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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: GuzziDansker on December 16, 2015, 01:30:04 PM

Title: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: GuzziDansker on December 16, 2015, 01:30:04 PM
Hi guys.

I've gotten my hands on a Guzzi project that I want to build a caf� from.

After having read around on the web, i'm confused as to what model it actually is. According to the paperwork it's supposed to be a Le Mans from '76.

But the frame number and engine number are matching, which i'm being told that shouldn't be the case on a old Guzzi.
The bike came from the US to Europe about 10 years ago but I don't know if it originally was from the US.


Anybody that can help shine some light on this? I know the front end is from a Suzuki.

(http://i65.tinypic.com/2d0cqrd.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/155gh3l.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/5wavk7.jpg)

(http://i65.tinypic.com/5ckdna.jpg)

(http://i68.tinypic.com/biq9w6.jpg)
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 16, 2015, 01:51:06 PM
I believe in the US the frame & motor ID #s should match. VE is LeMans I, II designation.  :wink:
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on December 16, 2015, 01:55:20 PM
I believe in the US the frame & motor ID #s should match.  :wink:
:1:, My 72 Eldorado match
Is that a Tonti frame?
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: fotoguzzi on December 16, 2015, 01:58:57 PM
the fork wheel and brakes don't look like they are from Guzzi. I think the VE prefix on the VIN is a Lemans.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 16, 2015, 01:59:41 PM
:1:, My 72 Eldorado match
Is that a Tonti frame?


Yes, it's a Tonti frame & PHF carbs, black LeMans pipes.   Someone  painted the heads/cylinders/motor, etc. black too.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: oldbike54 on December 16, 2015, 02:00:45 PM
the fork wheel and brakes don't look like they are from Guzzi. I think the VE prefix on the VIN is a Lemans.

 He stated Suzuki .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: fotoguzzi on December 16, 2015, 02:23:04 PM
Thx Dusty, got my glasses on now. Yep they look like Suzuki.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: guzzista on December 16, 2015, 02:31:32 PM
If it is a real 1976 Lemon perhaps it could be brought back to its former glory . Between the crashers and the  overly modded ones there are not  many left around...
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: cruzziguzzi on December 16, 2015, 04:07:42 PM
Seems like the "VF" makes the frame an 850 Le Mans III affair but that leaves the engine out in the cold.

Too, isn't the final drive newer than the motor?


Todd.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: oldbike54 on December 16, 2015, 04:14:28 PM
Seems like the "VF" makes the frame an 850 Le Mans III affair but that leaves the engine out in the cold.

Too, isn't the final drive newer than the motor?


Todd.

 Frame and motor numbers match .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: cruzziguzzi on December 16, 2015, 04:28:38 PM
Frame and motor numbers match .

  Dusty

I guess then, "This Old Tractor" gets it wrong from time to time.


Todd.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Hahnda on December 16, 2015, 04:31:28 PM
Is it VF or VE? VF is the Lemans 3 and was a square fin.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: oldbike54 on December 16, 2015, 04:38:06 PM
I guess then, "This Old Tractor" gets it wrong from time to time.


Todd.

 OK let's reason this out . A PO searched around and found a motor that had numbers that matched the frame . I think conventional wisdom says the numbers don't have to match , not that they never
do .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 16, 2015, 05:21:12 PM
Is it VF or VE? VF is the Lemans 3 and was a square fin.


VE designates LM 1 or 2 motor.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Hahnda on December 16, 2015, 05:43:47 PM

VE designates LM 1 or 2 motor.

I know. That's where my question comes from. It looks like a VF on the frame in the picture so that would make it a Lemans 3 and the matching number motor is a round fin. That's my confusion. If its actually a VE then it all makes a bit more sense.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 16, 2015, 05:48:14 PM
I know. That's where my question comes from. It looks like a VF on the frame in the picture so that would make it a Lemans 3 and the matching number motor is a round fin. That's my confusion. If its actually a VE then it all makes a bit more sense.


I'm sure the LM1 & LM3 have the same frame as my CX100(LM2).  LM 4 frame is different.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: cruzziguzzi on December 16, 2015, 05:50:53 PM

VE designates LM 1 or 2 motor.

Looking at it really, really hard, now, I can believe that it's a VE rather than VF. Makes more sense.


