LAVERDA JOTA

LAVERDA JOTA

LAVERDA JOTA

There was no mistaking the appeal of the Laverda Jota. The Italian triple backed up ' its square-jawed naked style with massive, sometimes intimidating, performance. The A Jota was big, brutal, loud and supremely powerful. 1 In the right hands it was simply the fastest thing on two wheels in the late 1970s, as a string of production race victories confirmed.

This most famous of Laverda's 981cc air- cooled triples resulted from a collaboration between the firm from Breganze in northern Italy and Slater Brothers, its British importer. The basis of the Jota was the 3C, itself a potent and handsome machine, which Laverda had created in 1973, essentially by adding an extra cylinder to its existing 650cc parallel twin.

In 1975 brothers Roger and Richard Slater, intending to production race the triple, created a machine they called the 3CE - the 'E' standing for England - by fitting modifications including a free- breathing exhaust system, rearset footrests and single seat.

Meanwhile the factory was developing its own update, the 3CL, which featured cast wheels, triple disc brakes and a tail fairing, and was introduced as a 1976 model.

Combining the two bikes created the machine that the Slaters christened the Jota, after a Spanish dance in three-four time.

This time they went further with the engine tuning, fitting the dohc triple with factory endurance race camshafts and high-compression pistons. The result was a substantially increased peak output of 90bhp at 8000rpm, with noise and performance to match.

This was an Italian bike that could live with Japan's finest for sheer horsepower and speed. The Jota felt rough below about 4000rpm due to its lumpy cams, but came alive above that figure with exhilarating acceleration, a soulful three-cylinder bellow and a top speed of 140mph (225km/h).

The triple was a demanding bike to ride, its power delivery and sheer speed combining with the unfaired riding position, engine vibration and a heavy clutch to make the rider work hard. In other respects the Laverda was well-equipped, with finish and electrics that were excellent by Italian standards. Handling was generally good, thanks to a strong frame and typically firm Ceriani suspension. But the triple was a tall, heavy machine that required plenty of muscle from its rider, and was prone to weave at high speed. The trio of big, cast iron Brembo discs gave plenty of stopping power, wet or dry.

Obvious appeal

Although the Jota was assembled in Breganze (apart from silencers and collector box), the tuned triple was officially a UK-only model. But limited numbers were sold in other markets including America. The price was high, but the appeal was obvious: this was arguably the world's fastest roadster in 1976. Slaters' racer Peter Davies supported that claim by dominating the British production race championship.

LAVERDA

Laverda modified the triple in subsequent years, notably with a variety of half-fairings, and in 1982 produced a more refined version, the Jota 120. This had a 120-degree firing order, in place of the old 180-degree (one piston up, two down) arrangement. The Laverda Jota 120 was much smoother, yet retained the traditional triple character. Although short-lived, it was a fine way to end the famous line.

CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE

LAVERDA JOTA prices 2014

MINT              $13,000  $17,000         £12,000   £15,000

GOOD                      $10,000                     £10,000

FAIR                         $7,500                       £5,500

PROJECT                  $1,500                       £1,200