Moto Guzzi Le Mans - East Cherokee Ride

See another one of my other vintage restorations at: • 1975 Norton Commando S...
A local ride on my 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans on East Cherokee Drive north of GA Hwy 20. Click on the channel link to see my other Le Mans rides. View the restoration at: www.flickr.com/photos/1952418...

[@brianperry]

Thanks for the memory. l owned this very model in 1978/9 ..(UK). Riding home one evening l saw the LeMans Guzzi in a local bike showroom front window. Stopped, peering through the glass at this beauty. Returned next day and part exchanged my Yamaha 250.. l used to regularly ride from the London area to the south coast to visit friends. It was great riding the country roads. Fond memories of part of my motorcycle journey......This model in my opinion was the best looking.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@jaro59]

I had one those days and the sound when you open the throttle is still unmatched.❤

[@redtobertshateshandles]

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

[@joepassante8498]

Rolling art! I used to live in Holly Springs so I think I recognize the road.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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!

[@onecookieboy]

Nice ride, I love how you are able to enjoy yourself without having to rev the crap out of the engine or pull wheelies etc. A testament to someone who knows how to treat a machine and just us it as it was intended to be used.

[@TobiaTesan]

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

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I guess he's not 20 years old.

[@bryanfarrow914]

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.

[@senorboardhead]

Some nice smooth riding on a near perfectly attenuated motorcycle.

[@stevechancey167]

Sold my LeMans III a couple years ago and really miss it! These bikes are real thoroughbreds. Enjoy and ride safe..... the roads are very dangerous these days! Steve Chancey

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Maybe not too late to get another one...

[@animalian01]

I had a Mk 2 ,i absolutely loved it.

[@bsimpson6204]

The guy who designed that beautiful machine must have poured himself a glass of wine and sat back very pleased with himself

[@garypeatling7927]

That sound beautiful

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

It is!

[@robertbrooks1598]

Great example of how a Guzzi v-twin builds speed so deceptively (I've owned a V50, Eldo LAPD, Sport 1100, Jackal, and V1100). Your Le Mans must be tuned just about perfectly, no pops and bangs when you roll off the throttle, very nice-sounding Guzzi! I have a deposit down on a '24 V7 Corsa, stage 1 kit already on hand with the dealer. Can't wait to get back on another Guzzi!

[@harrothepilot]

Absolutely beautiful bike. Ridden calmly and with a view to enjoying the ride as a whole. Here’s to many more rides like this one.👍

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

More to come!

[@speedfinder1]

Lovely sound. In part, this inspired me to become a Guzzisti. I now have a beautiful, V7 \ Special, 850. in blue in my collection!

[@johnbiggins4864]

Ridden once never forgotten

[@hans5236]

The most beautiful sportsbike ever build. End of message.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Agreed!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Ducati 750ss, Ducati ss too 😊

[@larsthorkild.lifeinthephil9192]

Absolutely beautiful 😍 Exactly like my old Le Man from 40 years ago, LaFranconi and 78 model. WOW

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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!

[@billgreenman3639]

I've GOT to get my V11 back on the road ❤

[@checker3694]

Stunning Le Man's, engine sound nothing like it

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Agreed!

[@franzmeister9988]

Ein absoluter Genuß, diese Schönheit zu hören und zu sehen.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thank you!

[@johnnyboy1586]

Didn't own one but took a friend's one out for a spin,the motor fell very mechanical and bullet proof😊very cool and unique looking machine

[@jacobladder954]

Just found your channel. I can't wait to watch more. I've owned a '73 black Guzzi 850 Eldorado since '81. It hasn't run in years, life got in the way (I was care giving for mom 24/7 for the past 15 years, sadly she was the victim of vascular dementia). Eldo needs to be restored and Nikasil cylinder issue addressed. Intending to watch your restoration vids, but found this one first and could not resist. Beautiful bikes, I can remember seeing this Guzzi in the showroom in Lansing and thinking my Mom would have a fit if I brought another motor cycle home. l have always admired the Norton Commando as well. Thanks for the great content. Liked and subscribed, Willie from Michigan.

[@johannespohlmann1525]

The best 👍👍👍👍

[@stevewaite4584]

Beautiful bike, brought back some memories. I had one just like it. Lovely sound.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You certainly know what a great bike is. I watched your Commando video too. Greetings from Australia.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thank you very much!

[@pdm2201]

I have seen pix of the rare white ones. Still have my red 1978 LM. I’m in my 70s now and feel fortunate to have survived my youth. Don’t ride the bike so much now but like shining it up and listening to that Franconi exhaust.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@realstevieb7201]

Great, takes me back to my old mk1…sadly long gone

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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

[@realstevieb7201]

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

[@richardjakobek7477]

Great video. Wonderful sound from your LeMans. Always a real joy.

[@cw7422]

I had a 2017 V7 III Special. She was such a smooth ride.

[@matthewcumberland8066]

Man that LeMans looks great.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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...

