Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans mk2

**Atlas** · 22nd January 2008, 13:34

Can any owners of early le mans models comment on reach of brake and clutch levers. I find the lever reach a long reach on my mk2, am considering fitting regular flat bars which would allow me to move the levers next to the switchblocks, either that or fitting dogleg levers or adjustable span jobs. The bike has braided brake hoses so brakes are firm as.

**James Deuce** · 22nd January 2008, 13:35

PM Paul in NZ

**Paul in NZ** · 22nd January 2008, 18:35

They can be a bit of a beast... I like the original levers (big hands) but I also slack off the clutch adj after a long day of twisty roads (I have the CR gear box). Either that or the other bars is OK and yes I've considered ditching the clip ons many times (cos I'm old) but fitting rear sets does help make more sense of the low bars.

On the other hand - a Guzzi hard man told me when I was asking about seat options.... By the time ya fix the stiff throttle the clip ons give ya grief. Fix that and ya can ride a bit further and the seat gives ya bum a hard time, fix the seat and the suspension's stiff, then the pegs are wrong and the brakes are weak... Its a LeMans - its a mans bike - its says so on the side - HTFU

Paul N

**Atlas** · 25th January 2008, 13:12

Well its something to know that its just another late seventies Guzzi trait, even if it doesn't make city hill starts in rush hour traffic any more bearable. I'd like to try a set of narrow norton flat bars, probably the cheapest option, just need to source some handlebar top clamps...
Its such a great bike when its under way its a shame the long lever reach (mainly the front brake) is so bl**dy awkward. Had already added more slack into the clutch cable which helped.

**Paul in NZ** · 25th January 2008, 17:56

I've done 50,000km on mine (owned it since 9,500 km) and its a great bike - just uncompromising...

pm me if you need anything...

**Atlas** · 4th February 2008, 13:06

I've come up with a fairly simple solution, I've filed approx a mm off the contact point of the brake lever with the piston, then wound in the grub screw to take up the slack, its pulled the lever back into a usable reach, over a cm. So the stock clip ons will stay.