The Le Mans was
launched in 1975 and built on the same lines
as its predecessor, albeit suitably modified.
The heart of the bike is an 844cc engine which,
breathing through twin 36 mm carburettors produces
a very healthy 81 bhp at 7600 rpm. That figure
is impressive enough, but it doesn't really
convey exactly what the engine is like. As the
crank is longitudinally mounted a blip of the
throttle at standstill will tip the bike slightly
to the right just
like a BMW, but the Guzzi motor feels and sounds
a lot more brutal than that of the German machine,
The pushrod engine uses a 10-2:1 compression
ratio which enhances the impression of power,
and one is left thinking that this machine is
certainly a no-compromise sportster. Power is
fed through a dry-twin-plate clutch to a five-speed
gearbox and thence to a shaft drive. The gearchange
of the Le Mans is quite easy with a very light
action and, although extra care has to be taken
when changing down to lower gears, the problem
is not quite as acute as on other shaft-final-drive
bikes.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 |
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Engine - 948.8cc, air-cooled 90 degree,
V-twin
Horsepower - 84bhp @ 7800rpm
Top Speed - 140 mph (224kph)
Transmission - 5 speed
Bore x Stroke - 88 x 78mm
Final Drive - shaft
Wheelbase - 1511mm (59.5in
Dry Weight - 216kg (475lb
Standing Quarter Mile - 12.9sec
Launch date - 1984 |
Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 |
 |
Engine - 844cc, air-cooled transverse
V-twin
Horsepower - 71bhp
Top Speed - 130 mph
Produced - 1975-1980 |
| 1976 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans Mk1 |
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| 1976 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans Mk1 |
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The original Le Mans was replaced by the
Le Mans II which featured a larger nose
fairing, revised instruments and some extra
bodywork around the bulbous and protruding
cylinders. The revised looks could not disguise
the brutal nature of a very capable and
thoroughbred machine, however. |
1977 Moto Guzzi Le Mans, 844cc |
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| 1977 Moto Guzzi Le Mans Replica |
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844cc, 80bhp. |
| 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans Mk2 |
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Like other Moto Guzzis of the period,
the LeMans was built on a tubular frame,
a section of which could be unbolted to
allow for easy removal of the engine.
It also had a linked braking system where
the foot pedal controlled not only the
rear disc, but also one of the twin front
discs; the other was activated by the
conventional hand-brake lever.
Unique to the 1978 Moto Guzzi LeMans
motorcycle was a bikini fairing, clip-on
handlebars, and distinct badging and trim. |
| 1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II |
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Converted to MkI lookalike. |
| 1979 Moto Guzzi Mk2 Le Mans |
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| 1979 Moto Guzzi Mk1 Le Mans, 850cc |
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Prepared by spanners motorcycles. |
1980 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II, 844cc |
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1981 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III |
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| 1981 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II |
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| 1981 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III |
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The '83 Le Mans has 44 individual changes
compared to the Mark II, and even more matched
against the CX100. Externally, angular cooling
fins and new bodywork identify the new model,
but the real changes hide inside. |
| 1983 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkIII |
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| 1985 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 Mk4 |
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| 1988 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 Mk5 |
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The Mk5's overall picture, and salient
attribute, is one of gradual refinement
rather than (apart from the aforementioned
hiccup) radical change. A two-wheeled equivalent,
if you will, of the Porsche 911 - itself
a sporting enigma even by its own constructor's
admission -the 1988 Le Mans is as good as
it has ever been, which is no bad thing
at all. |
| 1989 Moto Guzzi Le Mans Stucchi Specials |
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