift a copy now, and to hell with the expense! And any reasonably serious motorcycling historian or lover of Italian motorcycles could do worse than add this volume to their library. It will sit proudly on mine.
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Review from Classic Bike Guide, November 2007

Were Laverda the ultimate superbike of the 70s? If not, they had to be up there in the top few with their fabulous Jotas. Ian Falloon?s latest book, the 'Laverda Twins and Triples Bible', details just how the Jota came about. Of course it?s not just about the iconic 1000cc triple, as inside the 160 page, 9 7/8in x 8 1/8in, hardbacked book the enthusiast will find the 650 and 750cc twins alongside the full range of 1000 and 1200 triples. There are chapters dealing with the technical development, racing history, modifications and even how the concept of the motorcycle evolved from Laverda?s agricultural machinery background. There are loads of pictures, over 200 of them in fact, mainly in colour, and the book will cost you £29.99.
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Review by James White-Cooper for the La Vera Vista, Issue 201, November 2007

Ian is an author and journalist, renowned worldwide for his 20+ books on motorcycles, in particular Italian ones. Born in New Zealand Ian now lives in Australia and rides a ?74 750SFC.

As the title of the book suggests Ian concentrates on the road going 650/750 twins and the triples from the Breganze era. He does however include a chapter giving a brief history of the marque and there is also a chapter on the racing exploits.

Ian devotes a chapter to each group, 650/750 twins, 750SFC, 1000 1800 triples, 1200s and the 1200 triples. The developments and technical specifications of each model are included along with some production details. The information given greatly expands on that published in other already existing Laverda books, yet does not repeat the same old anecdotes and images. A worthwhile addition to every Laverdisti?s bookshelf, and especially to those also owning an anorak and bobble-hat!

The book is hardback, 250 x 207mm, 160 pages and contains over 150 photographs. It is available direct from the publishers, Veloce Publishing Ltd.
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Review from Insidebikes.com, September 2007

This new book by Ian Falloon, known as one of the Italian motorcycle marque experts in the world of bike journalism, is packed with detailed info on all the Laverda twins and triples, manufactured from the early 60s until the late 90s. If you are an owner of a Laverda from this era, or planning to buy one to restore, then this book is absolutely essential.

Why? Very simple really, Falloon documents the evolution of the Laverda twins and triples, logging almost every technical advance, each component change, new lick of paint, different decals for the US market etc. Even tiny details like the change in the way the battery tray is fitted to a particular bike, are recorded.

There are hundreds of photos, covering many Laverda models, which will help any classic enthusiast identify exactly what they looking at on eBay, or in MCN, CBG etc before they make an offer on it.

There's a general history of Laverda and some info on the racing success of the twins and triples as well. If you're a Laverda fan, then this book is fascinating reading, packed with a wealth of detailed information regarding model updates, technical changes etc.

If that detailed info isn't your thing then this book is a bit dull, as Falloon fails to capture the lasting appeal, the emotional attraction of the big Laverda triples, the bikes known as the Beasts of Breganze. You wouldn't feel any fire in your belly reading this plodding prose.

There's also nothing on the Laverda Monjuic 500 ? arguably one of the most evocative twin cylinder Laverdas ever built ? which is a bizarre oversight.

The best feature in this book is the 'Distinguishing Features' box out panels, which act as a spotter's guide for anyone interested in acquiring a particular Laverda twin or triple.