Laverda 1971 750 SF 744 cc 2 cyl OHC 3606

Laverda 1971 750 SF 744 cc OHC twin frame # LAV750F5132DGM.5934.0M engine # 750*5132*

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpGjbWrvggs

Founded in 1873, Laverda started out making farm machinery, only turning to motorcycle manufacture in the immediate aftermath of WW2. Lightweights, scooters and mopeds formed the mainstay of Laverda production up to the late 1960s when the small Italian concern, hitherto little known outside its home country, astonished the motorcycling world by introducing a 650 cc parallel twin. Massimo Laverda bought three motorcycles, a Honda CB77, Norton 650SS and a BMW R69S which were stripped and examined. Although the Laverda took elements from all three, the Luciano Zen designed 650 cc engine was heavily based on the Honda. Bosch electrics were chosen for reliability. The spine frame and Ceriani suspension gave the bike superior handling. To make the Laverda more appealing to the American market, the design was soon upped to 750 cc. Laverda entered a 650 and three 750s into the Giro d’Italia endurance race in May 1968. The 650 won its class and the 750s all finished in the top 10.
Going into production in late 1968, the 52 hp 750GT was the first in Laverda’s line of 750s. In 1969 a more sporting version was brought out as the 750 S, with a higher compression ratio and 8 hp more power. In 1970 the SF was introduced. This model got a newly designed frame and was fitted with 230 mm twin leading shoe front and rear brakes designed by Francesco Laverda. These brakes were superior to the Grimeca items previously used. The SF stood for Super Freni, (super brakes). With the arrival of the SF1 version in 1972, the model benefited from an extensively revised engine with larger carburettors, Conti silencers (replacing Lafranconi) and Lucas switch gear, while the Nippon Denso instruments had been introduced the previous year.
The 750 SF has bore x stroke of 80 x 74 mm. The overhead camshaft is operated by a double chain and the engine puts out 60 hp @ 6600 rpm. Top speed is around 180 km/h. The SFs were very successful in long distance races at the time, highlighting the model’s reliability. From 1969 to 1975 international 24-hour endurances races were held in the Dutch town of Oss. Laverdas did very well there; in the 1970 race the first three places were for Laverdas, keeping up an average speed of 120 km/h.
This matching-numbers example was first registered on March 3, 1971. She comes with the correct Bosch headlamp and Smiths speedo and rev counter. She was restored in 1997; an official taxation report made shortly after the restauration presents some photos of the restored SF and mentions a kilometrage of 38,521.
The former owner acquired the SF in 2003 when the odometer read 48,185; currently the odometer shows 57,342 km. New Hagon shocks have been fitted but the original Cerianis have been kept with the machine. The SF has been carefully ridden and well-maintained and comes with current Dutch registration, 1997 taxation report, maintenance notes and photostat copy of repair and maintenance manuals in Dutch and German.
Recently the exhausts have been renewed, the oil has been changed and a new battery has been fitted, so this classic Italian thoroughbred is all ready for a new keeper!

For more on the SF follow the link:
Laverda 750 SF (1971) – Classic Review