Chronicles of Alan; Motorcycle Days 8

I have mentioned before that the Stories of my Life are not necessarily in Chronological Order.

Among the Last bikes I owned were a Pair of Laverda's and a Moto-Guzzi Le Mans Series 3 1000cc.

The Laverda Engines were called 180's because unlike the Triumph and BSA Triples which were 120 Degrees , ( All pistons evenly spaced on the Crankshaft)
The Laverdas were 2 pistons up one down or Vice Versa. This caused the Motor to be a bit rough below about 6000rpm , but then smoothed up and Howled like a Ferrari Daytona with open pipes . The idling, (if you could get them to?) sounded like a dog fight , I assume because of the strange firing pattern?

I had a 81, Laverda Jota with the Bikini Fairing, Bigger Valves and Ports for 81 and was the Fastest Production Bike available at the Time.

They were usually Orange as they were very successful in Endurance Racing , and Orange was easier for the Lap Counters to spot at Night!

You had to Be Physically Strong to ride them, Clutch was very Heavy, Brakes had to be pulled Hard.

The Bikes saddle heights were not suited to short people but taller Guys ( Yours Truly )found them very comfortable.

Another Strange Thing about Laverdas is that the Instruments were Japanese ( Looked exactly like the Honda ones) and the Redline on the Rev Counter was at 6500rpm , they actually comfortably revved to 8500 rpm and the big power started at about 7000rpm

This is a Jota 1000 180 going around the Isle of Man TT Circuit on a Parade Lap ( obviously took it seriously)

We have a bit of a Pass with a tight right hand bend at the top , going out of Krugersdorp toward Pretoria, I went into the right hander at about 150kph ,

which was a Great Time to discover that the Back Shocks had just packed in

and the Bike went skittering and hopping to the edge of quite a long drop , but luckily I just managed to keep it on the Road.

Immediate , much more relaxed Driving Style to Stan's house , a Friend of Mine with a Huge Bike Collection . His one Vincent , is probably the World's most valuable Motorcycle.

Anyhow Simon F was at his house, The Editor of Bike SA Magazine, he gave me a set Of Mulholland Back Shocks which sorted out my problem.

This is a Whole Batch of Laverdas on a Parade Lap around the Spa Circuit in Belgium.

I was really attached to this Laverda and would probably still have it if....

Don't you just love People who keep you in suspense?