1979 Laverda Jota 180 180 For Sale by Auction

National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands

Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm

Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am

Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
                                                                  

Registration No: YTS 530T
Frame No: 6360
MOT: Exempt

UK supplied new in June 1979

A good recommissioning project

Slaters’ dating letter and V5C

The roots of the Laverda Motorcycle company go back to 1873 when Pietro Laverda began producing agricultural equipment in Breganza in North-East Italy. Like many other Italian firms, they diversified into motorcycles after WW2 manufacturing good quality and for the time, relatively innovative bikes. By the mid 1960s they noticed an increase in demand for larger capacity models and Massimo Laverda visited the US in 1964 to study the market there. On his return he persuaded his father, Francesco Laverda, that to succeed in the US they needed to produce a 650 twin. Laverda bought three motorcycles, a Honda CB77, a Norton 650SS and a BMW R69S which were stripped down and examined. Although they took elements from all three, the resulting Luciano Zen designed 650cc engine was heavily based on the Honda. This became the basis for the later 750 GT launched in 1969 and ultimately the 1000cc 3C and Jota triples. The Jota, inspired by UK importers Slater Brothers, was the fastest road bike available in its day and built up a legendary reputation in the 1970s.

This Jota project, being offered at no reserve, is from a deceased estate so not much is known of its history. It has been stood for a number of years so it will need a good recommissioning, but has survived in fairly standard and original trim. From information supplied on a recent dating letter from Richard Slater, they collected six bikes by their own transport in April 1979, four of which were allocated to Alan Duffus Motorcycles in Scotland. YTS530T was part of that allocation, being sold and registered by them on the 1st June. Fitted with a box section swinging arm, this Jota 180 is a rare and desirable model and will make an interesting recommissioning/ restoration project. It will be supplied with the aforementioned dating letter and a current V5C.

                                                                                                           
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**

Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)