Lemans 3 Race Replica Help

[swooshdave]

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/4-hours-of-spa-classic-zmjz12jfzbea/





A few years ago a friend of mine (Chris Page, white leathers) raced a Lemans 3 at Spa. He has gathered up the parts to make a replica of the bike he raced there. He sent the correct Marzocchi forks to Maxton to have the built to the same specs as the race bike but they were lost in shipment on the way back. This was a big setback as these forks probably aren't the easiest to find.

This is secondhand information so correct me but I believe the stock forks on the Lemans were Moto Guzzi and not Marzocchi? The racebike had 38mm tubes.

Any suggestions on where to find at least the lowers? I believe Maxton will be provide tubes and all of the other parts.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Not at all what you are asking, but I have a LMIV fork I would donate to anyone who wants it, but you will have to cover shipping.

[spmoto]

They possibly were Marzocchi 38mm Strada forks, a popular upgrade from the 35mm stock forks back in the day. You might try checking with Harpers as they used to sell them. Stein Diense (sp) might also be able to assist. Oh, and Moto Guzzi Classics in Cali.

Steve M

P.S. That's a beautiful racer! Love the wheels!

[Groover]

I'd love to get a set of those Astralite wheels.

[swooshdave]

I'd love to get a set of those Astralite wheels.

Let me guess, those are rare too? 

[Groover]

I've seen lots of them on photos like this, but never any for sale. I'd say they are hoarded maybe.. 

[swooshdave]

I've seen lots of them on photos like this, but never any for sale. I'd say they are hoarded maybe.. 

No offense but this forum is full of said hoarders. 

[Tom]

+1 

[swooshdave]

A couple leads so far but nothing solid. Bevelheaven has some lowers but not both sides. I’m sure something will turn up. Mostly because I’m patient and yet persistent. 

[spmoto]

So Dave, not to single you out but I'm getting a bit fed up. I was the second responder to your query, and I thought I offered some useful and relevant information and not so much as a thank you from you! This is the fourth time this has happened lately, hence this little rant. I've been an avid Guzzi owner and enthusiast since the late 70's and have amassed considerable knowledge of and familiarity with these machines. I'm also happy to share when the opportunity arises but I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm for doing so. Call me old school or what have you but rude is rude.
Steve M

[guzzista]

A couple leads so far but nothing solid. Bevelheaven has some lowers but not both sides. I’m sure something will turn up. Mostly because I’m patient and yet persistent. 

The Ducati (Bevel) fork legs/ lowers had cast lugs for 280mm  discs, not 300mm as the LM1,2,3 so even if you found some , more mods/ adapters etc needed. The 38mm Marzocchi Strada  for LM 1/2/3 application were distributed by the long gone  Cosmopolitan  Motors.
I purchased several sets  from them in the late 1980's/ early 1990's but they have not been  in production for quite awhile.

Cali3/1100 and SP3 have 40mm forks and 300mm rotors. Easy to bore the Marzocchi triples 2mm. I They are 40mm longer that the LM3 , but that would be easy to adjust, cut or modify via shorter damper rods/springs.
LM4/ 1000 are also 40mm but the caliper lugs are for 270mm discs IIRC
 Some years of T5/ SP2, 1000 Strada/ GT had 38mm forks but the 16 inch wheel models had 270mm discs...Good luck

[swooshdave]

The Ducati (Bevel) fork legs/ lowers had cast lugs for 280mm  discs, not 300mm as the LM1,2,3 so even if you found some , more mods/ adapters etc needed. The 38mm Marzocchi Strada  for LM 1/2/3 application were distributed by the long gone  Cosmopolitan  Motors.
I purchased several sets  from them in the late 1980's/ early 1990's but they have not been  in production for quite awhile.

Cali3/1100 and SP3 have 40mm forks and 300mm rotors. Easy to bore the Marzocchi triples 2mm. I They are 40mm longer that the LM3 , but that would be easy to adjust, cut or modify via shorter damper rods/springs.
LM4/ 1000 are also 40mm but the caliper lugs are for 270mm discs IIRC
 Some years of T5/ SP2, 1000 Strada/ GT had 38mm forks but the 16 inch wheel models had 270mm discs...Good luck

I have no delusions this will be easy or cheap.

[Turin]

Andrews racebike has come a long way since that article. I can ask him about the forks.

[Groover]

Hoarder to Hoarder(s) here, hit me up when you guys are ready to pass along those wheels...    I've been off for a while from guzzi parts collecting, so I could use something new to keep in a box stored away ;-)


Best of luck with the quest on this project. Looks like you have the A-team here helping on in this.

[swooshdave]

Andrews racebike has come a long way since that article. I can ask him about the forks.

I'm quite sure that Chris has been staying in contact with Andrew.

[Tom]

Not at all what you are asking, but I have a LMIV fork I would donate to anyone who wants it, but you will have to cover shipping.

If no one else can use them.  I'm in.  I have a LeMans IV SE and a Lemans 1000.  They will be used.  Let me know.   

[swooshdave]

So Dave, not to single you out but I'm getting a bit fed up. I was the second responder to your query, and I thought I offered some useful and relevant information and not so much as a thank you from you! This is the fourth time this has happened lately, hence this little rant. I've been an avid Guzzi owner and enthusiast since the late 70's and have amassed considerable knowledge of and familiarity with these machines. I'm also happy to share when the opportunity arises but I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm for doing so. Call me old school or what have you but rude is rude.
Steve M

I'm afraid you might want to chill out a bit. For one thing it wasn't done intentionally. Secondly I did see it and I reached out to those places and no luck. So if you would like to take it personally then go ahead and do so. But don't bother making a post about how insulted you are. 

[swooshdave]

Great news! I've secured the forks for my friend. I know this will be hard to believe but someone out there was hoarding parts. 

Next up will be trying to find the wheels. No problem, right? 

[Tom]

 

[cliffrod]

Great news! I've secured the forks for my friend. I know this will be hard to believe but someone out there was hoarding parts. 

Next up will be trying to find the wheels. No problem, right? 

Good luck finding astralites.  Should you find a suitable pair, it will be about the opportunity to acquire them & not what they cost… 

[swooshdave]

Good luck finding astralites.  Should you find a suitable pair, it will be about the opportunity to acquire them & not what they cost…

This might be one of those "cost not an issue" kind of builds. But it's not my money so I'm not worried. 

[Turin]

Personally, the idea of a riveted wheel makes me a little nervous. EPM wheels are available .

[cliffrod]

This might be one of those "cost not an issue" kind of builds. But it's not my money so I'm not worried. 

Sounds good.  If you find a set, don’t dally thinking the next set will be a better deal.  We searched for many years to replace a damaged front astralite.  Doing it now for a “cost is not an issue” project, buying a bike to harvest a proper set & resell that bike would be a very viable option imho.