Campfire Chat about "new to me" 1989 LeMans

[Scud]

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.

[Tom H]

Congrats!!!

Tom

[Chuck in Indiana]

Ahh, the Marlboro LeMans. My favorite color scheme of the LeMans series.  Congrats, Mr. Scudder..

[blu guzz]

still sexy after all these years. 

[Scud]

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.

[Guzzistajohn]

                                         ****CAMPFIRE STATEMENT ALERT****

                             The LeMans series is the absolutely Guzzi's best!   

[Ncdan]

Really beautiful color scheme!

[Chuck in Indiana]

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  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..

[Cam3512]

Congrats, that’s a beauty.  There’s a good book (LeMans Bible?). That details all the specifics about each early model LeMans’.

[Twinboy]

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!

[Scud]

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.

[Turin]

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!

[Kane]

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.

[sdcr]

Scud,

Very nice. This iteration seems to be less appreciated than earlier ones, but I suspect that will change soon.

[Tusayan]

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.

[Scud]

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.