Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans Mark IV Special Edition
Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans Mark IV Special Edition | |
Manufacturer | |
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Production | 1986 - 87 |
Engine | Four stroke, 90° V twin alloy, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder, All plain bearing engine with two mains and split shell big ends. One piece forged crankshaft. Steel con-rod split across big end eye. Valve operation: Pushrod from camshaft between cylinder bases in crankcase. Clearance by screw and locknut on rocker tips |
Compression ratio | 10.0:1 |
Top Speed | 137.1 mph / 220.6 km/h |
Ignition | Battery & coil |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Frame | Double cradle |
Suspension | Front: Telescopic forks variable damping Rear: Dual shocks, 5-way preload and 4-way damping. |
Brakes | Front: 2x 270mm discs Rear: Single 270mm disc |
Front Tire | 120/80 V16 |
Rear Tire | 130/18 V18 |
Weight | 215 kg / 475 lbs (dry), 228 kg / 503 lbs (wet) |
Fuel Capacity | 25 Liters / 6.0 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 137.1 mph / 220.6 km/h.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 90° V twin alloy, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder, All plain bearing engine with two mains and split shell big ends. One piece forged crankshaft. Steel con-rod split across big end eye. Valve operation: Pushrod from camshaft between cylinder bases in crankcase. Clearance by screw and locknut on rocker tips. The engine featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Double plate, dry type.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 120/80 V16 front tire and a 130/18 V18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 270mm discs in the front and a Single 270mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic forks variable damping while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks, 5-way preload and 4-way damping.. The 1000 Le Mans Mark IV Special Edition was fitted with a 25 Liters / 6.0 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 215 kg / 475 lbs.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans Mark IV Special Edition
Le Mans 1000 Special Edition (SE)
The Le Mans 1000 SE was introduced in 1986 and made for two years. The Le
Mans 1000 SE was a limited production model made to mark the twentieth
anniversary of the introduction of the Moto Guzzi V7 back in 1967. These bikes
were all finished in red and white with a red seat, red cast wheels and most had
black rocker covers, engine and lower rails. A few had black engines and
transmissions. Only about 100 of these bikes were sold in the United States.
Review
The Le Mans has been Moto Guzzi's top sports bike in the 80s. The big bore lOOOcc version is a recent and welcome addition in 1985 to the ranks but is essentially similar to the 850 Le Mans they have been producing, virtually unchanged, since 1977. The bike has a fine and enviable reputation as a tried, trusted and proven motorcycle. Its design may be dated and the main features are undeniably conservative and traditional. Reliability above all however has won it many friends and admirers.
The 948.8cc OHV V-twin engine with its longitudinally-mounted crank and shaft
drive is not, by any stretch of the imagination a high-rewing unit. Low down
acceleration and pick up is dismal, unaided by unbelievably tall gearing and a
dry, twin plate clutch. Once into its mid-range stride though, with the huge
40mm carburettors really roaring, it makes strong and plentiful power. Top end
performance is the long-legged Le Mans hallmark and the high gearing helps it to
a blistering top speed of over 140mph with the tachometer barely showing
8000rpm.
Stability and roadholding are very impressive, the bike is surefooted and
responsive, a thoroughbred Italian stallion. The double cradle frame has the
sump suspended between the down tubes with the engine weight carried low.
Equipped with traditionally harsh, twin shock suspension, the only concession to
modern chassis design has been the recent adoption of a 16in front wheel wearing
a fatter tire, making the Le Mans quicker-steering than ever. As befits one of
the original Café racers, everything about the bike is set purposefully low,
making for a keen centre of gravity and a lovely, balanced feel.
Moto Guzzi's integrated braking system is still unique among modern
motorcycles and is a boon to safety. The front and rear brakes are linked so
that the foot-pedal operates both the rear brake and one of the front discs for
measured, controlled braking. A special distribution valve directs 70 per cent
of the pressure applied to the left hand front disc and the remaining 30 per
cent to the rear. The front handlebar lever brakes the right hand front disc but
need only be used from very high speeds.
Overall, the Le Mans is a traditional, curiously idiosyncratic bike with
heavy yet strong controls, an agricultural yet unburstable engine and
redoubtable Italian handling. The paintwork and finish are excellent. It is a
sportsman's motorcycle, a high-profile and ever-popular machine that has long
delighted enthusiasts around the world with its tireless performance and
peerless reliability.
Make Model | Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans Mark IV Special Edition |
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Year | 1986 - 87 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, 90° V twin alloy, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder, All plain bearing engine with two mains and split shell big ends. One piece forged crankshaft. Steel con-rod split across big end eye. Valve operation: Pushrod from camshaft between cylinder bases in crankcase. Clearance by screw and locknut on rocker tips |
Displacement | 948 cc / 57.8 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 88 x 78 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression | 10.0:1 |
Induction | 2x 40mm Dell'Orto carburettors |
Ignition | Battery & coil |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 81 hp / 59.1 kW) @ 7400 rpm |
Max Power Rear Tire | 72.6 hp / 54 kW @ 7250 rpm |
Max Torque | 76.4 Nm / 56.4 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm |
Clutch | Double plate, dry type |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Final Drive | Shaft |
Frame | Double cradle |
Front Suspension | Telescopic forks variable damping |
Rear Suspension | Dual shocks, 5-way preload and 4-way damping. |
Front Brakes | 2x 270mm discs |
Rear Brakes | Single 270mm disc |
Wheels | Cast alloy |
Front Tire | 120/80 V16 |
Rear Tire | 130/18 V18 |
Dry Weight | 215 kg / 475 lbs |
Wet Weight | 228 kg / 503 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 25 Liters / 6.0 US gal |
Consumption Average | 50.3 mpg |
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0 | |
Standing ¼ Mile | 12.7 sec / 110.5 mph - 177.8 km/h |
Top Speed | 137.1 mph / 220.6 km/h |