Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: canuck750 on May 06, 2015, 02:26:13 PM
-
A big thanks to Brad for agreeing to part with his 77 Le Mans
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1977%20Moto%20Guzzi%20le%20Mans/P6290050_zpsr95po7us.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1977%20Moto%20Guzzi%20le%20Mans/P6290050_zpsr95po7us.jpg.html)
I am going to think this one through carefully before I dive in, needs some cosmetic attention but the little voice in my head says leave most of the 'looks' alone and just do a drive line sweep through.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1977%20Moto%20Guzzi%20le%20Mans/P6290051_zpszn9p1exr.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1977%20Moto%20Guzzi%20le%20Mans/P6290051_zpszn9p1exr.jpg.html)
Would it sacrilegious to consider an Ice Blue paint job??
-
No and congratulations.
;-T
-
Congratulations!
the bike looks complete and correct (except the wheels colour) from the pictures ;-T
-
Hi Phang,
What colour should the wheels be? it would be great of you knew a matching Tiger Drylac Powder paint colour! I think I would like to try the new Series 38 Super Durable line for the wheels.
http://tigerpowderinfo.com/dev/index.php/toolsandresources/pdc/category/colorcharts
I will probably tackle this bike in bits and pieces, overhaul the brake components - repaint wheels, new wheel bearings - tires etc. as a "project".
Cheers
Jim
-
It's probably the camera, flash or even my computer screen. The colour of the wheels appear too dark and glossy to me.
I only know it looks not right but don't know what is the right one ;D
-
I think you are right Phang, the wheels are a dark grey and appear to be repaints.
Anyone have a paint code?
Thanks
Jim
-
Congrats Jim. The wheels on my '78 are a lighter silver color.
Cam
-
Loverly, Jim.
-
I'm real glad I found a good home for her!
I once had these rims powder coated, I just said silver and they came pretty close to the original color but it lasted a lot longer. I'm not responsible for painting those wheels grey by the way.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/fotoguzzi/EVert%20project/IMG_0572.jpg)
-
Those fairings look very close to one that Rifle sells.
http://rifle.com/Motorcycle-Fairings/Rifle-Sport-Fairing.aspx (http://rifle.com/Motorcycle-Fairings/Rifle-Sport-Fairing.aspx)
-
It's only original once!
To me, it has aged nicely.
-
You get all the nice ones Jim!
-
get the proper LM1 fairing on it.
As for wheels, they had some very light superficial coating on them, not really paint I don't think. I know on mine there were kind of natty so I soda blasted them and left them that way. Just raw AL that seems to look the part.
Mine is very close to stock but not 100% original but you can see the wheels in this pic.
If it were me, I'd keep it red as intended, especially if the paint that's on it is original and in reasonable shape. If it's a repaint already then have at it.
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/lrutt/39963802514_0_BG.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/lrutt/media/39963802514_0_BG.jpg.html)
-
I think just about any silver paint will do on the wheels. I had some BMW base coat-clear coat used on their '80s airheads for mine just because I had some on the shelf.
Pete
-
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/lrutt/39963802514_0_BG.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/lrutt/media/39963802514_0_BG.jpg.html)
Beautiful bike!!
-
I put a battery in the Le Mans and a gallon of fresh gas and hung the plate from my V7 Sport then took the 850 for a few runs around the block. What a mistake.
The upgrade of low end grunt, response and brakes being a world better than the Sport I am not sure I love the V7 Sport anymore.
I love the easy relaxed stance and response of my Eldorado and will never part with it but with the 750S3 coming along and the rush of riding the Le Mans I am no longer sold on the Sport.
Am I crazy??
I spent two years finding and rebuilding the burgundy V7 Sport to fall out of love so quickly
Perhaps the moral of this storey is to never meet your hero, idol or first dream bike.
Need to think long and hard about wether or not to keep the Sport
-
Smitten!
-
next, you need a 1000S, I'm looking hard for one too..
-
Hi, Jim.
Well, life's about learning -- about ourselves, about others, about our real likes, loves and dislikes vs. our preconceived notions. The good thing is that this isn't a one-shot deal for you; you've got options! You have truly saved a basket-case Sport, and the worse thing that could happen would be that you would sell it, and make some new owner deliriously happy. All the while, you'll be enjoying your Eldo, S3 and 850 Le Mans. Could be worse! :bike
Cheers,
Shaun
-
I put a battery in the Le Mans and a gallon of fresh gas and hung the plate from my V7 Sport then took the 850 for a few runs around the block. What a mistake.
The upgrade of low end grunt, response and brakes being a world better than the Sport I am not sure I love the V7 Sport anymore.
I love the easy relaxed stance and response of my Eldorado and will never part with it but with the 750S3 coming along and the rush of riding the Le Mans I am no longer sold on the Sport.
Am I crazy??
I spent two years finding and rebuilding the burgundy V7 Sport to fall out of love so quickly
Perhaps the moral of this storey is to never meet your hero, idol or first dream bike.
