Aprilia’s acquisition of Laverda just a few years ago promised a resurgence of the historical marque. That promise was fulfilled in Bologna, Italy today, with the introduction of the 1000 SFC superbike. Although unmentioned in the Laverda press release below, the SFC 1000 clearly incorporates a version of the Aprilia Mille power plant, although, in a slightly higher state of tune, with a higher claimed compression and horsepower rating. Read the press release for yourself, but the highlights include forged wheels (25% lighter than the lightest, cast aluminum wheels), titanium exhaust system, radial pump master cylinder and radial brake calipers, and a laterally mounted, linkless rear shock (both the shock and the fork are manufactured by Öhlins). Here is the Laverda press release:

An exclusive, prestigious and super-technological dream on two wheels, the new Laverda SFC 1000 makes its first appearance at the Bologna Motorshow. This limited series jewel of technology is awe inspiring in design and exhilarating to ride. With the SFC 1000, Laverda is back on the motorcycling scene with a high-tech vengeance.

Laverda SFC 1000

Just two years after joining the Aprilia group, Laverda has kept the promise it made and is unveiling the exciting new Laverda SFC 1000 to an eager public as a foretaste of things to come.

The SFC 1000 marks the comeback of the famous and prestigious Laverda marque, universally associated with unbeatable performance. The name Laverda is synonymous with competition victories and exclusive designs, and the SFC is destined to proudly renew this tradition. Ergonomics, technology and styling find the perfect balance in this unforgettable machine. The SFC is clearly a third millennium machine; but above all it is the result of the unstoppable passion for the tricolour logo of the Laverda team, the men who have ensured that the orange Laverda marque rides once more. The designers, engineers and model makers behind the SFC 1000 have all worked hard to see the Laverda myth make its return as early as possible.

Many years have passed since 1947, when Francesco Laverda designed and built his first motorcycle, a 75 cc “reliable and cheap to run lightweight”.

In all its years of production, the Laverda marque always stood out from the competition for its innovative and carefully chosen technical solutions that combined a passion for motorcycling with an infallible eye for style.

The Laverda story reached its peak in the sixties and seventies with the 750 SFC sports twins that in competition form won unforgettable victories in the massacring endurance races of the day. The legendary 750 SFC was fast, stylish and reliable, the perfect motorcycle for the true enthusiast. It was manufactured in a limited series of only a few hundred examples. Now the name SFC is back too, and on a new Laverda that embodies all the character of its predecessor, but in third millennium form.

The new SFC is a twin with unmistakable sports orientation and technical content. The inimitable technology and style of this typically Italian machine cannot fail to re-establish the Laverda marque.

So the Laverda story is starting again, with a legendary name and a winning machine that will soon be a legend itself. The new SFC is just the beginning of another amazing story.

The Laverda SFC 1000 is designed for riders who demand maximum performance on the track and on the road. The rigorously single seat SFC delivers exhilarating muscle but in a magnetically attractive form. The new Laverda uses only the best components too. Today as in the past every part of the SFC is the maximum the market can to offer, including the powerful engine, exceptional chassis, and superb brakes. The SFC is designed as an exclusive machine for passionate riders. Its unmatched technical and stylistic prestige is emphasised by the fact that the SFC 1000 will only be made in a few hundred numbered examples.

Nor will the SFC be alone for long. A standard production machine will also be produced in the near future aimed at a wider public.

The Laverda SFC 1000 is equipped with:

• High tensile chromium-molybdenum steel tubular lattice frame with refined TIG welding
• Milled aluminium frame plates
• Aluminium swinging arm
• Laterally mounted fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock
• Radial pump and radial brake callipers
• Fully adjustable Öhlins fork
• Forged wheels
• Close ratio gearbox
• Aluminium oil reservoir located at the rear of the engine with fins for improved cooling
• Titanium exhaust system with curved silencers

The Laverda SFC 1000 is equipped with the world’s best components to ensure that there can be nothing better in performance and riding pleasure. The Laverda SFC 1000 is a truly refined motorcycle. Passionate care and attention has been lavished on every detail. The result is a motorcycling jewel that will put the Laverda marque firmly back where it should be, at the front of the field.

133 horsepower for a top speed of over 280 km/hour, the “spec” for the new Laverda SFC 1000 sets new standards for twin cylinder factory machines. But the Laverda SFC 1000 is not just muscle and speed. It is pure style, technology and exhilaration rolled into one and combines an exceptional chassis with the best twin cylinder engine there is for an absolutely unrivalled ride. The mix of design, performance and technology in the SFC cannot fail to impress. Laverda is back, with a very special machine indeed.

