The History

In 1977 a Laverda Formula 500 racer was imported by the UK Laverda concessionaire, Roger Slater, the man largely responsible for the Jota, who believed that a ‘civilised’ café racer had greater sales potential than the rather lacklustre and expensive Alpino from which the Formula 500 had been derived. Slater retained the stock Alpino fuel tank but equipped his new baby with a bikini fairing and solo racing seat manufactured in the UK by Screen & Plastics. Finished in ‘Jota Orange’, the new model was named ‘Montjuic’ in honour of Laverda’s race victories at the eponymous Spanish circuit, while a loud, matt black, megaphone exhaust system further enhanced the racing connection. Focused on performance to the exclusion of almost everything else, the Montjuic was defiantly ‘hard core’ at a time when motorcycles were becoming ever more refined. No wonder it was so popular.

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As standard the Montjuic specification is below:

• Power: 50bhp

• Torque: 38ft-lb

• Top speed 106mph

• Dry weight: 179kg

• Colours: Orange

• Fuel: 14litres

• Rake/trail: 26.5/114mm

• Seat height: 736mm

• Wheelbase: 1422mm

• Engine: air-cooled 496.7cc (72×61 mm), twin four-stroke. 2 x 32mm Dell’Orto carbs. Six gears. Wet clutch, Chain final drive

• Chassis: Tubular steel single down tube frame, 35mm non-adjustable telescopic forks, twin oil-damped rear shocks with adjustable preload

This Bike

The bike is a Mark 1 Montjuic, one of the very first batch made and was bought in bits and really was a basket case, however most of the engine parts were there and even a few spares. The engine has been completer rebuilt with all new bearing, seals etc and new cam chain fitted and the tricky job of setting valve clearances was done several times before satisfaction.

The engine is 4 valves per cylinder with high compression pistons, double over heard cams and twin Dell Orto carburettor's  

 

The original alloy hubs were refurbished and new bearings fitted race compound Continental tires. The original 254 front disc were replaced with 260 Brembo units and twin pot Brembo callipers, the rear brake is the standard 254 discs but using new Brembo callipers all with stainless steel lines.

The petrol tank was repainted and painted in the original Laverda orange alone with side panels, seat new and faring. The 35mm Marzocchi front forks totally ever hauled and all new seals etc with new head stock bearings, new footrest mounts and brackets were all hand made.

 

The Bike will be used at the CRMC and other classic events and at the Belgium classic GP at Spa etc