Original thinking

This Le Mans had us scratching heads at the Bonhams summer sale: owner has had it 40 years, but according to Ian Falloon the frame number’s too late (as is the date of UK registration) for it to be a genuine “Mk I” (the factory just called them plain old Le Mans). So a Mk II (yes, the factory called them that) converted to look like an original? Plenty are.

But not 40 years ago; the fairing and clocks are easy to sort, but would the owner spend money on the the Mk II’s wider fork yokes and disc spacers? So despite Moto Guzzi having the best records of any Italian factory, the conclusion had to be this is an original Le Mans built after Mk II production had got under way, using up old parts.

Unless you know better? Anyway these conundrums are what makes working with Bonhams such fun for a geek like me, and the research made sure we got top dollar for the client –the new owner paid £12,650. Which begs the question - what price an early Le Mans with the solo seat and integral tail light now?

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