Couple of White Le Mans III bikes for sale

[Dimples]

These may be of interest to someone (Chuck). There's one on CL and another on Ebay currently. The CL example looks pretty good, but the Ebay photos are lacking.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/5053789642.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261930363988?item=261930363988&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

[Phang]

Very tempting to bid for the one in ebay because it says:-

FREE Standard Int'l Shipping 

[arveno]

it's not free shipping....
free delivery to LA airport....

[harrytief]

I am looking for a white lm3 and am happy to persue any leads. I'll be in NYC the week of the 27th to look at the one in Brooklyn. Anyone know/looked at that bike?The price seems quite high.
Harry

[dan_s]

The ebay bike could be from the same guzzigray of this BB

[cruzziguzzi]

While I appreciate their rarity, they always leave me a bit cold.

As I seem to feel that certain design houses, manufacturers and in some cases - nations or ethnicities form a shape with predetermined colors in mind - White Moto Guzzis always strike me as unpainted objects.

I see nearly everything styled by an Italian to have been expected to be presented in one form or other of red. Sure, they can be painted differently and Homer or Shakespeare can be translated too. In every case, somethin's lost.

Todd.

[Dimples]

While I appreciate their rarity, they always leave me a bit cold.

As I seem to feel that certain design houses, manufacturers and in some cases - nations or ethnicities form a shape with predetermined colors in mind - White Moto Guzzis always strike me as unpainted objects.

I see nearly everything styled by an Italian to have been expected to be presented in one form or other of red. Sure, they can be painted differently and Homer or Shakespeare can be translated too. In every case, somethin's lost.

Todd.

I disagree. Here's why:

The very graphic design of the LM III is best represented by a white version because the contrast of white (positive space) and black (negative space) accentuates the obvious diagonal motif of the design. A black band running around the fuel tank integrates it with the harsh seat and isolates (also proportions) the the vertical tank sides. Viewed in profile the angle of the rear fuel tank and seat bisects the side panels exactly and splits them into positive and negative areas. Like a folded paper airplane the two side fairings are defined by having their lower and inner surfaces painted black (in shadow) and the upper and outer surfaces white. Those are elaborately designed and painted parts to behold! Finally the fairing graphics work best on a white field. The 2 black daggers separating the front surface from the sides. The fluorescent orange graphic clashes badly on a red background, but is a distinctive feature on white.

Almost everything that contributes to a continuity of design in the LM III is missing from its big brother the 1000. Notice how easily its design scales down as the Monza. Which I would argue looks best in the lighter ice blue than the darker red version. But that's a different subject.

[sdcr]

Dave,

 Thanks for the essay on the Lemans design! I will see my Le Mans in a new light now.   

 As to the two listed, on E bay and CL, quite a contrast in pricing.

John 83 Le Mans

[SteveAZ]

And even more impotantly, everyone knows the white ones are faster.

[JBU]

David you did a great job of explaining the visual impact of the  lemans III in the black and white motif.  Some colors show off lines better than others.  Shadow play on white objects are damn right sexy.

I love my red 1100 sport, I would not want it in any other color except maybe black. 

The eldo works well in white also.  There's one on ebay now with a lovely rust patina, wich I absolutely adore, makes me want to pour muriac acid on my eldo.

Yes, red screams Italian.  Fire, passion and tomatoe sauce, but it is nice to see other colors.

[sdcr]

So the ebay Le Mans III, with an opening bid of $5000., has yet to get a bid.  After four days on ebay, no bites.

Conversely, the CL  Le Mans is listed for almost $9000.

With such a large gap between these two prices, hard to guage where the III series values are today, based on these examples.

John

Le Mans III

[cruzziguzzi]

I disagree. Here's why:

The very graphic design of the LM III is best represented by a white version because the contrast of white (positive space) and black (negative space) accentuates the obvious diagonal motif of the design. A black band running around the fuel tank integrates it with the harsh seat and isolates (also proportions) the the vertical tank sides. Viewed in profile the angle of the rear fuel tank and seat bisects the side panels exactly and splits them into positive and negative areas. Like a folded paper airplane the two side fairings are defined by having their lower and inner surfaces painted black (in shadow) and the upper and outer surfaces white. Those are elaborately designed and painted parts to behold! Finally the fairing graphics work best on a white field. The 2 black daggers separating the front surface from the sides. The fluorescent orange graphic clashes badly on a red background, but is a distinctive feature on white.

Almost everything that contributes to a continuity of design in the LM III is missing from its big brother the 1000. Notice how easily its design scales down as the Monza. Which I would argue looks best in the lighter ice blue than the darker red version. But that's a different subject.

I get all of that. A well presented opinion with scads of comparative observation to back it up. I simply can not disagree with you as it is presented but do have this in my defense as far as appreciating it in white...

Your short dissertation while exceptionally difficult to argue against when applied in a cold and impassionate appreciation of the color selection smacks of the myriad writings I've come across demanding that I appreciate that Florentine trollop and her presentation as some of the higher offerings of art in general and feminine assets/whiles weilding in particular.

A white lemans? The La Gioconda of the MG line-up for me. A striking example of what "coulda been" in both cases. So much left on the table especially relative to the gushing enthusiasm they receive.

Simply put though - you're absolutely correct... 100%!

But I don't "get it" none the less. Sure did dig the point of view though. It's insurmountable logic with which I don't agree that intrigues me the most. Every single time I look at a white one from now on, I expect to recall your words and rechew my lack of appreciation for the color - or lack of - as it were.

Todd.

[guzziart]

There are a couple Lemans' in the classified here...an '87 SE & a '77 III....both look nice!