Dunstall or SFC

Jagbruno · Apr 6, 2015

A real SFC is basically a factory endurance racing machine, the best in the world in period. It will outperform a PR any day, anywhere, in every aspect. If you really want to compare it with a racing Norton, the only one you could compare it with would be to the factory JPS racer. The SFC would be perhaps a wee bit slower in the straight, a bit heavier to turn, about similar braking, but way, way more reliable. It's gear box and crank are bullet proof, never a drop of oil under the machine as the engine has horzontal joints. It is a much more modern engine.

Shamrock · May 19, 2015

The Dunstall is a blast to ride and it tickles me every time. Now the SFC is a totally different machine, i've ridden both bikes on the same day and there is just no comparison. I'm loyal to my brit bikes but the SFC gets my adrenaline going at full speed every time..

pierodn · May 19, 2015

Of What are you talking about?

Two saturday ago!
Ciao
Piero

Shamrock · May 19, 2015

Shamrock said:
Lets see how devoted to Norton Commando's we really are?

68' Dunstall Norton Commando or 74' Laverda SFC?

acotrel · May 19, 2015

When I bought the Seeley it had previously had an SF750 Laverda motor with the SFC cam fitted. I paid for the bike and rightfully owned the motor. The previous owner had sent the motor for work to be done and it eventually ended up in the hands of another enthusiast who wanted $5000 for it. I bought an 850 Mk2A motor and an old 4 speed box and ended up with a much lighter bike. Before the Seeley Laverda was pulled apart, I had raced my 500cc short stroke Triton against it when it was ridden by one of my serious rivals. The Triumph 500 was faster, I think mainly because of the restrictive two into one exhaust which had been fitted to the SF750 motor. However the Seeley Laverda seemed to be giving a much more stable and smooth ride than the 500cc and 650cc Tritons we usually raced. I tracked the Seeley for about two years before I finally bought it and by that time the aluminium petrol tank had a lot of corrosion on it. I always regretted that I didn't get hold of the bike before the motor went west.
There was a guy - Chris Cutler who raced an SF in our historic racing against the 1000cc CB750s. His motor was out to 900cc, and it was extremely fast - won a lot of Period 4 races.
Laverdas are worth the money.

http://www.ozlaverda.com/laverda-austra ... 54-10.html

Old Scratcher · May 19, 2015

I've ridden my mate's 74 SF 750, which he converted to full SFC spec, when he was wrenching for the Oz Laverda Race Team in the late 70s. It's 30 years since I rode it, so my memories are both faded & rose tinted, but I remember it as one of the best rides of my life! Quick, nimble, stopped on a dime. I couldn't fault it, at the time. My mate now lives in Norway & still has the bike, which he assures me is still as impressive today as it was back then. I haven't ridden a full Dunstal Commando, though my Cafe Bike has some Dunstal parts on it, & the motor has been modified to Combat spec. Unfortunately I've only ridden it for the demonstration ride I had in Melb, as I'm leaving it unregistered in my Lounge until I get my new shoulder installed. So I can't really compare it against a 30 year old cherished memory. But I thought the motor had plenty of punch, & the handling was as light & neutral as I remember the Laverda's to be. If my Buddy ever brings his bike back down this way, which is highly likely as he's very homesick, it'll be interesting to do back to back comparisons.

Shamrock · Mar 23, 2016

Old Scratcher said:
I've ridden my mate's 74 SF 750, which he converted to full SFC spec, when he was wrenching for the Oz Laverda Race Team in the late 70s. It's 30 years since I rode it, so my memories are both faded & rose tinted, but I remember it as one of the best rides of my life! Quick, nimble, stopped on a dime. I couldn't fault it, at the time. My mate now lives in Norway & still has the bike, which he assures me is still as impressive today as it was back then. I haven't ridden a full Dunstal Commando, though my Cafe Bike has some Dunstal parts on it, & the motor has been modified to Combat spec. Unfortunately I've only ridden it for the demonstration ride I had in Melb, as I'm leaving it unregistered in my Lounge until I get my new shoulder installed. So I can't really compare it against a 30 year old cherished memory. But I thought the motor had plenty of punch, & the handling was as light & neutral as I remember the Laverda's to be. If my Buddy ever brings his bike back down this way, which is highly likely as he's very homesick, it'll be interesting to do back to back comparisons.

