Darned LeMans IV.

[Tobit]

Haven't ridden much at all this year as I'm also my daughter's ride to and from school and use my truck at work fairly regularly.  Weekends are tied up with other obligations too.

School's out now so I rode last week a couple of times and darned if I didn't fall in love with the old nail all over again.

A roarty, unrefined, but swift machine does have a charm all it's own. 

Tobit

[double.d]

I know what you mean. Every time I get on mine I think, damn this is good.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

 ;-T Rode a customer's last Summer and decided I needed one again. Every bit as fun as I remembered the '86 I bought new (sold in '88) was. Looking forward to getting this project '86 on the road!

[Guzzistajohn]

I smell what you're steppin' in Tobit, there's nothing like flogging an old LeMans. They seem to just beg for more. :bike

[dan_s]

No idea what you're talking about

https://plus.google.com/photos/107415549040285378069/albums/5695328697633326353/6139509708869531362?banner=pwa&pid=6139509708869531362&oid=107415549040285378069

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, I have a baby LeMans, but it's a keeper.. and my daily driver.  ;D

[dilligaf]

I ride mine for a week and switch to another motorcycle.  About a month later it will be the LeMans turn again and I always wonder why I parked it.

 ;D  :BEER:
Matt

[oldmxdog61u]

Love mine too.

[wrbix]

Yep, ROARTY is the word.

[Tobit]

They just seem such a unique experience, especially in this modern motorcycling world.  On the way home from a friends the other night I passed by a custom HD three-wheeler, complete with neon, metalflake and wide rear end.  He was in the left lane, I was in the middle and no one in the right.  At the stoplight he pulled up next to me, close as he could get in my lane to my right.  The custom skinny wheel about two feet from my leg.  I was probably in front of his left rear tire.  Older guy, like me.

He looked over the LeMans, flipped up his visor and gave a big thumbs up.  The gesture was returned and when the light turned green I got the heck out of the way of his rear end.

Unique without the custom costs.

Tobit

[Joe A.]

I don't have a LeMans, but have had a similar experience with my '01 Jackal. I put less than 700 miles on the old girl the past 4 years. I had the EV, Quota and Goldwing until last year, then I bought the NC 700x (which I really, really like)! Took her out a couple of weeks ago for a couple hundred mile ride, and holy Feces! I forgot what a visceral beast this bike is! I put on the '02 stone handlebars that I bought from a member here last year, and the Mistral x over I bought 2 years ago last weekend, and I have fallen in love all over again. I'll be taking her to the WNY rally next week. These are truly very special motorcycles. I need another one....can you say V7?  :bike

[MotoGoosy]

Yes, it's a love/hate relationship, love the bike, hate the engine, hop on it, take off, Oh, this feels good, a couple hours later ya feel like you've gone across country on a '57 Cushman.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yes, it's a love/hate relationship, love the bike, hate the engine, hop on it, take off, Oh, this feels good, a couple hours later ya feel like you've gone across country on a '57 Cushman.

<sigh> The engine is the best part of a Guzzi. If yours is like you say, there is something totally wrong with it.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'll probably be "upside down" financially on mine by time it's done, but I don't really care. Should be glorious sounding with the LaFranconi Competiziones singing their song, should be a pretty good runner too.  :)

[dilligaf]

Yes, it's a love/hate relationship, love the bike, hate the engine, hop on it, take off, Oh, this feels good, a couple hours later ya feel like you've gone across country on a '57 Cushman.

<sigh> The engine is the best part of a Guzzi. If yours is like you say, there is something totally wrong with it.

I agree. I like the engine and the riding position. I've put some long, gas tank to gas tank, days on mine and enjoyed every moment.

 :BEER:
Matt

[jumpmaster]

;-T Rode a customer's last Summer and decided I needed one again. Every bit as fun as I remembered the '86 I bought new (sold in '88) was. Looking forward to getting this project '86 on the road!

