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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Turin on January 25, 2023, 08:11:29 PM

Title: White LeMans
Post by: Turin on January 25, 2023, 08:11:29 PM
I've never seen a white one before, there couldn't have been many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdFWxxy1o3c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdFWxxy1o3c)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Groover on January 25, 2023, 08:36:31 PM
Is that the 29k one on eBay?
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: guzzista on January 25, 2023, 09:25:34 PM
I have seen a few LM850 and LM2 in white livery  over the decades in Europe, but never in the States. Always thought they look great in White.
Here is a pic of Vittorio Brambilla, factory development rider and road racer with his white LM850


(https://i.ibb.co/XCWCWXS/Screen-Shot-2023-01-25-at-7-18-56-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/XCWCWXS)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: bmc5733946 on January 25, 2023, 09:43:37 PM
I used to service one regularly when working at GT Motors. At the owner's insistence we converted it from 16 inch front wheel to 18 inch using a factory kit available at the time, fender didn't really fit very well so was sorta cobbled together. Owner was a bit of a jerk, had lots of bad stuff to say about the bike and Guzzi in general. Eventually we fired him.

Brian
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: chuck peterson on January 26, 2023, 04:53:55 AM
TOMB to the courtesy phone…

TOMB, you have a call….

Tom nabbed a white one from Marsh Motocycles at one point. I forget if it was the 850 or a CX…I think it’s in his profile photo. I got to give it a quick fling…

Definitely faster than the red ones….. :evil:
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Scout63 on January 26, 2023, 07:35:11 AM
It would be hard to top ice blue for a Lemans, but the white comes very very close.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: sdcr on January 26, 2023, 08:02:24 AM
My 1983 Le Mans III came in white. Rare, but not as rare as the early 850 white version.

(https://i.ibb.co/QNQ9QZX/42-E488-F0-D502-466-D-ABF4-A302-CEF5-E3-A6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QNQ9QZX)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: kingoffleece on January 26, 2023, 08:08:51 AM
Lovely
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Groover on January 26, 2023, 08:33:40 AM
It does sound fantastic. What makes the "beat" different than the LM1000 engine?
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: jrt on January 26, 2023, 09:35:47 AM
It's not a Le Mans bike, but I bought a white Le Mans tank many years ago when I still lived in Texas.  The tank is on my California now and it looks great. 
(https://i.ibb.co/t2Kw08Y/IMG-6958.jpg)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: TOMB on January 26, 2023, 10:44:26 AM
Chuck here is the one you rode.

1980 CX100 Lemans in white, yes, the CX100 Lemans came in white, and the parts are listed in the parts book along with red, Blue, and White.

This bike was titled from new as white, and the original Connecticut listed white as the color.

I sold the bike to someone in southern Florida, and I saw it listed on E Bay sometime later as a regular Lemans (not) without the lowers.

Location today unknown and I still have copies of the original paperwork for reference.

TOMB
(https://i.ibb.co/4Kv9gK4/CX100-Le-Mans.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4Kv9gK4)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: flower_king001 on January 26, 2023, 10:46:57 AM
I own a 1986 1000 IV Lemans in white....if that counts.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: spmoto on January 26, 2023, 01:17:04 PM
1000 Le Mans, aka Le Mans IV, had 16 in front wheel. No Le Mans 850"s ever came with a 16" front wheel. Posting just to clarify not to criticize the above post.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: huub on January 26, 2023, 03:03:46 PM
my 850 le mans 2
love the white....


(https://i.ibb.co/KWKd9V5/guzzi-le-mans-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KWKd9V5)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: cliffrod on January 26, 2023, 03:51:06 PM
Pretty certain my CX100 was plain red, but this incorrect white with red accents has really grown on me.  No plans to repaint it-


(https://i.ibb.co/y8hB3BH/2-B33-E844-DE45-474-B-8-EA8-DAB3624-CFBE3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y8hB3BH)



(https://i.ibb.co/BZ0DgRH/42-F809-A3-46-AF-4589-866-D-ECFC7-D25671-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BZ0DgRH)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Tom on January 26, 2023, 03:56:27 PM
I have an '83 White one in the garage.  Came in from Maui.  2nd Moto Guzzi, I bought in Hawaii.  Started my collection of LeMans/Sports/Daytonas, V11 Sports & Sport 1100/1100i.   :boozing:  I'm still chasing the electrical gremlin that I picked up on the Lemans III bike.  Fun bike to ride.   :thumb:

I concur on the 16" wheel comment.  My '87 LeMans IV SE has the 16" front wheel.  My '89 LeMans 1000 black has the 18" front wheel.  Both are swallow tails. 
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Gino on January 26, 2023, 04:45:52 PM
I have a mk3 in white, when I bought it I also bought red bodywork from the seller, he thought about changing it to red but the white grew on him. Two years on it’s still white, I bought it because my wife started using the red mk 3 I’ve had for years more often ,sad but true  :grin: :grin:(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib40ieNgy5SqJRJL8r9VFzUrHyYNyUXdfLoQiGUEXnLzluH8pgz3kD__hjgxjJaK1tcsWu6tWst8CpCQQguZicnAq7yDK4PV3clQ85t4kZf7q1_xAnqLi1chg_wq2kf_yKv7Og8YUzzYzZLu-2h5bPKJ21y3IZmeI3OQcq-KwBMN3yXWkusBtyyYM_Ag/s1440/P1020074.JPG)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Scout63 on January 26, 2023, 09:44:53 PM
my 850 le mans 2
love the white....


(https://i.ibb.co/KWKd9V5/guzzi-le-mans-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KWKd9V5)


That’s just lovely.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: egschade on January 27, 2023, 12:38:36 PM
I picked up an '85 LeMans IV a couple months ago. All original except for electronic ignition and pod filters. Need to refurb it before it's road worthy. Bought from Steve Meshefsky who some of you may remember


(https://i.ibb.co/jh0t1gC/LM-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jh0t1gC)


Looks good next to the V65SP

(https://i.ibb.co/8bLPdDb/LM-12.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8bLPdDb)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Guzzistajohn on January 27, 2023, 12:41:57 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/VQdFKLg/tank.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VQdFKLg)
 Gotta be RED!
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: huub on January 28, 2023, 05:41:37 AM
That’s just lovely.

thanks , my pride and joy, prefer it to my other bikes
bought as a cafe racer , and restored it back to stock...

( including the bevel 900SS)
(https://i.ibb.co/34bBf53/LE-MANS-2.png) (https://ibb.co/34bBf53)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on January 28, 2023, 07:03:51 AM
I love the white. Foolishly passed up white Lario body work on ebay a few years back..by the time I paid shipping it would have been close to $1000. Duh. Euro turn signals, too.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Shorty on January 28, 2023, 02:11:33 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/VCQhLCm/My-Leman-III.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VCQhLCm)
  I had one briefly. Riding position was wrong, and the profit motive was all right.  :wink:
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: sdcr on January 28, 2023, 03:42:38 PM
I love the white. Foolishly passed up white Lario body work on ebay a few years back..by the time I paid shipping it would have been close to $1000. Duh. Euro turn signals, too.  :rolleyes:

Those euro turn signals are unobtanium these days.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on January 29, 2023, 06:20:29 AM
Those euro turn signals are unobtanium these days.

Yeah. By now, I'd have forgotten the money and I'd have a white AeroLario with euro turnsignals.  :violent1:
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: stubbie on January 29, 2023, 08:49:51 PM
I had a Mk3 in 1983. Had it for 10 years
(https://i.ibb.co/q7CXc8n/IMG-1903.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q7CXc8n)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: 2WheelsUp on January 30, 2023, 12:00:12 PM
Gotta be RED!
I agree!
(https://i.ibb.co/7rJ7nj6/Reduced-DPI.png) (https://ibb.co/7rJ7nj6)
After Red, Ice Blue and then White. Wonder how many White LM1s were made?

That said, I do like white bikes... my Duc SS
(https://i.ibb.co/rFPmR9Y/Dragon-Reduced.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rFPmR9Y)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: blackcat on January 30, 2023, 12:51:03 PM
I agree!
(https://i.ibb.co/7rJ7nj6/Reduced-DPI.png) (https://ibb.co/7rJ7nj6)
After Red, Ice Blue and then

Pretty bike, you did a great job on the restoration.

I like the red but prefer the Blue.
(https://i.ibb.co/W0BKrw8/329-E4770-63-F5-41-CA-AC53-03900-B7319-DA.jpg)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: 2WheelsUp on January 30, 2023, 01:17:09 PM
I like the red but prefer the Blue.
Yeah BlackCat, you have a killer bike there, wow, see why you like Ice Blue... even the name is cool! A good friend of mine picked up a blue LM1 shortly after I bought my first red one. We had a blast that summer up till he high-sided his one beautiful Sunday afternoon. He passed me just before a curve, way too fast, went off into the shoulder, rest was a slow motion wreck, almost rear-ended by another friend coming up behind us on his blue Ducati Darmah SS... he also went off the road to avoid me but somehow stayed upright. We were crazy back then... sometimes I'm not sure much has changed.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: blackcat on January 30, 2023, 01:25:35 PM
Yeah BlackCat, you have a killer bike there, wow, see why you like Ice Blue... even the name is cool! A good friend of mine picked up a blue LM1 shortly after I bought my first red one. We had a blast that summer up till he high-sided his one beautiful Sunday afternoon. He passed me just before a curve, way too fast, went off into the shoulder, rest was a slow motion wreck, almost rear-ended by another friend coming up behind us on his blue Ducati Darmah SS... he also went off the road to avoid me but somehow stayed upright. We were crazy back then... sometimes I'm not sure much has changed.

