- #MOTO GUZZI ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
- #MOTO GUZZI ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SERIES#
Confusion about fake based on numbers further rests in part because of veteran motorcycle author Mick Walker's specific warning that a Le Mans 1 outside the frame range of VE11111 to VE13040 is likely to be a fake. Frame numbers and data plates are on the headstock, opposite the Neiman steering lock. Due to poor priming some frames were replaced under warranty, adding complexity to the number sequence. Frame numbers commence from VE11111 and engine numbers commence from about VE70500. Frame numbers were allocated a different sequence to engine numbers.
#MOTO GUZZI ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
Engine serial numbers are stamped on a lower left hand side casing rib. The US sealed beam units protruded significantly in front of the bikini fairing, changing the flush lines of the bike when seen in profile.īoth engine and frame numbers for the Le Mans are prefixed with "VE". More significantly, the US bikes were fitted with a sealed beam headlight to meet Department of Transport approval instead of the non-US poor quality OEM Aprilia headlight with removable 40/45W bulb. They were fitted with yellow side reflectors on the black CEV indicator (blinker) bodies, both front and rear. All bikes had a poorly-primed matt black frame and exhausts prone to rust.īikes imported into the United States were distinguished by two major visual differences.
#MOTO GUZZI ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SERIES#
An exceedingly small number of Series 2 bikes were white.
Most Mk I bikes were brilliant red and black although a very small number were painted in metallic ice blue. The extra cost compared to the "cooking" T3 model paid for performance items such as high compression domed pistons, larger inlet and exhaust valves, Dell'Orto 36mm pumper carbs with filterless mesh grey plastic velocity stacks, Tomasselli clip-ons and quarter-turn throttle. The taillight and guard was the biggest change between Series 1 and 2 but other modifications included later inclusion of a tripmeter, black fork lowers, a more generous dual seat that replaced the split-proned original seat, exhaust pipe heel guards and inferior fuel taps and altered front indicator stem bracket. This was also used on the Mark II and SP models. The second production run, known as the Series 2 and totaling around 4,000 bikes, used a De Tomaso-designed rectangular taillight/reflector and modified rear guard. Fewer than 2,000 of the round taillight bikes were made. The first run, known as Series 1, used the roundish CEV stop/taillight used on many Italian bikes of the decade and is known to have continued until at least September, 1976. The Mark I had two production runs with slight modifications. In 1977 Roy Armstrong won Britain's Avon Production Machine championship on a standard bike fitted with production race kit, and it had multiple race success during the AMA Superbike Championship in the US. A 1973 factory prototype finished 4th in the 24-hour race at Barcelona's Montjuïc circuit. It was named in homage to the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race track in France. A marketing success, competing with other Italian superbikes, it spawned four later models until its ultimate model of the late 1990s. The Le Mans used matt black instead of traditional chrome to offset paintwork, and debuted the tank-hugging one-piece seat made from injection molded foam. The power output measured at the back wheel was some 71 bhp, giving a top speed of around 130 mph. It was developed from the earlier V7 Sport model but moved performance far beyond the interim 750S and the 750 S3. It had debuted at the Milan motorcycle show in November 1975, although the groundwork started several years before the eventual production version appeared.
Although often referred to as the Le Mans Mark I, the first Le mans model was known by the factory as the 850 Le Mans, and is part of a long list of Moto Guzzi motorcycles developed since the company's inception nearly 100 years ago. Released in 1976, the 850 Le Mans was styled as a cafe racer.
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