Hey, Charlie.  I got the opportunity to ride a 71 Ambassador for several hundred miles last weekend, courtesy of Retrotours.  Before that, I wondered why you seemed to be riding one every time I saw you even tho I assumed you had other choices.  Now I understand - lots of fun within its limitations.  I haven't tried a LeMans, but I suspect that the seating position would be painful for my ancient body except for short rides of 2 hrs or less.  I put the stock handlebars back on my Mille - the low bars the last owner put on it looked racy, but I'd rather be comfortable.

[oldmxdog61u]

I lowered my bars, and it is more comfortable than ever. I must be regressing to youth and the fetal position. I love mine, and ditto on how much i like the character of the motor, and the sheer pleasure i get from riding, or from sitting with a cup of joe and admiring her like a work of art. Funny, after soooo many bikes the lemans grabs my attention and imagination like none before.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Hey, Charlie.  I got the opportunity to ride a 71 Ambassador for several hundred miles last weekend, courtesy of Retrotours.  Before that, I wondered why you seemed to be riding one every time I saw you even tho I assumed you had other choices.  Now I understand - lots of fun within its limitations.  I haven't tried a LeMans, but I suspect that the seating position would be painful for my ancient body except for short rides of 2 hrs or less.  I put the stock handlebars back on my Mille - the low bars the last owner put on it looked racy, but I'd rather be comfortable.

Yep. An Ambassador will always be my main bike. Best choice for where and how I ride. The Le Mans and Paso will be for shorter, "spirited" rides on days when the cobwebs need to be blown out of my cranium. ;-) However, my Le Mans came with a nice pair of Tarozzi clip-ons which are at least 1" higher than original. Should make it tolerable for longer. It's gotta' be more comfortable than the Centauro was and I did a few 250 mile rides on that.

[pressureangle]

<sigh>

On the cusp of finishing mine, I have to attend business out-of-state for maybe a month.

But season's long down here, I'll make up for it afterwards.

[lazlokovacs]

mine currently has its heads off to be re-conditioned... you guys are making me miss it

it's a crazy bike, pure love/hate in my opinion

so visceral you forgive it all its shortcomings.

any opinions on if there's much to gain porting the heads on these?

[kevdog3019]

mine currently has its heads off to be re-conditioned... you guys are making me miss it

it's a crazy bike, pure love/hate in my opinion

so visceral you forgive it all its shortcomings.

any opinions on if there's much to gain porting the heads on these?

I'm told porting the heads on Guzzi's is about the best bang for your buck in performance. 

[pockomoth]

My '87, Ohlins rear, Bitubo forks, de-linked brakes, K & N intake, lighter throttle springs, Sargent seat, it's a satisfying ride, every time.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Ariel]

Well, I have a baby LeMans, but it's a keeper.. and my daily driver.  ;D

סחתיין על התמונות

[Tom]

'87 LM IV SE with 16" front wheel out here. 

[dan_s]

סחתיין על התמונות

Ariel, alcohol and computers don't mix

[Scud]

I have not ridden an older LeMans, but this is exactly how I feel about my V11s.

It's nice having the BMW brick as a commuter - so I can get that "wow, this is cool" feeling when I get back on the Guzzis. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have not ridden an older LeMans, but this is exactly how I feel about my V11s.

It's nice having the BMW brick as a commuter - so I can get that "wow, this is cool" feeling when I get back on the Guzzis. 

They're not as "refined" as the V11s, Scud.. and that's a good thing in many ways. Is it as competent? Ahhh, no. Doesn't matter, of course.

[jas67]

I'll probably be "upside down" financially on mine by time it's done, but I don't really care. Should be glorious sounding with the LaFranconi Competiziones singing their song, should be a pretty good runner too.  :)

When restoring a motorcycle, if you don't spend more than it's worth, then you cut corners somewhere.

[jas67]

Dang it guys, you're making me want a Tonti Le Mans more and more.

There is a nice looking red '87 with 19k miles for $4,500 on craigslist that has been calling me.

[flower_king001]

My 1986 Lemans has been my favorite bike I have owned of all time...

Brian

1986 Lemans IV
1998 EV 1100
2006 Breva 1100
1971 BMW R75/5