This piece of historical art has been newly delivered in Italy, while the transformation from classic sports bike to vintage cafe racer has been entirely fulfilled by a Dutch specialist. The original color was Rosso Fuoco, but with such a cool vintage style you deserve to have a gorgeous polished petrol tank and fresh Verde Oliva metallic bodywork!
This Moto Guzzi Le Mans 850 started its career in Italy, April 1981. Alejandro de Tomaso was Guzzi’s factory owner at that time. That name comes familiar? Correct: it was the same owner of – and same name as the famous Italian car manufacturer. Now, that can’t be coincidence…
Back in 1994 the motorcycle moved to the Netherlands, where it was possessed by a single owner until 2013. During that period, the Le Mans 850 remained in its original condition. In the next two years, the Guzzi was stored in a garage nearby for most of the time. However, the third (and last so far) Dutch owner clearly had other plans with the sports bike.
He insisted to sell the motorcycle to him several times, which finally paid off in 2015. Shortly thereafter a thorough restoration followed. This happened in collaboration with a specialist who was also a friend. Someone who had great attention to detail, as you can see... No matter how different the bike nowadays is, the characteristic Moto Guzzi style has remained intact!
In order to give the Le Mans 850 a flawless second life, the restoration wasn’t limited by any effort or costs. The aluminum, longitudinal 90° V-twin engine with 81 hp has been completely overhauled. The frame is coated and the petrol tank perfectly polished. But the real racy looks are provided by a new wheelhouse and single seat (monoposto) configuration, instead of having space for another passenger. These parts has been given also a new, original green Moto Guzzi lacquer.
As mentioned earlier, there was much attention to every part and detail. For example, adjustments have been made to the steering, chalices have been fitted on the Dellorto carbs, and the adjustable rear shock absorbers are Koni’s. The Lafranconi Competizione exhaust is completely new too. Connoisseurs say that the use of Stahlflex brake hoses says it all: this is high quality perfection! What else stands out? The inventive Moto Guzzi Integral braking system has been fully retained. The technology contains double front brake discs: one of them automatically helps slowing down when the rear brake is used. On most Guzzi’s the system has been removed over the years. But in this case it has been kept completely original!
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I was the proud owner once of a V11 sport Rosso Mandello. What that bike taught me was that all the facts and figures and numbers about speed and power were only of value to people in a rush and therefore useless to me. I was riding for the experience of riding and to this day only Ducati and Guzzi have given me that feeling.
ReplyDeleteWhat you've created here is beauty and joy. You should be very proud of that. I'll bet it sounds great too. Bon route …