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

[SED]

How do you guys in the US put up with a speedo that stops at 80mph? Does the needle have a stop at 80 or does it just keep going?
And that 55mph warning light!, I'd have to pull the bulb.

Couldn't resist. 

[SED]

Gorgeous job, and great personal history.  Love the looks of the CX100.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Couldn't resist. 

  Yeah, I've seen that picture, too.. 

[capt.fun]

Hey John,

       Great job ,  I am really proud of the job you did on "RAGU"   and am glad to see you kept it as designed.   

       For you guys watching this resurrection here's the history.   I started riding in 1963 and had everything , Honda 50's Triumph and BSA 650"s Kawasaki 1000s and finally a Harley Electra Glide.

       When one of my best riding partners was killed with an encounter with a teen in a Buick I decided to change my style and go to full leathers and a helmet.    I had read a road test on the cx100 and called a BMW / Motto Guzzi dealer 150 miles away..  He tried everything to get me to purchase a BMW RS instead but I was firm on the Guzzi.   The bike was ordered as an 80  but with a truckers strike that year it disappeared in shipment.    After a two months delay the 2nd bike arrived as an 81.   The first ride after the trip home was a little 900 loop thru Idaho and Montana.   All Mountain passes and winding river roads.

       After a move to Portland I put the bike down coming off the Ross island Bridge at night in the rain.   Broken collar bone , ribs, and ego.    The bike got parked and hauled with me for three more moves .   Career changes , wife changes, but still "RAGU" in my life.   Riding went out of my like then and I swapped to cool cars.   Old school HOT RODs , no Gucci billet show sleds. 

          December of 15 John came for a visit and finally expressed an interest in "RAGU"   I made him buy it so I wouldn't get pissed if he built it in a way I didn't agree with.    After seeing what he has done I almost feel bad for not giving it to him, almost.   His money has been well spent on building a big block Cadillac engine for my 53 Studebaker Commander coupe.

          WELL DONE SON
         


 

[Steph]

Hey John,

       Great job ,  I am really proud of the job you did on "RAGU"   and am glad to see you kept it as designed.   

       For you guys watching this resurrection here's the history.   I started riding in 1963 and had everything , Honda 50's Triumph and BSA 650"s Kawasaki 1000s and finally a Harley Electra Glide.

       When one of my best riding partners was killed with an encounter with a teen in a Buick I decided to change my style and go to full leathers and a helmet.    I had read a road test on the cx100 and called a BMW / Motto Guzzi dealer 150 miles away..  He tried everything to get me to purchase a BMW RS instead but I was firm on the Guzzi.   The bike was ordered as an 80  but with a truckers strike that year it disappeared in shipment.    After a two months delay the 2nd bike arrived as an 81.   The first ride after the trip home was a little 900 loop thru Idaho and Montana.   All Mountain passes and winding river roads.

       After a move to Portland I put the bike down coming off the Ross island Bridge at night in the rain.   Broken collar bone , ribs, and ego.    The bike got parked and hauled with me for three more moves .   Career changes , wife changes, but still "RAGU" in my life.   Riding went out of my like then and I swapped to cool cars.   Old school HOT RODs , no Gucci billet show sleds. 

          December of 15 John came for a visit and finally expressed an interest in "RAGU"   I made him buy it so I wouldn't get pissed if he built it in a way I didn't agree with.    After seeing what he has done I almost feel bad for not giving it to him, almost.   His money has been well spent on building a big block Cadillac engine for my 53 Studebaker Commander coupe.

          WELL DONE SON
         

 :1:

Very inspiring, thanks for sharing 

[Matteo]

Hey John,

       Great job ,  I am really proud of the job you did on "RAGU"   and am glad to see you kept it as designed.   

       For you guys watching this resurrection here's the history.   I started riding in 1963 and had everything , Honda 50's Triumph and BSA 650"s Kawasaki 1000s and finally a Harley Electra Glide.

