Triple-cylinder engine fans, here’s another one to sink your teeth into. Even though it’s a motorcycle, it has more horsepower than a lot of three-cylinder cars and trucks out there. This is a 1975 Laverda 1000 3C, and it’s a dusty barn find as you can see. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Fayetteville, New York and there is an unmet starting bid price of $6,999.99.
This is one mean Italian machine, a 1,000-cc (actually, 981-cc) 85-hp triple. I love it. Reportedly, the most-powerful three-cylinder motorcycle was the 2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS, at a crazy 178 horsepower. Triumph triumphed yet again with their 2023 Rocket 3 R, an incredible 164-hp, 2,458-cc displacement triple-cylinder. I’m glad that there are still fans of triples out there. Let’s get back to this barn find Laverda.
The seller says that this hidden gem was parked in 1977 and it has had just one owner – well, before they bought it a year ago, so technically, it has had two owners. It traveled only 2,472 miles in those two short years that it spent in action. We don’t know why it was parked, and they say that it was modified a bit by the original owner. It was originally green, and it had an aftermarket faring on it – which the seller took off but the high bidder can have it if they want it – so the headlight and front turn signals aren’t currently mounted. Also, the original owner put on a different exhaust, but the original system comes with the sale.
The Laverda 1000 was made from 1973 through 1988, and this is a 3C, which is an updated version of the original 1000. They were made for the 1975 and 1976 model years. Also in 1975, a 3CL was available with alloy wheels and a disc brake on the rear. This example has neither of those features, but it does have a lot of surface rust and it needs a lot of work. I have a 1978 Yamaha XS750E triple, but this Laverda – if it were in comparable condition to my not-in-the-same-league Yamaha – would be fun to own.
Yeah, this Laverda looks a little rough. The engine is a Laverda 981-cc DOHC, four-stroke, triple-cylinder which had 85 horsepower and 63 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed up by a five-speed transmission and a chain drive. The seller says that it shifts through the gears and the engine has compression, so that’s a major hurdle on its way back to having that exotic grace that a lot of us think of when we think of Italian motorcycles. Hagerty is at $6,200 for a #4 fair-condition bike, so this one is drastically overpriced, even on their unmet opening bid starting point. Have any of you owned a Laverda? What is this one worth in its present condition?
I remember Laverdas claim to fame was the sand cast engine cases. That, and they always had racy supermodels in provocative poses on the bikes. Again, tough sell in Beer City, and never saw one. In case some folks may not know what it was like growing up in the city that made the only American motorcycle, but other makes were strictly forbidden, ESPECIALLY Italian. I think, like all high end Italian machines, it WAS an awesome bike. Asian gauges and probably front forks to cut cost, I’m sure. Again, new, probably an exhilarating ride, like this, pretty sad.
The ND gauges were used because they were better quality than the Italian alternative – Veglia (often called “Vague Liars”), not to cut costs. My Ducati Pantah also has ND gauges.
Suspension was Italian – Marzocchi forks and Ceriani shocks if I remember correctly – both better than what Japan had to offer at the time.
Better than what Milwaukee had to offer, also.
Essentially the same gauges as used on the Honda 750 of the day.
as an Italian , I can answer you from a first hand point of view, asian gauges at that time were top quality ones, because they were not generally asian but top quality japanese ones , same as used by Honda. Second, front fork should be Ceriani (could also be Marzocchi or Paioli). This is the naked version, but this bike could also be had (starting 1982/83) with full fairing from the factory, the RGS and SFC. Half fairing model was the JOTA. Near the end of ots career, displacement grew to 1200cc. But the most retro looking ones are the mid 1970’s 2 cyl 750cc models, still with a beautiful, artistic front drum brake
I forgot to fully finish the description of instruments, at that time the only italian ones were Veglia Borletti, really of lesser design and quality than Japanese ones
Unretired?
The sound of any 3 cylinder Italian motor is hair raising in and of itself, and like you’ve said before Scotty a once in a lifetime experience. These gave the Brits something to worry about on the racetrack especially with though both seem to have a propensity to bring crummy electrics onto their street bikes..
You’re absolutely right, Howard A.-these were an E Ticket ride when new, but in this condition VERY sad. The seller didn’t even make the effort to wash it off or even wipe it down!!! Way overpriced for the amount of work and replacement bits needed to bring it back, but a beautiful bike for the rider that does resurrect this potentially gorgeous 3 cylinder screamer..
*”especially a good road course”..
Proofreading at 0430Hrs is challenge sometimes!
This would be a fun project. It would take some time for sure, also some 💰. I would be a buyer at a fraction of the price.
My buddy owned a Laverda dealership years ago. He sold one, to himself. A very nice bike though!
