Author Topic: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans  (Read 822 times)

Offline Scud

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Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« on: June 12, 2021, 08:12:43 PM »




I got this a month or so from a local WG member (Groundhog), having admired it on a few previous occasions and chased it on my Scura at a Lake Henshaw Not-a-Rally.

Here's some of the main modifications that make it run and handle so well:

 - Timing gears (no chain)
 - Electronic ignition
 - Full stainless Zard exhaust (required removal of sidestand)
 - Upgraded suspension (all custom set and I am about same weight as prior owner)
 - Still has linked brakes, which I didn't think I would like, but I do.

This is my first Tonti-framed Moto Guzzi. It sits next to a spine frame (Scura) and a CARC (Stelvio NTX).

So... educate me on the 1989 LeMans. Whatever you know would be interesting. I know I could look up stuff in Guzziology, but this seems more fun.

An if anybody has brackets to mount the belly pan, or a spare inner fairing panel (behind the instruments) I would glady buy them.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2021, 08:14:04 PM by Scud »
1989 Moto Guzzi LeMans
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura
2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
2017 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2020 Yamaha TW200

Online Tom H

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2021, 10:21:52 PM »
Congrats!!!

Tom
2004 Cali EV Touring
1972 Eldo
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2021, 05:49:44 AM »
Ahh, the Marlboro LeMans. My favorite color scheme of the LeMans series.  :thumb: Congrats, Mr. Scudder..
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
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Offline blu guzz

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2021, 06:43:46 AM »
still sexy after all these years. 
Blue Guzz

Wildguzzi.com

Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2021, 06:43:46 AM »

Offline Scud

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2021, 08:40:09 AM »
Do the Moto Guzzi "purists" consider this to be last true LeMans, or is the V11 LeMans considered to be the end of the line?

Other than styling and bodywork, what is different between the LeMans 4, and my version, the LeMans 5?

Why do you suppose the LeMans 5 has not got as much collector attention?
And for the record that is fine with me. I'm a rider, not a collector and I was able to afford to get this beauty for way less than some of the earlier versions.
1989 Moto Guzzi LeMans
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura
2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
2017 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2020 Yamaha TW200

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2021, 08:57:28 AM »
                                         ****CAMPFIRE STATEMENT ALERT****

                             The LeMans series is the absolutely Guzzi's best!    :thumb:
« Last Edit: June 13, 2021, 08:57:45 AM by Guzzistajohn »
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Online Ncdan

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2021, 09:00:32 AM »
Really beautiful color scheme!

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2021, 07:44:42 PM »
Do the Moto Guzzi "purists" consider this to be last true LeMans, or is the V11 LeMans considered to be the end of the line?

Other than styling and bodywork, what is different between the LeMans 4, and my version, the LeMans 5?

Why do you suppose the LeMans 5 has not got as much collector attention?
And for the record that is fine with me. I'm a rider, not a collector and I was able to afford to get this beauty for way less than some of the earlier versions.
Well, of course.. the V11 LeMans is the last of the *real* Guzzis.
Differences between the 4 and 5 are the 18" front wheel (maybe) adjustable Bitubo dampers  :smiley: and of course the frame mounted fairing. The V is definitely a "Gentleman's express" credit card sport tourer, although I've seen a Marlboro version with bags that looked the business. One of my favorite Guzzis..
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
95 Skorpion tour
22 Royal Enfield Classic 3 fiddy
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
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Online Cam3512

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2021, 07:55:06 PM »
Congrats, that’s a beauty.  There’s a good book (LeMans Bible?). That details all the specifics about each early model LeMans’.
Cam in NJ
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Offline Twinboy

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2021, 03:37:18 PM »
Congratulations on the beautiful 89 LeMans. By 89 they should have an 18 in front wheel. It has the big valve motor which is B10 cam, 40 mm carbs, 10+1 compression pistons. That is my favorite Guzzi engine! They breathe deep and come alive at 4000 rpm! You may try fitting a Brown side stand for a 81-84 BMW airhead. I put one on my 1000S after some minor mods. This will make the bike much more used friendly. Enjoy your new bike ,they are great fun!

Offline Scud

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2021, 06:39:03 PM »
It's a great motor, as you described. And the Zard exhaust lets those big breaths out with such a wonderful sound that I am willing to live without a side stand.

However, a side stand would be nice, and I thank you for the suggestion about the Brown unit for the BMW.

I'm rather fond of the V11 fuel-injected motor in my Scura, but the 1000cc carbed LeMans has a different character that I also like.

The V11 LeMans s are sometimes described as the "last of the hairy chested Guzzis." Maybe the LeMans V is the last of the hairy-backed Guzzis...

I found the "Moto Guzzi Sport and Lemans Bible" by Ian Falloon on Amazon. Added to wish list.
1989 Moto Guzzi LeMans
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura
2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
2017 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2020 Yamaha TW200

Online Turin

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2021, 08:32:00 PM »
Very nice! The " last real lemans" is kind of a funny thing. I consider the 1100 Sport the last real LeMans. I'm probably all alone with that opinion.

Congrats on a beautiful machine. I waited 25 years to get my LeMans 1000. Enjoy her!
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Kane

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2021, 09:55:58 PM »
Very nice. Looks like the zenith of the Tonti line!
Was this on from Tehachapi a little while ago? I remember seeing it and dreaming.
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1978 850-T3
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Online sdcr

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2021, 08:25:44 AM »
Scud,

Very nice. This iteration seems to be less appreciated than earlier ones, but I suspect that will change soon.
John
2000 BMW R1100 RS
1983 BMW R100
2009 Jaguar XK

Offline Tusayan

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2021, 09:24:48 AM »
IIRC Guzzi didn’t really label them IV and V but regardless there was progressive change from ‘86 until the last ones were built.  The 16 inch wheel changed to 18 inch by the time this bike was built, but with the handlebar mounted instruments unchanged.  Then the last ones had fairing mounted instruments, increasing stability at speed.  Somewhere along the line the switchgear was updated.

I’ve removed the side stand from any Tonti framed Guzzi I’ve owned, and never reinstalled them.  The center stand is easy to use and much more stable.

In 1989 I took my first European tour, solo, and with stops and passes along the way rode a rented bike from London to Mandello and back.  On the way there I stopped on the German autobahn and met a similarly young couple returning to UK from Rome, where they had gone for a break-in run on a new ‘89 LeMans.  I wondered how comfortable she might be riding pillion and thought that if she was happy, that’d be a pretty good kind of girl to have along. The bike was also interesting… there weren’t many new LeMans coming into the US at that time.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2021, 09:35:23 AM by Tusayan »

Offline Scud

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Re: Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2021, 02:00:07 PM »
The center stand is quite good and easy to use, I can even operate it barefoot - which I discovered unintentionally while organizing the garage recently.

Interesting point of view that the 1100 Sport was the last "True Lemans."  With the fairing and performance orientation the "LeMans" moniker seems a better fit than "Sport". Early Sports were unfaired. That distinction was continued with the V11 Sports (either "naked" or with small fly-screens as in the V11 Sport Scura, and V11 Cafe Sport). But the V11 LeMans had frame-mounted fairings.

@Kane - this bike was not from Tehachapi. However, I have been scheming on when I can ride it over the Sherman Pass, and the Southern Sierra loop might take me through Tehachapi.
1989 Moto Guzzi LeMans
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura
2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
2017 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2020 Yamaha TW200

 

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