Laverda Triple Cylinder Prototype
With Phil Aynsley
The Laverda 1000 triple was first seen at the Geneva Show in 1969. At this early stage the motor was basically a 750 twin with an extra cylinder grafted on. It was still a single OHC design with the starter behind the cylinders and the belt-driven generator in front.
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple.jpg)
However by 1971 Massimo Laverda and Luciano Zen had massively reworked the design. It now sported a DOHC cylinder head with narrow angled valves, together with very substantial crankcases.
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-1.jpg)
The original 120º crank was replaced by a 180º unit (the outside pistons moving together, with the centre piston 180º out of phase).
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-2.jpg)
The new design was first displayed at the 1971 Milan Show, named the 1000C, and the bike I photographed is in fact this prototype, with engine number 1000 001.
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-3.jpg)
By comparison to the production bikes that followed in 1972, it is quite unique with sand-cast cases of a different pattern, 750 instruments and handlebar, ignition key placement and even sand-cast Dell’Orto carbs.
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-4.jpg)
The 180º motor was replaced by a rubber-mounted 120º in 1982 and after evolving through a total of 16 different models production of the triple ceased in 1986.
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-6.jpg)
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-7.jpg)
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-8.jpg)
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-9.jpg)
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-10.jpg)
![PA Laverda C Proto PA Laverda C Proto](https://www.motorcyclenews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/laverda-1000c-laverdas-1000cc-triple-11.jpg)
Source: MCNews.com.au