CanAm
Classic Motorcycles
Can-Am was a motorcycle
producing subsidiary of the Canadian Bombardier
Corporation. In 1973, under the direction
and leadership of an American Engineer
named Gary Robinson and former motocross
World Champion, Jeff Smith working with
a team of California desert racers, Can-Am
began producing motocross and enduro bikes
using engines provided by the Austrian
Rotax company, another Bombardier subsidiary.
The machines made an immediate impact
with riders winning Gold, Silver and Bronze
medals at the International Six Days Trial,
a form of off-road motorcycle Olympics.
The following year, the company swept
the 1974 AMA 250cc motocross national
championship with Can-Am riders finishing
first, second and third. The bikes gained
a reputation for their high horsepower
outputs.
The Rotax motors used a
slightly unusual style of intake. A rotary
disc system was employed and this plate
was altered repeatedly between T'n'T (track
and trail) and MX models. This plate is
accredited with the horsepower gain over
convential piston port motors used on
Japanese motorcycles. The MX3 was the
pinnacle of Can Am, produced in 1976 it
produced 36 horsepower, 6 more than the
closest competitor. It was the consensus
that the bike was nearly unrideable because
it hit so hard. The japanese manufacturers
had no chance...
However, soon after the
Can-Am introduction, the Bombardier corporation
shifted its priority from recreational
products towards diversification into
the transit equipment industry and then,
several years later, into aircraft manufacturing.
As a result, investments in the young
Can-Am division were reduced substantially.
In 1983, Bombardier licensed the brand
and outsourced development and production
of the Can-Am motorcycles to Armstrong
/ CCM of Lancashire, England. 1987 was
the final year Can-Am motorcycles were
produced. In 2006, BRP reintroduced the
Can-Am brand to its All-terrain vehicles
(ATV). And in 2007, the Can-Am brand is
also used on BRP's new roadster category.
(www.brp.com).
Bike |
Image |
Description |
1974 CanAm TNT 125 |
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1975 CanAm TNT 250 |
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1975 Can-Am TNT250 |
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1977 CanAm 250 Qualifier
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1979 Can Am 175 |
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1979 Can Am Bombardier |
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Classic military motorcycle.
Olive green, 250cc, kickstart.
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1979 Can Am Bombardier |
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The bike has a 250cc rotax
engine, and is a single cylinder
2-stroke rotary valve |
1980 Can Am Enduro |
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250cc. |
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