Is this Le Mans I the Real Deal?

[Dimples]

I asked the seller to confirm the VIN in writing, but he has not responded. So, does this look legitimate? The fairing and headlight arrangement look questionable. Is the dash correct?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Lemans-/141734917513?forcerrptr=true&hash=item21000f3589&item=141734917513

[fotoguzzi]

Looks real to me, has the VE engine #.. I don't think it needed 40mm carbs, ask if the originals are included. that color is a negative for me.

[Murray]

The headlight IMO should sit more proud of the fairing and looking at the bottom of the fairing it hasn't been mounted correctly (you can see where the forks are supposed to go through. It may be a cosmetic tweak to have the screen leaning back, obviously the paint work is non OEM.

[lrutt]

Seems to have a lot of the right parts but don't understand that if you are doing a ground up resto, why you would stray so far from being original then. Paint, carbs, why oversized valves?, has the euro headlight. engine casting with VE seems unaltered, gauges are proper (at least what you can see of them).

IMO he's detracted from the value with some of what he's done.

With those sized carbs and big valves, it's likely a dog down low. wonder what the miles are that would have necessitated new pistons. Those are iron bores if still original and you can rack up a lot of miles with little to no wear.

Man, that color just does not work for me at all.

[Cam3512]

Looks liked he moved the fairing out to make the headlight flush.  '78 would have had the protruding US headlight.

[blackcat]

That yellow is awful. I hate it when they say,"ground up restoration" and then leave some rusted out bolts,original wiring harness etc. on the bike. Makes me wonder what else they have done or not done in this "restoration".

[JoeW]

Looks liked he moved the fairing out to make the headlight flush.  '78 would have had the protruding US headlight.

I agree with this, look at this one and you can see the cutouts in the fairing fit's around the fork tubes...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi/221837137123?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3Db1a81678ec7d433e96ae35caf60aa535%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D141734917513

It does appear to be a "real" LeMans 1 though, mods and all

[Dimples]

If the seller made the VIN available that would be helpful. It's not readable in the frame photo. Actually the small photos leave much to the imagination.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I think it's a nice looking bike.. I don't mind the yellow, love the silver stripes...  I do not like the homemade print-out decals on the side covers...

To me it looks like they just spaced the fairing out to enclose the headlight so it doesn't have that goofy protruding headlight ring?

Can't speak to the engine work or quality of the resto..  thats something you cant tell from pics

[Cam3512]

If the seller made the VIN available that would be helpful. It's not readable in the frame photo. Actually the small photos leave much to the imagination.

If you zoom in on the frame and engine numbers they're both VE 076981.

[canuck750]

Bike has had a ground up restoration. Motor and tranny were completely rebuilt with all new parts.

Hmm.... it seems there are many different interpretations of 'ground up restoration', IMHO a restoration would not be painted yellow, or have rusty bolts, cracked rubber parts, brake caliper bolts and hose fittings that look tatty, and who knows what else has not been 'done'. The paint looks nice if a resto mod is what you are after, refurbished, OK but restored from the ground up, not. I think the choice of colour will knock of at least $2K in value.

[Cam3512]

Bike has had a ground up restoration. Motor and tranny were completely rebuilt with all new parts.

Hmm.... it seems there are many different interpretations of 'ground up restoration', IMHO a restoration would not be painted yellow, or have rusty bolts, cracked rubber parts, brake caliper bolts and hose fittings that look tatty, and who knows what else has not been 'done'. The paint looks nice if a resto mod is what you are after, refurbished, OK but restored from the ground up, not. I think the choice of colour will knock of at least $2K in value.

Same interpretation as the guy that "restored" mine.  Half-assed is more like it.

[Dimples]

If you zoom in on the frame and engine numbers they're both VE 76981.

I don't think that's clearly the number on the frame. That's why I asked the seller for clarification, but received no reply.

If that is the frame number then it's certainly not a Le Mans I. It's way too high. The frame and motor numbers don't necessarily match anyway.

[jazzamoto]

I don't think that's clearly the number on the frame. That's why I asked the seller for clarification, but received no reply.

If that is the frame number then it's certainly not a Le Mans I. It's way too high. The frame and motor numbers don't necessarily match anyway.

Le Mans I's exported to North America had vin #'s starting with 07, so as long as it has the VE it's legit. My '78 Le Mans is VE074757 for example.

[Cam3512]

I don't think that's clearly the number on the frame. That's why I asked the seller for clarification, but received no reply.

If that is the frame number then it's certainly not a Le Mans I. It's way too high. The frame and motor numbers don't necessarily match anyway.

YES, it is the numbers.  YES, it's correct for a US imported LeMans. And YES, they will match.  Horrible color anyway.  Guess you know better.

[guzzista]

I'd be more worried about the claim of oversize valves. The LM combustion chambers had to be deepened  in order to fit the valves when set up at the factory. Dont know how much bigger valves could be fitted  and if someone fudged things up ( irreversably ?)  putting  in larger valves.  In any case the possible  long term reliability issues would scare me off.

[JBU]

If I wanted a le mans I  (which I do), I think I would rather go for the more expensive original one on ebay than the "altered" yellow one. 

[Dimples]

YES, it is the numbers.  YES, it's correct for a US imported LeMans. And YES, they will match.  Horrible color anyway.  Guess you know better.

Regarding Le Mans I VIN numbers-- the references I consulted were the articles on This Old Tractor. Usually a reliable source. Are you saying that that information is incorrect? I'm interested in accurate information. Please direct me to it.

I'm skeptical about the eBay seller because he has not confirmed the actual VIN number in writing when requested.

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitech.dk/gb_en_technical_moto-guzzi-frame-numbers.htm