The "very good provenance" of this Le Mans V?

[LeRoy]

If I'm not mistaken, what looks to be the Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 (Le Mans V) that broke two land speed records at Bonneville and other venues in 1999 is on offer on eBay. I don't recall events of that period, but it is described well in this recounting from the MGNOC website:

http://www.mgnoc.com/article_land_speed_record.html

The eBay ad is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Moto-Guzzi-Lemans-V/302422070611?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649





What I'd be interested in knowing is what became of the engine that powered the actual record-breaking effort. The eBay ad indicates that, "The engine was rebuilt and renewed when it was taken out of racing" but it isn't clear whether this means a return to stock or a freshening of the race engine. It also seems likely that there were differences between the engine as used in the two class records the bike achieved. I'll make inquiries of the seller to see what's to be learned.

No doubt some members of the board were around and involved in this effort. Anybody have a story to tell?

[Chuck in Indiana]

IIRC, for the modified record, the seat was removed, and velocity stacks were made out of paper cups.  Sydney Conn, (now Motus) was there with the Guzzi balloon. Tip Paul, too. I don't remember the rest. Mitch Freshour was the rider..It *seems like* Bill Ross, who posts here occasionally was involved, but memory fails me.

[Groover]

Curious as well.

[Socalrob]

Seems to be a pretty fair buy-it-now price.

[fotoguzzi]

Why not ask the seller?

[LeRoy]

Why not ask the seller?

As noted in the original post, I have.

Waiting for a reply but it seems that the seller is Sidney Conn. There's confirmation of the provenance, if more was needed.

[Idontwantapickle]

It seems like that bike should be in Barber's.

[Chuck in Indiana]

As noted in the original post, I have.

Waiting for a reply but it seems that the seller is Sidney Conn. There's confirmation of the provenance, if more was needed.

I thought it might be, since it is in Birmingham.

[Guzzidad]

   Just a little more history of that bike. I owned that bike between 1992-1996. I was the second owner. The original owner traded it for a 1991 LeMans. After a very late night of partying and a long ride home I fell asleep and drove it into a ditch. The bike wasn't damaged too bad, just handlebars and muffler damage, but the insurance company totaled it. It had approximately 60,000 miles on it. I, on the other hand, had a few bones to heal. Just a collar bone and two ribs. Both the original owner and I were residents of Wisconsin.
   Sydney bought it from the insurance company and fixed it up like new. He took the engine apart and found there was absolutely no wear internally. I had always used Mobil 1 15-50.
   Later, I moved to Florida, and through the old Guzzi web site, found that Sydney had bought it and what his intentions were. I met Sydney in Maxton and had dinner with him. Heck of a nice guy. I also gave him the original owners manual and a copy of a dyno run I had done at the Sport Bike Rally in Perry Sound Ontario.
   I loved that bike. I sold my 87 883 Sportster and my wife's 535 Virago to buy it. It was SO much better than my previous 850T. Not that the T was a bad bike, but the LeMans was awesome in comparison.
  I now have an 01 EV with 112K miles on it and a 2012 Norge with 37K miles. I've had other bikes as well but I keep coming back to Guzzi.

[twowings]

Bikes used in competition have a special beauty above the design...that would look perfect in a Guzzi-lover's living room! 

[radguzzi]

I would be interested to know the VIN on this '89... 

I lost track of the one I bought NEW in 1990, it ended up in Southern New England last I knew..  Just wonder if it ended up at Bonneville...?

     

[LeRoy]

I would be interested to know the VIN on this '89... 

    

An abbreviated VIN is given in the auction notes: "100502"

I expect that these are the final six digits of the VIN. That should be enough to compare with yours, Rob. If it's a match, you should probably have first dibs. If Guzzidad doesn't want it, that is. Time for a little popcorn of my own...

  

[Zoom Zoom]

IIRC, for the modified record, the seat was removed, and velocity stacks were made out of paper cups.  Sydney Conn, (now Motus) was there with the Guzzi balloon. Tip Paul, too. I don't remember the rest. Mitch Freshour was the rider..It *seems like* Bill Ross, who posts here occasionally was involved, but memory fails me.

I have the postcard on the fridge with that bike and the balloon in the background. Now that I think about it, that would make a nice 8X10 on the wall.

John Henry

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have the postcard on the fridge with that bike and the balloon in the background. Now that I think about it, that would make a nice 8X10 on the wall.

John Henry

Autographed by Mitch? 

[Zoom Zoom]

Autographed by Mitch? 

Sadly, no. You lucky dog you!

John Henry