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So I am still looking for coments about a frame and engine number begining with a 7 NOT a 1 Both numbers match, both start with a clear 7 and I am the orginal owner of this 1978/850 LeMans. Anyone know anything about this anomaly?????

George,
I know its an old thread but my mk1 lemans frame no starts with a (VE) 7 not a 1, Mike Lacey dating officer of the Moto Guzzi Club GB could not throw much light on this other than guessing a worker stamping the frame picked up a 7 instead of a 1 but I have since heard of a Canadian MK1 frame no starting with a 7 but got no answer to my enquiry.

Hello George, if your LeMans is registered in the United States, it's registered using the engine number and not frame number that Moto Guzzi stamped on the head stock.
For instance, my 76' LeMans is registered in California as 70*** which is a variation of the number stamped on the engine which is 070***.
Partially obscured by the registration plate riveted to the head stock is the factory stamped frame number VE11***.
Why the U.S. importer used engine numbers instead of frame numbers for DMV registration is a debated issue even today.
Hope this helps.

There is a Mk1 currently for sale here in Australia and it looks ok. It has engine no. VF 071947. I will try and add a link, I hope it works.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/dealer/OAG-AD-2695804/1976-Moto-Guzzi-850-Le-Mans/

mooie site jongens, gr cas

Hi I have a 1978 lemans mk1 series 2. The bike needs retiring as the previous restoration was not done very well. I am looking for photographs under the tank and behind the side panels etc etc to help with installing the new loom and making sure relays, rectifiers etc are all installed in the right locations. Any help / links to photos etc would be much appreciated

Hi David,

Here's a start.

Tank: https://vdcon.nl/files/pdf/pdffile635470_691564.pdf

Side panels: https://vdcon.nl/files/pdf/pdffile613153_867616.pdf

And here you can find a lot more: https://vdcon.nl/technical/manuals/manual-850-le-mans

Good luck!

Thanks, note I am re wiring the bike ( not retiring it ! - Google auto spell malfunction)

I have all the manuals an am looking for photographs under the tank, behind the side panels and under the seat. This is to help me see where all the relays, volt packs and wiring should be 😊

I have had my mk1 for a year and the side stand is rubbish. Incorrect angle or stand how can I get a original replacement. Is it the same as any other model.

Thanks Jan I will follow that up. I could do with replacing the front indicator bracket, the one on my bike blocks the use of the steering damper, any ideas.

Hello Martin,

The part number is 14432050 and you can order this at: http://www.harpermoto.com/side-stand-14432050.html

Good luck!

Hi Jan, I can't get harpermoto to post a picture of the sidestand you suggest. Can you post an image so that I can see the part. Regards, Martin.

Heren, leuk om elkaar te treffen?
Zie:https://www.facebook.com/events/716014958433013/

22 juni in Roosendaal

Een mooi initiatief. De poster staat ook op de homepage van deze website.

Jan, kom je zelf ook?

Da's wel de bedoeling. Vorige week met de 2 jaar geleden gekochte Le Mans die zo'n 8/9 jaar niet heeft gelopen naar de Guzzi Classic Caferacerdag geweest. Ging goed, dus Roosendaal moet ook lukken. Zie je zondag.

I have a Mk1 frame no. VE15254, engine number VF74193. DEFINATELY not a MK111 engine as Ive had it rebuilt and it had cast iron bores. MK111 had Nikasil Im told. One expert reckons its just a poor stamp on the engine block. Dunno about that

Hello Paul, I know this is a few years late but just saw this post and thought I'd chime in.
On my early first series LeMans, the E too looks like an F unless you get in there very close and at look at the bottom of what appears to be an F....it's definitely an E.
It seems on my bike that the letter was struck too low on the rib making the bottom horizontal line of the intended E appear much fainter than the rest of the letter.
I've seen this on one other LeMans and relative to how few first series LMs were built perhaps not too uncommon.
Also on my LeMans the letter V of VE too is difficult to see when viewed from a normal distance but is there partially hidden by a rough part of casting to the left of the engine number. I also have seen this on other early LeMans'. And then of course there are other LeMans' where the stamps are very crisp.
I suppose it all depends on who was doing the stamping.
Hope you're enjoying the LeMans!!!

Hello Paul, I know this is a few years late but just saw this post and thought I'd chime in.
On my early first series LeMans, the E too looks like an F unless you get in there very close and at look at the bottom of the F. It seems that the letter was struck too low on the rib and as on my bike a much fainter bottom horizontal line can be seen.
I've seen this on one other LeMans and relative to how few first series LMs were built perhaps not too uncommon.
Also on my LeMans the letter V of VE too is difficult to see when viewed from a normal distance but is there partially hidden by a rough part of casting to the left of the engine number.
Hope you're enjoying the LeMans!!!
I'd provide a close-up photo explaining but not sure where in this site.

Hi, excuse me for reviving an old question, I just read it. I can confirm Alfred's version. here in Italy, through the 850 Le Mans Facebook group, we are gathering infos on bikes with the aim of creating a registry. We have seen many instances of engine numbers where the VE looks like VF. All of those are original VEs. The VF engine block as fitted on the LM3s is materially different. So there is no doubt about it. The correct matching between frame & engine number can reveal. I am available to provide advice. Regards

Just thought I would let you know I have the same engine stamp on my Mk1 1975.... I have checked it out and mine deffinitely looks like the bottom of the E is missing yhru bad stamping

Hi Paul

Very interesting comments about your engine numbers on your MK1.
What country was your bike first registered

Cheers