Lemans 850 in classified section

[guzzista]

Some of you probably saw the Lemans 850 posting  4 sale in the classified section. Only 1 picture to make anything out of and asking $ 9750. First contacted the seller and was told via email that an interested party had put a deposit down and if the fellow backed out , I could have a look . So that happened ,( buyer backed out), but for a non runner, albeit 1 with a bunch of trick bits ( see ad), I am thinking that even in 2015 San francisco google salaries and unaffordable housing ( as a result), 9750 seems a bit high for a thrifty codger like me and possibly others. Waddya think? let the flogging begin...

[earemike]

The *not running* is the key.

If it's clean out the carbs fuel & oil you could be ok.

I saw an original bike go for 10800 in 2012 & just grabbed one at 11800 but it had engine work & a CR box etc.

So it's probably not out of the question, drop some oil into the cylinders and turn it over by hand. Of course I don't know how to tell if the bearings are shot but there might be signs in the old oil?

I'm looking forward to hear what the experts say!

Then again last time I passed on a LeMans it took me a long time to find another contender.

[Triple Jim]

I'd love to have a Lemans like that, but that particular bike could be a big project or almost ready to run, and I'm not a gambler.

Edit:  No carbs on it?  That's not a plus.  I guess if I came into ownership, I'd plan on a complete rebuild, with all the time and money that goes along with it.

[lrutt]

at least you don't have to worry about chrome bores.

[guzzista]

Iron bores are certainly a consolation prize. The way I see it, if someone always lusted after a first gen Lemans and this was their most likely shot at owning one, then perhaps, given their rarity,taking what you can get, doing a nice resto/ refresh job as Triple Jim suggested would be a great idea. Earmike , would you still be interested considering that nearly 10k is USD? .   As for me this is not my first rodeo with early LM, after a wonderful hopped up CX 100 about 25+ years ago, and at this point in life ,revisiting my youth is looking a bit expensive

[NCAmother]

In 1990 I passed on a 1970 Plymouth GTX 440-6 barrel pistol grip 4 speed original air grabber and in  triple black (black paint code, black vinyl roof, black interior) with no rust in good running condition.  He wanted $2,800 and it was too rich for my blood back then.  Hindsight..

[Steph]

.... let the fogging begin...

Lemans 850 mk1 will keep going up in value, it's pretty much the only old exotica Italian bike that could be used on a daily basis. Having said that, a while back at the Ace Cafe in London , there were 3 Guzzi; a Lemans mk1 & a Lemans Mk2 and my Guzzi Cali Stone. I felt snubbed-out of their conversations. Imagine that, a pseudo-elite group within a pretty small motorcycle brand! Never felt like that with lemans 1000 or other Guzzi ownrrs. Didn't make me want to have one, my Stone was running pretty good and I felt like asking them for a little drag race -who knows hey? That would have been interesting!
I guess Lemans 1 attract collectors of all sorts!

[guzzista]

Funny, 'cause back in the 80's when I spent more time in  the motorbike heavy environments such as Alice's / 4 corners on Skyline Boulevard south of San Francisco, it was me on the  CX100/ LM2 getting snubbed out by the Japanese Hyperbike riders of the era so Guzzi guys would hang out  with other Euro and Brit bike riders.

[Steph]

Funny, 'cause back in the 80's when I spent more time in  the motorbike heavy environments such as Alice's / 4 corners on Skyline Boulevard south of San Francisco, it was me on the  CX100/ LM2 getting snubbed out by the Japanese Hyperbike riders of the era so Guzzi guys would hang out  with other Euro and Brit bike riders.

Of course, at Ace Cafe, jap and motard guys will ignore you unless you make an effort. Then most of the time it's alright:  "f×*& !   ,  60 thousand miles on your bike, I respect that!

[earemike]

Earmike , would you still be interested considering that nearly 10k is USD? .   As for me this is not my first rodeo with early LM, after a wonderful hopped up CX 100 about 25+ years ago, and at this point in life ,revisiting my youth is looking a bit expensive

That's the crux. If you had the chance to swap out the oil, oil the pistons & turn it by hand, give the carbs a clean and start it then I'd say it's not too far from the money. That'd be part of the negotiation as he's asking too much for me to gamble, but agreeing a price if I can get it running in a short time would be OK if I was keen to have one (luckily I have enough Mk1's for now). As a non runner I'd be happy at $6k.

[guzzista]

Well, saw the bike today.  Mostly good with some serious white aluminum oxydation on engine and tranny cases which would require engine/ trans removal to address properly. Still think the value is between 6-7k given the amount of elbow grease required ( and the fact that it hasn't run in 20 years). Scratching my head at this time to see if it is a project I am willing to take on.