“More than any other motorcycle, it epitomizes the mid to late-1970’s factory “cafe racer” style.”
VIN VE 070505
1976 MOTO GUZZI 850 LE MANS 1
THIS MOTORCYCLE'S STORY
—Lemans history by Tim Parker
Tonti, essentially a “frame man” made a plan to meet De Stefani’s goal of “200 kilometers per hour, 200 kilograms, and five speeds.”
That’s 125mph, 440lb and 5-speeds in American. His plan was the V7 Sport first seen in 1971. Sure it met the goal but it was also a looker, and the frame was masterful, low, stiff and with good ground clearance, and tight to the engine – but with the lower frame rails removable. Watchword: balance.
"Beautifully restored paint, original brakes, upgraded suspension, all original switch gear... this is a three owner Le Mans"
“While the specially prepared Guzzi 750s were roaring round and round the Monza speed bowl in October 1969, breaking the records Moto Guzzi had set in June, Chief Engineer Lino Tonti, Managing Director Romolo De Stefani, and President Dore Letto were discussing how Moto Guzzi could follow up the new records.”
A lightly-tuned 850 version of the Sport “was raced in the Bol d’Or 24 hour endurance race at Le Mans, France in September 1971. The Guzzi led the race for the first 10 hours but mechanical difficulties and a crash dropped the Sport back to third place…” The rest is history.
“Now acknowledged as one of the great sporting motorcycles of the 1970’s, the Le Mans was a Masterpiece ”
The 850 Le Mans “gave Guzzi a high profile in the world of sporting
bikes…” for what “the Le Mans had going for it…was even more important
than actual performance – the look of performance – and this gave it the
edge to win the most important race of all, the race out of the showroom
door.”
Cafe styling was all the rage in the mid-1970s – even Harley-Davidson got into the act – but no one did it better than Guzzi. Arguably, Guzzi had Norton, Laverda and Ducati – all cafe “influencers” - nailed with the Le Mans.
DETAILS
VIN VE 070505
19,780 miles
Excellent paint
Lafranconi Exhaust
FAC fork dampers, upgraded springs
Stainless brake lines
Newer seats
Excellent running condition
All original switchgear in perfect working order
Ikon shocks
Study both front and side profiles.
Here we have a near perfect integrated design—balancing shape with color with utility.
Both form and function in harmony. This example had the paint restored by the third (current) owner at 18k miles, at that time the forks were re-done and the rear shocks upgraded to Ikon's. This Le Mans is in excellent shape and comes from a collector that focused on bikes that could be ridden and enjoyed.
PHOTOS BY: JAMES TYLER REED
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY, SELL, OR TRADE A SPECIFIC
DUCATI, LAVERDA, MOTO GUZZI, MV AGUSTA FOR SALE
DISCLAIMER
Every single bike I buy and sell, I personally go through—not someone else. I am the owner operator of my small business, and I take what I do very seriously. I work on the bikes, I ride the bikes.
If you are serious about buying a true collector piece from someone who not only has a passion for these bikes, but works on them, rides them, and collects them then call me. Jokingly people say to me, “these bikes don’t seem so rare as there are so many in your shop” well... I consider myself a custodian for these machines, they should go to people who will love, and appreciate them.