Description
1987 Laverda RGS1000 Corsa
I bought this as a restoration project from Graham ‘Clem’ Clemans; a legend within the ILOC in 2023 and am the third owner.
The bike was sold by Moto Mecca on Clapham High Street to Mr. Nigel Stock. It was used until approximately 1998 before being stored. Clem became aware of the bike and approached the owner in an attempt to buy it; however, this was rebuffed several times before the owner finally relented to Clem’s persistence and sold the bike to him in 2003 with the odometer reading 45112km.
Clem got the bike running, tested it and then started to dismantle the bike for a restoration that was never completed, and he eventually agreed to sell it to me.
Keith Nairn advised me to do nothing to the engine other than a full inspection and service. So, I first completely sealed it before soda-blasting the case to brighten it in a non-destructive manner. I then drained the oil and removed the oil strainer looking for debris (nothing found). I removed the alternator and primary covers and inspected the internals, changed the timing and primary chains and checked the valve clearances which were within spec. New side cover and rocker gaskets were then fitted.
The rest of the bike was completely stripped and underwent a full restoration, including:
• Frame and metalwork stripped and wet painted.
• Re-chromed fork stanchions, re-painted fork legs and rebuilt with new seals.
• Marzocchi rear shocks cleaned, painted and rebuild with new seals.
• Clean wiring loom (it was mercifully un-bodged and near perfect).
• Fuel tank and body panels sent for cleaning and re-paint.
• Various parts re-chromed.
• Wheels sent off to be diamond cut and restored.
• New wheel bearings, seals and tyres.
• New 530 chain kit.
• Carburettors sent for cleaning and rebuild.
• Ignitech ignition and coils from Keith Nairn fitted plus multiple other consumables.
• Brake discs separated from hub carriers and sent for plating.
• Brake callipers dismantled, cleaned and fitted with new seals and pads.
• New stainless braided brake and clutch hoses with black covers for an original look.
• Clutch and brake master cylinders sent to Ducati Paddy for rebuild.
• New clutch slave cylinder seals.
• New battery.
• Hand controls repainted.
There are multiple other items replaced or restored which aren’t listed but are detailed within the eye-watering stack of receipts; it owes me over £14, 000!
The bike comes with its original bill of sale, warranty card and service book and some MOT’s and service history.
It is a lovely thing, and the straight through 3-1 exhaust is wonderful without being any louder than an RGS fitted with Jota pipes. It rides exceptionally well and the Ignitec ignition is superb; in my opinion, far better than the Witt and Mikuni combination I have on my other RGS.
Because of the fantastic originality of the bike in its ‘barn-find’ state, my aim was to restore it as close to original as possible. Although being a second phase Corsa, it should have gold wheels, however I preferred the look of the diamond cut wheels from the first phase bikes and chose to indulge myself.
The bike is number 2888 and one of the last Corsa’s to be produced, being built alongside the SFC1000, with some of those bikes pre-dating this one according to the register.
Laverda were also running out of Bayflex body panels at this point, and this bike was fitted with a Bayflex fairing, but glass fibre front mudguard, side panels and tail unit. These are not as good quality and are also rare, so I sourced Bayflex panels and used these on the bike and stored the original panels which come with it.
It will come with a new MOT and fresh oil and brake/ clutch fluid.
I currently have too many bikes needing to be ridden and not enough time; this was used twice last year, so want to see what interest is out there.
Please feel free to call me and ask any questions.
Looking for £10, 500 or thereabouts.
