The Other Smokers

[oldbritguy]

There is another thread running just now about which classic bikes we would like to have along side our LCs and PVs and my own would be an RG500 to add to what takes up the limited space in my jammed up garage.

Now that I have managed to (sort of) suss out Flickr, I thought I would share a couple of pics of the other bikes I have cohabiting with the LC at the moment which I suppose are now classics in their own right.

The Laverda is a 1977 model (reg 79) with 98k on the clock. This is my regular ride which takes me and the good lady to the TT each year. Big, heavy, pulls like a train and that noise........ 4c cams, HC pistons and straight through pipes (Jota spec), the neighbours love it!

The Commando is an 850 mk2a 74 model reg in 76. Probably the sweetest handling bike I have ever had and goes great. Since these photos were taken, I have upgraded the front brake with a reduced bore m/cyl, Goodridge hose and a lockheed ally racing caliper. What a difference and stops properly now. Also fitted a set of straight-through peashooter pipes which sound..... well...as you would expect.

Always fun and games jumping from bike to bike with l/h and r/h gearchanges (LC to these two) and makes the first couple of stabs for the back brake interesting to say the least.

Maybe someday and RG will join the fold if I win the lottery

John


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[Deleted]

Sweet bikes. The first time I rode a norton I thought big deal.
I was just putting around on it. The next ride I give it to her and it was a completely different bike.
The sound, the handling as you mentioned aswell. Fantastic.

[dusty350]

Love the Laverda
A mate of my brother bought a brand new Jota, in orange, from Jack Lilley's back in the day. The guy lived on a small farm, and he started it up in his garage, which was a converted stable. I thought my ears were gonna bleed !! Awesome I would love a Jota, but the prices !!

Dusty

[oldbritguy]

Nov 30, 2018 9:31:38 GMT 1 dusty350 said:

Love the Laverda
A mate of my brother bought a brand new Jota, in orange, from Jack Lilley's back in the day. The guy lived on a small farm, and he started it up in his garage, which was a converted stable. I thought my ears were gonna bleed !! Awesome I would love a Jota, but the prices !!

Dusty

Cheers Dusty

I know they are not to everyones taste but I love them. 
I had a gen Slaters Jota in orange with silver frame 30 years ago and always hankered after another but cash was always in demand elsewhere (families eh!).
Prices now are bonkers as you say however a nice 3CL like mine can be had for the price of a tidy LC or PV, about £6k. Physically the 3CL is the same bike as the Jota (a Slater concept) except for the cams, pistons and pipes so same bike for less than half the price.
This one has these bits fitted and I could paint it orange as well, but why bother.
3 cylinders on a 180 crank and straight throughs sound awesome indeed which adds to the appeal .
I have had this one for a few years now and it will remain on the road all year (no chrome- all stainless and heavy alloy) although I wont venture out when it gets icy as it is a bit heavy to pick back up if it all goes a bit Pete Tong ha!

John

[richb]

What a lovely pair, lucky fella.

[tipfinchy]

wow both look amazing and good to see that you use them

[steve h]

Hehe upgraded the front "brake".. Yup, they were shite!! Studs on the bottom of your boots were an upgrade!!

[veg]

Love the bikes, esp the Laverda always fancied a montjuïc but they are ridiculous prices now for what isn't a very quick bike

[oldbritguy]

Dec 3, 2018 1:09:58 GMT 1 veg said:

Love the bikes, esp the Laverda always fancied a montjuïc but they are ridiculous prices now for what isn't a very quick bike

Cheers Veg, yeah the Monty is a nice machine and like the Jota seems to be caught in the hyper priced nostalga timewarp.

Like most though, they can be fettled to go a bit quicker and there is a lad near me, Keith Nairn, who is a Laverda guru and has turned out some real trick machines recently.

Check out this little 500 which has a 270 crank, polished and ported head with trick cams, modern smoothbore carbs and ignition. Pick up is amazing and looks pretty good too

John


 

[veg]

Beautiful and sounds amazing. I have had lots of italian twins, Guzzi V11, Ducati 851, 900ss (belt not bevel) multistrada 1000, Monster 1200, I love four stroke twins the only triples I have had are modern triumphs. Love yours