3-9-26 Update: A previous owner kindly reached out to us to let us know about some upgrades that weren’t initially mentioned, we have updated the listing with a little ownership history after the mileage photo and updated the Modifications section.
Please note: This bike is a part of the Northern California Superbike Collection. The anonymous owner is well-known and a long-term friend of both Iconic and Bike-urious. All proceeds will go towards a foundation he and his wife run to further research for sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems worldwide.
In 1983, the Moto Guzzi Le Mans III was brought back after MG was able to get the smaller 844cc engine certified under US emissions – for a few years the US was stuck with a 949cc engine. With the arrival of the Mark III, Guzzi created approximately 80 technical changes of varying severity from the Mark II model.
The 453lb dry Mark III produced 76 horsepower at the crank and was capable of about 132 miles per hour. One of the notable improvements was Guzzi’s “Nigusil” lining, a shortening of Nickel-Guzzi-Silicon, which allowed lower levels of mechanical parts wear. For more on the Le Mans III, check out this 1991 story in Classic Bike.
Manufactured in April of 1983, this example is VIN: ZGUVFAVF4DM100119.
The odometer shows 20,000 miles.
3/9/26 Update: we spoke with the son of a previous owner who bought this bike used from A&S Motorcycles in Sacramento, California in 1988 or 1989. The dealer was planning on lightly restoring it and reselling it but it the buyer acquired it pre-restoration work, bought several parts from Rennsport, and then took it to “local legend”/machinist/race bike builder Karl Engellener in 1992 to get built. It stayed in the same friend circle for the next 3-4 owners and ended up in The Northern California Superbike Collection around 2019.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, change the engine oil, transmission, oil, final drive oil, flush the hydraulic fluids, clean/sync the carbs, install a new battery and new battery strap, rebuild the rear brake master cylinder, and install a Dynatek electronic ignition. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Shaft Drive Ok
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 80%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 80%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 3114
Tire Date Code Rear: 2914
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 32 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 34 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: New 12.4V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.9V
Running Condition: Runs Well on Bench, Runs Well on Test Ride
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 1 Mile
Notes:
-Turn Signals are slightly loose but operate as designed
Modifications:
Motor Work: Rennsport twin spark head kit (welding/machining done by Karl Engellener), heads fly cut (compression increased but exact ratio is not known), heads ported by a different local shop in Sacramento. Dyna electronic ignition and coils, timing adjusted for twin spark. Rennsport lightened flywheel.
Progressive fork springs, aftermarket fork brace.
Works Performance shocks.
Rennsport cylinder head guards.
K&N pod filters.
Braided brake lines.
Bar end mirrors.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon tires with date codes of 2914 and 3114.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Moto Guzzi is offered on a clean California title. It is believed to be on Planned Non-Operation registration status, but we were not able to confirm.
Have any Le Mans III stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
