Laverda 668 Sport

File:Laverda-668-2jpg
Laverda 668 Sport
Manufacturer	Laverda
Production	1997
Engine	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder
Compression ratio	9.0:1
Ignition	Weber-Marelli electronic
Transmission	6 speed
Suspension	Front: 40mm WP Upside-down forks, adjustable rebound and damping. Rear: WP Rising rate adjustable preload, rebound and damping.
Brakes	Front: 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire	170/60 ZR17
Seat Height	760 mm / 29.9 in
Weight	185 kg / 407.8 lbs (dry),
Fuel Capacity	16 Liters / 4.2 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air/oil cooled cooled Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder. The engine featured a 9.0:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet, multiple discs, cable operated.

Chassis

It came with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a 170/60 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 40mm WP Upside-down forks, adjustable rebound and damping. while the rear was equipped with a WP Rising rate adjustable preload, rebound and damping.. The 668 Sport was fitted with a 16 Liters / 4.2 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 185 kg / 407.8 lbs.

Photos

Laverda 668 Sport Laverda 668 Sport Laverda 668 Sport Laverda 668 Sport Laverda 668 Sport

Overview

Laverda 668 Sport

668 SPORTSTER

The 668 sportster was marketed in yellow/black or red/black, with metallic grey on some areas, such as the bottom of the fairing and on the small side covers. Its main styling difference from the 650 Sport/Formula was its new twin (round) headlamp fairing, in place of the earlier model's single oblong light assembly. There was also a half-faired version of the 668, the Diamante, with a Ghost-type steel tubular chassis. Technically, the 668 was supposed to be superior to the 650. In fact, it not only used the same engine size (668cc), but also, except for improved engine components to erase problems that had been experienced on some 650s, was much the same. The early 668s had the 650/Ghost series exhaust with its ugly collector box, but the Ghost Legend/Strike revised exhaust pipes did provide a genuine improvement in mid-range power. Instead of making significant improvements to the 668, Laverda's engineering and marketing men preferred to keep their powder dry, waiting for the next stage in the evolution of the dohc parallel twin saga. Their seven-fifty water-cooled version debuted at shows around the world at the end of 1996 in prototype form, and entered production in late spring 1997. This important engine and the models it spawned are discussed in Chapter 15. Over the weekend of 17-20 July 1997, the existing owners of Laverda I.mo.la (in conjunction with Moto Club Breganze) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the marque. Over 1,400 enthusiasts were greeted at the gathering by the Mayor of Breganze, Dott. Francesco Crivellaro.

650/668 Technical Information

All 650 and 668 models detailed here used the same basic 668cc (78.5 x 69mm) oil/air-cooled 4-valves-per-cylinder with dohc and Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection. This was originally designed by Angelo Ferrari back in the late 1980s, and was based on the Alpino unit of a decade earlier. Few problems were experienced with the early 650 Sport models constructed from component parts already in stock after the Tognon takeover in 1993. However, with some later engines, mainly those built in late 1995 and early 1996, such as the 650 Sport and Formula and early 668 models, the following problems were experienced. They were put right under a programme carried out by Laverda and its local agents - in the UK, Three Cross Imports Ltd. 1 An improved cylinder head (manufactured by SCF of Reggio Emilia with new oil ways and new valve seats superseded the original design. It was usually supplied with valves, springs and buckets, but using existing cams and rockers. 2 Piston modification using different type of rings. 3 Original cylinder heads were thickly finished in paint. This was found to stifle the cooling process, so subsequent heads were finished in a fine sprinkling of metallic particles, to increase heat dissipation. 4 Alleged crankcase stud breakage - usually caused by incorrect torque figures. It is not recommended to exceed those advised in the official workshop manual for each model. 5 Generator, clutch and balancer shaft nuts. In the spring of 1996, the original castellated type were replaced by conventional hexagon type, to prevent them working loose, particularly the one keeping the alternator in place. 6 From Ghost engine number 2114, the oil pump set was changed for an upgraded type. Most 668s and all Diamantes had the improved type fitted as standard. 7 From late 1996, a new type of exhaust crossover pipe was fitted to replace the huge collector box on the 650 Sport, Formula and most Ghosts and 668s. This saw the two header pipes siamesed under the engine with no collector box. This change provided greatly improved mid/low-range engine-torque characteristics. 8 Electrical problems may be experienced on all the air-cooled 650/668 models. This can usually be traced to the fuse box and relays located under the rider's seat. To prevent this, these components need to be cleaned, and sealed with a silicon rubber sealant once everything is 100 per cent dry. Vaseline should be smeared on the blades of the fuses, and the relays fastened in place with cable ties. Finally, a small hole can be drilled in the base of the small plastic cover that fits over the fuses. This will prevent water collecting there.

Make Model	Laverda 668 Sport
Year	1997
Engine Type	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder
Displacement	668 cc / 40.7 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	78.5 x 69 mm
Cooling System	Air/oil cooled
Compression	9.0:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Induction	Twin Weber-Marelli electronic injection
Ignition	Weber-Marelli electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	70 hp / 52 kW @ 8000 rpm
Max Power Rear Tire	65 hp / 48.4 kW @ 7800 rpm
Max Torque	60 Nm / 44.2 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission	6 speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	40mm WP Upside-down forks, adjustable rebound and damping.
Rear Suspension	WP Rising rate adjustable preload, rebound and damping.
Front Brakes	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire	170/60 ZR17
Seat Height	760 mm / 29.9 in
Dry Weight	185 kg / 407.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	16 Liters / 4.2 US gal