Dreams really do come true!

[Idontwantapickle]

Some of you know already how I came to realize that I absolutely had to have a Guzzi. Long story short my BMW K100RS broke catastrophically a long way from home. My room mate at the time, Rob Webb, had a 1985 LeMans 1000. We had ridden many miles together often at high velocity on twisty roads. I rode home that day on the back of the LeMans. I was sold, I immediately began looking and soon bought the Eldorado that I still ride now over 30 years later.
I then had a few (!) other Italian bikes and had a good relationship with Eric Phillippe. Eric and his wife Emily owned Midway Cycles in Lillington NC. For my 25th birthday my present to myself was to quit my job working for an ungrateful bastard and talk Eric into hiring me. I had been fixing stuff that burned gas since I was quite young and he was agreeable as he was still recovering from a bad crash the previous fall while racing his Ducati F1.
The time I spent working at Midway was magical. Eric was a terrific mentor and I worked on all manner of very interesting European and British bikes not to mention the racing bikes that I had the privilege of helping him build.
All through this time I still favored the Guzzis. Easy to work on, strong runners and fun to ride. My favorite was still the LeMans 1000 as it is set apart in many good ways from it's predecessors. Also it is fast, capable, comfortable and easy to look at. I've had this poster in my garage for many years:




So it's no secret I love a LeMans 1000, right?
Two years ago I meet Medic Andy and he is riding a red (you guessed it) LeMans 1000. We get together and tune up his 1100 Sports as needed and become good friends. Anyone who has met him will tell you he is a great guy!
I had told him that if he ever sold the LeMans to let me know. Not too long ago he did, he was going to trade it in a deal and asked me if I wanted it. I passed, I didn't feel like I had the resources to take it on then. Then he asks me to help clean the carbs and tune it before he ships it off. He brings it to the house and stands there while I reflect on regretting that I turned him down on such a fabulous bike. But Andy is the Master of the Deal. He just let me keep going until I decided I really needed it. Only then does he pipe up and say he would be happy for me to have it. What are friends for?
So here's my dream bike. I giggle like a schoolgirl everytime I ride it! Thanks Andy!
Hunter
 

[guzzisteve]

Congrats

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[Lannis]

Great story, and a happy ending!

Except for the "giggling like a schoolgirl" part ... that's a bit weird.   

Lannis

[Bill Owens]

Great story, and a happy ending!

Except for the "giggling like a schoolgirl" part ... that's a bit weird.   

Lannis

In our family we call it the queer tingles.

Good for you man!

[inditx]

 :1:

Enjoy!

[Chuck in Indiana]

I can't imagine why anyone would be enamored of a red Tonti LeMans..

[malik]

It's wonder-full when friends know you & your dreams better than you do yourself. And I love the sales technique. Congratulations.

[Guzzi Gal]

:1: Kismet!

[Turin]

Beautiful bike, especially at that angle. It looks mean and purposeful. Congrats !

[Devildog]

Well done. Don't ever ever think about selling it!

[dxhall]

I have a 1990 LM 1000.  I have tried to figure out why I like it so much, and I think it is largely because of the flywheel weight.  The LM V revs much faster than the Eldo, but does’t have the fast reving sort of snap of the ‘02 V11.  I am thinking about buying bag mounts for it and taking it to Utah in September.

[SED]

Congratulations to you and Medic Andy.  Outstanding!

[Idontwantapickle]

Thanks for all the kind words!

[JJ]

Good for you and CONGRATS on that beautiful red Le Mans!  :1:

[twowings]

Now you must bring it to rallies!  With great power comes great responsibility...

[Zoom Zoom]

I can't imagine why anyone would be enamored of a red Tonti LeMans..

Yeah, I mean RED of all colors.  Congrats on the new to you bike!

John Henry