Ex-Race Bike Reborn: Le Mans 1000 by Sheriff Motorcycles…
In 1976, Moto Guzzi unveiled the original Le Mans 850 Mark I, named after the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race (24 Heures Motos). The chassis was developed from the Lino Tonti-designed frame of the V7 Sport, and the Italian V-twin sporter managed to combine highway comfort and twisty-road agility:
“The only shaft drive motorcycle to handle really well when ridden hard.” -Cycle, 1977
In 1984, the new Le Mans 1000 appeared with a 949cc “Big Valve” engine boasting 81 horsepower. The Le Mans had evolved from a factory cafe racer into a modern sportbike — the only liter-class V-twin sportbike on the market, in fact.
“With its bikini fairing, clip-on handlebars and booming exhaust, the 850 Le Mans was the epitome of the Italian Flashbike. By 1985, the Le Mans had moved into the modern sportbike era, a literbike with lots of swoopy plastic and a fashionable, 16-inch front wheel.” -Cycle World, 1988
While the Japanese literbikes could easily outpace the Le Mans on a track or twisty road, they couldn’t boast the intangibles so integral to the Guzzi mystique: charisma and character, elegance and tradition.
Enter Moe at Sheriff Motorcycles, who’s always had an admiration for vintage Guzzis. Moe got his start restoring and preserving classic motorcycles before moving into the custom world, building bespoke machines that blend a deep love of motoring history with cutting-edge design.
“Each creation is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. At Sheriff Motorcycles, we don’t just build machines; we craft stories on wheels, meticulously reconstructing and designing 1 of 1 motorcycles that not only pay homage to the golden era of biking but also roar into the future as powerful, road-ready symbols of craftsmanship and innovation.”
The bike here is no exception, born from a 1984 Le Mans 1000 that actually competed in the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos!
“The donor bike was an authentic race bike forged in Spain, which competed in Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, and other European races. Overhauled for endurance racing, it was a dominant force on the track…”
When Moe took ownership of the aged race bike, it had no electronics or alternator — a pure race bike, not even street-legal. He had a vision to put the bike back on the road for all to enjoy.
“After purchasing this remarkable machine, I transformed it, giving it the design and shine it deserved as a retired competitor, now to be admired and respected for its glory days.”
Moe felt some pressure not to overdesign what was already a classic, making and discarding countless sketches before he had the design he wanted.
“The design concept of this bike aimed to balance aggression with elegance, a challenging mix due to their contrasting design approaches.”
The build itself would take about six months, and it’s obvious that neither expense nor labor was spared along the way. The bike is running a front fairing with custom LED headlight, a handcrafted tail cowl with integrated lighting, a custom subframe and saddle, and new spoke wheels.
An alternator and all new wiring harness were installed, and the bike was converted to an electronic ignition. Gauges and switches come from Motogadget, while the bar-end indicators on the Tommaselli clip-ons keep traffic apprized of the rider’s intentions.
Moe wanted a bike that would exude power without relying on aggressive black-out finishes, and the custom paint and finishes do a great job of communicating both power and elegance. But you can’t take the race bike out of this old warhorse:
“Equipped with 44mm racing carbs designed for full-throttle endurance racing, it embodies the essence of a true racing machine. When you ride it, the raw and untamed nature of the motorcycle takes you by surprise — it just wants to fly. Its handling is reminiscent of a 250GP bike, delivering an exhilarating experience.”
That sounds like our kind of café racer. Below is our full interview with Moe about this stunning Guzzi.
Le Mans 1000 Café Racer: Builder Interview
• Tell us a little about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Welcome to Sheriff Motorcycles, where passion meets precision in the realm of classic motorcycles. The word “Sheriff” is inspired from the top-ranking police officer in a police force. Unlike police in a city or town, the sheriff is an elected official. Similar to our bikes, they are chosen and handpicked wisely and born out of a deep love for the timeless elegance and raw power of vintage bikes, Sheriff Motorcycles has evolved into a unique haven for enthusiasts seeking bespoke creations that seamlessly blend the rich history of the past with the cutting-edge design of the present.
Our journey began with a commitment to preserving the legacy of classic motorcycles, and it has since transformed into a specialized venture where each creation is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. At Sheriff Motorcycles, we don’t just build machines; we craft stories on wheels, meticulously reconstructing and designing 1 of 1 motorcycles that not only pay homage to the golden era of biking but also roar into the future as powerful, road-ready symbols of craftsmanship and innovation. Welcome to a world where every ride tells a story, and each bike is a testament to the enduring spirit of classic motorcycling.
• What is the make, model, year of the bike?
1984 Moto Guzzi Lemans 1000.
• How long did the build take and what was the most challenging aspect of the build?
Building this motorcycle took six months, including sourcing parts and finalizing the design. It was an interesting project because the bike already had a great look, making it challenging to avoid over-designing it.
• Why was this bike built? (customer project or personal project?)
This bike was a personal project fueled by my admiration for older generation Guzzis. Their amazing character always made me wonder what I could create if I ever had the chance to design one.
• Where did the donor bike for this project come from?
The donor bike was an authentic race bike forged in Spain, which competed in Le Mans, the 4 Hours of Spa, and other European races. Overhauled for endurance racing, it was a dominant force on the track, thanks to the expertise of the Spanish team.
After purchasing this remarkable machine, I transformed it, giving it the design and shine it deserved as a retired competitor, now to be admired and respected for its glory days.
• What was your design concept and was it influenced by anything?
The design concept of this bike aimed to balance aggression with elegance, a challenging mix due to their contrasting design approaches. Aggressive motorcycles are often fully blacked out with minimal color accents. However, with this motorcycle, we wanted to break the mold. We challenged ourselves to create a design that exudes power without relying on black, striving for a look that is both striking and beautiful. We hope we have achieved a motorcycle that not only looks powerful but is also a pleasure to behold.
• What was your design approach with this bike?
Most of this bike’s design was sketched out through numerous iterations. We don’t start the design process until we’ve exhausted countless sheets of paper. When the design is right, you feel it. So we kept sketching until that feeling emerged.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The bike had no electronics when we purchased it; it had no alternator because it was all removed for weight reduction. When we received the bike we had to design it and at the same time fully convert it to become street legal.
- Front fairing
- Tommaselli clip-on handlebars
- CNC custom mirrors
- Motogadget switches
- Motogadget speedometer
- Custom front fairing LED DRL
- Custom handcrafted rear seat cowl with integrated running light
- Gold metal coated engine guards and other engine parts
- Metal coating on many elements of the engine and exhaust
- Bar end indicators
- Spoke rims conversion
- Custom paintjob
- Custom leather stitched seat
- Custom aluminum carb horns
- Carb tuning
- New electronic ignition system
- Fully brand new wiring harness installation
- Alternator installation
- Voltage regulator installation and full power integration
- Modified rear frame and extension
• How does the bike perform now compared to before it was modified?
Everything about this bike screams racing. Equipped with 44mm racing carbs designed for full-throttle endurance racing, it embodies the essence of a true racing machine. When you ride it, the raw and untamed nature of the motorcycle takes you by surprise — it just wants to fly. Its handling is reminiscent of a 250GP bike, delivering an exhilarating experience.
Follow the Builder
Web: www.sheriffmotorcycles.com
Instagram: @sheriffmotorcycles
Classy