Hi!
Once i have done the camper how i want it, and between bringing up 2 little children, then this is next:
1997 Laverda 650 Formula C. Only 200 ever made, only 50 brought into the UK back in 1997, maybe only 10 'C' track versions were out of this batch, never found out the exact figures, according to howmanyleft.com there is probably only maybe 4 in the UK, I would hazzard a guess and say this is pretty much the only Formula C left in one piece, a lot of these have been parted out, as the parts are worth more than the bike complete.. Considering how rare they are, they are not worth much as all, but the price is creeping up, will probably have to keep it another 20 years!
I have owned it since new, but sold it in 2000, only to buy it back over 5 years later by sheer luck on ebay!
I have all the full service history since it was new, but the other 2 owners didnt keep the same records i did, and it had little use, maybe only 5000kms in the time they had it, I did over 30,000kms in the 3 years I had it! It had the engine rebuilt under warrenty, and got blueprinted.
The dealer i found it at had it in stock for like 8 months or so with little interest, and they told me if they had not sold it by Xmas they were gonna chop it up and turn it into a trike! I had saved it from this fate by weeks!
It has been laid up for a fair few years, and needs battery, tyres, chain/sprockets, I really need to recommission it, not too sure what to do about the fuel though, may just fill with fresh and see how it goes.
It's a 668cc parallel twin, and has all the top spec equipment fitted from factory, Weber Marelli fuel injection, White Power suspension, Marchesini wheels with Brembo Goldline brakes with radial master cylinder, basically, same brakes as a Ducati 916SPS, and they were double the price back in the day.
The chassis is by the renowned designer Nico Baker, and it a very short wheelbase for it's class, only 1375, so same size bike as a 400cc Jap. Extremely well balanced bike, and very good handling, if you ever get a chance to ride one, you'll see. Unfortunately the engine is based on a mid 70's air-cooled design from the Alpino/Montjuic, but with more cc's etc, it goes well for it's relatively light in the day 170kgs. But the engine is it's Achilles heel. Sounds lovely with a really nice exhaust note, even on standard pipes, open pipes are immense! Power band like a 2 stroke!
I have really missed riding this, but other important things in life mean it has taken a back seat. The bus is our daily, so that gets all the attention, that's our family car, this is just Daddy's toy!
Cheers!
Alistair
