Moto Guzzi Le Mans III and Le Mans 1000

Moto Guzzi · 1981–1991

Moto Guzzi Le Mans III and Le Mans 1000: history and buying advice

Square cylinders, more torque and the best-selling Le Mans.

Nederlandse versie

Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III
Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans III. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, free licence; author and licence are on that page.

History

The 1981 Le Mans III was a big update: new heads and cylinders with square cooling fins, a new inlet and exhaust, a longer swingarm and a 35 mm fork with more travel. Almost 9,900 were built, the most of all the 850 Le Mans models. Many experts consider it the best Le Mans.

At the end of 1984 came the Le Mans 1000 with 949 cc, bigger valves and 40 mm carburettors, good for some 81 hp. It first got a 16-inch front wheel, which many riders did not like; from 1987 an 18-inch wheel returned.

Key data

Engine2 cylinders, 90° V, overhead valves, shaft drive
CapacityIII: 844 cc; 1000: 949 cc
Power1000: c. 81 hp at 7,400 rpm (factory)
Carburettors1000: 2 × Dell’Orto 40 mm
ProductionIII: 9,866; 1000 (IV): c. 4,230

What to check when buying

  • Does a Le Mans 1000 still have the 16-inch front wheel? An 18-inch wheel usually handles better.
  • Check the fork and the air-assisted dampers of the III.
  • The big valves of the 1000 need good maintenance. Ask about the last adjustment.
  • Test the linked brakes and look for wear on the discs.
  • Compare the frame and engine numbers with the papers.
To the workshop guide NL

SourcesWikipedia: Moto Guzzi Le Mans (English)

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