WHEN IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO THE world in 1976, the Laverda Jota became an instant hit. Faster than a Kawasaki Z900, supposedly better-handling than a Ducati 900SS, it was every young rider’s dream bike. It was certainly mine... beautifully balanced lines, powerful 981cc, three-cylinder engine and that exhaust note thanks to the 180-degree crank’s off-beat firing order. And of course, it was, at that time, the world’s fastest production bike. What could be better?
The original Jota was a tweaked version of the earlier 3C. UK importer Slater Brothers fitted a factory cam and piston kit and modified the front geometry to make it more competitive in production racing. The factory then incorporated these mods on the 3C and called it the Jota. Arguments persist about whether Jota means a Spanish dance in triple time or whether
