It’s been a busy time since I last posted with a test day at Darley Moor and a visit to the 24 Heures du Mans (look into the Trips post 2023 for the ride report). The weather remains wet but there are blue skies beginning to emerge.
The trip to Le Mans meant I fitted a new chain and rear sprocket. I had two engine sprockets on the shelf but neither would fit because the back of the sprocket wasn’t dished. This leaves the sprocket in the wrong position to allow the lock washer to be used. Neither supplier knew the correct fitment but eventually AFAM provided the serial # (94803-19 h) for the correct item off ebay (listed incorrectly for an SFC1000. So go by the serial # not the description). It’s frustrating but then Laverda haven’t made anything for 40 years so I guess it’s to be expected if you don’t use specialist suppliers.!
The big revelation was fitting new coffin style master cylinders. I did this primarily to get more feel on the front brake and the 15mm unit has done just that! I suspect the old master cylinder wasn’t operating properly because in addition to much improved feel (travel at the lever) the front brakes no longer judder. I’d expected the clutch to be lighter and the 13mm unit delivered – taken together and the fact everything is new it’s almost like riding a modern bike!
The last thing to fix on the bike is the oil consumption which stubbornly refuses to drop below at a litre every 1,000 miles. I’m heading up to Scotland soon to see if this can be fixed.
The day at Darley Moor was for Andy Bartlett to give his TTF1 replica a test in advance of the first race at Paul Ricard. Andy got everyone together and he and Tony Jiminez took the beast out for a few shakedown laps. The ‘beast’ actually sounds very smooth, the exhaust is probably road legal.
The bike arrived on a trailer and tying it down had forced a bit of oil past the nearside fork seal. It took some brake cleaner and a rag to clear scrutineering but the track time showed once clean the problem didn’t exist.
Andy has done quite a bit of work over the winter including a trip to Scotland to sort the head and cylinders along with a dyno session. This work along with bits and bats across the cycle parts has produced a sweet bike. Both Andy and Tony were happy.
A short video can be viewed here: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AjTIFj4P30727UmPqp505tDIUuyg?e=gJlb35
The next few weeks should be busy with the aforemented dash to Scotland to try and fix the oil consumption followed almost immediately with a ride down to the Circuit Paul Ricard to help out with Andy Bartlett’s first race of the season. What could possibly go wrong…
Nick 🙂
Bent screwdrivers, big hammers and old Laverdas 