DESIGN: technology and art

The new Laverda special will be made in a limited edition that embodies the maximum expression of motorcycling technology as we know it. This state of the art technology comes with essential, modern yet classical styling too. As with the mythical 750, advanced technology is a design feature of the Laverda SFC 1000 too. Each individual part is made for maximum performance and functionality, and to look good too. The new machine’s unmistakable, decisive styling is clearly and purposefully inspired by the 750 SFC, a machine that is still a reference for the world’s motorcycle designers.

Just like its predecessor, today’s SFC does not hide its beauty. On the contrary, it is proud to display it. The functional but stylishly compact half fairing incorporates the two air ducts leading to the airbox, and provides good rider wind protection at speed. The lattice frame, engine, swinging arm and exhausts are all clearly visible to add to the unique look of this exceptional sports machine. Very little plastic is used, leaving pride of place to aluminium, titanium and carbon components.

Engine accessories like the oil cooler and oil reservoir have been cleverly located to enhance the visual impact of the fully open suspended engine, just as on the 750 SFC.

A great deal of effort has gone in to perfecting the SFC’s aerodynamics to offer the best possible rider protection. The nose fairing is therefore far more than just a design element: it also affords valid rider protection even at the extremely high speeds of which the SFC is capable. And that is not all! The SFC 1000 can be transformed into an authentic track machine in next to no time. Two quick-fit side fairings turn the new Laverda into a fully faired track racer for unbeatable circuit performance.

The slender single seat tail gives the bike a streamlined rear end and enhances the overall styling. The high level twin exhausts add a further touch of aggressive elegance. The two super-lightweight titanium silencers feature a special curved shape that permits them to be fitted as close as possible to the centreline of the machine minimising inertia during the rapid direction changes needed in sports riding.

ENGINE: a high-tech heart

The SFC’s new engine is a 60 degree V twin that sets totally new standards in terms of technology, performance, reliability, compactness and light weight. With 133 HP maximum power at the crank, the SFC’s engine is one of the most powerful twins on the market and unbeatable in its class. Yet this high performance engine delivers its power gradually and controllably to ensure that the bike’s full potential can be used by riders of all levels of experience.

The twin is the definitive motorcycle engine, and in this 60° V layout it is lightweight and compact too, permitting optimum chassis design and weight distribution. Careful design of all parts and the application of two specific patents have led to the creation of an extremely powerful yet evolved engine with exceptionally low levels of noise and vibration.

A close ratio gearbox makes the most of the Laverda V twin’s exceptional performance. Acceleration is therefore at unbeatable, but even more exceptional is the control with which the SFC powers out of bends. Close ratio gearing makes the engine always ready to respond promptly even in high gears, improving not only performance but riding pleasure too.

Prestige mechanics make the Laverda SFC 1000 a truly exclusive machine.

• Longitudinal 60° V twin, four valves per cylinder, double overhead cams, mixed gear/chain timing drive.
• Electronic fuel injection with one 57 mm throttle body and one injector per cylinder.
• One plug per cylinder CDI ignition. Timing is controlled by the same integrated engine management system that also controls fuel injection.
• Dry sump lubrication system. This solution, derived from competition engines, gives a more rigid and compact sump and eliminates the risk of lubrication failure under near-the-limit track conditions (fierce acceleration and braking, wheelies). The SFC engine is also equipped with a second trochoidal pump on the return line, and an external aluminium oil reservoir located between the engine and the swinging arm and featuring extra cooling fins. The reservoir’s location helps keep weight near the bike’s centreline while the cooling fins assist the oil cooler, itself mounted horizontally under the engine where and protected by an aluminium air duct. The compact belly pan is also designed to channel air through the oil cooler.
• Mixed gear/chain valve timing drive with the two drive gears (one per timing chain) located in the engine block to reduce the height of the cylinder heads.

The sophisticated V twin engine also incorporates two exclusive patents:

• AVDC (Anti Vibration Double Countershaft).
• A hydraulic action clutch with radial master cylinder, assisted by PPC (Pneumatic Power Clutch), the patented system that controls rear wheel bounce.

Silent clutch operation is guaranteed by dampers with a progressive action that matches the engine torque delivered.

FRAME: Italian genius

A typical example of Italian technical genius, the frame is a high tensile tubular CrMO steel lattice structure. The tubes are TIG welded and painted in a skilled process that can be clearly seen from the welds. The steel lattice is welded on to milled aluminium side plates. This design has been perfected to achieve maximum torsional strength from a compact lightweight structure that also affords excellent access to mechanical parts.

The adjustable swinging arm mounting allows you to customise the rear end setup to suit you own needs and road surface conditions. Adjustment is achieved simply by changing the swinging arm shaft bushings.

