This U.S.-market Le Mans variant was created when Moto Guzzi adapted its sporty big-twin for American buyers who wanted more displacement and a more conventional touring-sport position than the original 850. The CX 100 used the Le Mans II chassis with a 1000 cc engine based on the company’s touring motor, giving the model a distinct place in the Le Mans family rather than as a separate clean-sheet design. It first appeared for the 1979 model year as a limited-run American special.
The nameplate did not follow a single uninterrupted production run. After the initial 1979 introduction, a very small additional build is reported for 1981, making the CX 100 a rare transitional model rather than a long-lived catalog staple. It is generally remembered as an export-only machine associated with Moto Guzzi’s effort to keep the Le Mans concept competitive in the U.S. market while the standard Le Mans line evolved in Europe. For collectors and enthusiasts, the CX 100 stands out as one of the more unusual factory Le Mans derivatives, combining the visual identity of the 850 Le Mans era with a larger engine and a limited American history.