The restoration of motorcycles has been my hobby since I was 14 years old and many projects went through my hands. My insurance agent was not happy with all the changes I made though, I promise you.
First I rode English, then German, then Japanese bikes, and so years went on and on. When I was returning on my Suzuki "Water Buffalo" in 1973 from the Assen GP I was in a traffic jam when I heard next to me that quiet running 750 Laverda and I knew it for sure…….
However, it would take 15 more years before I purchased a Laverda 750 and even then in a wrecked condition.
Gradually, it became clear to me that in Italy many parts and beautiful Laverdas could be found and in travels there I also became hooked on the Italian country. During the many trips I made to Italy to visit markets at Reggio Emilia and Imola and also to Breganze - once the Laverda bastion - motorcycles and parts were bought on a regular basis.
From the many good contacts at Breganze, friendships were born. As time passed the demand for a Laverda museum went unanswered in Breganze.
I was very much fascinated by the Laverda brand, but also its history and the people that were involved with the Laverda factory. They had one common goal and worked as one big family to reach it. When in the 80's the Laverda factory fell on hard times it hit them hard too.
The support that I received from former factory workers and enthusiasts of the Laverda brand to this day has been enormous. I was given authentic photo and film material, brochures and other documentation in the hope that it would find a good place.
When in 1998, with the help of Massimo Laverda, I had the opportunity to purchase the remaining spare parts of the V6 as well as 2 prototypes and several new models, I felt the duty to do something with this material had become a matter of course.
In 2003 I managed to find a place where the collected Laverda motorcycles and memorabilia could be housed.
The old hangar, build up from asbestos sheet, had to be demolished and replaced by a new building. From April 2004 until April 2006 I received help in setting up the museum space, the museum preparation of the bikes, making the bar, assembling the lighting, preparing and hanging all the photographs, the preparation of the mannequins etc, etc. I am very grateful to the people who have cooperated to make this dream come true.
My wish is, through this private museum, to show interested people the history of the Laverda brand.
Founded in 1873 it was a company that specialised in agricultural machines and which still ranks among the largest Italian manufacturers in their branch. From 1949 on, virtually all models that Laverda built as a manufacturer of motorcycles are being displayed, as well as several prototypes and racers.
As this is a private museum, visiting is by appointment only. Please get in touch via the Contact Page and we will be only too happy to arrange your viewing.
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This is just a small selection of the many people who have invested so much effort and enthusiasm into making this beautiful result. The Museum is not just the work of myself and my Family, but a product of the Laverda community.
My sincerest thanks to everyone who helped.
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The original structure was a bulb nursery built from asbestos, it had to be carefully dismantled.
Removing the asbestos materials required the full 'spaceman' suits.
My children and friend preparing the tubes for the floor heating system. Some 2km of tubing!!
The concrete pump on site.
Pouring of the concrete slab.
A smooth finish for the Museum floor.
Erection of the steel framework.
The building takes shape...
The building takes shape...
Lots of insulation is added.
Together with Harrie de Jonge a podium has been constructed. I needed that to store all my unrestored bikes beneath it. Out of sight.
Peter van Blijdenstein cares for a nice finishing touch of the podium.
The whole interior of the Museum was painted by our friend Sil Friedhof. A hell of a job but she made it!!
First of all this agriculture machine was cleaned by Laverda lovers Peter and Gerard Mafait and my son Mels. This machine had to represent Laverda as an agricultural manufacturer in the Museum.
Bart Sluimer helps organizing the mountain of parts.
All unrestored bikes were cleaned and polished. Fluids drained and batteries taken out. Gerard and my cousin Ron loves polishing motorbikes so that was good for me, I hate it!
What a mess! This picture says enough to see how many things had to be done to make it a little attractive.
Construction of the Bar:
A very important part in the Museum was the bar of course. Just for the social talks and not to forget talks about "Laverda".
Original Laverda factory sign:
The Laverda Museum is very proud to have the original sign that had been mounted on front of the old factory in Breganze from 1952 until the building was dismantled at 2000. It has been made from casted marble powder around a steel framework. It has a weight of about 700 Lbs!
Collecting the original sign from Italy and hanging this heavy piece on the wall.
The new external sign:
A wooden copy of the original sign had been offered to hang on the front of the building. The original sign was found to be too fragile to expose on the front of the new building in wind and rain.
Former employee of Moto Laverda and very good friend, Gianni Radin, helps hang the replica sign. ( April 2005 )
The problem was how to get all the bikes on display. This first emplacement was a fiasco.
A 1951 Turismo 75 cc was donated by Massimo Laverda in 2004 to the Museum.
Hanging Massimo's Turismo together with my wife Angelien.
To make use of the height special carriers were developed and made to carry 3 bikes each. My youngest son Aris ( red shirt ) and his friend helping assembling the carriers.
A 125cc Laverda Navarro has found its place.
After that a Laverda 250 TR is hoisted for positioning. Every leg of the carrier shows a bike of a different decade.
The second carrier holds heavy machines like this
Laverda 750 SF.
Special displays were made to expose all brochures, pictures and articles.
To have small parts exposed 2 showcases were made.
Many professional photographic material had to have a good place and is housed in specially designed columns.
Together with Maria, my sister in law, the photo's got their final spot.
Angelien irons the Italian flag.
My good friend Jos Bakkers is a real artist. Here he helps me positioning old brochures into a display.
Jos modelling a head of a mannequin that couldn't wear a helmet!!
Ron Kors, another Laverda man who joined very often, working on the higher electrics.
Different original racers can be seen.
A miniscooter above the original Laverda Factory Sign.
An original banner from the 24 hour race at Oss was handed to me by the man who had owned it since the race.
A huge range of brochures, pictures and articles are on display
Old racing footage can be seen.
From old to young. Almost all models can be seen in the Museum
The seventies and eighties with all different kind of models.
The seventies and eighties with all different kind of models.
Even a Laverda V6 is on display!!
See V6 rebuild
The seventies and eighties with all different kind of models
Original leathers of Augusto Brettoni and Roberto Gallina - both big fans of the Laverda Museum
Hope to see you in Lisse!