So did you do the back to back comparison?

acotrel · Mar 23, 2016

The comparison between a converted road going Commando and an SFC Laverda is irrelevant. As somebody said previously, the comparison needs to be between a factory prepared space frame John Player Norton and the SFC Laverda. It is very rare that anybody can actually buy a factory production racer and a Dunstall Commando is not that. It is the reason that one of my friends bought a Honda CB1100R. Another bike that looked interesting was the Yamaha OW01. I think that if somebody offered me a genuine, if tatty SFC750 Laverda as a straight swap for my Seeley 850, I would probably do the deal.

Shamrock · Mar 23, 2016

I think we all know the results of an SFC versus a norton commando. The SFC is a beast alongside the norton. I was referring to the previous comment where he would compare a standard 750 commando to a modified SF 750.

Towner · Mar 24, 2016

A real SFC is very rare and expensive. At this price level I would take a Ducati 750. Compared with a normal Laverda SF I would prefer the Norton.

Ralf

B+Bogus · Mar 25, 2016

Towner said:
A real SFC is very rare and expensive. At this price level I would take a Ducati 750. Compared with a normal Laverda SF I would prefer the Norton.

Ralf

Agree, but look at Ducati 750SS prices - you'd get 2 SFCs... or an early 900SS

Towner · Mar 25, 2016

B+Bogus said:
Towner said:

A real SFC is very rare and expensive. At this price level I would take a Ducati 750. Compared with a normal Laverda SF I would prefer the Norton.

Ralf

Click to expand...

Agree, but look at Ducati 750SS prices - you'd get 2 SFCs... or an early 900SS

As I know only 549 real SFC were built. All other SFC's are replica's. I don't know the last time I saw a real SFC which has been offered. So I can't figure a real price.

Here is a webside: http://www.vanderschalk.com/sfc/

A replica can be a nice bike for sure, but a very good replica can be not far away from real 900SS (up to 1978) (ca. 20000$).

Regards
Ralf

Shamrock · Mar 25, 2016

Real SFC's are trading for north of 60k. So I'm not sure how you can get two SFC's for the price of one Ducati.

B+Bogus · Mar 25, 2016

Shamrock said:
Real SFC's are trading for north of 60k. So I'm not sure how you can get two SFC's for the price of one Ducati.

The last 750SS went for north of £100k iirc
Don't want to split hairs over it though :wink:

Around 400 750SS including the squarecase ones, 247 early 900SS
I've seen 750 green frame replicas go for over £35k....

ILLF8ED · Mar 28, 2016

Shamrock said:
Lets see how devoted to Norton Commando's we really are?

68' Dunstall Norton Commando or 74' Laverda SFC?

Guess I'm in the right forum. Commando roadster over both of these Italians I've owned, bevel drive Ducati, don't like to change direction easily and Dunstall build quality is lacking. That said if I had one of these would love to sell it for tons of money.

rockitdoc · Mar 29, 2016

If the SFC twin is anything like my SFC triple, it's like keeping an Italian mistress. Very pretty, turns heads everywhere and gives much pleasure when treated right, but a Norton is more my style; simpler, runs well almost always, requires little maintenance and more comfortable for my steel knee. Did I mention my RGS1000SFC is for sale?

Shamrock · Apr 7, 2016

rockitdoc said:
If the SFC twin is anything like my SFC triple, it's like keeping an Italian mistress. Very pretty, turns heads everywhere and gives much pleasure when treated right, but a Norton is more my style; simpler, runs well almost always, requires little maintenance and more comfortable for my steel knee. Did I mention my RGS1000SFC is for sale?

Hey Doc, nice SFC1000 you got there. What are you looking to get for it?

Jagbruno · Apr 7, 2016

While a SFC 1000 is a great road sport bike, it remain civilized and tamed...while a 750SFC is a real factory race bike, raw and uncompromised. Totally different animals.

Dunstall or SFC

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