Small Wonders
In the UK everyone knows the Laverda SFC 750 or Jota but the production numbers for the little 75s and 100s far outstrip the famous twins and triples. Approximately 38,000 of the lightweight singles were made. The 100 also has a prestigious racing history, with wins in the 1954, ’56 and ’57 Moto Giro d’Italia road races. Laverda boycotted 1955 in protest at other factories entering machines which were not derived from road bikes. Otherwise it might’ve been a clean sweep…
The Laverda 100 replaced the first Laverda model, a 75cc single. The 100 was designed by Francesco Laverda and Luciano Zen and was manufactured from 1954 to 1958 in response to post-war demand for inexpensive transport. The austerity of the era means that the bikes have small amounts of chrome – painted spokes are standard – but this
