Meet an Owner: Carsten Tegeler – 1980 Agostini-DMB V1000 II

At 130-mph, the scenery between Frankfurt and Mainz blurs into walls of solid green. Sitting up the engine’s top-end clatter gets lost in the howling wind, but ducking behind it reappears to join the amplified blare of twin Lafranconis. At home on the Autobahn, Agostini’s V1000 Le Mans II is fast company – composed and confident. “I was disappointed at first,” admits owner Carsten Tegeler. “There was an adjustment process coming off a Monza 500 twin. Some Guzzi friends said the Le Mans would take practice and it’s true. You don’t change it, it changes you.”

Sold new as a DMB V1000 Le Mans II by Carsten’s friends at the Bielefeld dealership, three previous owners rode and enjoyed this DMB V1000 before Carsten spotted it in the small ads, circa 1986. “A dual seat and Koni shocks had been added, but otherwise it was in original Agostini tune” recalls Carsten, who refit the solo seat. “At one point it was sent to Alfred Bajohr, a famous Ducati and Guzzi tuner in Germany, so that explains the dual plug heads and two lead coils. It also came with a 38mm exhaust, but I never put it on.”  Sparking interest in fast Moto Guzzis with impressive race wins, Bajohr is credited as a key figure behind DMB’s decision to commission the 1000cc Le Mans. “The larger engine does make more horsepower than a normal Le Mans 850II or III…even more than a standard 1000 IV, as long ago we tested it at a sprint contest.”

The long ownership has given Carsten a few preferences, like ditching the OEM Pirelli Phantoms for Metzelers. “The Pirelli is fine for sunny days, but the Metzeler is good rain or shine. Yet another great suggestion from my Le Mans friends. I can’t say enough good things about the ME33/99 combination for this bike.” Even in modified form Agostini’s leaned-on V1000 Le Mans remains a low stress classic…impressive, given the usual worry of riding precious exotics. This is a bike for riding. “Unlike some, I believe Moto Guzzi’s integral brakes are a wonderful invention; great for braking around curves. During spirited cornering, the Le Mans maintains a greater amount of poise when the unexpected happens”.

With decades of memories to choose from, it might be difficult for Carsten to pick a favorite. Then again, the Agostini signatures on the fuel tank of Carsten’s still rapid V1000 might give a clue. “In 1988 I planned a trip to Mandello Italy and during my visit, the bike takes fire (gasoline and sparkplugs do not mix outside of the engine) so I take it to the Agostini garage. There, I have a chance to meet the man who built my bike, so I asked him to sign the tank. Pleased and flattered I’d come so far, Duilio Agostini himself explained that sixty bikes had been built on the M.k. II base and a hundred more on the M.k. III, all for the German market. I was the first owner to bring one back. Two years later some painting had been done and the name disappeared, so I visit Duilio again and ask him again to sign…this time on both sides! Daughters Lindy and Alis were so friendly and helpful. Alis is truly adored – the first lady of Mandello. Today, this motorcycle honors a great man, Duilio Agostini, and his family.”

Meet an Owner: Martin Straube  – 1981 Agostini-DMB V1000 II

Spotting this article after recently (2023) purchasing this V1000 badged Le Mans in Germany, owner Martin Straube very kindly shared these photographs and some important, original documentation that traveled with it. Referring me to the bike’s first registration, Martin began uncovering both its tuning, and identity: “This motorcycle was proofed for traffic in November of 1980 as a V1000 Le Mans II, with a first registration date of March 26 1981”. Compared to Carsten’s example posted above you’ll note some modifications, but it is all very common. 

Martin’s access to this V1000’s records explains its 1993 redo; spoke wheels (in place the factory FPS cast) and that might have been when the seat, rear fender and clocks and were changed. It’s difficult to define just looking at images, but clearly some trimming was done to the Agostini fairing. Even though it didn’t come that way, I’m a bit taken by the chrome finish edge beading. Those twin Konis aren’t original either (but should have been) and like Carsten’s Agostini-issued DMB V1000, the factory ‘844cc’ steering head foil is joined by a second ‘942cc’ foil added to the left rear frame rail. “It came with a spare Agostini engine too, purchased by the previous owner in the 1990s and kept with the bike since then.” Martin hasn’t shared his plans for the renovation now underway, but returning it to original trim might be worth the effort. Nolan Woodbury    

Part II