Backwards tank eagles and tank paint

[Turin]

Has anyone ever seen a Guzzi with both eagles on the gas tank facing backwards? The bike in question is a 2002 V11 lemans. Is the tank paint ( grey/red version) glossy or flat?

On my lemans 1000 and Cal III the right eagle faces forward, and the left rearward. Were the tank decals on these the shiny version?

 

I'm trying to determine if the bike had issues before I hand out $$$.

 

Thanks!

[guzzler]

I seem to recall this cropping up a few years ago and the consensus is that the Eagles should be facing forward! But don't take my memory as gospel.

I just checked my 01 V11 Sport and both are indeed facing forward.

Cheers 

[LowRyter]

Both left and right eagles face forward on my EV and V11 Sport.  

[Lucky Phil]

47 minutes ago, Turin said:

Has anyone ever seen a Guzzi with both eagles on the gas tank facing backwards? The bike in question is a 2002 V11 lemans. Is the tank paint ( grey/red version) glossy or flat?

On my lemans 1000 and Cal III the right eagle faces forward, and the left rearward. Were the tank decals on these the shiny version?

 

I'm trying to determine if the bike had issues before I hand out $$$.

 

Thanks!

Like this one? https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/topic/30570-2002-v11-lemans-redsilver/

It's made in Italy, anything is possible during manufacture or maybe the tank has been repainted.

Phil

Edited December 29, 2025 by Lucky Phil

[Turin]

Very much like that one, put the tank paint looks flat and both eagles face rearward. Also the instrument light cover is silver instead of black.

[audiomick]

There was some discussion in the German forum I am active in a while back about which way the eagles should face. The consenus was that they should face forwards. but that from time to time the decals that were applied were whatever happened to be available at the time. There were reports of one facing forwards, and one backwards.

And then there is the possibility of a shoddy re-paint.

As far as I can tell, both left and right should be facing forwards, but there is no gaurantee that this is always the case. 

[gstallons]

Both sides, they should be facing forward . 

[Turin]

Thanks all. I passed on this grey red lemans. The broker insisted that he had a bunch right in front of him all the same way.  It wouldn't have been as big a deal as the evasiveness and being gas lit. The search continues.

A green V11 sport would be my first choice, then any V11 Lemans, not hung up on special editions.

[gstallons]

IDK where you are located or how far away the bike is located BUT I do think it would be worth a trip to "see for yourself" and see about the bunch right in front of him.

[gstallons]

I think Phil's statement should "put paid" to the question about flying eagles on gas tanks.

[docc]

4 hours ago, gstallons said:

IDK where you are located or how far away the bike is located BUT I do think it would be worth a trip to "see for yourself" and see about the bunch right in front of him.

When I look for @Turin's "Chandler" location, I get Arizona, USA......

54 minutes ago, gstallons said:

I think Phil's statement should "put paid" to the question about flying eagles on gas tanks.

Done! (set post as "best answer.")

[Turin]

I asked for pictures of the others. The Lemans in question was in California. Six hour drive. I'll find something closer.

[gstallons]

I have come to the conclusion EVERY Moto Guzzi is a prototype. 

[Chuck]

On 1/5/2026 at 6:43 PM, gstallons said:

I have come to the conclusion EVERY Moto Guzzi is a prototype. 

I was hanging out with Mark at Moto Guzzi Classics over the holidays and he showed me several original bikes (mostly LeMans) with different details. 

[bmc5733946]

I have had this conversation many times. I have uncrated consecutive serial Guzzis with different details. Things like foot peg rubbers, hand grips, instrument face color. Small blocks, big blocks, etc. It does seem that Guzzi assembly was totally reliant on what was in the parts bin at the moment. The discussion about which way the eagles are supposed to face is always amusing. Either side might be facing forward depending on (who knows what)???? My experience tells me that no one, including the factory, actually knows what came on any particular Guzzi and that the parts tables are merely a catalog of suggestions of what might have appeared on a given bike.

Brian