Todd.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Cam3512 on December 16, 2015, 05:59:42 PM
Are the carb manifolds attached with 6mm or 8mm bolts?  6mm = 850 LeMans.  8mm = Other
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: jacksonracingcomau on December 16, 2015, 06:50:29 PM

I'm sure the LM1 & LM3 have the same frame as my CX100(LM2).  LM 4 frame is different.
No, LM3 is frame breather, your CX isn't, neither is OP's, LM4 slightly different again
VE correct
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: motogman on December 16, 2015, 07:30:54 PM
No, LM3 is frame breather, your CX isn't, neither is OP's, LM4 slightly different again
VE correct

What is a "frame breather"?
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: oldbike54 on December 16, 2015, 07:37:46 PM
What is a "frame breather"?


 Engine breather blows into the frame .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Tom on December 16, 2015, 10:44:12 PM
Frame and engine block numbers should match if original.  However the frame number would be used as the VIN for title purposes.  If the engine was changed out the frame number would still be used in the title.  In other words, it's possible to have a titled '76 titled frame bike with a different year engine in it.  Caveat emptor if you're looking for an original LM1.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: GuzziDansker on December 16, 2015, 11:36:46 PM
Wow I had no idea I could get this much help in that short time :)

I will go later today and take a closer look of the frame+engine number, and get better pictures of everything.

Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: John A on December 17, 2015, 11:08:37 AM
The carbs look like PHF's. What size are they ?
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on December 17, 2015, 12:46:44 PM
Wow I had no idea I could get this much help in that short time :)

I will go later today and take a closer look of the frame+engine number, and get better pictures of everything.

Thanks guys!

Hard to beat WG..  :thumb: I've never gone more than 12 hours without an answer, no matter how strange a question I ask.  :smiley:
It's the main reason I make a small donation every year. (hint, hint)   :wink:
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Tom on December 17, 2015, 12:58:26 PM
Hard to beat WG..  :thumb: I've never gone more than 12 hours without an answer, no matter how strange a question I ask.  :smiley:
It's the main reason I make a small donation every year. (hint, hint)   :wink:

Doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a relevant and/or correct answer.  :-0
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: GuzziDansker on December 19, 2015, 12:29:32 AM
Okay so I took a closer look. It does in fact look like the frame number says VF and not VE, but the stamping is pretty shitty so I guess it could be both.
The carbs are 40mm and the intake bolts are 6mm.

(http://i68.tinypic.com/1h9rgw.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/2rogvon.jpg)

(http://i68.tinypic.com/r25gdg.jpg)

(http://i65.tinypic.com/2yn2wpz.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/1tvmmb.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/2rnx7k0.jpg)

(http://i66.tinypic.com/517mrn.jpg)

(http://i65.tinypic.com/28ri8hi.jpg)
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: nc43bsa on December 19, 2015, 12:51:47 AM
That looks like a Commando in the L foreground.

That's all I got.   :grin:
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: GuzziDansker on December 19, 2015, 12:59:25 AM
The Guzzi is in one of our storage rooms where i work. We have more than a 100 old bikes in different conditions, so it's easy to find a project :)

We know nothing about old Guzzi's though, so thats one of the reasons why I want to build this one. And it's a cool bike  :bow:
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Anders Pedersen on December 19, 2015, 09:04:47 AM
Quote
The Guzzi is in one of our storage rooms where i work. We have more than a 100 old bikes in different conditions, so it's easy to find a project :)

Hello GuzziDane!

Now where in Denmark would that be, if you don't mind me asking?

Med venlig hilsen Anders
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Hahnda on December 19, 2015, 11:27:07 AM
In my opinion that frame number has been changed.
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on December 19, 2015, 11:34:12 AM
In my opinion that frame number has been changed.

What makes you say that?
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 19, 2015, 11:37:37 AM
That front rim looks like a 18"  LeMans rim.  Gas tank is LM1.  Maybe this bike is a combination LM3/1 frame-motor wise w/Suzuki front forks.  :undecided:
Title: Re: Need help identifying a Moto Guzzi project '76
Post by: Hahnda on December 19, 2015, 01:00:20 PM
The script/font looks wrong and sloppy and isn't there usually a number between the DGM and OM? On my older Tonti bikes there is. I know non-US are different when it comes to numbering. Many places didn't get the frame tags on the headstock like we did. Maybe the font was different. Don't know but I would question it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Hahnda/IMG_0819_zpskvzae9sb.jpg)