Can-am, who had one?

I can't remember what year it was, but I had the 250 GP. The motor was to die for, but I exploded several rear wheels that kept me from qualifying for the amateur nationals (before Loretta Lynns)

I have always liked Can-Am's, especially the Sonic's. Call me a dreamer, but with 2012 not having a worthy DS/Adventure single coming to the US, Can-Am could get back into the motorcycle business with one model and capture that part of the market here, and possibly beyond. A big bore single to fill the void of the TE 630. An all new Can-Am Sonic with the fuel range of a KLR and the performance of a TE 630 could be an adventure riders dream bike.

" One of the cool features is that it had a hole in the front of the case that you take a bolt out of, and insert a longer bolt with the end ground down to somewhat of a point."

This hole is actually a crank drain for when you submerge your bike , you can drain the crankcase to easily get her up and running.
The ATK 406 took over after Can-Am with rotax 2stroke power. I still own this one , it is my favorite bike.

I've still got a 175 Qualifier 2 in my dads garden shed... He worked for the UK distributor for the 2/3 years you could buy them in the UK and the 175 I've got was one of the first imported here before the main import of Qualifier 3s.

It used to be my daily transport aged 17 with 125 stickers on it as at 17 you're only supposed to ride 125s here!


Dave

I had an 84 and 86 500. In between a Cagiva 500.

It may double as a crank drain, but it's purpose, according to the service manual, was as I stated. There was even a part # for the bolt that would hold the crank, but it was simple enough to fashion your own.

Sorry, I just always used to drain the crank after getting submurged in deep water and mud holes, never used it for it's intended purpose then? I never had the manual and never utalized this feature, damn ignorance!
You know you what a pain it is to tip your bike upside down and other crazy ways to get the water out of the crankcase out in the middle of nowhere, every two stroke woods bike should have this feature just for that.

Oddly enough, didn't some of the Canam enduro bikes have the air intake up by the steering head(IIRC)? They channeled the air thru the frame down to the sealed airbox. I think you could ride thru water up to the front number plate..........

The steering head vent was an 80-81 MX only function. Made use of the old resoivoir for the oil injector. The Enduros did not use this.

Joe

My '82 Qualifier had the steering head intake.

82 qualifier was really what "was" to be the MX 7. MX 6 being 80-81 so yes on the scoops. My bad that I forgot the 82 Qualifier IV as so few forgot it and its funky rear numberplate fender and the odd fender up front along with the headlight that looked like a square headlight shoved into a molted numberplate as an afterthought.

Yeah, the headlight was junk on the 82 bikes. The guy I bought mine from had already replaced it with the older, much more durable type from the earlier models. He also had it jetted to perfection. Probably the best condition used dirt bike I've ever purchased.

I had an '86 ASE 250. The motor was truly sick and it handled well when moving. It was a heavy greased pig though when it was stuck. I sold it to buy another bike and wish I had better insight back then...

An old timer around here recently told men "show me a used unrestored can am without a broken or creased rear fender and I will show you a can am that has never been ridden!"

Oh yeah, it's almost Easter.... time to roll out the Canned Ham!

I had a 85 250 ase I remember well from the scar on my left elbow,3rd gear power wheelie on asphalt my newlywed wife wasn't happy taking me to the er for stitches ! Lol also remember seized the top end riding in snow.. It was a bike to remember ! Here's a pic off the net of one like it ,wife wouldn't let me dig through the old photo box ...lol

I'm like " How did I miss this thread?" then I looked at the start date....Lol.

I had a 1977 Can-Am MX-3 175. Fast and scary handling. I was a no-talent loose-cannon then (nothing's changed!) ATC250R's were all the rage around us, circa 1985, and I smoked every one around on the 'lil old rotary-valved 175.

Like this:

My cousin had a cherry 125 mx-6, we swapped in a 250 rotax. Great power plant, fast and linear. Very cool bike. I would love to restore one.

i take it thats Johnny Martin