Mk1 or MK2 Identification

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I'm sorry to hear of your Uncle's passing. He had good taste in motorcycles.  
All the best with the sale if you decide to sell the LM. I'm sure someone through this forum would be keen.

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KIWIMIKE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Falcone Joined: 26 Jul 2018 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote KIWIMIKE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2018 at 00:03
	I'm sorry to hear of your Uncle's passing. He had good taste in motorcycles. All the best with the sale if you decide to sell the LM. I'm sure someone through this forum would be keen.
	Mike 1979 850 Le Mans Mk2 Previously owned the following: 1981 850 Le Mans Mk2 1980 CX100 1982 V50 Monza 1976 Laverda Jota

rapheal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Nov 2014 Location: west country Status: Offline Points: 599	Post Options Post Reply Quote rapheal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 11:34
	if you are going to sell several motorcycles, my honest advice would be to enter them into an auction one that specialises in motorcycles and has the people who are experts to catalogue and ID the machines several reasons for this there are a few smooth talkers out in the world who will talk the price down and con you, then promptly list in on ebay at silly money with a wordy description some private buyers are in fact dealers, they can be crafty as well also the Auction house will list everything and put it in the catalogue the tax man will have an interest in your late relatives motorcycles and the solicitor will have to list them for probate anyway that way you wont get asked to pay a large sum in tax later on the other reason I suggest this is FAMILIES at some later date a person may turn up claiming part ownership of the collection, its happened many times before putting it through an auctioneer keeps it all above board and provable and you will get a better price where money is concerned their is scope for people to fall out, even close families here I speak from experience

GuzziPaul Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2015 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 227	Post Options Post Reply Quote GuzziPaul Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 2018 at 18:07
	Although the receipt now proves it, another way ti identify a Le Mans is the switch gear, if it looks realy cheap and the left hand light switch rotates around the handlebar, it's likely to be an original Le Mans. Although MKII switchgear is not much better and a lot of owners upgrade on both bikes, the MK1 switchgear is about £150 a side and rare, its unusual for a MKII to MK1 conversion to change the switchgear to the original version. When I got my 2nd Le Mans from Ebay that's one thing I looked for in the photographs, original switchgear, before placing a bid.

Bucket Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guzzino Joined: 29 Dec 2015 Location: Preston Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bucket Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Dec 2018 at 12:50
	Hi I have ve 17774 Several sources tell me it is a genuine mk1 after examining pictures I’ve provided to them of components It’s widly believed that frame numbers run up to ve 18146 with 7036 being produced Ian falloon quotes “Some discrepancy in the frame numbers” this is both the mk1 and mk11 I would assume that ve17311 was just the last one off the production line ,frames where built in batches but not necessarily assembled in numerical order allowing for earlier bikes to have higher frame numbers The frame numbers for the mk11 also run above the quoted amount where there cannot be any lemonizing it’s very clear that the factory quoted numbers just cannot be correct I would like to see a copy of the original receipt and docs if possible just for some clarity Andy Edited by Bucket - 24 Dec 2018 at 12:58

Beza Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guzzino Joined: 05 Oct 2020 Location: Norwich uk Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Beza Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 2020 at 20:43
	Hi,looking at some old posts,think it was around 2018,concerning your late build MK1 le man's,you seemed to have good proof that it was indeed a MK1 and I have the same thoughts about the one I have,purchased recently,you said yours was 17685 and I have 17695, I obviously went into this issue before I bought it and so did the person I bought it from and in all areas like yours it definitely is a genuine MK1, for all the same reasons you said with yours, correct tank, forks, yolks, center stand indicator mounts, instruments,idiot lights,wiring loom etc, interestingly the guy I bought it from got it from the family of the old gentleman that had it from new,the bike had been off the road since the 90's and there is no way you would thought ofmaking a MK2 look like a MK1 back then,have you still got it or did you sell it,any proof you found of late build MK1's would be if interest to me,cheers,ian

Guzzioz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guzzino Joined: 02 Jun 2021 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guzzioz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 2021 at 07:16
	Hi, I find this interesting, you guys have 17685 and 17695, I have 17675 here in Australia, picked it up from a guy in Northern Territory a few years ago, missing quite a few parts. I'm pretty confident it has always been a Mk2 but they are an old bike and anything could have happened. Is there something more definitive to tell other than yokes, forks and instruments, wiring loom maybe? Update - Having educated myself through the other forum, I will rebuild my bike to a MK1 series 2 with a round headlight and fairing, square tail light etc. Now realising it is not a MK2 at all, I will have few MK2 spares to get rid of, thanks for all the input. Nope - I just don't know, maybe it is a MK2, I think I will pay and get a certificate from MG to clarify Edited by Guzzioz - 10 Jun 2021 at 04:16

lemans Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guzzino Joined: 05 Jan 2025 Location: new zealand Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote lemans Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2025 at 19:07
	re lemans mk1 id reading this thread with interest as i have frame number ve17686 and was not sure of model my bike came to new zealand from uk in 2009 now this clarifies it, cheers brian

Guzzioz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guzzino Joined: 02 Jun 2021 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guzzioz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Feb 2026 at 10:18
	Is yours a Mk1 or Mk 2?

Simond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2021 Location: Kent Status: Offline Points: 1021	Post Options Post Reply Quote Simond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 2026 at 18:09
	Mine is a genuine matching numbers LeMans (mk1) first registered in ‘77. It’ll be 50 next year. I’m going to buy it a cake In LeMans. It has Lego switchgear, (which was certainly a retrofit) and a rectangular taillight (mk1 second series). I’ve never measured the fork yokes but it has the calipers ahead of the legs. I can see no reason why the legs can’t be flipped around and side to side. The filler cap is a pop-top with a button, not a screw-top - I’ve never seen one of them. It is not recessed like a mk11.

Chris950s Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Nov 2018 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 550	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chris950s Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Feb 2026 at 15:11
	You should remember that the original handlebar switch gear was not very substantial and was often replaced with later Lego brick switches, that were not much better in my opinion. I did it myself to my 850T. I have since refurbished the original and found some spare switches that now sit proudly on my 1974 750S replica. Part of the problem was the high currents passing through the switches, I have sorted this by incorporating relays in the wiring so only low currents pass through the switches. Originality is good for the value of the bike but to my mind rideability is more important. As my bike is a bitsa, more from necessity than from design, I am not to concerned with originality. I remember an article from Titch Allen where he despaired with the continual drive for originality, as he liked to see the history of the bike complete with modifications to make it go better or easier to ride, I think I am in his camp. Have fun, Chris
	Chris and Karen - Essex 2011 Stelvio NTX, 1974 950S (750S replica nearly rebuilt!), 1966 Triumph T100SS 59 years young this year!

Simond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2021 Location: Kent Status: Offline Points: 1021	Post Options Post Reply Quote Simond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Feb 2026 at 19:26
	Mine is all original except the new bits…. stainless brake lines, relays other wiring improvements (the multi pin plug to the saddle/mudguard/rear light assy was a game changer for servicing, two minutes take the whole lot off, and just as quick to put back on) LED bulbs (sadly not the headlight) It will have a useful side stand this year Lucas Rita Lots of stainless fasteners Etc Edited by Simond - 15 Mar 2026 at 08:24