SUSPENSIONS: the maximum

The exclusive swinging arm is directly damped by an Öhlins monoshock with a piggy back cylinder that is adjustable in rebound, compression, preload and even length to permit customisation of rear end height. The monoshock is mounted on the left hand side of the swinging arm to give the most progressive and gradual action possible while keeping weight distribution near the centreline and also enhancing the style of this unique arm. The location of the monoshock in this position has also freed up valuable space at a critical point for the exhaust path. The exhaust is straighter as a result to the advantage of engine performance. The innovative monoshock location also keeps the unit away from the heat generated by the exhaust collectors, giving more constant suspension performance even under extreme conditions like circuit racing.

The 43 mm Öhlins Racing titanium nitride coated upside down fork is the best available on the market today. The new shorter stanchions have reduced the weight of this important component even further and have also minimised sliding bushing loads to optimise smoothness and sensitivity. Wheel travel is 120 mm.

The external adjustment system for spring preload, rebound and compression is quick and effective to use.

The aluminium brake calliper mounting block is designed to fit the new race-developed radial callipers.

BRAKING SYSTEM: the state of the art

The new Laverda SFC 1000’s front brake is a state of the art unit just as it was on the famous 750 SFC (Super Freno Competizione). The triple bridge, four pad Brembo brake unit is radially fixed for maximum stopping power and progressive action. The new Brembo PR 18 radial pump master cylinder is both more compact and more effective than traditional master cylinders, permitting reduced lever forces and maximum feel and sensitivity. An incremental adjustment system ensures that you can also find exactly the right lever position and also eliminates “jump back” for even greater safety. The front disks are 320 mm diameter floating units.

WHY RADIAL CALLIPERS?

Radial calliper brakes are so called because of the radial arrangement of the calliper fixing bolts, which are positioned around the radius of the disk.

The advantage with radial callipers is that the calliper is fixed at both ends of the fork’s mounting block. This holds the calliper far more rigidly, allowing it to work more precisely and without flexing. The advantage becomes clear if you consider that on traditional callipers the end furthest from the mounting block is normally left “floating”; so that correct pad positioning is left entirely to the calliper’s own rigidity. The mounting block is also easier to manufacture for radial callipers thanks to the extremely torsion-resistant closed honeycomb structure.

Since braking force is applied at a point offset from the calliper fixing point, braking generates a torsional force that tends to rotate the calliper. The calliper’s rigidity is the only force that counteracts this. Radial fixing is superior to conventional fixing precisely because the rigidity of the entire braking system is such an important characteristic. The fact that radial callipers are now used generally in racing proves the point.

The advantages for the rider are:

• More effective braking.
• A more immediate brake response to rider input, with almost total elimination of free lever movement due to calliper flexing.
• Extended brake pad life. With radially fixed callipers the pads work in more precise alignment with the disk, because the calliper is rigidly aligned with its theoretically optimum working position even during fierce braking. This extends pad life by guaranteeing perfect pad alignment and even pad wear.
• More constant braking effect with less difference in efficiency between hot and cold.

The rear brake is a Brembo Gold unit, with a 220 mm stainless steel disk and twin 32 mm piston calliper.

Both the front and rear brakes use aeronautical metal braided lines to eliminate the pressure loss associated with conventional rubber brake lines and ensure maximum braking precision.

COMPONENTS

The new Laverda SFC 1000 delivers the maximum in exclusiveness and performance by using innovative technical solutions and the world’s best components. The care and attention lavished on every single part make this motorcycle unique, a proud machine indeed to bear the legendary Laverda name that is the patrimony of motorcyclists everywhere.

The fuel tank is a work of art. Rather than sitting on top of the airbox, it surrounds it, leaving more space for the airbox, a component that plays an essential part in determining engine performance. The airbox itself is another high-tech component that rates high in the design of the new SFC. Though the fuel tank itself is extremely light, its special shape gives it enough capacity to ensure useful autonomy in all types of use.

A large number of carbon and super-light alloy parts also contribute to keeping weight down and make the SFC 1000 an even more special machine.

The windshield is thermoformed, treated with an anti-scratch coating, and made for optimum visibility and transparency, long life and total freedom from visual distortion.

The following components are particularly worth noting:

• Öhlins steering damper fitted as standard
• Digital-analog dashboard with multi-function display integrating injection system self-diagnostics and a 40 memory chronometer.

The wheels are one of the outstanding features of the SFC and deserve special mention. They are made by Marchesini, one of the world’s most renowned wheel manufacturers.

When the bike is travelling, wheels are subjected to constant torsional and lateral stress. These new wheels are sufficiently rigid to ensure correct handling and improved tyre grip.

