1980 Le Mans

[CanonVanagon]

A local dealer near me has listed a 1980 Le Mans w/ 20k miles. I haven't seen it in person yet but attached is a photo for reference. For those who know these bikes what is the bike worth? I don't alot about these bikes so any info would be great.

Thanks

[bigbikerrick]

It looks like a nice clean, "rider". I would venture to guess somewhere around $7K would be a good starting point, depending on history ,and details. I would be proud to own/ride that beautiful Tonti!
Rick D.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

What country are you in for starters? Edit: I see you're in Colorado. Doesn't hurt to add this information to your profile.

The US never got the Le Mans II, our version was the CX100, which was the same chassis as the rest-of-the-world bike, but with the engine from the 1000SP. Le Mans II/CX100 should have a rectangular headlight, quarter fairing and lowers, so that one have been modified a bit. Instrument housing isn't correct either - backdated to '76-'78 850 Le Mans type. This is what a (mostly) stock Le Mans II looks like.




I'd want to make sure it's really a Le Mans II/CX100 and not a tarted up 1000SP before I bought it. Modified as it is hurts value IMO, so $5k at best if it's really a Le Mans/CX100.

[PeteS]

Safe to say its not original but that can be a good thing assuming you want to ride it and not use it as living room art.
Main thing I would want to know is what are the heads like. Are they 850 LeMans heads, CX heads or modified CX heads.
Suspension and seat upgraded, maybe the motor too. Ask if the dealer can put you in touch with the previous owner.

Pete

[rocker59]

You may want to look at the VIN and be sure what you have.

 LeMans II will be VE engine code

CX 100 will be VU engine code.

LeMans III will be VF engine code.

These are in the VIN and on the frame.

Then there is the possibility of owner modifications.

I'm in the $5K ballpark.

[CanonVanagon]

You may want to look at the VIN and be sure what you have.

 LeMans II will be VE engine code

CX 100 will be VU engine code.

LeMans III will be VF engine code.

These are in the VIN and on the frame.

Then there is the possibility of owner modifications.

I'm in the $5K ballpark.

VU111278 is what they have listed. So I guess that answers the question.

[rocker59]

VU111278 is what they have listed. So I guess that answers the question.

Yes.  That makes it a CX100.

They're good, reliable riders.  More than one member here have them and ride them a lot.

Just not one of the more valuable models in the LeMans series, especially in modified form.

However, if it's in good condition and can be bought right, then you might have a really good vintage Guzzi to enjoy!

[Guzzistajohn]

 Here's a 1980 CX100. I've "massaged" it a bit over the years VIN111257  I like the bike enough to keep it for the last 34 years. I'd say thats a 5 to 6K machine you're lookin at    I have a 1980 Cycle world mag that compares the CX to the Duc Dharma that's an interesting read

[CanonVanagon]

 Here's a 1980 CX100. I've "massaged" it a bit over the years VIN111257  I like the bike enough to keep it for the last 34 years. I'd say thats a 5 to 6K machine you're lookin at    I have a 1980 Cycle world mag that compares the CX to the Duc Dharma that's an interesting read

So it looks like no fairing, wrong headlight, wrong dash, aftermarket seat and repainted different? They are asking $5,500.

[Guzzistajohn]

So it looks like no fairing, wrong headlight, wrong dash, aftermarket seat and repainted different? They are asking $5,500.

If you like the bike and don't care about originality, 55 ain't bad.

I wouldn't care about the fairing & headlight- they sucked anyway. Mine has a round light and a fairing off of a V11 Scura (Thanks to Tom in Hawaii)

The cx  isn't as "collectable" as other LeMans models.

It's a great motor, pulls like a freight train. Personally, I have more confidence in that bike than all of the new shit they're shoving out of Mandello now-a-days
  (flame on Kev M  )

[guzzisteve]

"It's a great motor, pulls like a freight train. Personally, I have more confidence in that bike than all of the new shit they're shoving out of Mandello now-a-days"
  (flame on Kev M  )

That say's it all John, I don't even like CARC that much.

[Guzzistajohn]

"It's a great motor, pulls like a freight train. Personally, I have more confidence in that bike than all of the new shit they're shoving out of Mandello now-a-days"
  (flame on Kev M  )

That say's it all John, I don't even like CARC that much.

And from a guy with your experience. Well, you know.

[Tkelly]

If you can handle the Bars looks great and has a much better seat than the original.If mileage is correct it is a steal,we had one and it was a great bike.We put adjustable bars on and it was a comfortable ride.

[Guzzistajohn]

You can make that bike about what ever you want it to be. Great platform.

[wirespokes]

I'm not fond of the CX bodywork - a lot of guys weren't - so they got retrofitted to earlier LM styling. For the right price (which this one appears to be if in good shape) I think it's an upgrade from its original form. Some say collectibility suffers with the changes, but they're not that collectible anyway. Easy enough to install a LM1 fairing (without that headlight hemorrhoid abortion they came with here in the US) and clip ons. Offer $5K and who knows - maybe you'll get it.

I paid 4500 five years ago for a nice T3 with a V7Sport tank and extras. This CX is a much better deal!

[PeteS]

The LM 850 fairing is just a styling exercise. Does nothing to keep the wind off your body. CX and LMIII fairings actually work.

