Moto Guzzi Le Mans - East Cherokee Ride 

Similar experience... coming out of party in college in 1974 I saw a new V7 Sport parked outside. It was the most beautiful motorcycle I had ever seen. A few years later I bought a new 1978 Lemans, identical this this one, that I rode 60K+ miles across the US over 20 years. Sold it to move onto a Ducati 748. I'm fortunate to have found this one. I spared no expense to get it the best it could be, I will never sell it.

My brothers mates had proper Ducati's. I'll disagree.

No need to rev this one. Beautiful music in the 20-40 band already.

I guess he's not 20 years old.

These were built 'fanged' as well. My 'bought new in '79' Mk2 LeMans served as my only transport for 7-8 years and did everything from everyday commuting, touring and 'Ride around Tasmania in a day' fangs, where, on the 'spirited bits of road', the revs stayed between 6000 - 8000 rpm's, (where the power is). A great bike and wish I still owned it.

Maybe not too late to get another one...

The video starts at GA 20 & East Cherokee to GA 5 Ball Ground Hwy. Great section of road if you catch it with no traffic. From there I head to the RT 136 overlook on Burnt Mtn via Grand View, then RT 136 east down the mtn to Steve Tate to GA 53. About a 90 mile loop starting in Milton. We are fortunate to live around great motorcycling roads!

Lino Tonti... also designed the iconic V7 Sport. When I was in college, I saw a V7 Sport outside a party and instantly fell in love. Later when I graduated, I bought a new 78 Le Mans which I had for over 20 years and rode over 60K miles touring the US and Canada. At the time, it was perhaps the best cafe style motorcycles around, including the formidable Ducati 900 SS as it matched its power and handling while being more comfortable.

More to come!

It is!

Sorry missed your comment... Like you I bought a new LM1 in 1978, rode it around 68K miles across the US/Canada. Sold it in 1998 to buy a Ducati 748, still have the 748 and love it, but regretted selling the Le Mans especially after all the adventures. 23 years later... Oct 2021 I found this one, it had been in storage for a very long time. Unmolested and low miles but in need of a restoration due to age and no documented service history. Finished the restoration in in April 2022 and have ridden about 2400 miles through the North Georgia mountains. Currently restoring a 1975 Norton Commando MK3... should be done later this year. I have modern sport bikes, but at this point in life they don't get much love when I have a Le Mans sitting in my garage and soon a Norton ready to ride. Cheers!

Agreed!

Ducati 750ss, Ducati ss too 😊

Agreed!

Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you very much!

I'm nearing 70 as well but still ride my restored Le Mans weekly. For those who never rode one, it's comfortable to ride, handles great, and has unbelievably strong brakes. I have many bikes in my garage that I can ride but I've been jumping on the Le Mans all summer.

Thank you!

Same here except recently I found and restored another one. All is well now!

@@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES nice 👍…am currently considering a 2010 1200 Sport or a less aggressive V9 Roamer

Thanks, you too!

Thanks, it's a blast to ride. You can see the restoration in picture thread listed in the description. More ride videos on the way...

Many thanks!

J'ai un certain nombre de belles motos dans mon garage, mais celle-ci suscite beaucoup d'amour.

Love the blue ones... my riding buddy had one back when I was riding my original '78.

Did you live in Worthing by any chance?

@@Ukmongoose3 No, Cornishman born & bred!

@@philzzr Aha, okay…. I knew someone with a silver/blue one back then. Mine was red 😎

Thanks!

One of my other bikes is a 2017 Ducati 939 SS. It's quite a "super sport"... beautiful, fast but not crazy fast, great handling, great ergonomics... most comfortable bike I ever owned. You can add paniers for long trips that are easily added/removed. It has raised clip-ons that combined with the foot rest position make it very easy on older riders. I'm 5'7, medium build, and just turned 68 and I have no problem doing daily rides of 250 miles in the mountains / 300+ on the highways. For MG, we'll see if the 100 Mandello hits the spot.

