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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: wicks on September 30, 2019, 08:26:11 PM

Title: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on September 30, 2019, 08:26:11 PM
Hi there - still have my V7 Sport but haven't done any work on it in years, but just acquired a '78 850LM1 with 2,049 miles on it. It's been parked since 1982, so I have my work cut out to make her ready to ride.  :whip2:

Would welcome any and all comments on what items I should add to my first draft list of work below. My first dumb question is, what are the correct tire sizes for originality / ideal handling? I would also like to go tubeless.

- New brake pads front and rear
- Replace spark plugs
- Rebuild carbs (kits)
- Replace intake manifold gaskets
- Lube cables, throttle
- Adjust valves, replace valve cover gaskets
- Change brake fluid (what type must I use)
- Any hoses or seals in brake system that I should guess are bad from non-use, age?
- Change engine oil (replace drain seal, is there a filter?)
- Add magnetic drain plug
- Change gearbox oil (replace drain seal)
- Change final drive oil (replace seal(s)
- New tires (which type - like older tread patterns)
- (replace cush drive rubber, grease bearings etc)
- (use valve stem for tubeless? http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=218&products_id=4912)
- Kit to rebuild forks with new seals, dampers
- Replace all rubber grommets, tank mounts, side cover mounts, etc

Other service list:
- Grease head bearing, check torque
- Grease wheel bearings, or are they sealed?

Other parts wish-list:
- Euro turn signals: https://www.eurojamb.com/products/cev-copy-turn-signal-black-moto-guzzi-morini-benelli-laverda-lemans?variant=1197563314197&currency=USD&utm_campaign=gs-2019-09-17&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign
- Find euro headlight (Aprilia?) and mounts
- Find original mirrors: https://hmb-guzzi.de/Mirror-left-black-Le-Mans-1
- Lafranconi mufflers available? http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26&products_id=2350
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: amamet on September 30, 2019, 09:05:52 PM
Congratulations, Beautiful bike you picked up.  Think quite a few people on this forum were watching the auction
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: RinkRat II on September 30, 2019, 09:08:14 PM
 
  Welcome and congrats on the bike we've been drooling over on Ebay! Great list to start, Caig deoxit will be a very useful item for the electrics. Chuck did a great tutorial and can be seen here:https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89034.0 (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89034.0).
 Enjoy  and don't skimp on the pictures and your progress :evil:

      Paul B :boozing:
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Turin on October 01, 2019, 10:56:26 AM
Actually putting it on the road? Good for you! Bikes belong on the road, not sitting on tile next to a fern.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 12:21:54 PM
Wow, that is a magical thread which I shall be studying! Yes I have a can of Deoxit, wonder if I'll need another. ;)  Adding points and timing and such to the list.

Thanks all, yes was very happy to find this LM1. Been a few years waiting for the right one. I use all of my classics, which some P-car collectors think I'm nuts for doing.

Is anyone 100% certain of the tire size that matches the original 4.25x18 and 4.10x18 in modern size specs? Weird how google is failing to help very much with that.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: jwinwi on October 01, 2019, 12:29:34 PM
Wow, that is a magical thread which I shall be studying! Yes I have a can of Deoxit, wonder if I'll need another. ;) 

Thanks all, yes was very happy to find this LM1. Been a few years waiting for the right one. I use all of my classics, which some P-car collectors think I'm nuts for doing.

Is anyone 100% certain of the tire size that matches the original 4.25x18 and 4.10x18 in modern size specs? Weird how google is failing to help very much with that.

4.25" x 25.4 mm = 107.95 mm
4.10" x 25.4 mm = 104.14 mm


Use 110/90/18 for the rear
and 100/90/18 for the front.
Many others use 120/90/18 and 110/90/18 but that combination will produce a heavier feel to the handling and it will take more effort to change direction.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Gliderjohn on October 01, 2019, 12:41:33 PM
My T-3 uses 100/90/18 front  and 110/90/18 rear. Think yours would be the same. Avon, Shinko and a few others still make them.
Would also suggest just replacing all the bearings as hard to tell if there has been some interior corrosion from sitting that long.
Probably anything rubber.
When lubing cables be sure to grease the little barrels at the bar end of the cables. Don't ask me how I know.
Upgrade brake lines to braided steel as your lines are probably too aged and the braided lines help brake performance and feel a bit.
Be sure to replace the oil feed lines to the heads as I am guessing those are rubber on yours.
Otherwise sounds like you have a good handle on it and others will be chiming in. Good luck.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: canuck750 on October 01, 2019, 01:48:22 PM
Wildgoose Chase Moto Guzzi » General Category » Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only  (Moderators: rocker59, Luaps Girl, oldbike54) » 1977 Le Mans running and on the road


Reading your post with interest as I sip a glass of local wine in Montenegro on the Adriatic coast.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on October 01, 2019, 01:56:57 PM
Wildgoose Chase Moto Guzzi » General Category » Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only  (Moderators: rocker59, Luaps Girl, oldbike54) » 1977 Le Mans running and on the road


Reading your post with interest as I sip a glass of local wine in Montenegro on the Adriatic coast.

