OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Other Makes (CanAms, Coopers, etc) => Topic started by: DT_Mania on July 30, 2010, 05:33:02 am
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Picked up this little rare bike today. What an awsome find. I didn't actually do the hard work of finding it myself, but took it over from a mate who has just too much on his plate at the moment.
Condition is much better then the camo paint job would suggest
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/DSCF0461.jpg)
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/DSCF0460.jpg)
Original
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/IMG-5569.jpg)
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/IMG-5578.jpg)
But I think I'll go for this look. Just too much the orange rims and spokes!
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/p1000343j.jpg)
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(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/icons/banana.gif)WOW, beni moto(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/icons/banana.gif)
That bike is a great addition to both your garage and Aussie VMX. Now get ya finger out, get it back to it's glory ;D
P.S. Despite the colour, you probably should be hanging with the Husky guys ;) ;D.
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Ahhhh, thats a spectacular find! Jeez, I'm envious! If you ever decide to off-load it............. ::)
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what a rarity, is this bike in OZ? if so its history would be interesting. keep us updated on the resto with some progress pics as you go.
wonder how many were made ?
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I great find DT ;) I believe that model bike was the subject of my very first topic post on this forum in about '05 or something. A member by the name of Bomber made the original post to which I replied with a picture of same model.
Something about the 250 Lav's, Harley 250MX, some Can-Am's and the 250 Hodaka Thunderdog's that always appealed to me and it's not the engine capacity ;) nice 8)
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Sorry MX250 and Hoony but the bike is in South Africa. What I do know is that 5 of these specific models where imported originally to SA. With this find we know where 3 of them are today.
Will definitely keep you up to date on the resto. There is a certain Montesa keeping me busy and my budget honest at the moment, but after having a proper look at this bike I might put the Monty on the back burner as this little bike is complete and running. New plastics has already been put on special order!
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Lusting didn't know there was such a beastie
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Some history courtesy of Gareth Ireland:
The Offroad models: During the 1950s because of their on-road reliability and their race track success, the Laverda 75cc was modified for off-road use by the private enthusiast with enough success to encourage the factory to produce the 125cc Regolarita for the 1960s.
However, because of the development and production of the new 1000cc Triple, and the move into new premises at Breganze, it was the 1970s before the off-road competitor was properly catered for by Laverda
It was at the 1973 Milan Show that Laverda debuted the 250 Chott, a two stroke single of 246.9 cc, this machine boasted as part of it's extensive specification a twin plug head fed by a double electronic ignition set up, a 32mm Dell'orto carburettor and a five speed gearbox. This purposeful machine went into production during 1974.
Other features of the Chott included an adjustable fork angle, (25, 27.5 and 30 degrees), and magnesium crankcases and wheel hubs added strenght and lightness making this a competitive machine out of the crate which was fine for the off-road enthusiast, but for the ever fickle public, the Chott was too focused on competition, they wanted an off road leisure bike which cost less than the highly specified Chott.
In 1976 Laverda started the production of the 250 TR2, based on the Chott but without a speedometer or revcounter, the magnesium engine cases and wheel hubs were absent and the body panels were plastic instead of steel, the TR2 ended up a lighter but less sophisticated bike than the Chott and satisfied the expectations of 1970s Joe and Josephine Public.
Laverda themselves were not satisfied! With extensive success in road racing, particularly endurance events, Laverda wanted to extend this success into the off-road competition. Thus in late 1976, an alliance was formed with off-road racing specialist Husqvarna, they supplied engines and technical expertise while Laverda built bikes around the engine. The short-lived TR2 was gradually phased out to be replaced by two new bikes, the HW125 and HW 250. To develop and race these machines, Laverda engaged a winner of the Italian Motorcross championship, this was Italo Forni who along with Gianni Basso had some good results during national and international off-road events, this Laverda off-road team was mangaged by Giullio Franzan.
During 1985 and despite some serious finacial concerns, Laverda were looking to expand their range with minimum investment, the decision was made to use their existing 500cc twin cylinder motor in a large off-road styled machine. This motor was already a powerful and lightweight unit, but Laverda re-bored it to 600cc, (actually 571.6), fitted different camshafts and a twin carburettor set up to enhance the low and mid range power and torque. This engine kept it's eight valve cylinder head and slightly modified balancer shaft and produced 50 BHP with peak torque at a little less than 4500RPM. The frame and suspension components were among the best available at the time, for example a huge 42mm front fork was complimented by a mono shock rear suspension marketed as Soft Ramble. Unfortunately, the bike was on the heavy side, 157 to 180 kilos depending on model versions and this coupled with a high retail price and the factory's continuing finacial problems saw only 500 or so of the Laverda Atlas being produced between 1986 and 1989.
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/lavlh4ij4.jpg)
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/laverda125qe7.jpg)
Original ad in Bike SA:
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/LaverdaEnduroBikeAdvert.jpg)
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Yeh, I'm envious too. Love those LH Laverdas. There was a time when I was thinking of building a facsimile using a CR250R frame, Marzocchi forks & husky engine.
What I'd previously read about the Chott didn't excite me, but I'd have any of them now.
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.........Laverda 250 Chott........
(http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/yumastepside/250chott.jpg)
Roger
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This is what I received this morning. Preston Petty plastics for the Laverda from Strictly Hodaka. So my Des/Jan holiday is booked! ;D
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/dt_mania/Laverda/Photo0001.jpg)
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Does anyone know what technique was used to provide the adjustable fork angle on the Chott?
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That is a very cool bike 8) good luck with your resto :) look forward to updates .
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Does anyone know what technique was used to provide the adjustable fork angle on the Chott?
Dave,
The steering head pivots on a lower bolt & 3 diff options of holes align for the top bolt, giving 3 diff rake options, whichever set of holes you chose to align.