Pete

[moto-uno]

 ^ But the year the Le Mans 2 came to Canada it was the fastest (not quickest) motorcycle tested , that fairing was developed in the factory's
wind tunnel and was pretty much responsible for the high top speed . Peter

[Turin]

I personally like the looks of the CX-100/Lemans II. I see aftermarket carbs and  a Bub exhaust system, so there may be other engine upgrades. $5,500 isn't a bad price. I'd go for it.

[huub]

sounds like a good deal,
over here ( europe) i would have been tempted.

pity about the modifications ,
but converting it back to stock Cx shouldnt be hard , lots of used bodywork available.
not everybody likes the looks , but the fairing is amazingly efficient at high speed.
in the rain as long as you can keep up the speed you will stay dry in the still air bubble behind the fairing.
I bought my le mans 2 as a cafe racer, and converted it back to stock
its my favorite bike ( together with my morini 350 sport) 


 

[blackcat]

Looks like those are fairly new 40mm carbs on that bike which means it must have modified heads or it runs like shyte. Given the modifications, I’d say they are asking a fair price for that bike. 

It would take time and quite a bit of money to return it to stock, not worth it in my opinion as stock CX’s don’t exactly fetch a lot of money. I’ve spent many hours behind my CX fairing and it does work quite well but the lowers are difficult to live with and I got tired of fixing/replacing the H bracket that supports the front fairing.

I’ve owned mine for 27 years and it went from a ratty, krylon painted black bike with a real squirrels nest in the fairing when purchased it to this:

[Dukedesmo]

Looks good even if not original. That said, I'm personally not too bothered by originality.


I paid 5,000 Euros for my LM2, 8 years ago. It was totally original with just 12,000 miles on it but needed recommissioning due to lack of use so, given the time passed and the fact that everything seems to have hugely increased in price recently (at least here in Europe) it seems a decent deal, especially if it's from a dealer (mine was a private purchase).

[Guzzistajohn]

I have a CX fairing in the attic. From what I understand the rubber seal 'round the rectangle HL is pure unobtainium. 

[blackcat]

I have a CX fairing in the attic. From what I understand the rubber seal 'round the rectangle HL is pure unobtainium. 

Yeah, lost at least two or three of those things and I noticed that they never come up for sale anymore.

[blackcat]

Looks good even if not original. That said, I'm personally not too bothered by originality.


I paid 5,000 Euros for my LM2, 8 years ago. It was totally original with just 12,000 miles on it but needed recommissioning due to lack of use so, given the time passed and the fact that everything seems to have hugely increased in price recently (at least here in Europe) it seems a decent deal, especially if it's from a dealer (mine was a private purchase).

If mine was in good shape I probably would have kept it in original shape but it was a mess.

[Guzzistajohn]

If mine was in good shape I probably would have kept it in original shape but it was a mess.

The one that came on mine was a POS too. The headlight was like a Bic lighter on it's last leg.

[cliffrod]

I also have a Lemans CX100 and think the asking price of the bike posted is probably reasonable if it’s mechanically sound, even if it needs tuning.   I bought mine last year and have not had time to enjoy it like I want to, but was very happy to get it for $2900.  It’s not all original but I don’t care.  I’m still sorting it.   It seems to be a very sound bike that looks great and will not produce anxiety when unattended like more valuable/collectible models do. 

Many of these old machines have reached a point where it’s about opportunity to have one vs arguing over a relatively small amount of sales price.  You either get it when the opportunity arises or you don’t because someone else will grab it while you’re thinking.   If you buy a more plain T, T3 or V1000 instead and try to do a nice clone to look like this bike, $5500 will probably not be an adequate budget.  If it’s the kind of bike you want, buy it and enjoy it with relative impunity.   

[blackcat]

The one that came on mine was a POS too. The headlight was like a Bic lighter on it's last leg.

Funny.

I think that I might have one of those headlights kicking around in my garage but from memory they could also be sourced from some Fiat but I might be wrong on that source. Trying to source the headlight mounts is probably difficult but I'd try to find someone who has the parts from an SP. Probably the hardest part to find in descent shape is the rubber cover for the clocks that says LeMans.
 
"I bought mine last year and have not had time to enjoy it like I want to, but was very happy to get it for $2900."

I paid $2,500 for mine and it was running but running poorly.  I remember having a hell of a time trying to get it timed with the stamped timing marks until I had a conversation with Dave Richardson who informed me that those marks are probably just a suggestion and I should time by ear and performance. Solved that problem and I proceeded to invest thousands of dollars in that bike. 

 

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: blackcat on Today at 04:08:20 PM

Funny.

I think that I might have one of those headlights kicking around in my garage but from memory they could also be sourced from some Fiat but I might be wrong on that source.

___________________ ___________________ ______________

I read somewhere that the headlight is the same as that fitted to a Fiat 126?

Probably not a car that sold much in the USA (650cc, 2cyl) but was quite widespread in Italy/Europe, so parts should be available.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

IIRC, the headlight in the North American market CX100 (and other models) was completely different than the one for the rest of the world. The ROTW version was from a Fiat 126. MG Cycle sells one: https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_154&products_id=2836 and they're available on ebay as well.

[cliffrod]

Does anyone know the actual dimensions of that Fiat headlight & how tightly it fills the opening in the fairing vs the typical American car headlight? 

Edit- think I found them in one of the eBay listings..