1977 Laverda 750 SF3, 748cc. Registration number TTM 243R. F...

Hammer

£4,800

1977 Laverda 750 SF3, 748cc. Registration number TTM 243R. Frame number LAV.750 SF2 *19454*, DGM.12565.OM. Engine number 750*19454*.
Lightweights, scooters and mopeds formed the mainstay of Laverda production up to the late 1960s when the small Italian concern, hitherto little known outside its home country, astonished the motorcycling world by introducing a 650cc parallel twin. After fewer than 100 had been made, the engine was taken out to 750cc and a team of 650 and 750 Laverdas duly walked away with the 1968 Moto Giro d'Italia. The first 750 GT (touring) and 750 S (sports) models spawned the 750 SF late in 1970. 'SF' stood for Super Freni (super brakes) and marked a switch from Grimeca stoppers to Laverda's own superior drum brakes. The SF also benefited from Japanese Nippon Denso instruments.
For 1972 the SF1 arrived with a different character, beefed up crank, bigger pumper carbs, new silencers, lower compression and slightly more power. The SF2 in 1974 came with a single 280mm Brembo disc front brake – twin discs were soon introduced for the front, but you’ll find bikes with either set-up. The dual saddle also became standard fitment.
The last hurrah of the SF arrived in 1976. The SF3 sported 5-spoke cast alloy wheels, a duck-tail seat, a rear disc brake, and its gear and brake levers swapped sides. Over time, Laverda lightened the flywheels to improve acceleration so the engine’s characteristics do change from SF to SF3. The final incarnation was no faster, flat out, than the first.
For its time, the 750 SF was bang up to date. Its oil-tight, twin-carb, electric start, five-speed ohc engine ticked every box at the start of the 1970s. That’s why the SF variants proved to be Laverda’s most successful model range, notching up over 18,000 sales.
TTM 243T was first registered on the 15th June 1977, supplied by Morphy Motorcycles of Tring, to Andrew Scott of Chelmsford, (note the 1977 silver Jota in this auction has a registration number of TTM 240T).
Richard Burgess of Marston bought it in September 1979, Mark Worth of Northampton in August 1987 and quickly to Ian Cave of Northampton in the October. In April 1988 it moved to Paul Goodwin of Cambridgeshire, followed by Robert Brittain of Peterborough in July 2009 and Neil Bell of Nottingham in February 2010. Our vendor bought it in August 2015.
In 2020 he had the front forks rechromed and and new exhaust system was fitted. MOT history from 2009 at 41,793 miles and 2013 at 42,688miles backs up today mileage of 43,093 miles.
Only being sold due to ill health, it comes with the V5C, DVLA ownership details and three receipts.