For the 1975 model year onwards, Laverda offered the 750 GTL. This employed
the chassis and most of the mechanical components from the SF series, including
the Francesco Laverda-designed, FLAM-produced 230mm drum front and rear brakes.
The concept and detail changes were the work of Laverda rider and journalist,
Giancarlo Daneu. The original idea was for a refined touring mount, but in
reality the factory produced very few for general sale. Instead, although it was
a sales flop in the civilian market, the model went on to achieve considerable
success as a police motorcycle, not just in Italy but also in the export
markets, notably in the Arab countries of the Middle East.
Besides its all-new bodywork, the GTL also sported rubber fork gaiters, a
passenger grab rail and high handlebars. For police work, a fairing, legshields,
crashbars, hard panniers and a radio carrier were fitted, the latter in
conjunction with a single seat.
The softer engine specification of the GTL made it ideal for tasks such as
traffic duty and escort work. Besides a lower 7.7:1 compression ratio there were
smaller 30mm square slide VHB Dell'Orto carbs and reduced cam lift.
The early GTL had an enormous 200mm (8in) Bosch headlamp, but this was soon
abandoned in favour of a 180mm (7in) assembly (also of Bosch origin).
Switchgear and instrumentation came via Nippon-Danso and there were all the
other late SF goodies, such as Conti exhaust, stainless steel mudguards (and
chainguard), Borrani alloy rims and dual Fiamm horns.
Just to add confusion, some machines employed an alternator instead of a
dynamo - neither having a particular advantage over the other on this particular
model. Some machines, especially in the Middle East, also came with an SF
specification engine.
For the standard, low compression, small-carb model, official Laverda sources
claimed a maximum speed of 180km/h (112mph).