1977 LeMans Auction

[Stephen Hill]

Today at the Mecum Auction:  https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-314993/1977-moto-guzzi-lemans/
Interesting to see what it will sell for.
Any thoughts??

Stephen Hill

[gearman]

Today at the Mecum Auction:  https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-314993/1977-moto-guzzi-lemans/
Interesting to see what it will sell for.
Any thoughts??

Stephen Hill  IT SAYS SOLD.Is this true?

[canuck750]

It went for $16,500.oo, a fair price (on the high side) for the condition in my opinion.

On Thursday the 74 Ducati 750 GT, original, unrestored went for $17,050.oo

and the 75 Benelli 650S went for $8250.oo

I was surprised to see a 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 fetch $15,400.oo

[Stephen Hill]

A bit higher than I guessed.  In my other life, I am into Norton Commandos, so I was surprised to see this one:
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-314762/1973-norton-commando/
go for $27,500 US.
Nice bike, but really?

Stephen Hill

[arveno]

Seems that the le mans always sell for higher price than a  V7 Sport .  I wonder why ?

[canuck750]

Seems that the le mans always sell for higher price than a  V7 Sport .  I wonder why ?

Sex Appeal ..... the V7 Sport is in my opinion a more iconic motorcycle, built up to a high specification, the Le Mans is to many a better looker, the bike that got the attention of the press.

As much as I really like the first generation Le Mans the V7 Sport with the Borani rims and spokes coupled to a 4LS front brake, the stainless steel fenders, swan neck clip-ons, Koni shocks and the metal tool boxes all add up to a level of quality that ended with the V7 Sport / 750S.

[Tom]

The 850 LeMans being the "first" factory cafe is debatable but WOW on sales price.    I guess if I sell mine I can ask for more. 

[arveno]

The 850 LeMans being the "first" factory cafe is debatable but WOW on sales price.    I guess if I sell mine I can ask for more. 

I see what you say and i have to agree , the only think that appeal me more on the le mans are the disc brakes  it makes a le mans more "usable" on today's traffic roads

[jwinwi]

Sex Appeal ..... the V7 Sport is in my opinion a more iconic motorcycle, built up to a high specification, the Le Mans is to many a better looker, the bike that got the attention of the press.

As much as I really like the first generation Le Mans the V7 Sport with the Borani rims and spokes coupled to a 4LS front brake, the stainless steel fenders, swan neck clip-ons, Koni shocks and the metal tool boxes all add up to a level of quality that ended with the V7 Sport / 750S.

And don't forget gears in the timing chest on the early V7 Sports... The Sport has elegance and class that was gone when the LeMans went on sale. Clearly the oil filter and disc brakes make the LeMans more usable but the Sport's clean lines have much stronger appeal for me.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Sex Appeal ..... the V7 Sport is in my opinion a more iconic motorcycle, built up to a high specification, the Le Mans is to many a better looker, the bike that got the attention of the press.

As much as I really like the first generation Le Mans the V7 Sport with the Borani rims and spokes coupled to a 4LS front brake, the stainless steel fenders, swan neck clip-ons, Koni shocks and the metal tool boxes all add up to a level of quality that ended with the V7 Sport / 750S.

Agreed. IMHO, they were the epitome of "quality" engineering for Guzzi. 

[73eldorado]

Sex Appeal ..... the V7 Sport is in my opinion a more iconic motorcycle, built up to a high specification, the Le Mans is to many a better looker, the bike that got the attention of the press.

As much as I really like the first generation Le Mans the V7 Sport with the Borani rims and spokes coupled to a 4LS front brake, the stainless steel fenders, swan neck clip-ons, Koni shocks and the metal tool boxes all add up to a level of quality that ended with the V7 Sport / 750S.

The V7 sport with the 4LS is the most iconic and best looking Guzzi IMHO, although I wouldn’t kick a Lemans out of my shop because of its looks!!

[canuck750]

The V7 sport with the 4LS is the most iconic and best looking Guzzi IMHO, although I wouldn’t kick a Lemans out of my shop because of its looks!!