       When one of my best riding partners was killed with an encounter with a teen in a Buick I decided to change my style and go to full leathers and a helmet.    I had read a road test on the cx100 and called a BMW / Motto Guzzi dealer 150 miles away..  He tried everything to get me to purchase a BMW RS instead but I was firm on the Guzzi.   The bike was ordered as an 80  but with a truckers strike that year it disappeared in shipment.    After a two months delay the 2nd bike arrived as an 81.   The first ride after the trip home was a little 900 loop thru Idaho and Montana.   All Mountain passes and winding river roads.

       After a move to Portland I put the bike down coming off the Ross island Bridge at night in the rain.   Broken collar bone , ribs, and ego.    The bike got parked and hauled with me for three more moves .   Career changes , wife changes, but still "RAGU" in my life.   Riding went out of my like then and I swapped to cool cars.   Old school HOT RODs , no Gucci billet show sleds. 

          December of 15 John came for a visit and finally expressed an interest in "RAGU"   I made him buy it so I wouldn't get pissed if he built it in a way I didn't agree with.    After seeing what he has done I almost feel bad for not giving it to him, almost.   His money has been well spent on building a big block Cadillac engine for my 53 Studebaker Commander coupe.

          WELL DONE SON
         

Thanks for "The rest of the story" 🏍

[Turin]

Big block caddy in a Stude!!! Classic! Got any pics?

[wirespokes]

Cool story - except for the crashing.

[groundhog105]

What a GREAT story.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

[viggo51]

That's very nice.

How did it get done?    Hand it over to a pro in one lump?   Take it apart and send away the components to be done?   Or do it all yourself in your shop, buying parts as necessary?

No matter which, congratulations on bringing this family heirloom back to a fun and useful life!

Lannis

Did it myself in my shop. The old man did the paint and fiberglass work. Pieced parts together over the last year, E bay and a lot of google.  found out using the parts book numbers in the search limited the endless dead ends. The foot break lever and headlight gasket were the hardest to locate.

John

[viggo51]

Hi Viggo,

Was looking at your photos and noticed a lot of holes drilled into the back of the mufflers. Did you or your dad do this and what did it accomplish?

Thanks,
Ted

Ted,
My Dad drilled the exhaust just before he wrecked it. From my understanding t was just too quiet for him (previously ridding Harley's) I don't believe there was any performance advantage to it. It roars down the road like V8!

Viggo

[viggo51]

Hey John,

       Great job ,  I am really proud of the job you did on "RAGU"   and am glad to see you kept it as designed.   

       For you guys watching this resurrection here's the history.   I started riding in 1963 and had everything , Honda 50's Triumph and BSA 650"s Kawasaki 1000s and finally a Harley Electra Glide.

       When one of my best riding partners was killed with an encounter with a teen in a Buick I decided to change my style and go to full leathers and a helmet.    I had read a road test on the cx100 and called a BMW / Motto Guzzi dealer 150 miles away..  He tried everything to get me to purchase a BMW RS instead but I was firm on the Guzzi.   The bike was ordered as an 80  but with a truckers strike that year it disappeared in shipment.    After a two months delay the 2nd bike arrived as an 81.   The first ride after the trip home was a little 900 loop thru Idaho and Montana.   All Mountain passes and winding river roads.

       After a move to Portland I put the bike down coming off the Ross island Bridge at night in the rain.   Broken collar bone , ribs, and ego.    The bike got parked and hauled with me for three more moves .   Career changes , wife changes, but still "RAGU" in my life.   Riding went out of my like then and I swapped to cool cars.   Old school HOT RODs , no Gucci billet show sleds. 

          December of 15 John came for a visit and finally expressed an interest in "RAGU"   I made him buy it so I wouldn't get pissed if he built it in a way I didn't agree with.    After seeing what he has done I almost feel bad for not giving it to him, almost.   His money has been well spent on building a big block Cadillac engine for my 53 Studebaker Commander coupe.

          WELL DONE SON
         

Thanks Dad