E Pluribus Unum

[Scout63]

I blame each and every one of you, but now I want, no need, a Lemans I.  So my plan is to take the winter and spruce up and sell several lower value bikes and hopefully assemble enough cash to buy a presentable Lemans.  On the block will be my ‘77 R100S, ‘71 R75/5, ‘80 R100T.  Maybe also clean up and flip the ‘79 v1000SP I bought on the forum which I haven’t picked up yet (sorry Tom). All will require fettling, polishing and ugh listing somewhere.  If all goes according to plan I can reduce garage clutter and have a classic sportster to ride.

[fotoguzzi]

Or just turn the SP into a pseudo Lemans? Then keep at least one of the Beemers.

[JJ]

Here you go!  Just take your pick...and whip out that BIG, FAT checkbook!!

[Dave Swanson]

I heartily endorse your effort.  There is nothing quite like an early Lemans.  They really punch above their weight.  Coming off another 850 like a T3 and then jumping on the Lemans is a revelation.  And with Lafranconis the music made is the best in the Guzzi world. 

Good luck with your quest.  It is worth it.

[cliffrod]

Sounds like a great plan.  That's how I got the bikes I really wanted. Good luck staying focused on the end goal.

[sdcr]

I totally agree with the others, as any Le Mans is a blue chip.

The one that JJ posted is the iteration that I like, having owned a white 83 Le Mans III for over a decade. 

[blackcat]

I ended up getting my LeMans as a project:


Time and Money later:



Or make a fake one out of the SP, mine was easy because it is a CX:



It's about to be taken apart again, as the frame needs a re-paint and the tank has a small ding. Twenty years as a NYC commuter bike has taken a toll.

[Scout63]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I was about ready to build the SP into a clone, but then I will invest at least $5,000 and my time into a bike that will never hold significant value.  I have no problem restoring a Lemans from the ground up and the labor and parts costs will be about the same as any Tonti build as long as the bike is complete. I think the challenge will be finding the right bike. First I need to clear some space and pump up the war chest. The pictures are very helpful.

[spmoto]

Ben,
I may know where there's a very nice original LM 850 if you would like me to look into it. It's here in New England and the last time I checked it was in the 15 -17 k range. I saw the bike in the Fall of 2019 and it's very clean and properly stored.
Steve

[Scout63]

Ben,
I may know where there's a very nice original LM 850 if you would like me to look into it. It's here in New England and the last time I checked it was in the 15 -17 k range. I saw the bike in the Fall of 2019 and it's very clean and properly stored.
Steve

Absolutely Steve.  Please PM me anytime. Ben

[Groover]

Looks like there is a 77 here:

https://www.mgnoc.com/classifieds.html

[Scout63]

Looks like there is a 77 here:

https://www.mgnoc.com/classifieds.html

Thanks Groover. Being a MGNOC member I should have thought to look at the classifieds.  Ben