Nice clean looking bike and for a Guzzi that mileage is barely run in. I'd ask about its history as if its been stored a long time and not run there could be a possibility of the seals drying out, the engine and gearbox seals at the clutch are a bit of a pain to get at. But maintenance wise there is very little on a Guzzi that's difficult compared to Ducati (except the clutch, simples but a ball ache to get to). If/when you get one I have some of the special tools and would gladly share if you ever needed. I can't say for certain but I have a mate with a MK I and I'm pretty sure that's the same dash and Godawful switchgear. The ignition switch looks odd with that red thing, possibly a cover or a boot, that's not original. I reckon the Guzzi owners club would be able to verify engine and frame numbers too. If you want and are inquiring ping me and I'll see what can be done John
Switchgear and throttle is from a II and is wrong.........Can't see the lever controls properly, so can't be sure, but they seem correct. Warning light console might be correct..........or at least there should be one there, but IIRC the Mk 1 had as near as dammit a full curve across the top..........Parts Manual shows it too.... Rear light, IMO is a MkII..........the Series 1 was more of a round affair (confirmed by parts manual)......but several did get the MkII tail light fitted. Rear shocks are wrong, but they got changed as most bikes would have...... However, IMO it is too good looking for 11,000 miles and 'un-restored'....................My 1980 MkII had lost most of the paint off the frame and the matt black on the tank, particularly underneath was pretty decrepit by 5,000 miles. Like wise the matt black yoke is still too matt......... As much as I like and want a LeMans, if it were me and had the dosh, I would buy the Triton and save a few grand......
Mate of mine found this Classic Bike mag from November 2003 showing the frame numbers for each model. I've emailed the dealer to confirm. Love looking at those old adverts, in 2003 Le Mans 1's were selling for £4k from dealers and 1980 900SS's about the same !! You're right the switch gear is wrong but not surprising, throttle should be nice Tomaselli, think the clocks and surround are OK, not sure about the rear light. The one from Made in Italy is a better bike but far too much money for me..
Cosmo came back to me with frame number VE16368 and Engine No: VE075665 Not sure what these tell me based on the numbers in magazine article above ?
Le Mans Series 1 (with roundish CEV taillight) frames that are numbered VE11111 to VE13040. Le Mans Series 2 (with rectangular taillight) are numbered VE13041 to VE17311.........Note! Series 1 & Series 2 do not mean a Mark 1 and a Mark II........it means a LeMans (MkI...it was never called a MkI, until the MkII came along) Series 1 & 2 For a MkII; Frame numbers are VE17312 - VE22635 in the first series of the Mark II, with the second series starting in 1980 from frame VE22636 to VE24086. Moto Guzzi patented Nikasil-plated cylinders were incorporated from engine number VE80390 onwards. From the above, I would say that the frame number is correct, and if you drop the '0' from the engine number, probably also correct. I'm guessing the '0' may not actually be on the engine, but a DVLA error (unless Guzzi added the '0' anticipating more engines!); however, the fact that they both begin with 'VE' is good.....there is no other Guzzi engine number of the relevant era that has an easily convertible second digit (IE an 'L' or an 'I'......other than a 'T' for Cally MkII and MkIII engine numbers).........The numbers also tie up with the rear tail light as being a Series 2..........what I can't tell is if the MkII switchgear was fitted to the Series 2. The engine that mainly gets used for a fake (can apply to a MkI or a MkII) is the T3 lump.......... This also might be useful...... ....guzzitech.dk archive | courtesy of Jens Lyck
Thanks for all the useful info guys, I'm learning lots..... My only reservation with these advertised bikes is of course price. Di Marino sold his, presumably for the asking price of £7500 - it wasn't perfect but original. A beautiful private restored one sold on ebay a couple of weeks ago for £8500. The ones that are advertised for £10k + are hanging around, despite the dealers saying 'be quick' they'll get snapped up, I'm not convinced and it will take me a few years to get back the dealers' margin. I will pop down ( 400 mile round trip ) to Cosmo's at some point over the next couple of weeks to take a look. There's another one just gone up on ebay.
You would love a lemans 1. I have owned one for about 5 years, beautiful to look at, tough as old boots and goes like the clappers. I am 6feet tall and it can be a bit of a squeeze unless you are doing 60+ when it all started to make sense.
A mate has just bought an original Black / Gold LM2. Good runner and a great basis for a rolling restoration, lucky git!
I just came across the thread while looking at comparisons with lemans 1’s. I love mine and it is close on my favourite bike alongside my Laverda SF1. Another bike that will laugh off high (ish) speeds over long distances.
OK but a Laverda 750 is only a parallel twin with no balance shaft. It will never be as smooth or sound as good as a 90 degree V twin.
I wish O.P. would change the Title wording - keeps catching me out! https://www.mgcc.co.uk/articles/le-mans-65/
You know either of you could start an actual LeMans thread. I had a client who’s team raced at LeMan, just the once mind. His car actually finished the whole race which is an achievement let alone gaining a podium. Such a lovely down to earth bloke.
Tbh being smooth isn’t something that is essential to me where engines are concerned unless it is in a car. I like to be able to ‘feel’ an engine on a motorbike. I wouldn’t say ‘only’ a parallel twin either, it is a great engine. I love the thing.
Sponsor or car maintainer/driver N? - if it's the latter then massive achievement as you say. The red tape/regs to enter now would put most people off without even starting to work out how to make the car reliable.
He owned/managed the race team that entered the car and managed/advised the drivers. Someone else fronted the money, they raced Formula 3 the same season I seem to recall. They were a very small outfit, but had been a team possibly for a decade racing in various open wheel race series. His main driver still races I believe, but I have lost touch with them. You may be aware racing cars is a fairly murky world…….. Funny you mention reliability, a couple of years after he completed LeMan he had an American based team hire him for his experience. They didn’t listen to what he said about their overheating gearbox when they tested in the UK, they didn’t finish….blowing the gearbox.
