Here’s one of the last examples of the Laverda brand – the SFC 1000. A limited edition last gasp from the Italian firm, just 200 were intended to be produced, none for export to the US. So here’s your rare opportunity to snag one.
While the Laverda triples were legendary in the 70s, as the 80s rolled around the bikes started to seem long in the tooth. The RGS was built as an evolution of the classic Jota, but many felt that it lost the aggressiveness of the 180 model. Laverda branded this bike (a further evolution of the RGS) with the SFC moniker in hopes of having riders reminisce about the 750 SFC production racer from decades before, but the engine was too hindered by emissions to compete with the top Japanese sports bikes of the time. Still, the 981cc triple produced 100 horsepower, helping the bike attain a top speed of 143 miles per hour. But 538 pounds of weight did not help, so the SFC 1000 evolved into being a sport-tourer rather than the super-sport Laverda fans would have probably wanted. For a detailed look on this rarity, check out this profile from Motorcycle Classics.
Sadness.
This specific Laverda SFC 1000 (VIN: 3010) has just under 1,500 miles and it’s been with the seller for 8 years. In the seller’s words, “it hauls ass like a pack of scalded cats.” Unfortunately, the seller low sided the bike when this happened:
“It had been about 3 years since I had ridden this red head, last September. I cleaned the carbs, and gave ‘er a once over. Took off to the annual Euro bike meet at Larz Anderson Park near Boston, about an hour away. Made it almost to the end of my 400 foot driveway. It was slick from rain the night prior (exactly the same this morning), tires were cold and the bike is a bit cold blooded – it’s a hot rod! I flipped the handlebar lever more choke to bring the idle up a bit, and, well the RPM’s instantly came up to who knows, 5000 maybe?!! I only had my right hand on the throttle (other hand flipping the choke), and next thing the rear tire loses grip on the wet driveway, I am holding on the bars, still, low siding the bike – right down my driveway, about 15 or 20 feet, engine still running. So, I righted the bike, gained my composure – I was horrified, and pushed the bike back into the garage and that’s exactly where it sits today. I was sick over this for months. Here I am exactly a year later, and I have come to terms with reality, that I have neither the time nor energy to tend to making this bike right again. That’s where you come in.”
So, it’ll need some work – new mirrors, right turn signal, fix the fairing and some dings in the fuel tank, right muffler…you get the idea. The seller says it needs some cosmetic work but it’s mechanically as new. The bike has Spiegler stainless steel brake and clutch lines, Ikon shocks, and a few other goodies that have not been installed yet. So…it’s going to need some work, but this is a rare, beautiful Laverda. Who’s going to step up to the plate?
Find this SFC for sale in Nashua, New Hampshire with bidding up to $5,675