Laverda 1200 Vineyard Find

A vineyard find as opposed to a barn find. ***30 Day Money-Back Guarantee***

I was visiting a vineyard on Mallorca (where I have lived for 27 years) when I saw a photo of one of the vineyard owners on this bike. I commented to the guide that the Laverda was the bike of my dreams back in the 70s (when I couldn't afford one!) and she commented that it was still the property of the now-deceased vintner.

I half-jokingly asked whether it was for sale and she shrugged (like the Spanish do) and pouted quite alluringly: “I'll ask the boss…” she said. She returned with interesting news — yes. it might be for sale. and would I like to speak to her gaffer. “What the heck…” I thought. and was invited into the office.

It transpired that PM 7766 L was the property of the first son of the founder of the vineyard. He had died back in 2006. having completed 36. 40 km. and his daughter. being no bike fan. had left the machine in the rarified atmosphere of one of the vineyard's settling stores. The condition of the bike proves that both robust. red wine and robust. red motorcycles benefit from a similar. computer-controlled microclimate.

The lady explained that her ‘Papi' had bought the Laverda new when she was but a señorita. and that it had been used only on sunny days. (Hardly surprising on Mallorca). Her dad had maintained the bike himself. along with the workshop manager of the estate. and indeed. the bike appeared to be quite pristine.

Unfortunately. there were no records of the service history; again. not a surprise. as there was never an official Laverda dealer on the island. (Unless you own a combine harvester). However. the legal documentation was in order. and ‘Si si. señora'. a deal was struck.

It turned out. on meeting the workshop manager (who should have been retired 20 years ago) that the bike had been correctly de-commissioned in that all the fluids had been drained and the brightwork had been liberally greased. So she was wheeled onto the trailer and taken to her new home by me. only her second owner.

My no 1 son. an engineer. examined the bike. we cleaned her off. applied fresh fluids and charged the battery. knowing full well that starting would be a problem.

After about 9 revolutions — vroom! An orgasmic. musical three-step ensued and the motor quickly filled its oil galleries to silence cams. chains et al. Perfection in 3 cylinders. I excitedly donned a lid and after a 15km warming up period. came to the conclusion that 3 large Dell'Ortos sucking great gobfuls to atmosphere at 4. 00 RPM is akin (very!) to orgasm.

The plan was that I am my lad would take a couple of weeks out this Summer to tour Europe. me on the Laverda. him on his Ducati Darmah. Until he ran into a tree on a trials bike at approx. 4 kph (yes. really) and snapped 2 tendons in his knee — 4-6 months. no biking! (Or anything much else. methinks).

I've decided that me putting more kilometers onto this ‘Gentleman's Express' just to satisfy my own rampant sexual urges (?) would be a somewhat pointless exercise at my delicate 62 years. and I shall stick with my trusty BMW for now. as it's a bike I have no fear of running on the island's wonderfully-curvey roads AND be able to park without fear of damage or theft. (And near-zero maintenance!)

Honestly? This is a truly difficult decision to sell. as if I had stumbled upon my other teenage fantasy. Britt Eklund or Jane Fonda in 'Barbarella'. and had to kick either out of bed… If I was wealthy enough. the Laverda would stay with me and be brought out for her monthly gallop through the hills: or better still. parked in the lounge beside the telly. despite ‘er indoors' objections.

The bike comes with both the Jota seat (pictured) and an original dualseat in ‘as new' condition.

If you're interested. I'll send you a full photo report of the bike including the few faults that I can see. There will be a video too.

Should you decide to invest. you're welcome to come to Mallorca to examine her. or if you wish. the bike will be delivered in bubble-wrap and cardboard protection to Ramsgate. Kent. and you will have 30 days to examine the bike. If it's not 100% as described. then send it back and I'll refund your cash less the shipping costs. (About £4-500 each way. say £800-£1.000).

No daft offers as I'm in no hurry to sell and what the heck. I might change my mind… very tempting and better to look at than Top Gear. Clarkson or no.