1982 Laverda Jota 180

A quick test in Hertfordshire on my Laverda Jota

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1982
• Laverda
• Jota
• 180
• motorbike
• motorcycle
• classic
• bike

[PaulKasner]

@contactjg3d The old 180 triples have their pistons in a "two up one down" configuration, whereas the later 120 versions have only one piston up at top-dead-centre at any time with each of the three taking turns at being up at TDC -- the same configuration as the old BSA Rocket Three/Triumph Trident 750cc. A 120 degree crank smooths away more vibration but sacrifices torque. That 180 crank just makes that bloodcurdling lopsided crump-crump-CRUMPA sound of a "real" Jota.

[PaulKasner]

I have a totally-standard still original 1982 Jota -- one of the last with that 180 "two- up-one-down" crank and it has the left-foot gearchange with a beautifully-engineered rose-joint cross-linkage and the frame-mounted big fairing. Brilliant motorcycle, because the faster you go, the better it gets! Every trip is an adventure!

[Cmsnd]

Nice! Camera could be a little higher is all. I'd like to experiment with a remote mic that catches the exhaust sound without the wind noise to get the "Real Feel"

[felden981]

@juicr500 The series 2 Jotas had alloy pegs and levers, and they were mounted further back, & obviously often referred to as 'rear-sets.' Most if not all Jaramas (also known as the 3CL in the UK and in continental Europe) had a left foot gear change, a crude conversion involving a rod running behind the engine. It's possible some late Jotas had the same treatment, although I've never seen one; as you say, bits were often swapped around when the bikes were new. Not easy! Cheers!

[juicr500]

@juicr500 Sorry, I was thinking 1200 Mirage/1000 Jarama. I knew someone that had a green one. Again, while the Slater inspired Jotas were always somewhat rare, everyone seems to call their Lav by the name. I wonder just how many really were spec Jotas when originally sold? I've seen a few that were built after mine (7/81) that had steel foot controls. Is that legitimate? Rearsets and 4Cs (US had milder cams) were always synonymous with the bike in my mind.

Cheers!

[felden981]

@juicr500 No offence was intended. And whilst we talking about it, there was never any such factory bike as a 1200 Jarama....they were all 1000s and to all intents and purposes were identical to the 3CL.

[juicr500]

@felden981 We had 1200 Jaramas. It's the old story: more Jotas around than were ever built. Mine's a real one.

[thewatchslot]

how do you get on with those handlebars, are they ok?

[draigbach1]

Some one take Hawkwind out and spank him with an old con rod till he squeaks, fit a sidecar my arse...

[sfourne2]

whezn was stopped laverda production ? tks