These were both awesome and terrifying at the same time. When I was racing there were a couple of these that competed as well. They scream like banshees and fly down the straights always on the verge of being too fast to handle. On the road, I had a buddy that had a Jota and it was the same thing…he used to lose us on the straight roads but once we got into the twisties my 900SS would show him the back wheel. Cool bike though and I wouldn’t turn one down.
I had a 750, which was a lovely bike; as above, you had to make it corner but it did it well. 3Cs and Jotas are taller and, again, need wrestling but are well worth the effort. Ducati’s lower but a bit longer – and on a twisty-ish road, you can ride it all day in 3rd gear. This one’s too expensive, I think, but all the bits seem to be there. If it were £3500, I’d be somewhat tempted.
I do not need another bike.
I do not need another bike.
I do not need another bike…
Ha! I tell myself that every single day, Derek! It doesn’t get through my thick skull sometimes, though.
I’ve got a small motorcycle collection, not a fan of Italian marques. 7 grand for that heap? Look at all of the rust, imagine what the inside of the tank looks like.
M_N, the seller’s description says, “Tank has no dents and is solid with light surface rust on the inside.”
Found this. A more expensive 3C.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185709422965?hash=item2b3d24e975:g:7okAAOSw2vxjpY~f&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoMg%2FwVwkzKQWszS7O1bk3LUYhJeCDiFzjXvpDMgHidT5AnRfTLirxr8%2B3PFcWFv5be%2FkFdR07dEA7DV93QAaFYmkbFjMGSjSkN934AmvJx3feEj1BEcjHlGSsf7oMAmwEQ8yr4Zq5l1VUZAv0HMuuv6%2FzG9KHrk1muLx1b%2FVTh6emCkdK0nJycZKz9EWtaM1vZLhEr%2Bbyma%2BjhNdW%2FbrduI%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-69tKe4YQ
Well you would have about thst in this one if you do all the work yourself and they give you the bike free
I am a big triple fan. This bike would slot nicely between my 77 xs750 standard and my 99 speed triple.
I’ve always wanted a laverda triple but they have stayed too rich for my blood.
Just traded my 99 legend. Miss it already. Unfortunately my insurance didn’t want to cover privately owned “fleets ” of motorcycles. You can’t ride them all at once.
Not sure where you’re located but Hagerty will insure as many bikes as you want.
All seven of my bikes and my ‘70 Mustang and ‘70 Ranchero are insured with Hagerty and have been for more than five years.
They imported the Jota version of this bike into the US. The Laverda 1000 engine has a rather different crank setup. The center cylinder’s piston is 180 degrees out from the two outer ones which move up and down together. It gave them a unique sound.
There’s two different versions; 180 and 120 degree cranks. At a guess, I’d suggest that the 120s are smoother but the 180s make more power. My reasoning for this is that TVR used “flat-plane cranks” in their AJP engines, which were used for the Tuscan racing series.
Not sure what Hagerty value is on a Good condition restored version but at this take price it might be easy to get upside down even with my labor included.
I’ve always loved these but the prices have always held me back.
At 68 I am liking only having seven bikes in the herd all of which are ridden.
I’ll settle for my clean ‘73 T150V Trident for exciting triple sounds and riding fun.
This bike would be great (at a lower take price) for someone about twenty years younger than me though.
I’m currently finishing a ‘73 Norton Commando as number eight and I’m trying not to look at the receipts and expense ledger and can’t imagine what parts prices would be for this bike.
How many bikes are enough?
For most of us, the answer to your question is, one more than we have.
That commando is British gold.
I finally came to my epiphany that at 72 and health problems, that one is enough. Got t-boned in 19.
Took 6 stents. Artificial A-ORTA, hip. Knee and ankle. It helps to keep up a measure of immaturity.
Scotty, I was thinking to myself that this would look great next to your 750E, and then you mentioned it!
I still miss my 750F and would love to own another if a good opportunity close by comes up.
PRA4SNW, your memory is legendary! I can barely remember to wear pants and you remember that I have an XS750E?! That’s impressive!
You’ve got more than a project on your hands when your instrument casings are rotting out. And, I’m sure parts are plentiful for these LaVernes, um, LaVerda’s.
Auction update: this one ended with no bids at the starting price of $6,999.99.
I owned one of these back when. I had owned probably more than a dozen British triples, Tridents, Rocket3s and 2 Hurricanes. I was complaining to someone about the current problem with what ever triple I had at the time and he said something like if you like triples you should get a Laverda. He was right. It’s the only bike out of around 200 or so that I’ve owned during my 72 year life time that I wish I hadn’t sold. If this one actually only has 2k miles on it it won’t last long. Lucky for me I’m old and can’t ride like I did. (The older I get, the faster I was) Parts for these ain’t that hard to find. A nice pretty one would fetch upwards to 20k. They are riders bikes, not so much for the chain drive wallet cruiser types.