SUN, SURF, LAVS in SO CAL. (By Roger Slater)

While shoveling snow up here on the Frontier it was a most pleasant surprise to receive a flyer from the North American Laverda Owners Club advising of a big International Laverda get together in Southern California to take place at the end of April.
Arch culprits, Bob Andren and Alan Chalk of the N A L O C were bound and determined to put on a major four day bash in and around the beautiful area of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties sea and mountains about 1.5 hours north west of Los Angeles.
The plan afoot was to get together as many Laverda fans as possible. Great efforts were in hand to bring to the rally many of the folks with a significant role in the success of the marque in North America. All the likely culprits such as manufacture, importers, racers, dealers, journalists et al would all be there..
Unable to resist such a grand chance to catch up with old colleagues and friends my wife and I got on the paraffin budgie from Spokane to LA where we were met by brother Richard just in from down town Bromyard and long term Laverda friend and enthusiast Andy Lamborn.
Condemned to a rental car and the day half gone, we had to forgo the days many fine rides which included visits to several Italian bike collections including co organizer Alan Chalk, Brian Dietz, Guy Webster, Mike Taggert and the Otis Chandler Museum. All this was followed by a blast over the mountain roads to Ojai and to the rally base at Bob Andrens bike barn.
Co organizer Bob is most happy to accept part of the blame for this marvelous and most enjoyable event. Bobs barn is something to behold,. bottom of the garden cold and drafty shed it is not.. It is stuffed to the rafters with a immaculate example of virtually every model the Breganze factory produced. At the most recent account Bob believes there are about 14. All the main suspects of the seventies are there but included are the exquisite little four stroke tiddlers and the scooters dating back to the early fifties..
We got into the action the following morning, Friday, in the interesting little Danish town of Solvang where we discovered a sea of orange motorbikes all parked up outside the towns Motorcycle Museum.. The Museum has a wonderful collection of bikes from many countries. Owner Virgil Elings has managed to put together some quite amazing British racers including one of five factory Vincent Grey Flashes that were campaigned in the I O M in the early fifties and a 1949 Vincent Black Lightening. 805 686 9522 www.motosolvang.com for more info and photos..
While examining a G45 Matchbox racer, imagine my most pleasant surprise to be tapped on the shoulder by Sig Piero Laverda who appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself on a Jota kindly loaned by Bob Andren. Piero had arrived from Italy with his wife Luisa and son Giovanni who was also doing a very capable job on another of Bob Andrens bikes a SFC 1000..
Back outside the Museum we spotted a fellow who could only be described as Andy Capp. Underneath the cap was none other that ex Harley racer and Laverda afficionado Lance Weil. Lance had arrived on a very tasty modern Triumph which had lost its gear lever up in the mountains so Lance, very ably, had to complete the gallop back through the mountains to Ojai in fifth gear.. There was a rumor that he was towed by a Laverda but the facts were not able to be substantiated due to the tow being given up prior to arrival back at Bobs place as the ribbing would be unmerciful.
The day was rounded off with every one congregating back to Bob Andrens magnificent ranch house in the hills above Ojai. Looking over Bobs collection it is interesting to note that so many of the Laverda production, even in the very early days were predominantly four strokes. The first two stroke was a 49cc moped designed by Massimo and Piero’s father, it was most advanced with two disc brakes and foot change instead of the normal for the time, two speed hand change incorporated with clutch control. The small Laveda scooter’s of 1960/62 were four strokes of 50cc and 60cc. Piero proudly points to the reliability and the excellent fuel economy of these models that could achieve 80km/liter on low octane fuel.( I have no idea what that is in British, let alone American MPG).
Bob and his family had laid on the most enormous amount of food of a excellent Mediterranean flavor. Just as we are about to get tucked in there could be heard a Brummie accent belonging to none other than Pete ‘PK’ Davies who had just arrived after three hours of Friday night LA traffic mayhem. Apologizing for his tardy arrival Pete explained that he had started his day with a early morning business drive to San Diego followed by a rush to Orange county to collect his Jota and that was before a full days work.
On the following morning, Saturday, we all made our way the 150 miles over the scenic Topatopa mountains to Willow Springs race track situated in the high desert near Lancaster approx 100 miles north of LA. The large bike contingent of course took the shortest route though the mountains, but the rest of us had to contend with the longer but most pleasant Freeway route via Santa Barbara and the coast.
Upon arrival the very first person spotted was my old mate Les Mason who had flown over the hills from Santa Ynez in his Cessna 180. Les will be better known as former founder owner of Devimead, the Tamworth BSA tuning experts and Luminition fame.
The Willow Springs two day event was the culmination of the whole Rally. Every year there is held the Corsa Moto Classica event put on by the Garage Company ( a Italian bike specialist) in conjunction with AHRMA. (Historic racers division of AMA). These fine folks graciously hosted the invasion of the Laverda mob.
Saturday was a full day of historic racing, and the excellent Laverda concours line up. After the racing there was a five lap demonstration for any Laverda. What a feast of noise and colour this was as they circulated with Pete Davies appropriately leading the pack. The well informed commentary was done by Lance Wiel.
The day was rounded off with a banquet at the Desert Inn in Lancaster followed by a most interesting talk and slide show put on by Piero and Giovanni Laverda who are both working really hard on putting together the history of the Laverda company. This was followed with the concours awards presented by Giovanni Laverda followed by a discussion on Laverda racing in Britain by Pete Davies, my brother and myself. Sunday was devoted to a most lively and popular ‘Tech session” ably put on by past and present notables such as Lance Weil, current dealer Wolfgang Haerter and first North American Laverda importer Jack McCormack.
For the few who could not attend this event, you missed out on a great event.


Concours results

Pieros choice number one. Chris Brown, 1974 Silver Jota.
Pieros choice two. Claudio Arena, Blue SF2
Pieros choice three. Bob Andren, 55 100 Tipo Sport
NALOC awards, best 120 Triple. Bruce Farren, SFC 1000
Best Zane twin. Ilka Siegmund. Formula 750.
Best Breganze Twin. Brian Larrabure. 74 SFC
Best Single. Bob Andren, American Eagle 150 Renegade
Best special. Ed Lutz. Spondon Laverda 1200, built by Lance Wiel.
Best 180 Triple. Steve Gurry. 81 Jota.
Peoples Choice. Chris brown. 74 Silver Jota.