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89764.0 (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89764.0)
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Stevex on October 01, 2019, 02:00:13 PM
I fitted tubeless Pirelli Sport Demons in original sizing to my LM2 about 3 years back. I have to say they feel wooden and lack feedback.
Since then I've fitted Honda RC36 Showa cartridges to the Guzzi oem forks and I'm hoping this will improve how the bike feels when ridden.
At the next tyre change I intend to go tubeless radial with Conti Road/Classic Attacks as I've heard they are night and day when compared to the Pirelli cross plys.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: beard on October 01, 2019, 02:00:32 PM
100/90 R18
120/90 R18

Older:
Bridgestone BT45

Newer:
Front: Conti RoadAttack2
Rear: Conti ClassicAttack
www.reifen-freigaben.de/pdf/786.pdf
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Tusayan on October 01, 2019, 02:02:37 PM
Reading your post with interest as I sip a glass of local wine in Montenegro on the Adriatic coast.

I'm guessing you might head up the coast from there, and it is beautiful the whole way north through Croatia.   Should you want a change of scene further north, the D25 road from Karlobag is AWESOME.   

I tried the Sport Demons on my Le Mans II and find myself agreeing with Stevex -  they were OK but not my favorite tires on the bike.  The problem with tires is that just as you find something that works, they are discontinued and search starts again.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 03:25:20 PM
Reading your post with interest as I sip a glass of local wine in Montenegro on the Adriatic coast.

Can join soon - also shopping for a boat. ;) 

Has anyone run these: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/continental-ultra-tkv11-tkv12-sport-classic-tires?rrec=true

I just found another reference that says original tire sizes were:
Front tyre   3.50x18
rear tyre   4.00x18
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on October 01, 2019, 03:29:53 PM
Can join soon - also shopping for a boat. ;) 

Has anyone run these: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/continental-ultra-tkv11-tkv12-sport-classic-tires?rrec=true

Those are my tires of choice on V7 Sport restorations. Apparently discontinued. Excellent traction and handling in the dry, never experienced them in the wet.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 03:47:00 PM
A little concerned about the straight center groove, it could hook into the freeway grooves commonplace here in California. Not that freeway time is the objective, just a necessary evil sometimes.

Have the same concern although I like the design of Metzeler Lasertec. At least that rear doesn't have the center groove on that set.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: cliffrod on October 01, 2019, 04:28:01 PM
I haven't bought tires for my V7 Sport for a while, but try to keep the sizes equivalent to the original narrow 3.50 & 4.00 tires.  A contemporary road test reported slower track times when wider tires were fitted in a effort to improve performance.  The narrow tires produced the best results.  I would expect this is relevant to the early Lemans as well.

I am also happy to hear your new bike will be put to use, not just put on display.  That is great news and very, very cool.  Ride & enjoy!
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 05:23:48 PM
Having hard time finding a pair of anything that does the 3.5 + 4.0 x 18 thing, nor the 110/90/18 + 100/90/18. Michelin, please step in and handle this like you do for classic sports cars!
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Dave Swanson on October 01, 2019, 05:24:14 PM
Congrats on that winning that great bike!  The prepping for on the road thread will be one to watch! 

I am on the back leg of a 1000 mile drive to pick up my LM1
(https://i.ibb.co/T17LHZM/4332-B815-5-E1-B-41-AB-91-DA-97-B701-DE80-F4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T17LHZM)
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on October 01, 2019, 06:18:20 PM
Having hard time finding a pair of anything that does the 3.5 + 4.0 x 18 thing, nor the 110/90/18 + 100/90/18. Michelin, please step in and handle this like you do for classic sports cars!

Several choices in 100/90-18 front and 110/90-18 rear:
- Conti Go
- Shinko 712
- Bridgestone S11
- Pirelli Sport Demon
- Avon AM26 Roadrider
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 06:42:36 PM
Dave! Congrats! What size tires are those on yours? Let me know if you want to part with one of your 1000s!
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 07:01:05 PM
Thanks Charlie. Is it just me, or are these all some of the worst looking tires ever designed? Imagine they work great, but if that were the only measure we'd all be riding Hondas.

Several choices in 100/90-18 front and 110/90-18 rear:
- Conti Go
- Shinko 712
- Bridgestone S11
- Pirelli Sport Demon
- Avon AM26 Roadrider
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Gliderjohn on October 01, 2019, 08:09:47 PM
From wicks:
Quote
Thanks Charlie. Is it just me, or are these all some of the worst looking tires ever designed? Imagine they work great, but if that were the only measure we'd all be riding Hondas.
Just curious, are you referring to the tread patterns, the high sidewall profile, or something  else.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 08:13:52 PM
Tread patterns. Possible solution: Dunlop D404 comes in the 110 rear and 100 front 90/18 combination.

Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Gliderjohn on October 01, 2019, 08:24:18 PM
From wicks:
Quote
Tread patterns.
(shrug)
Most are kind of old school I guess but work better than they look. Last fall I was riding the T-3 (Avon in front and a Shinko on the rear) to Cedar Vale, KS and in SE Butler Co. the roads can almost approach being fun. On a straight I spotted a bike about a 1/2 mile ahead. Out of couriousity I wanted to catch it and see what it was as this is a sparsely populated area. It was being ridden fairly spirited and took me several miles to catch it. Turned out to be a local on a BMW GS that rides that route frequently. Those old tires with modern rubber compounds are sticker than you may think.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 01, 2019, 08:43:53 PM
Oh I'm with ya there. I feel those are all too modern swoopy/curvy designs for these boxy old italian mod machines. And I am super aware of how an old design and new rubber can work great. Run these (thanks Michelin for still producing them) on my 1973 911 and nobody gets away from me in the mountains.

https://www.carid.com/images/coker/tires/michelin-xwx-close-up.jpg
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on October 01, 2019, 09:42:02 PM
You can still buy the Metzeler Block-C.  :wink: https://tinyurl.com/Metzeler-Block-C

Maybe Heidenau has something to suit? https://www.heidenautires.com/tires/motorcycle/vintage/
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Dave Swanson on October 01, 2019, 10:45:00 PM
The bike from the thread last week I bet.  :grin:

Yes it is.  It needs a bit of work, but it is a nice one. 
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: canuck750 on October 02, 2019, 12:02:50 AM
I'm guessing you might head up the coast from there, and it is beautiful the whole way north through Croatia.   Should you want a change of scene further north, the D25 road from Karlobag is AWESOME.   

I am taking the Ferry from Bar to Bari tonight then up the Adriatic coast of Italy. Many years ago I drove the coast from Montenegro to Croatia, spectacular! S
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: acguzzi on October 02, 2019, 07:47:40 AM
manufacturers of tires are not accurate in their sizing so a 4.25 is not necessarily 4.25 so I wouldn't worry about getting an exact equivalent.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 02, 2019, 11:40:49 AM
I love the old Block C. But it has that center groove and I've got to avoid that because a lot of freeway in CA is grooved concrete. I might go for the Dunlop 404s. That's what's on my V7 Sport right now and they work pretty well without looking period-incorrect.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: speedyg on October 02, 2019, 11:58:32 AM
Avon AM26 Roadriders on my 78 le mans and 83 MkIII le mans.
Work great on both.

BTW, great purchase, good investment, you won't regret it, glad to see you are putting on the road. Enjoy the ride(s).    :grin:
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 02, 2019, 03:27:23 PM
Running Avons requires the use of a front tire on the rear basically yes? That's all I'm finding looking them up. A universal front+rear tire.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on October 02, 2019, 04:07:48 PM
Running Avons requires the use of a front tire on the rear basically yes? That's all I'm finding looking them up. A universal front+rear tire.

The Avon AM26 is a front/rear tire in some sizes, 100/90-18 and 110/90-18 being two of them. The 130/80-17 I just put on my V7 Stone was not.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: PeteS on October 02, 2019, 04:25:36 PM
Keep the brake pads, change the brake fluid DOT4. The original pads were asbestos. New pads either won't stop as well or abrade the disks. The best tires I ever ran on my LeMans were Avon Super Venoms. Not sure any of the new Avons are comparible though. Keep the tire sizes close to original. The early 850s have the short swingarm and shocks. Its the quickest turning Tonti. Its like a bicycle compared to the later Tontis. Putting wider tires just slows the turning.

Pete
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Swedemoto on October 02, 2019, 08:24:52 PM
FWIW, I'm running the radial Conti Classik Attack's on the CX. I can't compare against another tire and I'm not dragging a knee, but the feel is good.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: wicks on October 02, 2019, 08:35:22 PM
Thanks all and thanks PeteS - good advice there, will use the 110/100 tire sizing, definitely like to tip into turns without getting into a wrestling match.
Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: Tusayan on October 02, 2019, 10:49:17 PM
I am taking the Ferry from Bar to Bari tonight then up the Adriatic coast of Italy. Many years ago I drove the coast from Montenegro to Croatia, spectacular! S

As you probably understand, the Adriatic coast is the least entertaining motorcycling in Italy, completely unlike the Croatian coast for some reason.  Go inland a bit for entertaining motorcycling.  The coastal strip from Bari to Ancona and north is not a motorcycling hot zone :laugh:

I took the ferry to Ancona this year and heading west from there enjoyed the Gran Sasso for the first time - snow in the mountains east of Rome in June!  Umbria is also wonderful a bit further north.

Sorry for the thread drift.

On topic - keep the original tires for future display use.  Seeing them in the advert provoked massive nostalgia...  it’s amazing to think the bike had original tires after 42 years.


Title: Re: 850 LeMans 1 tires and other questions from a new owner
Post by: canuck750 on October 04, 2019, 02:51:34 PM
Sorry for thread drift


I gave up on the Adriatic coast of Italy and headed back south and rode to the Amalfi coast, rode up to Sorento today, heck of a road!