Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
THE LAVERDA 1000 THREE
It had been talked about for a long time. Then, earlier this year, the speculation died when the factory confirmed the rumors. The new Laverda 1000 Three is not the first multi on the Italian motorcycling scene but with 980 cc it is one of the largest. It is also a road machine, not a one-off racer, even though it sports 75 bhp and a top speed of 125 mph.
The Laverda firm entered the big bike field a couple of years back when they introduced their “Grand Touring” and “Sport” 750s. Now, with this powerful heavyweight, they’ve taken a step further. The three-cylinder configuration was chosen for reasons of engine balance and acceptable overall dimensions along with the fact that a Three is still an exotic bird.
Departing from previous Laverda practice, the Three’s frame is a full double cradle type in the best featherbed style. This allows a good riding position plus a more rigid foundation for the increased power and weight. Physical attitude astride the machine is quite comfortable and natural, and you don’t have to he particularly long-legged to place both feet flatly on the ground. Also, unlike the Laverda 750 Twins, the cylinder head isn’t fastened to the frame, which greatly eases upper end inspection.
The Laverda 1000 look is indeed massive, dominated by the imposing powerplant with cooling fins seemingly sufficient for a dozen lightweights. But the overall dimensions of the bike are far from ponderous; wheelbase is 56.6 in. while total length is a bit over 84. in.
Both heads and cylinders are light alloy castings while the cylinder liners are of austenitic steel. To aid cooling (particularly for the center cylinder) there are generous air ducts around the cylinders. Lubrication is provided by a gear pump supplying oil from an amply finned 4.75-qt. sump and strained through a wire mesh filter.
Double helical springs are employed to control the valves as they open into the hemispherical combustion chambers. Incidentally, the valves are rather large, with heads measuring 1.5 and 1.28 in. respectively for the intake and exhaust units. The overhead camshaft is driven by a duplex chain with an externally adjustable tensioner. Mounted at the left end of the camshaft are three sets of contact breakers. The camshaft also drives the tachometer from between the middle and left cylinders.
Bore and stroke dimensions are almost square, measuring 2.95 by 2.90 in. Inside the horizontally split crankcase there is a 120-degree crankshaft supported by five large roller main bearings; one on the right end, one on each side of the center crankpin and two on the primary side. Connecting rod big ends are supported by caged roller bearings while the small ends run on plain bushings. The pistons carry four rings, two for compression sealing and two for oil control.
Because of the current draw of an electric starter, there is a hefty 12-V 150-watt generator located in front of the crankcase and driven by a rubber belt. This arrangement is very similar to that used on the 750 Twins.
In order to transmit the engine’s 55 ft./lb. of torque to the transmission, a strong primary drive system and clutch are necessary. Laverda has chosen a silent triplex primary chain working through a clutch with six driven and six driving plates. An externally adjustable slipper tensioner keeps the primary chain taut.
Fuel feeding is taken care of by three 30-mm Dellorto carburetors breathing through a metal mesh air filter.
With a 9:1 compression ratio, sporty cam timing and a power peak at 6700 rpm, performance is decidedly brisk. It is said to also offer very strong torque from just over an idle all the way up to its torque peak at 4500 rpm. To cope with the machine’s top speed and acceleration Pirelli is presently developing a special 4.50-18 tire.
Suspension is by Ceriani front and rear; front fork inclination is an easy going 29 degrees; fuel capacity 4.2 gal.; and fuel consumption is about 35 mpg at 60 mph. This last figure is particularly impressive for a heavy (517 lb.) large displacement motorcycle.
To haul the Laverda 1000 down from the awesome speeds it is capable of, there is a powerful racing type front brake. This unit measures more than 9 in. in diameter and sports four leading shoes! The rear stopper is 7.8 in. diameter but has a single cam.
Summing up, the Laverda is quite a sensation, but here’s the hitch: factory sources say that even if all goes well production will not begin until late this year. It will be an extremely long wait for enthusiasts desiring a stylish heavyweight tourer with just that extra helping of power and smoothness.
ITALJET CYCLECAR RECORDS
For those not in the know, a cyclecar is a three-wheeled, three-track vehicle, usually quite small and seldom used for anything other than sporting purposes. And although recognized by the FTM as a separately classified vehicle, the cyclecars’ somewhat impractical configuration has left them pretty much ignored by the motoring community (English Reliants withstanding) unlike the more popular motorcycle/sidecar arrangement. But as long as a class exists, why not take a shot at the record?
Italjet, prominent Italian manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, recently mounted such an assault at the Monza track with a 250-cc cyclecar. Bad weather prevented attempts at the onehour and 100-kilometer (62 miles) records but the factory team didn’t go back to Bologna empty-handed: they copped three records never before held by an Italian machine.
The one-kilometer standing start mark had been previously set by the German Moritz in a DKW with an average speed of 56.73 mph. The new Italjet record stands at 62.13 mph with a 35.985-sec. elapsed time. The next record to fall was the standing start one-quarter mile. This time the Italjet flew through the clocks in 17.815 sec. at an average speed of 50.49 mph. The third and last laurel won was that of the standing start, ten-kilometer record. The little racer, piloted by industrial designer Leopoldo Tartarini, ran the distance in 4 min., 48.82 sec., which translates to an average speed of 77.4 mph.
Weather permitting, the team will return to add the long distance marks to Italjet record books.
