A retro-modern version of Laverda’s iconic 1970s SFC café racer made its world debut at Sydney’s InterFOS event on 23-26 March.

Called the SFC/4, it’s based on Laverda’s 1990s 668cc parallel-twin fitted to a tubular spaceframe with top-quality suspension and brakes. It promises 52kW at 8000rpm from its 700cc 180º twin, which is fuel-injected and has a six-speed gearbox.

The SFC/4 is being produced by a company called Laverda Corse. It has no connection with the existing Laverda brand, currently lying dormant under present owner Piaggio.

Formed by a group of ex-factory employees headed by Piero Laverda, son of the Italian brand’s founder, Laverda Corse aims to build the machine in limited numbers.

Piero, his son Giovanni, and Giuliano Cogo, Laverda’s former global after-sales manager, have conducted an intensive development program resulting in two versions of the SFC/4. One is a trackday-only ‘gentleman’s racer’ and the other a road-going sportsbike.

To get one, you’ve got three options: donate an existing 668 Laverda twin and have it converted into an SFC/4; buy a complete new motorcycle with a zero-kilometres engine; or buy a basic chassis kit and build your own.

“Our plan is to make the SFC/4 affordable, but being a small number will also make it exclusive,” said Piero Laverda. “We chose Sydney to make the world debut to both repay Australian Laverda fans for their decades of devotion to the brand and also because we saw an opportunity to do more track time on our prototype.”

For more information contact Laverda Corse at info@laverdacorse.it.

By Hamish Cooper