Ugh crashing on an older bike with parts being very hard to find. I just ordered a set of crash bars for the LeMans and yes they are not correct but I know the head or heads will likely survive a typical crash but without them, good like finding a replacement.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: TOMB on January 30, 2023, 01:48:51 PM


@2WheelsUP

I know of at least one. Mine. A CX100 LeMans Rumer has it that of the CX100 Le Mans 350 +- units (Greg Field)


(https://i.ibb.co/xmwgzXL/CX100-Le-Mans.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xmwgzXL)


TOMB
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: bmc5733946 on January 30, 2023, 01:53:29 PM
I don't know why but Stein Dinse has black "painted" crashbars, I think they might actually be powder coated. I have never seen any in black. I think they might look great on come bikes, Blackat's very lovely Ice Blue 850 Lemans for instance.
I'm still looking for crash bars that will fit with SP lower fairing. I know Agostini made them and probably others but can't find anything but a photo or two.

Brian
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: 2WheelsUp on January 30, 2023, 03:14:36 PM
Ugh crashing on an older bike with parts being very hard to find.
My story took place around 1980 so parts could be sourced from the factory. That said, I sometimes am wary getting on my restored LM1. At 68 I sometimes do senior things, but I want to ride it while I can, did 1900 miles last year since the resto. I like the idea of crash bars, will look into them, haha.

BTW, I've started on a Norton MK3 restoration, about halfway through, will post pictures at some point. As fate would have it, no sooner did I buy it when I nice '72 FB came up for sale. Oh well, MK3s have some advantages.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: spmoto on January 30, 2023, 05:02:29 PM
Black Cat.
I'm proposing a requirement that you include a picture of your ice blue Le Mans every time you post on the forum from now on. I never get tired of seeing it!
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: blackcat on January 30, 2023, 05:44:45 PM
Brian, I’ve seen those black crash bars but I believe there was some note that they may have minor scratches from shipping so I’m just going to stick with the chrome bars. I would prefer them in black and I have some parts that need to be powder coated so I may bring the vendor the bars and see if they can make them black. I assume they’d have to strip the chrome.

2wheels, yes I’m also 68 so I know what you are saying. Please posts some pics of the Norton on the build site here, I know there are a few Norton peo-le on this list who would like to see the bike. My 68 to your MK3 is like night a day in terms of a quality bike for everyday riding. My bike is certainly more dependable then when I purchased it 30+ years ago but I still keep it within walking distance of the house.

SP, yeah it is a pretty bike but like 2Wheels bike, the factory deserves all the credit. Thanks for the comment.
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: bmc5733946 on January 30, 2023, 06:53:16 PM
I think they can be powder coated without the complete removal of the chrome but with some roughing up by sand blasting. The ability to chrome things in black seems to have disappeared lately. Chrome plating in and of itself is highly regulated and we lost our local small jobber some years ago in an explosion and subsequent fire. His property can probably never be sold because of the contamination left behind by nearly 100 years of operation. I built a 1978 Honda 750F using many black chrome pieces and dechroming and painting many others because I could not get them plated in black. I really like black chrome!

Brian
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: mgmark on January 31, 2023, 10:01:53 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/khCr75G/0-E19-EB72-D5-D5-49-FC-99-B8-CD7-D37-F61392.jpg) (https://ibb.co/khCr75G)
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: Moparnut72 on January 31, 2023, 10:20:20 AM
My former Harley was a blacked out bike. I was able to find a set of used chrome bars for really cheap money. I sand blasted them and rattle canned them black. They held up pretty well, minor scratches could be touched up quite easily.
kk
Title: Re: White LeMans
Post by: 2WheelsUp on January 31, 2023, 11:52:15 AM
I think they can be powder coated without the complete removal of the chrome but with some roughing up by sand blasting.
That's what my powder coater did to a set of chrome tommaselli clip-ons that I had PC satin black, came out perfect. Don't know exactly how they were prepped; I was told by a chrome guy to just remove the top layer.