Weight is also important because, since the wheel is a moving mass, energy is required to accelerate, decelerate, and lean it. Lower weight means less power needed to move the bike and the steering, with immediate and obvious benefits for control on the track and on the road.

Less weight also means less inertia and gyroscopic forces in the overall balance of the motorcycle.

In order to fulfil our ambitious weight and rigidity objectives, only the very best materials and the latest manufacturing technology have been used. The Laverda SFC 1000’s wheels are forged aluminium.

The latest forging technology enables the production of totally fault-free and porosity-free wheels in the fusion process, with exceptional mechanical and material characteristics.

Savings in weight are remarkable, at around 25% per wheel compared to the lightest wheels on the market manufactured with conventional cast aluminium technology.

As a consequence inertia has also been reduced by 25% compared to cast aluminium alloy wheels.

A refined finishing process makes the SFC’s wheels totally unique in design and surface and another feather in the cap of this new Laverda.

The Laverda SFC 1000’s exclusive component list includes:

• Öhlins Racing front fork with titanium nitride coating and special setup for super-smooth action.
• Front brake with radial pump master cylinder, radial callipers and four pads.
• Forged aluminium monolithic calliper mounting block for greater rigidity and braking stability.
• Öhlins Racing rear monoshock set up specially for solo riding, with length adjustment as well as preload, compression and rebound adjustment.
• Steering damper.
• Thermoformed windshield with scratch-proof coating, designed for maximum transparency and visibility.
• Carbon fibre front mudguard.
• Carbon fibre rear mudguard.
• Carbon fibre dashboard trim.
• Aluminium oil reservoir with cooling fins.
• Forged aluminium front wheel.
• Forged aluminium rear wheel.

COLOURS: the tradition of things to come

Only one colour can bring the glorious Laverda marque back to life. The SFC simply had to be finished in classical Laverda orange, the colour that always identified Laverda racing machines. Laverda orange blends with the blue wheels, black carbon and grey titanium parts to create a unique colour scheme worthy of an unmistakable bike – the Laverda SFC 1000.

Laverda SFC 1000 Technical Specifications

Engine	Longitudinal 60° V twin, four stroke. Liquid cooling with three-way pressurised circuit. Double overhead cams, mixed gear/chain timing drive, four valves per cylinder. Patented AVDC anti-vibration double countershaft.
Fuel	Lead-free fuel
Bore and stroke	97 x 67.5 mm
Total displacement	997.62 cc
Compression ratio	11.8:1
Maximum power at crank	98 kW (133 HP) at 9,500 r.p.m.
Maximum torque at crank	10.72 kgm (105 Nm) at 7,500 r.p.m.
Fuel injection	Integrated electronic engine management system. Phased indirect multi-point electronic injection. 57 mm diameter throttle bodies.
Ignition	Integrated engine management system with digital electronic ignition and injection control. One spark plug per cylinder.
Starting	Electric starter
Generator	12V – 500 W
Lubrication	Dry sump with separate oil reservoir. Double trochoidal pump with oil cooler. Aluminium oil reservoir with cooling fins.
Gearbox	6 speed. Transmission ratios: 1st 34/15 (2.27) 2nd 31/19 (1.63) 3rd 26/20 (1.3) 4th 24/22 (1.091) 5th 24/25 (0.96) 6th 23/26 (0.88)
Clutch	Multiple disk in oil bath with patented PPC power-assisted hydraulic control. Metal braided clutch line.
Primary drive	Straight toothed gears. Transmission ratio: 60/31 (1.935)
Final drive	Chain. Transmission ratio: 40/16
Frame	High tensile CrMO steel lattice frame with milled aluminium alloy side plates, steering damper.
Front suspension	43 mm Öhlins titanium nitride coated upside-down fork. 120 mm wheel travel. External adjustment system for rebound, compression and preload. Short stanchions with radially fixed brake calliper.
Rear suspension	Aluminium alloy swing-arm; Öhlins Racing hydraulic monoshock with piggy-back cylinder installed on the left hand side of the swinging arm, adjustable in rebound, compression, preload and length. Wheel travel 135 mm.
Brakes	Front: Brembo double stainless steel floating disk, Ø 320 mm. Radial calliper with four 34 mm pistons and four sintered pads. Brembo PR 18 radial pump master cylinder. Metal braided brake line. Rear: Brembo stainless steel disk, Ø 220 mm. Twin 32 mm piston calliper. Sintered pads. Metal braided brake line.
Wheels	Marchesini, forged aluminium alloy. Front: 3.50 X 17″; Rear: 6.00 X 17″
Tyres	Radial tubeless; Front: 120/70 ZR 17 Rear: 190/50 ZR 17
Wheelbase	1,420 mm
Colours	Laverda orange

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