This RGA was imported into the USA by Slater Brothers in the fall of 1984 and shipped to loyal Mannheim, PA dealer Fred Heistand Motors and modified to RGA Jota Special specification for display at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. The RGA Jota Special was created by then British Laverda importer, Keith Davies of Three Cross Motorcycles. Davies’ intent was to recreate the “old Jota 180°” performance by modifying each motor to RGS Corsa specification and adding a twin-round-headlamp, Laverda Orange, Sprint (brand) fiberglass full or half fairing. After the show this bike was consigned to Ham’s Motorcycles of Connecticut who set about its race preparation. How many RGAs were made is unknown and but what’s clear is that RGA 1000 Jota Specials number less than a couple of dozen. After some years languishing, this very rare RGA 1000 Jota Special – for that’s what it surely is – has been thoroughly re-worked using all the “hidden fixes” of upgraded clutch, stock (not Corsa) F4 cams, Moto Witt DMC II digital ignition, upgraded starter motor and relay, and “big” battery among others, and is reported to be easy to start and to run well “even below 3,000 rpm”. In other words it makes all the right noises in the right places. With the endurance racer look, this bike is a timeless classic and a fantastic investment motorcycle.
