Laverda is a small Italian make with a big reputation for sturdy, fast machines. Its bikes were built in the small town of Breganze in northern Italy.
The milestones
- 1873. The roots go back to 1873, when Pietro Laverda started an agricultural engines business in Breganze.
- 1949, the first motorcycle. Francesco Laverda, Pietro's grandson, founded the motorcycle division in October 1949. The first machine was a simple four-stroke 75 cc bike with girder forks and a fully enclosed drive chain.
- 1968 and 1969, the 750. The 750 debuted in May 1968, with the 750 S and 750 GT in 1969. The 750 SFC became their iconic racer and dominated international endurance racing in 1971.
- The 3C triple. The three-cylinder 981 cc engine debuted in 1972, and the 1973 to 1981 model made 85 hp.
- 1976, the Jota. It produced 90 hp and reached about 146 mph.
- The end. The family left by 1985 because of Japanese competition. Piaggio acquired Aprilia, which owned Laverda, in 2004, and then closed all activities related to the brand.
What to know when buying
- SF, SFC, 3C, Jota. The names look alike and the values differ greatly. The SFC and the Jota are the most imitated. Check the numbers, the papers and the factory records. See frame and engine numbers.
- Parts. Original parts are scarce and costly. Ask specialists before buying a bike with missing parts.
- Inspection. Have an expert look at the bike. See the pre-purchase inspection.
Parts and community
There are specialists and clubs, mostly in Italy and the UK. See clubs and federations and finding parts.
