1981 Guzzi Le Mans CX100 barn find (sort of).

[viggo51]

After 33 years my father is finally letting me have his 81 CX100. Some history, he had it ordered in Boise Idaho and to his knowledge it was the only CX100 in the state at that time. A some time later (4037 miles)  he laid it down in Portland Oregon on rainy day. My mother promised certain death (or castration) if he ever dare to get on it again. A divorce, moving 7 times, and 33 years went by and He kept pushing it to one domicile to the next. I was visiting him in Idaho and he finally succumbed to my annual plead to let me take possession of this Italian masterpiece 

The bike: 4037 original miles on it and right side damage from the accident. The bike has not been started for 33 years and is going to need some serious TLC. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions for restoration or possible modifications. I not sure to attempt to keep it original due to its low miles or to make a tasteful cafe'.

Damage is to the Faring (not Pictured) and the lower right body faring is MIA.

Looking forward to your suggestions and thanks in advance!

John C


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[Matteo]

Not many around, even fewer that are original. I would keep it stock and cafe a more available model.
Regards
Matt

[Groover]

Congrats, and what a great story that comes along with the bike. Looking forward to some photos

My opinion, I'd leave it stock. It's a great survivor and I'd keep it that way.

[Guzzistajohn]

I've had my cx for 27 years, not worth 2 shits, you should sell it to me cheap

[Arizona Wayne]

I have an `81 CX100 too.  If you want to keep it's value anywhere near what it is worth don't strip it into a café bike.  If it's been inside all these years it should be in pretty good shape, depending what crash damage was done to it.  You can mount a conventional handlebar on it, unlike most other LeMans models. I put a euro touring bar on mine.

[Guzzistajohn]

I have an `81 CX100 too.  If you want to keep it's value anywhere near what it is worth don't strip it into a café bike.  If it's been inside all these years it should be in pretty good shape, depending what crash damage was done to it.  You can mount a conventional handlebar on it, unlike most other LeMans models. I put a euro touring bar on mine.

Didn't you try to butcher yours into a trike?

[pehayes]

Would be helpful to see some pics of the crash damage so we might evaluate if there is some underlying, important damage.  The motor and gear stuff should all be fine with a lubricant change.  Prepare to rebuild the carbs.  Prepare to flush, rebuild, replace anything hydraulic.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Arizona Wayne]

Didn't you try to butcher yours into a trike?

Naw, I was thinking about it but butchered it into a pseudo SP instead.  Got a Convert. to butcher into a trike instead. 

[viggo51]

More Photos!

[Guzzistajohn]

Poor dear, give her some lovin'

[Arizona Wayne]

Now I'm curious where the impact was.   The fairing seems to be gone.   That can be replaced.

[Guzzistajohn]

I've seen some for sale here. I sure like a round headlight. Got one (fairing) in the attic

[viggo51]

Impact was on the right side. Some superficial damage to the valve cover and cracked the faring (not pictured but I have it). Right lower faring presently missing. I like the look of round light and earlier faring design as well.

[Arizona Wayne]

I removed the lower fairings on my CX as I like the bike better w/o them. With the lower fairings you never get the heat off the jugs, which when it's cold is not good.  W/o the lowers you tuck in behind the jugs and get the heat when it's cold, spread your legs out when it's hot and the heat goes between the bike and your legs.  Best of both worlds. 

The original CX fairing really works good for protecting your upper body from the weather, even with a handlebar instead of clip ons.   The LM 1 fairing is next to worthless for body  protection.  I have found in rainy conditions if I ride @ 65 mph and hunker down a little the rain will go right over the top of my body with the CX stock fairing/windshield w/clip ons. 

[viggo51]

Just found the Lower faring pair on E bay. I had to buy them figure if I want to keep it original it would be good to have!

