Laverda's first motorcycle, the 75cc four-stroke Motoleggera helped meet the huge upsurge in demand for basic motorised transport which occurred in the early post-war years, and modified versions were soon winning their class in the long-distance road races popular at the time. Foremost of these was the famous Milan-Taranto, which Laverda first entered in 1950.
That race ended in retirement for the factory's sole entry. The following year four machines were entered and all finished the race. In 1952 the new Laverda 'MT' (Milan-Taranto) sports model crushed the opposition, filling the top five positions in the 75cc category, while in 1953 there were 75cc-class wins in the Moto Giro d'Italia and Milan-Taranto again. In 1954 the new 98cc '100 MT' scored a debut win in the Giro and occupied six out of the first seven places in the Milan-Taranto's 100cc category.
Specifications
Engine: Single cylinder four-stroke OHV
Cylinder type: aluminium cylinder with special cast-iron chamber
Bore & stroke: 52 x 47 mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Engine Capacity: 99.76cc
Maximum power: 6.5 h.p. @ 7.500 rpm
Valves per cylinder: 2
Ignition: Magneto flywheel Dansi-CEV
Spark plug: Marcelli CW 260 B
Carburettor: Dell'Orto MA 18B; gas valve 40; max jet 75; min jet 30; tapered pin D12 at 2nd mark; floater gr. 6,5; spay nozzle 260B
Lubrication: Wet sump forced circulation with mechanical gear pump
Transmission: Gear primary, chain final
Clutch: Cable operated with multiple wet disc in oil bath
Gearbox: 4-Speed foot-change
Starter: Kick-starter
Throttle: Cable operated
Frame type: Open cradle tubular and pressed steel
Suspension front: Telescopic forks
Suspension rear: swinging arm with hydraulic shock absorbers
Front Brake: Drum Ø 150 x 25 mm
Rear Brake: Drum Ø 150 x 25 mm
Wheelbase: 1,200 mm
Front Tyre: 2.50 x 19 in.
Rear Tyre: 2.50 x 19 in.
Seat: Dual seat
Top speed: 90/95 km/h (56 mph)
Fuel tank capacity: 9.5 litres
Fuel consumption: 1 litre per 45 km
Weight: 79 kg
Source: Hessink's NL
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