The Bikes - 500 Formula
The 500 twin was created to win volume sales in Laverdas home market. However in 1977, just prior to the model launch, the Italian Government thwarted Moto Laverda’s plans with the announcement of a punitive 35% purchase tax on motorcycles of 500cc and above. A rapid rethink of marketing strategy was called for and the company came up with an idea for a one make race series, the ‘Coppa laverda’ a unique concept at the time. And thus was born the Formula 500 race bike.
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The Formula 500 was simple concept, beautifully executed ; the chassis was a standard Alpino unit, in fact the Formula is basically an Alpino ‘S’ with an upgraded engine fitted with a race fairing and fuel tank kit. The Formula’s engine has the S1 race cam, a set of 10.5 to 1 pistons and, most significantly, a close ratio ‘box sharing the top three ratios with the Alpino , but with 1st ,2nd and 3rd stacked more closely together. The DOHC 8 valve motor and was also equipped with a balance shaft which had recently become standard spec ification on the Alpino S. A set of attractive, sandcast rearsets were fitted along with Menani clip-ons . The weight reduction created by the removal of the road equipment was offset slightly by the addition of the bodywork, but even so the Formula 500s stated weight was a useful 16kg less than the road bike. At 154KG dry, the Formula made good use of the 52bhp on offer from the uprated engine .
Technical Specs
Type; 500 Formula Series 2
Year; 1979
Displacement ; 497cc
Engine type; DOHC 4 valve twin cylinder
Frame type; steel, double cradle
Transmission; 6 speed
Power output; 60bhp
Maximum speed; 200kph
Number produced; 100 series 2 Formulas were built
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