1980 Laverda 981cc Jota 'Liberator 120'

"As if the Laverda Jota wasn't extraordinary enough, 20 years ago Cropredy Motorcycles made it even more outrageous in the form of the Cropredy Liberator." - Classic Bike Guide.

One of the later versions built with the 120-degree crankshaft, this 1982 Laverda Jota 'Liberator 120' is one of only a handful of factory-inspired specials produced by Cropredy Motorcycles in Banbury in the early 1980s. The bike is exceptionally rare, featuring the distinctive glassfibre Liberator full fairing designed by Simonato Pacifico ('Cico') and painted in a unique Porsche-derived turquoise and red colour scheme by Ricky Capanni.

Originally sold by the private vendor's father, who co-owned Cropredy Motorcycles, the Laverda was purchased new by Peter McMullan (one of the few known to have owned both a '180' and a '120' Liberator). After being fully restored by its previous owner, Ian Kerchin, with engine work completed by renowned Laverda specialist and former racer Roger Winterburn, our private vendor reacquired the bike a few years ago. He subsequently commissioned a full electrical overhaul, including a new wiring loom, Dyna Mini Series coils, and an IgniTech ignition system with rare 120° pickups sourced from Redax in Australia.

Our private vendor describes the Jota as in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, with matching numbers, the full original Liberator bodywork, and Marzocchi suspension. It has been featured in Classic Bike Guide magazine (October 2002) and Classic Bike magazine (October 2023), which details its provenance, restoration and unique history. It has also won awards, most recently 'Best Laverda Ridden to the Event' at the 2024 ILOC Annual Festival, selected by a panel that included Piero Laverda and Werner Ricciolini, founder of the Laverda Museum. We're advised by the current private vendor that it was serviced 100 miles ago by well know Laverda specialist GCS.

Accompanying paperwork consists of a V5C document; a substantial quantity of invoices from Roger Winterburn; an original Jota owner's manual; and a Moto Laverda specification sheet. The Jota comes with a key and is now classed as a tax-exempt Historic vehicle. It should be noted that the HPI/V5C records the frame/engine number as '8369'.
Offered with key