Who Wanted an MH900e?

**rjhartmann** · 17 Aug 08, 12:42 PM

Our DOCGB London Branch met up with the Surrey/Sussex Branch at Motori di Marino yesterday. Fabulous place; a must-visit location.

Pietro di Marino had a customer's MH900e (8 miles) there for re-comissioning. We got to talking about it and it turns out I was the eighth guy that day he met with an MHe.

If you're looking for one, chances are he knows of one for sale.

Motori Di Marino - the Italian Bike and Vehicle Specialists 01798 813260

Regards,
Bob

**weeveetwin** · 17 Aug 08, 02:04 PM

Hi Bob

You didn't happen to notice what he's asking for that 1981 MK1 Le-Mans whilst you were there, did you?

Cheers
Steve

**Gizmo** · 17 Aug 08, 02:39 PM

I was looking but went down the Smart route instead

Steve, don't make me even more jealous by buying a LeMans 1, next it'll be an SFC750

**weeveetwin** · 17 Aug 08, 04:32 PM

I worry about my ducati standing idle for so long Mike. If I swapped it for something like this I'd be less concerned about cam-belts, fuel pump etc. I've always had a hankering for one, and it would be far more practical. It would leave me Ducati-less, of course!

..it looks a nice Le Mans, but weren't they into the MK3 by 1981? Maybe it's not a MK1 after all. The ad. doesn't say it's a MK1 actually??

(A while ago I enquired about the 350 MV this garage is selling, and he is asking £13,500+ for it! On that evidence, I'd say the Guzzi will be overpriced!)

**Gizmo** · 17 Aug 08, 07:41 PM

mk1's were produced to about 1978/9 AIR, that bike does look like a Mk1 but i'd guess its probably a mk2 removed of the pig ugly square fairing and side fairing and converted to a mk1 by removing instrument panel ( not sure if that bike has this done, that could be a mk2 panel) and changing brakes, there are loads of conversions like that. bit like Monty's and SFC's really, few original ones around

mk1

mk2

**rjhartmann** · 17 Aug 08, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weeveetwin

Hi Bob

You didn't happen to notice what he's asking for that 1981 MK1 Le-Mans whilst you were there, did you?

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve,

Yup: £6,000. It's done 659 miles since Pietro did a full restoration (inside and out) on it last year. Price is not on the bike but a number of us did think to ask - it's that nice.
I figure that if you buy it from Pietro you'll never be unhappy, which takes some of the sting out of the price.

Regards,
Bob

**Gizmo** · 17 Aug 08, 08:50 PM

a bit over what they are going for but not much.

Dash has been converted i just couldn't recall how big a mk1 was

mk2 looks like this

**Dave G** · 17 Aug 08, 09:08 PM

Come back Multistrada... all is forgiven!!

That Mk1 is lovely, but the Mk2???.....

**Gizmo** · 17 Aug 08, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave G

Come back Multistrada... all is forgiven!!

That Mk1 is lovely, but the Mk2???.....

yup Guzzi had a weird patch and the bikes got progressively more "modern" styling :eek:

one to look at is a 750 S3 rare these days but I'm surprised they haven't done a SC type retro based on the new V7, i looked at one of the V7's as the base for an S3 type cafe racer conversion but it would have taken too much work, i'd have been able to buy a nice mk1 lemon for same money

**Mr.R** · 17 Aug 08, 10:39 PM

A couple of years ago Guzzi did make a retro styled 1000 that looked very much like the old S3 750's it even had wire wheels and a similar paint job.

Steve R

**weeveetwin** · 18 Aug 08, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the info chaps. I think that price is a bit steep really, since (as nice as it is) the bike doesn't appear to be an original MK1. I'd have to be convinced the bike I bought was the real deal before I could commit to selling my Ducati. (..even then, it'll kill me!)

I've got my eye on this one. Looks completely untouched but for the pipes. Don't yet know the price, I'm awaiting an e-mail.

**weeveetwin** · 02 Sep 08, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weeveetwin

Thanks for the info chaps. I think that price is a bit steep really, since (as nice as it is) the bike doesn't appear to be an original MK1. I'd have to be convinced the bike I bought was the real deal before I could commit to selling my Ducati. (..even then, it'll kill me!)

Hi guys

Re. this Guzzi Le Mans:

Having decided against buying the silver bike (its condition is not quite up there, for me), I looked again at the red one advertised by Motori De Marino. Now I'm a bit naive when it comes to Guzzis, so I posted a request for info. on one of the Guzzi sites. Here's what they've had to say. Moto Guzzi Club GB Forum: Ducati vs Guzzi.. Which..?

I'm expecting some high resolution photos of the bike this weekend, but they've rather put me off..! I'm now teetering on the brink of letting it go.

**BertAgain** · 02 Sep 08, 07:22 PM

If you've got cash on the hip and are looking for some cool retro, there's a genuine MHR on ebay for £7,500 ........

**Mr.R** · 02 Sep 08, 07:27 PM

Hi Steve,
I've looked at the Guzzi club link and know some of those lads personally, they do know what they're talking about.
I think it's good advice to stay away from what is really on overpriced 'Bitsa', even if it looks really nice and been built by someone who knows what he's doing.
Most years I attend the Guzzi Clubs V Twin Rally and there's quite a few very nice Mk1's around if I were you I'd wait a while and see what else comes along.
Maybe even join the 'Ditch Pump' club and keep an eye out in their club mag' as a lot of these bikes seem to stay/change hands within the club.
One more word of warning Guzzi's are fairly bullet proof and capable of covering very high milages, but 30 year old Italian bikes have 30 year old Italian electrics...
AND THEY WEREN'T THAT GOOD ALL THOSE YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE NEW!

Steve R Senior.

**stevel** · 02 Sep 08, 08:56 PM

WeeVee, I can see the attraction there, lovely bikes, and the guzzi lads seem a friendly / helpful gang, good luck however it turns out, nice machines, but keep the heart and head balanced