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My first memory of the 850 Le Mans was a Bike Magazine centre fold pull-out with a model tastefully draped over the tank and tonnes of dry ice exuding red and purple mist - I remember the scene because all the lads had it stuck to their garage or bedroom walls. It appears on most red blooded males lists of wish I could have motorcycles. The Le Mans I was a styling icon of its day, first produced in 1975, I would say the sexiest machine of its era - very much like the Ducati 916 and the MV Augusta of this current generation. The basic Vee Twin push rod engine gives plenty of low down grunt and still surprises many with its acceleration. At Garys Picnic - Run what you Brung meeting held at North Weald air strip, a Mark II Le Mans was giving a new Buell all sorts of problems and only 21 years between them! The 850cc Mark II first came out in 1978 with a three-quarter 3 piece fairing instead of the dayglo bikini previously fitted to the Mark I. The new model was basically the same except for the instruments, square indicators and wider forks due to the width between the yokes being increased. The Black and Gold Le Mans was only made for the UK market. It became famous because of the Show this advert to your Bank Manager campaign, which was invented by Coburn and Hughes (the UK importer at that time) because they had cartloads of II's left and needed to invest in a marketing exercise as the Mark III was imminent. Dream Machine undertook the paint scheme and it worked - they sold in big numbers. The Le Mans CX100 was made for the American market with smaller carburettors and a Spada engine with Le Mans II styling. The 850cc Mark III arrived in 1981 and was not the most classy styling exercise. Basically it had the same rolling chassis with cosmetic differences, but with the new look square barrelled engine and an airbox. It also reverted back to the narrower forks of the Mark I. This model is considered by many to be the very best Le Mans engine and riding combination. It sold very well in Europe and in particular in Germany. These earlier 850cc Le Mans models are now recognised as Classic Motorcycles, but please buyer beware! Many Mark I and Mark II's are really 850 T3's. To ensure you get what you have paid for keep these engine and frame numbers up your sleeve and you won't buy a donkey. Mark I - From 1976: Frame VE IIIIITo 1976: Frame VE 13040. Mark II - From 1978: Frame VE 13041 To 1980: Frame VE 24086. Mark III - From 1981: Frame VF IIIII To 1984: Frame VF 20700. At the Cologne Show in 1984 Moto Guzzi changed to the 1000cc engine and brought out another batch of motorcycles with the Le Mans name. The British market referred to it as the Mark IV. This was a totally different bike with frame modifications, longer swinging arm, an unpopular 16 inch front wheel, 40mm carbs, 40mm forks and completely new styling which made the machine bigger and heavier. The Mark IV1/2 reverted back to the 18 inch wheel, instantly recognisable from previous Mark IV models with its all black painted engine and cases, pointy indicators and trendy two-tone paint job. The Mark V was the first of the 1000cc Le Mans to have a full frame mounted fairing and vastly improved switch gear which moved away from the previous Legoland specials. The Mark V New Type (NT). This was much the same as the Mark V but the instruments were mounted in the fairing rather than on the yokes. The Moto Guzzi factory produced one Black and Gold Le Mans and that was this model. The Black and Gold Le Mans II and Spada Black Prince were made for the UK market by Coburn and Hughes to get rid of a back-log prior to a newer model coming in. And finally something very special. The Mark I PR 850cc Le Mans - a genuine one is a rare beast indeed - there are many forgeries. The rear light shroud was moulded to the mudguard (very similar to the first batch of Mark Is) with the rounded type lens, 40mm carbs, 40mm bore exhaust with drain can silencers (read amplifiers), hotter cam shaft and straight cut-close ratio gears. A limited edition of approximately 200 were made for homologation purposes. The British Avon Tyre Production Race Championship was won in 1977 by Roy Armstrong in the Unlimited Class on board his PR Le Mans. Hopefully you have enjoyed the information in this foreword and you can now go forth with confidence and speak to a Le Mans rider. Impress them with your amazing knowledge that has hopefully been honed and sharpened by the love affair that I have had with them for over 25 years. 30 articles on the sexy Le Mans series of bikes. Road & comparison tests, model intros, development & more. Models covered: 1000 Magni, Le Mans Mks. I, II, III & V850s, 1000s & CX100. 140 pages, 250 illus. SB.
