Gilded Goose

GILDED GOOSE

PERSONAL PROJECT

GUZZI WITH A TWIST

MOTO Guzzi's 1987 Le Mans 1000 SE had its share of problems. After testing the flashy red-and-white bike more than four years ago (see CW, January, 1988), we complained about the bike's bob-and-weave fork damping, its abundant engine vibration and its heavy throttle-return springs. But we also gave the Italian bike its due, saying that, "On the right backroad at the right speeds, the Guzzi is as rewarding a ride as there is in the sport."

And that's the rationale that consumed Dave Mc Clelland, the owner of the 1987 Le Mans 1000 SE pictured here. But rather than let the bike rest on its laurels, McClelland ironed out his Moto Guzzi's wrinkles, with help from Earl Campbell, owner of Pro Italia Mo tors (3518 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208; 818/249-5707).

"Before I bought the bike, Earl and I sat down and listed all of the things that we wanted to change," says McClelland. "We made about 90 percent of the changes before I even took delivery."

Pro Italia replaced the timing chain with a set of aluminum gears, and in a move to improve throttle response, machined the flywheel, lightening it by 25 percent. Beyond that, the rest of the 949cc, pushrod V-Twin was left internally stock. Exter nally, a Dyna ignition and coils, K&N air fil ters, jet kit, and large-di ameter Bub headers were fitted, the latter modified to accept black Verlicchi mufflers.

Additional items, such as cylinder-head guards, Ducati Paso controls, lightened throttle-return springs, European front turnsignals, and Brembo 11.8-inch brake rotors and four-piston calipers, im proved both the Moto Guzzi's appearance and its performance.

But the greatest im provement came from modifying the 40mm fork and adding aftermarket wheels. HyTech's fork kit replaced the stock inter nals with new springs and damper assemblies for a marked improvement.

"You still don't rush into a corner, slam on the brakes and flick it in," ex plains McClelland. "But it's a real improvement over stock."

Next, McClelland aban doned the Guzzi's narrow wheels for five-spoke As tralites. Both wheels are an inch wider than stock, and while the rear main tains the stock 18-inch diameter, the front measures 17 inches, as opposed to the factory 16-incher, for surer handling and a wider choice of rubber. Bias-ply Metzelers-a 120/70-17 ME33 Laser front and a 140/70-18 MEl rear-were the final additions.

In spite of all its modifi cations, McClelland says his modified Guzzi Le Mans hasn't lost its tradi tional appeal.

"I have a tremendous af fection for this bike. Com pared to my Ducati 888, the Guzzi is old-fash ioned. But within its limi tations, it's a helluva bike. I've tried to modernize it a bit, but you really can't change its essence. And I'm glad of that."

Matthew Miles