So I finally took the Le Mans out yesterday for a test ride following the Winter restoration works. Once the bike had some decent fresh E5 fuel in it was performing brilliantly, but shame about the rider !
This is my 4th Le Mans, the last being owned when I was 38, and a bit more flexible than I am now at 64. I simply can’t ride it comfortably due to the low clip on positions making my neck severely ache due to tipping my head back to see forwards. I doubt I could do this for more than a few miles .
Although I have made some lowered foot rests which resolves the issue I had with the standard rest position being too high, this now throws up another problem that the rear brake pedal is now too high to be operated in a hurry.
This morning I have been exploring the possibility of buying a T3 top yoke and standard pair of handle bars, but seriously I think at this point the bike ceases being a Le Mans, becoming instead a hybrid T3.
I am going to give it a while, but sadly for me at the moment I think the simple answer will be to move her on.
I have enjoyed the restoration process over the Winter, but watch the for sale space over the next few weeks as she may well appear.
If anyone is looking for a fully functional Le Mans 1 batch 1 from 1976 please make contact.
I do believe that the original LeMans forks are narrower than a T3, leMans 2 etc so you would encounter more problems, you could use a top and bottom yoke, but then you would need to look at spacers on the front wheel.
Don’t worry about it becoming a hybrid, it’s your bike and do what you want to make it enjoyable for you to ride. If you are worried about value, hold onto the original parts so it can easily be put back to standard if you do ever decide to sell it.
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I did this about 12 years ago - T3 exhausts (stainless), T3 footrests and pedals, and Spada 'bars and top fairing. But just as you say, you end up with something that looks just like a T4.
My issue was lots of homemade parts and modified parts by the PO, so if something broke - which eventually it did - can’t just buy a new one. Also the homemade seat was a torture device and I was badly missing my Spada seat, so I got one of those on it too.
It was quite complicated, the seat change required a rear mudguard change to fit it, which in turn required a matching rear light, and so it went on.
The top yoke was an LM2 item, also bought for the job, because it has the handlebar clamps, on the LM2 these hold the mounting studs for the big rubber dashboard. I ended up getting one of those too, before that the front-end wiring and instruments was a bit of a nightmare.
Shit getting old I am 68.
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I feel your pain..
Oddly, I bought my V7 because climbing on/off our Suzuki Vstrom is not so simple as we become more, er.. ‘mature & experienced’.. unfortunately, compared to the Vstrom, the V7 is nowhere near as comfortable to ride so I’m still looking for something, easy to get aboard, capacious enough for our ‘maturing physiques’ and comfy on a long run..
So far I’ve tried a few bikes, but found little that fits the bill.
Father Time can certainly eff off.!
(Keeping the V7 though just for solo ‘pottering’ and trips, love the way it puts a silly grin on my face every time I ride 
)
Have you tried a Suzuki Bandit, which is currently my stablemate to the Le Mans. I have found the bike reasonably low and a real pleasure to ride comfortably and in full control.
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