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Production numbers

The 1000S was not a great success, as a retro model it was way ahead of its time. Only a few years after it was out of production, there became more demand for retro motorcycles. Only 1250 were produced from the end of 1989 to 1993. The frame numbers were from VV50000-VV51190 and VV60000-VV60058 (source: 80 years of Moto Guzzi by Mario Colombo). According to this series of frame numbers, the total number of 1250 pieces seems to be correct, but in the 'Moto Guzzi Sport & Lemans Bible' by Ian Faloon 1360 pieces are mentioned. That seems more correct, because in the USA different frame numbers are supplied from VV200000 and VV250000. These numbers do not appear in the professional literature. According to the book by Ian Faloon, the following numbers are produced per year: 1989(155x), 1990(524x), 1991(401x), 1992(196x), 1993(84x). However, Faloon also writes that fewer than 200 items were sold in the USA. If you then count for example 180 pieces, then the total becomes 1250 + 180 = 1430. It will probably always remain a mystery...

Particularities

The front fork is almost the same as the last Le Mans 1000 (V) series with the adjustable Bitubo dampers. There are three differences:

- the 1000S does not have a fork brace like fitted on the Le Mans. The eyes at the top of the outer legs are missing.

- the inner legs of the 1000S are 3 cm shorter. With the Le Mans, they protrude about 3 cm above the fork yokes (because previously a 16-inch front wheel was mounted instead of 18-inch with the last Le Mans 1000)

- the 1000S lower legs are polished instead of sprayed.

The front and rear fender are only used with the 1000S, just like the tank and the seat. The shape of the tank appears to be a copy of a Le Mans-II tank with the lockable lid over the fuel cap. However, this is not the case, because this tank does not fit on the frame with the higher head tube of the 1000S. The shape of the side covers on the frame is a copy of the Le Mans-I and II. The cast wheels again come from the LeMans 1000, just like the footrest brackets, rear suspension and swingarm. The plastic dashboard of the first series looks a lot like the 850T3, only the instruments on the 1000S are white.

The 1000SE is completely painted in red, without the characteristic stripes of the 1000S. There is also a fairing mounted from the former Le Mans 850. To mount the fairing to the 1000SE, the indicators are mounted lower and the headlight brackets are designed differently. This is more visible on the shown 1000SE, without a fairing. The cap on the lower triple clamp is also different in shape and made of chromed plastic instead of black plastic. This is because the flashing lights have moved further down  to the lower triple clamp. The cap is identical with the ones used on the California III, 1100 and the Mille GT. Strangely enough there is a 1000S sticker on the side covers, no 1000SE designation here.

Versions

Two versions of the 1000S have been released, also referred to as the first and second series. The dividing line is not so clear here, because Moto Guzzi often used what was available in the warehouse. The various admission requirements in different countries also had an impact on the components applied. The first series had the Le Mans 1000 engine with 81 HP. The second series had two engine versions, the 81 HP of the first series and a 71 HP version of the SPIII / California-III engine, which had a more dispersed torque. For the USA, the carburetor jetting was changed due to the strict requirements, the headlight and the dials of the instruments were also designed differently. Initially the 1000S only came with cast wheels of the Le Mans 1000, because the spoke wheels were not immediately available. But soon there was a choice between cast and spoked wheels. The spoked wheels version have an extra recess in the lower front legs and the rim sizes are slightly narrower (see technical data at the bottom of this page). The details are explained on the page “Various”.

As an extra information you can see a nice document that could be found on a website that no longer exists. There the 1000S is even divided into 3 series.

The images below show the most striking differences between the first and second series 1000S.

Plastic dashboard, identical to the 850 T3, but with white dials. In the course of 1990 this was replaced by a stainless steel dashboard.

Dashboard of stainless steel (click for the USA version with blue dials)

First series 1000S

Second series 1000S

 Dell'Orto PHM 40 (40mm bore)

Dell'Orto PHF 36 (36mm bore)

- Exhausts from the Le Mans 1000 (Lafranconi S281)

- Buddyseat with pointed spout at the back.

- Exhausts from the Mille GT (Lafranconi S29)

- Buddyseat is flattened at the back.

 The 1000S

Introducing the 1000S

The 1000S was established by a request from the then German Guzzi importer, A&G Motorrad. Earlier, at their request, the Mille GT had already been created, which was sold reasonably well. At the Milan Motor Show, in November 1989, the 1000S was presented to the public. A retro model based on the appearance of the 750S3 from 1975 and the technology of the Le Mans 1000 from 1990.

750-S3 from 1975, stood model for the appearance of the 1000S

Le Mans 1000 from 1990, the technical basis of the 1000S

The 1000S was delivered in three colors:

- Black with orange and white stripes.

- Black with green and white stripes, including green frame and swingarm.

- Completely red, with also a Le Mans 850 cockpit. This version was released in England at the request of the English importer and was named 1000SE.

1000S orange with spoked wheels

1000S green with spoked wheels (exhaust is not original)

1000SE red with spoked wheels and Le Mans 850 fairing

1000S orange with cast wheels