1979 Laverda Jota Mk 1, 180, 981cc. Registration number BHM ...

Hammer

£12,250

1979 Laverda Jota Mk 1, 180, 981cc. Registration number BHM 903T. Frame number V.1200*6420* GM17575OM. Engine number 1000 *6420*. Laverda began with the manufacture of farm machinery, diversifying into production of small capacity motorcycles in 1949. Increases in capacity and variations of design (including a scooter) followed over the years. They eventually offered a large-capacity 650cc twin in 1966, which was soon enlarged to 750. In 1969 Laverda exhibited their first three-cylinder machine which was to take until 1972 before being offered to the public as the 3C, later becoming the 3C(E). At the instigation of the British importer, Roger Slater, performance was enhanced by Laverda and the 3C(E) became the Jota. The 180 had the distinction of being the fastest production motorcycle in the world in the late 1970s, at over 140mph.
The Jota model ran from 1976 through to 1982 and is powered by a 981cc DOHC air cooled inline triple with a dry weight of 234 kg. Originally fitted with a crankshaft with 180° crankpin phasing and ignition timing on the right hand side of the engine till 1980. Then in 1981 the ignition timing which was by then electronic, was moved to the left side and in 1982 the Jota 120° was released which had the crankpin phasing to 120°.
BHM comes with a Slaters confirmation of import into the UK in May 1979 and was sold by Hexagon of Highgate. By 2002 it was with J. Carter of Cambridgeshire and then in April 2008 with David Hands of Warrington, there are many receipts on file during his ownership, including the rebuilding of the front forks by Slaters (£348) and replacement wheels in 2009 (£1480). Our vendor bought it from Made in Italy in September 2010 when the mileage was 13,234. MOT history goes from 2006 at 12,441 miles through to the new one, dated 16/07/21 at 14,441 miles.
Presented in very good condition, it fired up easily when collected by the cataloguer; it is only being sold to ill health.
Sold with the V5C, current and past MOT's, various receipts mentioned and the Slaters letter. It should be noted that the frame is a replacement one, correctly stamped with the original frame number.