I have only ridden my LeMans around the block a few times before I stripped it down but my impression between the two is the LeMans was much quicker, responded to a handful of throttle with a real leap. The triple disc brakes of the Le Mans are way ahead of the V7 Sport, and the overall package of the LeMans makes for a more spirited ride. If I were pick one for a regular Sunday rider to blast around on it would have to be the LeMans.
For me the one thing the V7 Sport has over the LeMans is comfort, the V7 Sport swan necks raised all the way up make for a pretty comfortable ride for a couple hours.
The V7 Sport brakes are ok, not great but they will haul it down with a big handful of brake lever.

[Tom]

 :1: on the comments for the 850 LeMans over the V7Sport 1973

[Devildog]

$14,300 bought the pretty Eldorado.

[73eldorado]

I have only ridden my LeMans around the block a few times before I stripped it down but my impression between the two is the LeMans was much quicker, responded to a handful of throttle with a real leap. The triple disc brakes of the Le Mans are way ahead of the V7 Sport, and the overall package of the LeMans makes for a more spirited ride. If I were pick one for a regular Sunday rider to blast around on it would have to be the LeMans.
For me the one thing the V7 Sport has over the LeMans is comfort, the V7 Sport swan necks raised all the way up make for a pretty comfortable ride for a couple hours.
The V7 Sport brakes are ok, not great but they will haul it down with a big handful of brake lever.

owning a Lemans  myself I agree with the performance advantage. My opinion of the V7 is on the looks only!!

[dsrdave]

The lemans was a decent rider but by no means an original unmolested bike.  Switch gear upgraded, front shocks upgraded and a number of other minor items. Paint was ok an I believe original, but the black had been waxed/polished so much as to become a gloss finish...

[73eldorado]

$14,300 bought the pretty Eldorado.

it seems that the Eldorado prices keep going up, people are realizing what a great looking bike it is and its a great tourer also.

[JJ]

This 1977 850 Le Mans went for $15,000 and it was nice...but not that nice (IMHO).  Still market values for these survivors is climbing...

[blackcat]

Well, I just purchased a round tail light Lemans yesterday. Not together, but it's nice to know that I shouldn't exceed the current value when finished.

Anyone know the PPG code for the Ice Blue Lemans?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I really liked riding my customer Jim's '78 Le Mans with the Corbin seat it had on it. It was much less comfortable when fitted with a reproduction of the original seat.

My favorite of the early "sporting" Tontis is still a '74 V7 Sport with disc brakes. Very enjoyable bike to ride because of the "normal" braking and all day comfortable. I have a crusty 850-T that might end up being a 750S clone/tribute.

[Aaron D.]

I had long term ownership of both an early V7 Sport and a '77 LeMans.

The V7 Sport was something special, in so many ways, and buying it (new) is one of the highlights of my motorcycling memories.

That said, the LM is a better motorcycle-which should surprise nobody. I still miss it.

[Devildog]

Sold for $14,300. Not sure if the quoted prices are the hammer price or with the buyers premium added. A few years ago a nice LeMans mk 1 would not have reached 10k, so that result and prices for other 70-80's era bikes show that collectors are likely pleased with rising values, and the auction houses are doing even better, the cumulative results for Vegas seem to be far above previous years.
We're there lots of buyers attending , or were investors/buyers buying lots of bikes?

[JJ]

QUOTE:  We're there lots of buyers attending , or were investors/buyers buying lots of bikes?

Yes, lots of buyers attending, lots of sellers also, farming out their collections, one major collector I know had >120 bikes there!!  

There were >1,750 bikes at MECUM alone!  Record prices and attendees, I believe...

Not so many bikes  at BONHAM's, in fact, less than last year.  Personally not attending that one next year.

Restored vintage motocross bikes prices were particularly strong this year. 

High-end custom "choppers" from past years brought next to nothing...

I saw more than a handful each of Honda CBX's, Honda CB750's, HD XLCR's, Suzuki GT750's, Kawasaki Z1 900's.

See all results and lots (46 pages) at www.mecum.com