[@giostisskylas]

Nice tour, great scenery and a beautiful Guzzi. Have fun and have a safe journey at all times. Greetings from the German “Appalachians”. :))

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thanks, you too!

[@cet72]

What an amazing Le Mans I! Compliments and happy riding!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Many thanks!

[@fantomas3066]

Elle est magnifique !!! Comment ne pas aimer cette moto.❤

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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

[@philzzr]

Had a Mk 1 (Silver/Blue) back in the 80s...a bike with real character....I'm envious!!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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

[@Ukmongoose3]

Did you live in Worthing by any chance?

[@philzzr]

@@Ukmongoose3 No, Cornishman born & bred!

[@Ukmongoose3]

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

[@kempraten1]

This is the perfect Guzzi! Nice. Such a nice ride!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thanks!

[@claudioclausneghe2599]

Bravo!

[@rwgleave]

Solitary riding Moto Guzzi - that's the best. Nice sounds

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Indeed it is!

[@domingonavarro1288]

Instead of these, we get the “old school” V7 with the de tuned engine. For us older guys it’s either fakey retro that we don’t want, or hyper super bikes that we also don’t want. Can someone please make a high quality super sport. Seems the Moto Guzzi V7 with the T85’s motor would do the trick. Also, Moto Guzzi can keep it in the line up for years, as in time, riders will begin to appreciate what in fact, a high quality super sport really is. There’s even history with these Moto Guzzi models!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@raybanbunny]

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.

[@n22pdf]

Wow your lemans looks and sounds amazing ❤ beautifuI love Guzzis I ride a V7 😊 but man your bike is so nice dude 😃🥇😍great vid Pete

[@Jonathan-L]

Thanks for sharing Bruce! :)

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

My pleasure

[@davidinghram2494]

Purrs like a kitten. Nothing quite like a Guzzi.

[@BadHarmonics]

Man you could come over and pick any bike l got, and id trade you.❤

[@jean-jacquesnameche3429]

très belle , j'aime .

[@garylatture8948]

Good looking motorcycle

[@_JimS]

That is one Doozie of a Guzzi....

[@brianworth3927]

Great vid, brings back many happy memories of my LM2, before I totaled it, along with myself. Was an awesome bike on roads like that. Happy biking!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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!

[@chhindz]

Had 500 Monza of same year series

[@davidgibbings6085]

Guzzis are a tad unreliable these days , they need to bring back this model and I bet they won’t be able to keep up with the demand , ide certainly be up for one , their just beautiful looking bikes + handeling and the sound good 👍🙂

[@dennisthemenace1773]

Last year (2021), I started bird-dawgin the NEW Italian beauty: the 2023 V100 Mandello! In September 2022, I gave Plano, Texas USA Moto Guzzi a $500 deposit. Early in the morning of 10/17/2022, on the Moto Guzzi USA web store, I entered my online “reservation” for the 2023 V100 Mandello Sport in “Centenario” Livery (premium Verde 2121 color) - Special Edition $17,490. The customer care representative told me my Order# 190 was the 1st V100 Mandello order received by Moto Guzzi USA. I’m SUPER EXCITED! To me, the V100 Mandello is STUNNINGLY EXOTIC & HANDSOME!

[@fabiopunk1661]

nice. I have a 1000 SP2 from 1985, same feel I guess

[@DJSkyhawk85]

Where did you get the Moto Guzzi decal that fits perfectly on the bottom of your plate holder? that's so great, I hate having that big empty space since its made for the square euro plates.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@robertjames6640]

I owned a couple of these Le Mans 850 models over the years. Great bikes but not so good for very long trips. Is it legal to pass on double yellow lines in your state?

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@Mytriumph650pre-unit]

Sweeeet

[@caribman10]

No mirrors? May I suggest a set of 1982/1983 Suzuki Katana mirrors?

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Who needs stinking mirrors.

[@alessandrocerioli2151]

Silly question: is it comfortable for long travels? And reliable?

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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!

[@alessandrocerioli2151]

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

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

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.

[@niklasmay8475]

Aus deutschland💯💞👍

[@massimocallegari4898]

Ma...è nuova?? 😳😳😳❤❤❤❤

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Restored to better than new.

[@cookaboorra]

I used to see a white one in an abandoned courtyard. All original, covered with dust, dirt and foliage. I started to think about buying it... the day I met the owner, a 65 yo man, he said: none in 35 years. And now you are the third. I gave the bike to an iron merchant for nothing !!!!!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

The LM1 was not respected in the 70's.

[@andde9965]

Uguale a quella che ho comperato nel 1977. Pagata lire 3.500.000

[@100llrepublicmotorcycles7]

Zzzzz

[@kallegrabowski7303]

Amazing!🤗❤🌹 Vote for Trump!✌😘❤🌹

[@guzzijoerg]

why that? Trump is an asshole and criminal!

[@carlosandleon]

lol

[@redtobertshateshandles]

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

[@nessuno7071]

questa si che e una vera Moto Guzzi bellissima

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Grazie! È meraviglioso guidare.