The awesome XTR-eme Laverda 500 by Pepo Rosell...
Introduced in 1975, but produced only from 1977 (until 1983), with the 500cc “Alpino” (known in US with the name of “Zeta”), Laverda tried to replicate the success of the SF750 twin and 1000cc triple in the market of half liter street bikes. The DOHC 497cc air-cooled parallel twin was the first Italian production motorcycle of its type to utilize four-valve heads. In addition, the bike was light, slim and nimble. It weighted 175 kilograms only and was provided with several state of the art technical features, including three Brembo disc brakes. Unfortunately, the performances weren’t particularly exciting and the need of a regular maintenance to prevent fatal valves’ breaks and menacing vibrations made the model not particularly successful. Nevertheless, nowadays, this bike is still charming and, in the talented hands of Pepo Rosell, it becomes a real object of desire.
Presentata nel 1975, ma prodotta solo dal 1977 (fino al 1983), con la 500cc "Alpino" (conosciuto negli Stati Uniti con il nome di "Zeta"), la Laverda cercò di replicare il successo della bicilindrica SF750 e della 1000 tre cilindri nel mercato delle moto stradali da mezzo litro. Il bicilindrico parallelo di 497cc bialbero raffreddato ad aria fu il primo motore motociclistico di produzione italiana ad utilizzare teste a quattro valvole. Inoltre, la moto era agile e leggera, pesava solo 175 kg e aveva molte caratteristiche tecniche allo stato dell’arte, compresi tre freni a disco Brembo. Purtroppo, le prestazioni non erano particolarmente eccitanti e la necessità di una manutenzione regolare per prevenire guasti fatali alle valvole e minacciose vibrazioni ne fecero un modello non particolarmente riuscito. Comunque sia, oggi, questa moto è ancora affascinante e, nelle mani telentuose di Pepo Rosell, diventa un vero e proprio oggetto del desiderio.
Tech Specs: Donor bike: 1978 Laverda 500 Alpino. New subframe, YSS monoshock conversion with a modified Suzuki Bandit 600 swingarm. NG rear brake rotor. Suzuki Bandit 600 rear wheel. Ducati Monster 1000 front end, with Brembo front brakes and Frentubo brake lines. Full custom new bodywork, including modified fuel tank, front mudguard, fairing brackets and frontlight, tail and seat (painting by Artenruta). TT clock. PBR aluminum race clip ons. Domino quick open gas throttle. Domino race grip. Brembo PR 19 brake pump. Suzuki GSXR 600 clutch lever. Endurance gas caps. Ergal cnc machined XTR CBR 600 footrest. LIPO battery. Montesa rear lights. Rebuilt and tuned engine, including: ported heads, high comp pistons, Laverda Formula 500 camshafts, oversized oil pump, overbored 34mm Dell’Orto carburators (stock 32mm), DNA air filters. Super Mario Megaphones. Tsubaki gold chain.
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