Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
LAVERDA’S OFF-ROADER
Laverda now has an all-new 250 off-road two-stroke, which feature four transfers, light alloy-iron barrel cylinder, double electronic ignition (with decompressor between the plugs), straight cut primary drive gears, dry-type clutch and electron crankcase.
The frame is a double cradle tubular type, built of chrome-moly and incorporating a patented device which enables the steering column angle to be changed in a matter of minutes. Initially, the bike will be sold in scrambler version, but future plans call for an enduro or ISDT model and a motocrosser.
SF-C 750 RACERS
Laverda’s 750 racers also have been improved. The frames were lowered and the tanks restyled for better stability and riding comfort. The sohc twin-cylinder five-speed engines have been fitted with electronic ignition and an alternator, and there now is a two-into-one exhaust and small inside refinements, said to supply 70 bhp to the rear wheel at 7600 rpm and vigorous pulling power beginning from 3000 rpm. A switch to full disc braking also has been made.
DRS 125 TWIN RACER
Two-stroke wizard Peter Durr has set out on his own after working with Mondial, MV, Aermacchi and Benelli. He has a small workshop in Calderino, near Bologna, where he as just completed a slim, lightweight 125 racer with water-cooling, rotating discs, six-speed gearbox and dry clutch.
To get the least frontal area, the cylinders are set one above the other, with the carburetors and electronic apparatus on the right, while the water pump, primary drive and dry clutch are on the left.
To keep the cylinders exactly one above the other, each crankshaft carries a straight cut gear. The upper one drives the clutch drum through a second gear by shaft (activating, at its turn, the water pump), while the lower one directly engages the clutch drum.
Durr intends to build a small batch of these racers. In the meantime he’s producing a single-cylinder racer with rotating disc, water-cooling, horizontal cylinder, six-speed gearbox and electronic ignition.
ITALIAN ISDT BIKES
Three new ISDT bikes have been introduced in Italy—the Güera 6V Competizione 50, SWM Six Days ER 125, and the Beta GS 125.
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The Güera develops 9 bhp at 10,250 rpm, but can be safely revved up to 11,500. Riding position is excellent and so is the damping. Sturdiness and attention to detail are tops, but weight is rather high.
The SWM power unit is a Sachs six-speed, producing 17 bhp at 8500 rpm. It is built by an artisanal firm near Milan with successful competition experience.
Although of slightly lower standard but also lower priced, the Beta GS is manufactured by a firm in Florence, selling enduro models in USA under the trademark Premier. The GS is not intended for top competition but can do well in amateur events. It features electronic ignition and a five-speed