Need to think long and hard about wether or not to keep the Sport
I had the same sort of revelation, but with much less at stake. Rode my customer Jim's burgandy V7 Sport then almost immediately afterwards, his '78 Le Mans. 'Sports are "nice" but an 850 Le Mans is "awesome". ;) Neither is comfortable enough for how and where I ride though, an Ambassador is all I really need...
-
Thanks Shaun, Charlie
I am on the same wavelength as you Charlie, the Sport is beautiful to look at and pretty nice to ride but for the short rides when I want to go for a quick blast I think the Le Mans will be very tough to beat the visceral feel of the motor was a real eye opener
-
next, you need a 1000S, I'm looking hard for one too..
One more Guzzi and Mrs Canuck will throw me out on the street!
-
The plus is you know every intimate detail about your sport, does all that time you spent together suddenly mean nothing? :'(
Once the S3 is done I'm guessing you'll grab that every time vs the Sport and that's without thinking of the LeMans...
As a few people said the Sport looks fantastic but doesn't go or stop as well. Given your Eldo is staying you've got cruising & fast blasts well covered anyway.
-
I put a battery in the Le Mans and a gallon of fresh gas and hung the plate from my V7 Sport then took the 850 for a few runs around the block. What a mistake.
Just wait until you get it out on the open road! They really are more of everything over the earlier bikes. The Sport will seem like a smaller bike in comparison with the S3 somewhere between them.
Decisions, decisions.......... .
Mark
-
Congratz Jim,
After riding a Le Mans, the name sports on the V7 looks misplaced.
Next weekend i'll have 3 LM's in my garage.
Red, white and Blue ... i'll shoot some pics ;-)
No i didnt bought a thirtone ;D
But i sold the V7 sports and the Morini Drumbrake.
Last weekend i did a trip together with 1cilinder Guzzi's,ducati's topspeed was 70kmh .... after 100 km i was broken.
First series seat and original footpegs is not a good combination for me, i prefer the white Guzzi with agostini rearset
http://mantaray.zenfolio.com/p577111426
-
I shouldn't follow this thread.
How much is a kidney worth now? ::)
-
That's funny, I had a V7 Sport, new, and loved it.
I had a deposit on another V7 Sport in '94 or so, then a LeMans became available at the same dealer, and I tried that.
Then I took the LeMans home. They really are great bikes.
-
I put a battery in the Le Mans and a gallon of fresh gas and hung the plate from my V7 Sport then took the 850 for a few runs around the block. What a mistake.
The upgrade of low end grunt, response and brakes being a world better than the Sport I am not sure I love the V7 Sport anymore.
This is why I regrettably do not own a V7Sport. I rode a friends drum brake Sport 20? years ago and quickly realized that it lacked as above, so I passed on purchasing one for those reasons. Mistake.
-
Wait until you try a Spine Frame ! Makes the LeMans Look like the V7 sport! :BEER: DonG
-
Wait until you try a Spine Frame ! Makes the LeMans Look like the V7 sport! :BEER: DonG
More power and better brakes but handles like a truck compared to the short wheelbase 850s. The LM850s are keepers for sure.
Pete
-
I just need to decide on what is fair value for my burgundy V7 Sport and then to find a loving home, it won't be cheap but I think it is one of the most correct and completely rebuilt to like new examples out there.
If someone is lusting over a Sport and knows what they are worth then send me a pm
Thanks
Jim
-
More power and better brakes but handles like a truck compared to the short wheelbase 850s. The LM850s are keepers for sure.
Pete
1100 Sports have a lot more cornering clearance, too-but yeah, much heavier steering.
-
next, you need a 1000S, I'm looking hard for one too..
:drool -- esp. a green one!
-
Well guys, I don't own either a Sport or an early LeMans, but I have a '93 1000S and an '03 LeMans.... I love, love, love the '93. Handles like a sport bike ought to and has tons of torque and power, but the '03 accelerates quicker but has to be pushed into a corner a bit more. I like them both for different reasons and have taken long rides on both. The '03 is certainly more made for the road though. Would love to add an old loop frame to see what that is like though.
-
I have a green frame bike project slowly taking shape, my 750S clone with black tank and tool boxes with green stripes. Along came the 750S3 and sidelined the S. Four Guzzis of similar design; V7 Sort, 750S, 750s3 and Le Mans are 1 too many, the pretty V7 Sport goes on the block.
-
Just delivered my customer Jim's 850 Le Mans. Rode it down to his house 35 miles away, got a ride home in his Porsche Carrera S and got paid for delivering it as well. ;D Tough job, but somebodys gotta' do it.
Longest time I've spent in the seat of an 850 Le Mans, some impressions. Great power delivery, good brakes and suspension, riding position a bit painful for me. Takes a bit of counter-steering and body movement to get it to turn quickly enough for twisty backroads. Super stable in sweepers and on straight roads. I was a *bit* over the speed limit almost the whole trip - it just brought out the "hooligan" in me. Lots of fun in small doses.