DAM Laverda 30th Anniversary

Greg Parish rides his Laverda 1979 model 30th Anniversary 1200cc. Tocumwal Australia 2014

LAVERDA

1979 30th Anniversary 1200

To celebrate 30 years of Laverda Motorcycles the factory proposed to build 200 black and gold 1200cc bikes. History, in the form of factory records, show that less than 50 were actually offered for public sale, the remainder were sold to Libya Police Force.

Stanco Motorcycles imported 10 of the 30th Anniversary models into Australia, but forwarded 4 to New Zealand, the remaining 6 were sold from their Elizabeth Street store in Melbourne.

The 30th Anniversary model was the first Laverda to be fitted with a hydraulic clutch and drilled disc brakes. The engine was fitted with larger inlet valves from the Jota but not the high compression pistons. All chromed parts were ‘black chromed’, all the polished engine covers were blackened and the steering nut was plated in real gold.

The paintwork is easily recognisable black and gold with hand-painted pinstripes on the tank, side covers and mudguards, and the hand-written ‘30th’ on the petrol tank.

The Anniversary 1200 was fitted with a unique seat cover pattern and was fitted with a large handlebar mounted fairing.

Every new owner of a 30th Anniversary 1200 received a personalised letter from Massimo Laverda congratulating them on their purchase. The proud owner was invited to send a photo of themselves to Italy where it was transformed into a gold medallion with the purchaser’s image etched into it.

It is now a very rare machine.

Engine

Type 4 stroke, air-cooled, 3 cylinder

Cylinder arrangement Vertical parallel 180° crank (2 up, 1 down)

Displacement 1116cc

Compression 8.5:1

Valve train Chain driven DOHC 2 valves, 4C Jota camshafts

Lubrication Wet sump, oil cooler

Carburettor 3 x 32mm Dellorto PHF

Wheel base 1470mm (57.9”)

Castor angle 28°

Trail 110mm (4.3”)