Arizona it never rains in the Pacific Northwest!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Wow, that's nice of your Dad to keep it all this time for you/

Do a proper restoration

[Cam3512]

Who cares about wind or weather protection.  I'd ditch that butt-ugly dash and throw on an 850 LeMans dash and fairing.  Nothing that couldn't be changed back to stock.  Wish your dad would've come to his senses years earlier.  Breaks my heart to see that bike sitting outside under a cover for all those years knowing he'll never do anything about it.

[blackcat]

I'm with Cam. Quite frankly, the CX while rare, is not anywhere near the price of a Lemans I and you can shelf all those parts if for some reason they turn around in price 40 years from now.

I would get it running just to make sure it doesn't sound like a bag of rocks and then strip it for a full restoration. The tank looks like it might buff out but clearly the side panels need paint, get Greg Bender to build a new wiring harness, there are new switches being made and the next ave is up to you, but I had Ed Millich lighten the flywheel, added a hotter cam and installed 36mm carbs. And you might as well get a valve job. The Bosch starter never worked right on mine so I'd suggest a Valeo for an easier start with less battery draw. And paint the frame, as I bet it looks like shyte. Mine had the least amount of paint I've ever seen on a motorcycle frame.


Good luck.

[Perazzimx14]

If you're going to keep the bike the resale value of it is of little concern so do what you what with it.

If your plan is to sell it then keep it original as possible. 

I'm a big fan of having a bike you'll ride and enjoy. A bike sitting because it is in too nice of condition or too original to risk riding it is worthless.

[huub]

first get the bike in proper riding condition , ride it , and decide if you want to make a cafe racer out of it.
i did the opposite, bought a ale mans 2 cafe racer , and restored it back to its original condition.







these are brilliant bikes, personally i would be proud to have such a unique piece of family history.

[Matteo]

Beauty Huub

John, I have a spare right valve cover.

[Arizona Wayne]

First off, the CX frame was painted flat black.   Unlike the other Le Mans the dash also has a clock & volt meter.  With a Corbin seat the CX is a perfect sport/tourer w/hepco-becker bags & rack like mine has. There are more LM1s around than CX100s.  You get 50-60 mpg and can go over 200 miles easy between fillups. You can make the mags tubeless & add a Dyna ignition.

[viggo51]

Thanks Matteo,
My Pops did buy a replacement R valve cover soon after the accident.
I will soon have an extra left lower cowling faring if anyone is in need.
I think bodywork on the existing front faring, tires, and of course getting her running are the first priorities.
Sharp Guzzi Huub!

[Groover]

I think a good cleaning will reveal how little that bike actually needs to get it up to decent conditions and safe riding conditions. The controls and dash will surprisingly look decent in my opinion using some cleaner products out there. Try Mother's Back-to-Black or something like that on them.

[Steph]

I'd say get it 100%   riding right and enjoy the patina of the bike your father gave you before considering any cafe conversion.  Each dent and scrape has a family history :)

[Chuck in Indiana]

Attaboy, huub.  Nice work.

[canuck750]

first get the bike in proper riding condition , ride it , and decide if you want to make a cafe racer out of it.
i did the opposite, bought a ale mans 2 cafe racer , and restored it back to its original condition.







these are brilliant bikes, personally i would be proud to have such a unique piece of family history.

I had no idea they came in white, the colour really suits the full fairing, looks fantastic!

[Dimples]

Based on your post, my sincere advice is to find an experienced professional to make the motorcycle road worthy. Put some miles on it and decide what to do after that experience. If you're not qualified by previous projects don't start taking it apart on your own. You'll get in way over your head quickly. Spend your money (and you will) on a pro-- don't start ordering parts.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I had no idea they came in white, the colour really suits the full fairing, looks fantastic!

Agreed.  White really rocks on the early LeMans. 

[Cam3512]

Agreed.  White really rocks on the early LeMans. 

They also made very few 850 LeMans', more rare than the ice blue.   A WG member over in Europe has one. Don't think they were ever imported.