Luigi Aerta’s
1972 Laverda 750 SFC
By Tim Parker
Frame and engine # 10765
#10765 is a truly outstanding Laverda icon – hand crafted motorcycle sculpture at its pinnacle -that was first purchased by one Luigi Aerta of Via G. Pascoli, 3, 42015 Correggio, in the province of Reggio-Romagna, north-central Italy.
The selling dealership was that of Fratelli Sezzi—brothers Gianni and Giuliano—of Reggio Emilia, warmly remembered to this day by Piero Laverda.
An original “survivor”, unrestored with ocean-deep patina.
One of only 55 "Third Series" (11000-batch) 750 SFCs made, arguably the best series of this handmade street-legal production racer.
All the original papers are available—the Libretto, the ACI ‘Foglio Complimentare’ as well as the factory Warranty Certificate.
Recently brought into the open having been hidden in Sicily, then France, and with known provenance from new.
The bike is located on the US East Coast; all taxes and duty paid and can be viewed by arrangement.
"There is no finer 750 SFC currently known to be for sale: This one is surely unique. Perfect enough for the Guggenheim, yet altogether enough for the occasional parade…"
< Esquire-Man At His Best (August 2016)
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Masterpieces: You’re Not Spending—You’re Investing!—Lust for Life
FIRST, LET’S GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT: Collecting is not amassing. It’s not about having the most of something—or more than one of something, for that matter—and it’s not throwing cash at fusty old relics to be hidden away in climate-controlled cases. Collecting is about investing in timeless quality, rediscovering bygone bits of quirk, and seeking out covetable items…that tell the world a little something about you. In other words, sure, collecting is about what appreciates in value. But most of all it’s about following your passions and acquiring an object that, even decades from now, you’ll still appreciate and value.
1972 LAVERDA SFC, UNRESTORED
Laverda opted for quality over quantity with its "Super Freni Competizione", hand-building only 549 of what is arguably the greatest street bike ever sold. In fact, this one fired right back to life after twenty years undriven.
Approximately fifty-five (#1000-batch) machines were made, the lowest production series of them all, for a total of just over 500 750 SFCs. Moto Laverda took the opportunity to improve the quality of materials used as well as a number of design upgrades. For example, there was the double skinning of the rear frame engine mounts, then the bronze 16mm swing arm spindle bushes and the fatter eyes for the 20mm rear wheel axle with 7mm diameter chain adjusting bolts. The 2-into-2 exhaust ran under the engine to increase the left side lean angle. In turn, the fiberglass thickness increased and quality improved witness the new front fender which now had the clearance demanded by a 19-inch wheel (though never installed) and the molded-in fairing bracket.
Approximately fifty-five
(#1000-batch) machines were made, the
lowest production series of them all, for
a total of just over 500 750 SFCs.
Many components were different from the previous #8000-batch although the engine and transmission were to a similar specification.
New, however, to this model are the Laverda-branded bolt heads. The engine appears never to have been opened…
The engine Specifications should include Mondial 9.6:1 pistons, 2/C camshaft, a polished and balanced crankshaft and connecting rods and close-ratio gearbox. Spanish-made Amal concentric 36mm carburetors were installed—those fitted look fresh—bolted to an SFC cylinder head recognizable by a recess around the inlet ports (which were flowed by hand in Laverda’s race shop).
This unique machine—99% correct and unworn and still wearing its original bodywork paint, other component paints both black and silver, and the Verlicchi frame’s zinc plating—was equipped with the then optional 230mm 4-leading-shoe Ceriani front brake with magnesium plates and aluminum hubs, and Borrani WM3 (without 4-digit code) with painted Alpine spokes. The rear hub is unique to the 11000-batch too, also with bigger bearings.
Ceriani supplied the front forks—painted orange over black—and the rear suspension units mounted further forward on the frame sides than the previous batch.
Altogether this machine has been carefully looked after by past owners, all of whom have carefully retained both good functionality and component and build originality. Its mileage is unknown (no odometer is installed) but is clearly low, perhaps as low as a couple of thousand.
The bike starts and runs well. And sounds magnifico!
PHOTOS BY: RYAN HANDT
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY, SELL, OR TRADE A SPECIFIC
DUCATI, LAVERDA, MOTO GUZZI, MV AGUSTA FOR SALE
DISCLAIMER
Every single bike I buy and sell, I personally go through—not someone else. I am the owner operator of my small business, and I take what I do very seriously. I work on the bikes, I ride the bikes.
If you are serious about buying a true collector piece from someone who not only has a passion for these bikes, but works on them, rides them, and collects them then call me. Jokingly people say to me, “these bikes don’t seem so rare as there are so many in your shop” well... I consider myself a custodian for these machines, they should go to people who will love, and appreciate them.