IAN FALLOON
Features
History of Moto Guzzi and how the utilitarian V7 evolved into the V7 Sport
Full description of the Telaio Rosso and subsequent variants
How the Le Mans came about
Sport and Le Mans racing history
Modifications to each model during the production run
How the Sport and Le Mans compared with the competition.
Technical appraisal
Complete Appendices of technical specifications
Description
Lino Tonti managed to take the large V7 Moto Guzzi touring engine and create a spectacular sporting motorcycle, the V7 Sport, in 1971. This remarkable machine evolved into the stylistic 850 Le Mans, another landmark Italian motorcycle. Here is a year by year account of development and specification changes of a great series of motorcycles.
Synopsis
The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and Le Mans are iconic sporting motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s. They were amongst 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. This was so successful that Moto Guzzi again began to concentrate on building sporting motorcycles. When Alessandro de Tomaso acquired the company the future for Moto Guzzi twins looked bleak until the 850 Le Mans was released in 1975. Like the V7 Sport, the Le Mans was a class leading sporting motorcycle and continued into production throughout the 1980s. After the Le Mans II of 1978, Le Mans III of 1980, the Le Mans IV of 1984, and the Le Mans V of 1988, although no longer a cutting edge sports bike, the final Le Mans successfully managed to combine traditional attributes with modern conveniences. Covering the period 1971-1993 and all models (V7 Sport, 750S, 750S3, 850 Le Mans, 850 Le Mans II, 850 Le Mans III, 1000 Le Mans IV, 1000 Le Mans V) and with description of model development year by year, full production data and 150 photos this is a highly informative book and an essential Bible for enthusiasts.
Independent Reviews
Review from Octane magazine, September 2007
Although the font used for this book's text is not the easiest to read, which takes the edge of your enjoyment, Guzzi fans will appreciate this history of the Tonti-frame twins made between 1971 and 1993. Design is big and bold, with some great period pics, and it's well researched.
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Review from MPN magazine, August 2007
The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and Le Mans were amongst the first 1970s era Superbikes to combine Italian style, handling and performance. After struggling through the '60s, the birth of Guzzi's V7 Sport Telaio Rosso in 1971 helped propel the venerable bike brand's success and led to the 1975 release of the Le Mans, which in turn solidified the company's momentum in the sporting motorcycle segment. The Moto Guzzi Sport & Le Mans Bible features the entire history of both bikes in the years spanning 1971 to 1993. Full specs of both model's development year-by-year, complete with full production data, is augmented by 150 photos. The expert behind this page-turner is Ian Falloon, one of the foremost motorcycle historians, with more than 20 books under his belt. His personal collection of classic sporting motorcycles includes a 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, so this New Zealander really knows what he's talking about!
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Review by Brett Rosenthal for the Falcone Newsletter, part of the The Moto Guzzi Owners Association of NSW, June 2007
This book is centered on the development of Moto Guzzi Sports bikes from the early V7 to the V7 Sport and onto the Le Mans series up to 1993, as well as racing bikes including Dr Johns endurance racer.
Ian has compiled lists of individual changes from model to model as well as changes within each series of models including a brief development of each model. Lots of previously unseen period photos in both colour and B&W including many Australian bike magazine photos, close up detailed shots of parts. Lists of frame and engine numbers, charts giving the total production number of each model. All very comprehensive. The text in this book has been proof read by Ivar de Gier so you can be assured the information text is correct.
If you have an interest in these bikes this is a great book and well worth adding to any other Moto Guzzi books on your shelf.
