It’s thought that just 4 examples of the Laverda TT1 RGS Corsa semi-works racer were ever built, they were shipped to factory-approved racing teams in Italy, Belgium, Australia, and Japan where they were raced against the best in the world.
The 1980s were a difficult and tumultuous time for Laverda, but few would disagree that this motorcycle represents one of their crown jewels – or that it would make an ideal platform for entering the world of classic motorcycle racing.
A Brief History of the Laverda RGS
In the late 1970s the Italian marque Laverda had the unique distinction of building the world’s fastest production motorcycle – the 1000cc Laverda Jota. The bike was actually suggested by British importers Slater Bros. of Collington near Herefordshire, and due to the fact it was factory-fitted with a range of race components it produced 90 hp and could hit speeds of 146+ mph – heady figures for 1976.
By the early 1980s the fast-pace of motorcycle development that characterized the ’70s and ’80s had left the Laverda a long way down the pecking order from its formerly illustrious perch atop the mound of the fastest bikes in the world. Something had to be done, so the engineers set to work developing a new, lower frame with a rubber mounted three-cylinder engine – now with 120 degree crank timing in place of the original 180 degrees.
As a three-cylinder bike, the 120 degree crank gave it perfect primary balance, albeit with a less savage demeanor than its 180 degree forbear. The model was offered in a few major variants, including the “Executive” and the more feisty 95 hp Corsa – the latter being the motorcycle that would form the basis for the factory semi-works racer you see here.
Source silodrome.com