Moto Guzzi Le Mans en California: boeken - historie

The Moto Guzzi Sport & Le Mans Bible celebrates the iconic Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and Le Mans sporting motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s. It tells the story of these classic bikes, which were among the first Superbikes to combine Italian style, handling, and performance.

After struggling to survive during the 1960s, Lino Tonti was given the opportunity to create the V7 Sport Telaio Rosso, in 1971. It was so successful that Moto Guzzi shifted to specialize in building sporting motorcycles.

Covering all models produced from 1971 to 1993 (V7 Sport, 750S, 750S3, 850 Le Mans, 850 Le Mans II, 850 Le Mans III, 1000 Le Mans IV, 1000 Le Mans V), descriptions of model development year by year, full production data, and 160 photos, this is the essential Bible for all enthusiasts.

Period covered: 1971-93.

Models covered: V7 Sport, 750S, 750S3, 850 Le Mans, 850 Le Mans II, 850 Le Mans III, 1000 Le Mans IV, 1000 Le Mans V.

Introduced in the mid-Seventies as an evolution of the V7 Sport, the 850 Le Mans is one of the most renowned Moto Guzzis of all time. The development of the model was closely bound up with the concluding chapters of the firm's works racing team. The features conceived for endurance races were in fact incorporated in a model presented as a "race-ready" production bike.

The immediate success with the public, who appreciated the performance of the V-twin engine, consecrated the 850 Le Mans as the finest Italian sports bike of the period. It enjoyed a relatively long career that was to conclude with the controversial 1000 cc version, as enjoyable for its engine as it was disappointing in its chassis.
A flat end to a career that took nothing away from the overall prestige of the model, still today considered to be a legend by the enthusiasts of Italian sports bikes around the world. This is because the Le Mans is a rare combination of performance, versatility and mechanical robustness, with most of the examples built between 1976 and 1993 are still on the road today after having covered grand tourer mileages.

Text in Italian.

The Moto Guzzi California is a motorcycle that has left a significant mark on the brand's history. Its undeniable dynamic qualities became even more apparent starting from the T3 model.
The California has a long history, beginning in 1971 and still continuing today with models featured in the Guzzi lineup.

This book delves into its history, starting with the designers who brought it to life and continuing with an analysis of the many versions produced over the years.

Text in Italian.

Dieses Motorrad verbindet italienische Eleganz mit amerikanischer Lässigkeit: Moto Guzzi California. Seit einem halben Jahrhundert erfreuen sich Motorrad-Fans aus aller Welt am Sound des markanten, quer eingebauten V2-Zylinders. Das Retro-Motorrad steht für ein Lebensgefühl, das irgendwo zwischen Easy Rider und der Sonne Kaliforniens angesiedelt ist.

Dabei begann die Erfolgsgeschichte der Moto Guzzi California ganz anders: Italienische Behörden sind der erste Abnehmer. Mit Modifikationen wird die California ab 1968 auch als Dienstmotorrad im Los Angeles Police Department eingesetzt.
Doch was sich im harten Dienstalltag bewährt, kann auch für den Wochenend-Biker mit Freiheitsdrang nicht ganz ungeeignet sein. Die zivilen Ausführungen des Motorrads werden schnell zum Renner bei Tourenfahrern.

Die beiden Motorrad-Journalisten Dirk Mangartz und Stephan H. Schneider erzählen erstmals die ganze Geschichte der "Cali" - vom ersten Prototyp der V7 Police Special über die Moto Guzzi Custombikes bis hin zur futuristischen MGX-21. Damit präsentiert ihr Buch nicht nur die Evolution dieser einzigartigen Modellreihe, sondern auch die Geschichte des ältesten europäischen Motorradwerks.