I totally agree with you. But Moto Guzzi did, it was called the “Griso”. What happened to it? Maybe it didn’t meet the tough European emissions. I’ll guess I’ll have to stick on making my own bikes.

Indeed it is!

Brian, that's why I am creating these videos... at some point I won't be able to ride and these videos may help me relive the experience... turn up the sound and enjoy!

My pleasure

Of course there is but on my freshly restored Le Mans I thought it wise to take it easy... at least for a while.

Regarding long trips, depends on what you consider long. On this LM1, I have ridden it about 2500 miles since the restoration last year. That includes multiple 200 mile days in the mountains. That's about the max my buddies and I like to do for a day on our modern sport-touring bikes when we're in the mountains. Today I wouldn't take an LM1 across the country, but I could certainly do 2-3 days at 200 mi/day, and I'm 69. With the Lemans raised clip-ons it's about as comfortable as my Duc SS 939. I have a 32 inseam so my knees are the first to get cramped, then your butt, but my neck and wrists are fine. The LM1 is built for people under 6ft... 5'7 is ideal. Of course by today's standards, the LM1 isn't a touring bike. However when I was young, I toured the US/Canada, 60K+ miles on the new LM1I bought in 1978. In fact my channel picture is me on my LM1 loaded with gear back then along side a road somewhere in CO. As you know , most all bikes of that era, except maybe a HD FLH EG, were naked upright bikes or naked bikes with just a big windshield. With a MG LM1, Ducati 900SS, BMW R90S, maybe a few others, you are tilted forward, feet back, into the wind, and you have a small faring to keep the rain off your chest and tank bag. With a full face helmet, you are pretty aero dynamic with little exposed to the wind and rain. I rode many miles all day in steady rain. Also many 300+ miles when it was nice. With the right gear you power through it. My 2001 HD Road King has a big windshield, and when it's raining, it just funnels water up and into your face. If you ride without it when it's nice, it's hard to comfortably go faster than ~70 due to the wind hitting you in the chest and head. As to the yellow lines, North Georgia, Western NC, and Eastern TN most roads are twisting 2 lane blacktops with not many places to legally pass. We all pass whenever it's clear since there typically isn't much traffic. And of course it's illegal, but it's pretty safe unless you are an idiot... and there are some of those out there.

The LM1 was not respected in the 70's.

nicedecal.com/search-results?q=moto%20guzzi I picked the closest image, told them the size I was looking for, and asked for them to drop the "Moto Guzzi" since it's printed on the seat. They were very flexible, happy with what they delivered.

You will be waiting a long time Mike. Took years to find a replacement for the one I bought new in ‘78 and another year restoring it. Willing to help you should you find another to build. Cheers!

Depends on what you think long is. Zero issues riding on my 100 mile loop in the mountains... couple hours. I can ride my longer 200+ mile mountain loop if I get off for a short break every 45 mins or so and I'm 69 yrs old. Completely reliable, I rode my first LM1 60k+ miles across the US over 20 years. It's a Guzzi!

@@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES thanks, I've read on italian boards that the riding position is challenging and the handlebars very low.

Compared to some bikes they are however the LM1 clip-ons have about a 2" rise in them. I have a Ducati Supersport 939 which is very comfortable and the LM1 is about the same position. If anything, the issue with the LM1 is your knee position. That's what hurts when I ride more than 100 miles in a day. I had the same problem with my MG Norge. There are rear sets that are available for a LM1 but if you're going to that extent, I'd recommend finding another vintage bike... perhaps a MG Ambassador or El Dorado with handlebars.

Thanks for the recommendation but I did find bar-end mirrors similar to what I had on my first Lemans back in '78. Perfectly clear at speed, small, high quality, at a great price from Kemimoto on Amazon.

Who needs stinking mirrors.

Restored to better than new.

why that? Trump is an asshole and criminal!

lol

Or the other doddery old fool. What's my name again??

Grazie! È meraviglioso guidare.