1977 Laverda 981cc 3CL
Frame no. 5748
Engine no. 5748
Introduced in 1972, the ‘3C’ was the first of Laverda’s much admired family of classic three-cylinder ‘muscle bikes’ that would do so much to establish its reputation as one of Italy’s foremost purveyors of high-performance motorcycles. Displacing 981cc, the new engine had a character all its own. No longer conceived along Honda lines like its twin-cylinder predecessors, Laverda’s triple was a twin-overhead-camshaft design with 180-degree ‘flat’ crankshaft. Following the introduction of the Slater Brothers-inspired Jota super sports version, the 3C continued as the 3CL sports-tourer, with the 80bhp engine and 125mph capability. Acquired for the Museum by Professor Ehn in 1989, this unrestored 3CL has been in regular use ever since and was last ridden on the road in 2004. The sports seat – a big improvement on the somewhat ugly original – is the only stated deviation from factory specification. The machine is offered with Austrian Einzelgenehmigung. A total of 26,809 kilometres (approximately 16,600 miles) is displayed on the odometer.
