Moto Shifty 900

Moto Shifty 900

Make Model

Moto Shifty 900

Year

1977 - 82

Engine

Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, (from a Fiat 127)

Capacity

903 cc

Bore x Stroke

65 x 68 mm

Cooling System

Liquid cooled

Induction

Weber 24mm choke

Ignition / Starting

Distributor and HT coil / electric

Clutch

Diaphram spring dry clutch

Max Power

53 hp @ 5600 rpm

Max Torque

45.6lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Transmission

4 Speed

Final Drive

Chain

Frame

Tubular double cradle

Front Suspension

Marzocci telescopic forks two way damped

Rear Suspension

Swinging arm with preload adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers

Front Brakes

2x discs 2 piston calipers

Rear Brakes

230mm Drum

Front Tyre

3.50 h 18

Rear Tyre

120 90 18

Dry Weight

269 kg

Fuel Capacity

21 Litres

The Shifty 900 was built in Busa of Vigo (Padova) between 1977 and 1982 by Hugh Grandis, who came from Chrysler South Africa. Not more than 70 Shifty were constructed. with a purpose made frame fitted with a 903cc Fiat 127 engine using a variety of cycle parts from Laverda such as the large and powerful rear twin leading shoe rear brake and swinging arm, Marzocchi forks and brembo front brakes, the fuel tank is under a Benelli seat to keep the weight down low.

The drive is through the Fiat gearbox that has had one side of the drive diff locked and a sprocket where the drive shaft came out of the gear box on the other side with a duplex chain to a secondary shaft which has the final drive sprocket on the end.

The bike uses the standard car speedo and rev counter which are fitted into the turtle like shell which covers the large frame

Most of the components derived from other models: the seat was taken by Benelli 906, while the front and rear axles were those of the Laverda SF 750. The power was 45 hp and the motorcycle reacheda speed 170 km / h. The weight of nearly 269 kg.

.It is very quiet ,smooth and tractable you can pull away in almost any gear. very easy D.I.Y maintenance distributor ignition with contact breakers, a single carburettor which gives smoother running than a multi carb a very simple engine with cheap and easy to obtain consumables.