Laverda 1000SFC

Laverda 1000SFC
Manufacturer	Laverda
Production	1985 -
Engine	Four stroke. transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder.
Compression ratio	10.0:1
Top Speed	143.1 mph / 230.3 km/h
Ignition	Borsch electronic
Transmission	5 Speed
Suspension	Front: Marzocchi forks, adjustable damping and air pressure 115mm wheel travel. Rear: Marzocchi remote reservoir adjustable damping and spring preload, fixed air pressure.
Brakes	Front: 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers Rear: Single 280mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tire	100/90-18
Rear Tire	130/80-18
Weight	238 kg / 524.7 lbs (dry),
Fuel Capacity	22 Liters / 5.8 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 143.1 mph / 230.3 km/h.

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke. transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder.. The engine featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 100/90-18 front tire and a 130/80-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 280mm disc 1 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a Marzocchi forks, adjustable damping and air pressure 115mm wheel travel. while the rear was equipped with a Marzocchi remote reservoir adjustable damping and spring preload, fixed air pressure.. The 1000SFC was fitted with a 22 Liters / 5.8 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 238 kg / 524.7 lbs.

Photos

Overview

Laverda SFC 1000

Laverda's powerful air-cooled triples had been some of the fastest and most glamorous superbikes of the 1970s, but during the following decade the Italian firm lacked the financial resources to develop an equally competitive successor. Instead, the triple was restyled and refined to produce a more modern and sophisticated series of machines, the last and best of which was the SFC 1000. With its tall half-fairing blending smoothly into the fuel tank, below which sat a familiar 98lec three-cylinder engine, the SFC was a direct development of the RGS 1000 model with which Laverda had begun its new generation of triples in 1982. In contrast to the loud, raw earlier triples such as the Jota. the RGS had a slightly softer, more flexible engine whose more restrictive exhaust system enabled the bike to pass stricter noise regulations.

Updated image

The RGS had succeeded in giving Laverda a more modern image for the 1980s, but had lacked both the all-conquering speed and the raw character that had traditionally attracted the marque's enthusiasts. In 1984 Laverda had added some performance with the RGS 1000 Corsa whose engine, tuned with high-compression pistons, new valves, modified airbox and revised exhaust system, increased peak output to about 90bhp. For 1985 Laverda used the Corsa engine as the basis of a new model, the SFC 1000. Its name was designed to bring to mind the thunderous 750 SFC production racer of the 1970s, although in reality the new triple was a modified Corsa with red instead of black paintwork, subtly reshaped fairing and tank, and some new cycle parts. Its twin-downtube steel frame was identical except for its gold finish, and held a new box-section aluminum swingarm. Other new parts included the rear seat footrests. cast alloy wheels, plus Marzocchi forks and remote-reservoir rear shocks.

With its high tinted screen the SFC was tall by 1985 standards, its air-cooled engine was undeniably outdated, and it was heavy at 538lb (244kg). Inevitably the stirring three-cylinder bellow of old was stifled by emissions regulations. But despite that the big Laverda was a good-looking and distinctive machine that had enough pace and character to get its rider's adrenaline flowing. The engine sometimes felt rough at very low revs, but once into its stride the SFC was tractable as well as powerful, pulling smoothly all the way from 3000rpm to a top speed of 140mph (225km/h). In corners the big Laverda could not match the best Japanese bikes in terms of agility or grip from its unfashionably narrow 18-inch tires, but it was still very enjoyable. Its Marzocchi suspension was firm and well damped: the Brembo Gold Line brakes gave superbly powerful stopping. Although the SFC was far from being a competitive super-sports machine, it combined its performance with enough comfort to make it an excellent sports-tourer.

There was potential for more speed, too. as the factory offered a sports kit of three-into-one exhaust system and larger main jets for the Dell'Orto carburettors. Really serious owners could opt for the racetrack kit comprising hot cams, valve springs, bigger 36mm carburettors and close-ratio gearbox.

Laverda had been planning to build only 200 units of the SFC 1000 before moving on to produce a more modem range of three-cylinder middleweight. Bui the firm's financial problems meant that the new bikes never appeared, and the final batch of SFC 1000s left the factory at Breganze in 1987. Laverda would be revived in the 1990s under new ownership - with a range of parallel twins. The story of the famous air-cooled triples had come to an end.

Source of review: Fast Bikes by Roland Brown

Make Model	Laverda SFC 1000
Year	1985 -
Engine Type	Four stroke. transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder.
Displacement	981 cc / 59.8 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	75 x 74 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	10.0:1
Induction	3x 32mm Dell'Orto carburetors
Ignition	Borsch electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	100 hp / 72.9 kW @ 8000 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Marzocchi forks, adjustable damping and air pressure 115mm wheel travel.
Rear Suspension	Marzocchi remote reservoir adjustable damping and spring preload, fixed air pressure.
Front Brakes	2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 280mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tire	100/90-18
Rear Tire	130/80-18
Dry Weight	238 kg / 524.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	22 Liters / 5.8 US gal
Consumption Average	39.3 mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	12.4 sec / 119 mph 191.5 km/h
Top Speed	143.1 mph / 230.3 km/h