Buying an 850T, T3 or T4

[endo]

Hello everyone! I’m new to the group and looking for some guidance.

For some time I‘d set myself the goal of buying the one Italian marque I never got to own in the 80s: a Moto Guzzi and in particular, a Le Mans I or Ii.

I’ve now come to realise that I may be better suited to an 850 T. However, I‘m really struggling to fill my void of knowledge of this family. It seems to be a bit confusing. Which models were manufactured when. What the changes were. It seems the basic history is:
850T 1974 – 75

850T3/California 1975 – 82

850T4 1980 – 83.

I know the basics of what the T3 introduced over the T, and that’s about it!

I’m hoping you can help with a couple of questions:

- are there any particular production years to be wary of or any that have worthwhile features or engineering improvements? For example, I understand that from 1979 onwards, the T3 had cast wheels. Perhaps these are heavier and noticeably change the handling over wired?
- I‘ve been looking for a detailed resource which might have this information. Any recommendations?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[john zibell]

I would recommend the T3 over the T. The T rear brake is very grabby and you can too easily lock the rear wheel. Because of riding that T, I learned how to successfully release a rear wheel lock without high siding!! On my T3 I installed Lester Mags to be able to run tubeless tires. I did not notice any difference in handling between the T and T3. Ts did not come with an airbox in the US. With my T3 I did remove the airbox as the air filter was very difficult to change and used the T oil seperator with K&N filters with the stacks on the carbs to smooth the air. I won't reference years as availability of models is different between the US and Europe.

 

[endo]

I would recommend the T3 over the T. The T rear brake is very grabby and you can too easily lock the rear wheel. Because of riding that T, I learned how to successfully release a rear wheel lock without high siding!! On my T3 I installed Lester Mags to be able to run tubeless tires. I did not notice any difference in handling between the T and T3. Ts did not come with an airbox in the US. With my T3 I did remove the airbox as the air filter was very difficult to change and used the T oil seperator with K&N filters with the stacks on the carbs to smooth the air. I won't reference years as availability of models is different between the US and Europe.

HI John, many thanks for your reply. That's good to know about the cast wheels and really good to know about the T rear brake. Like you I learned how to deal with a rear wheel lockup, fortunately it was in a straight line, just playing around on my 2nd bike, a Suzuki 250. My Triumph Tiger Cub never had enough grunt to get me into any kind of trouble!

 

[Amboman]

Early 850-Ts had no oil filter, late ones did. T3 all had an oil filter. T and T3 both had chrome-plated cylinder bores which are prone to flaking. The chrome flakes can destroy the engine if left go long enough. T had a smaller u-joint and carrier bearing than the T3.

 

[john zibell]

Early 850-Ts had no oil filter, late ones did. T3 all had an oil filter. T and T3 both had chrome-plated cylinder bores which are prone to flaking. The chrome flakes can destroy the engine if left go long enough. T had a smaller u-joint and carrier bearing than the T3.

The T3 I owned didn't have chrome bores. I know that for a fact. Several years after the bike got totaled ( I paid salvage to the insurance company to keep the good parts) the cylinders and pistons were transplaned to another bike.