Vintage Can-Am Motorcycles

Vintage Can-Am MotorcyclesCan-Am is a Canadian motorcycle brand from the 1970s and 1980s. While Bombardier began and ended producing machines for the dreary Canadian winters, they made quite a name for themselves in the motocross and enduro world, as well. Bombardier began producing Can-Am bikes in the 1970s, using Rotax engines, which was another division of Bombardier.

The first Can-Am motorcycles were 175cc and 250cc models. They had single-cylinder, disc-valve, two-stroke engines with a five-speed gearbox. In order to make the bikes more off-road-friendly, Can-Am mounted the carbureator on a passage behind the cylinder, feeding the mixture to the disc-valve, and keeping the engine more narrow. Long-travel suspension was another feature of the bikes, using telescopic front forks and twin rear shocks, drum brakes, wire wheels, and off-road tires. Not only were these bikes made for racing, but they were street legal, as well. They had a spark arrestor on the exhaust system, a speedometer, lights, mirror, and turn signals.

Word got out pretty quickly about these new Can-Am bikes, especially after Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the International Six Days Trial were won on Can-Am’s in 1973, and Gary Jones won the 250cc class of the 1974 AMA National Motocross Championship on one, too.

1978 brought about a larger five-speed 366cc model with a reed-valve engine with petrol lubrication, and all three of the models now had new rear shocks, Marzocchi front forks, and increased wheel movement. A six-speed gearbox was now standard for the 175cc and 250cc models. These changes essentially made them purely for enduro racing, and they were named the Qualifier.
Now that there was an enduro line of bikes, Can-Am needed a motocross line. They released the 250 MX-5 and the 370 MX-5. Their engines were the sizes given by their names, and they had more power than the previous Can-Am’s, and more wheel travel. In 1980, Can-Am added a 125 MX-5 to the motocross mix, and a 400cc to the Qualifier line. With the increase in emission regulations in the United States in the 1980s, Can-Am also began using four-stroke, single-cylinder Rotax engines with four-valves and an overhead camshaft.

Bombardier, feeling overwhelmed with all of their snowmobile orders, decided to outsource development and manufacturing of Can-Am’s to England’s Armstrong/CCM. They however did not keep up with it, and 1987 was the last year that Can-Am produced off road bikes.

Vintage Can-Am Motorcycles & Parts

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69 Comments

  • Erich Brock says:

    Hello, I just purchased, what I believe to be, at 1984 Can-Am Sonic MX 560 with the 4-stroke Rotax engine (white tank, orange seat, orange frame, orange fork ends). Bike is fully complete and as the story goes, the bike used to belong to Gary Jones (Can-Am gave it to Gary). Would like to know where I could source some engine parts, like timing belt, carb rebuild kit, etc. I greatly appreciate any guidance and advice you can afford. Thanks!

  • François says:

    Hi i just bought a 1978 can am mx4 250 and i would need a owner manual (to rebuild it)it need clutch work and probably bearing to where could i find those

  • Glen Priddy says:

    I have purchased a Can-Am 370 Qualifier, not sure of the year. What can the serial number on the frame tell me?

    Thanks
    Glen

  • Chris says:

    Looking for service manual and parts manual for a 1986 Can Am 200 ASE.

    Will be needing parts at sometime. Just got this one in my shop yesterday. Cheers

  • Rob says:

    I’m looking for a motor that will fit an Mx 1. ( prefer a 125cc) not sure how interchangeable they are from year to year.

  • BRUCE says:

    I would love to find a nice 125 mx1.Any one have one?

  • Jeff Carlucci says:

    Hi there! three months ago i paid ahead of time in full for an expansion chamber for my MX2:250. Jemco Industries yet, he never answers texts, or answers his phone. Any idea where i can find a MX3: pipe that was on a Black Widow 250? Thanks.

  • Jon says:

    I have a 1980 mx6 125and need a top end rebuild kit and I don’t know where to find it. Help please

  • Chris patrick says:

    I remember when the mx 2s came out I had a friend who’s father ordered a big shipment of 250s 125s and 175 those were the best toughest bikes made in the industry they tested those bikes raced motocross you couldn’t beat em he even bought a Yamaha dealer the yamahas couldn’t hang I wished they still made em.

  • Peter Brillo says:

    Hello Rebuilding 1977 MX3 Cant find swing arm bearing and want to replace rubber bushings does anyone know where I can get replacement?
    Thanks
    Pete

  • John Roy says:

    Hey guys
    I just bought a 500cc. It was in a barn and its rough but rebuildable.
    Were can I find a digital repair manual?
    What’s the best place to buy random parts of they are still available. Or am I gonna be hunting for a long time ?

  • Steve says:

    What type of crankcase oil for 1975 TnT 250?

    • Paul says:

      I use ATF+4 (Mopars type ATF) in all my vintage MX Can Am’s it’s full synthetic at a cheap price, can change it after every race, auto parts house brands about $5 a quart, OEM back in the day called for Dextron ATF I believe

      • John says:

        Dexton is not so cheap anymore I am running or will be running honda gear oil I love that stuff and I think my rotax will love it to. Not cheap but what is anymore.

    • Kirk munday says:

      I had a 1975 Can-Am 175 tnt indero I ran 10w30 in the winter an 10w40 in the summer I really miss that bike it had endless power it would walk away from any bike out there. So I went out and bought a 2007 can-am quad I love it. Have fun with your can-am.

  • Brandon says:

    Hey can somebody PLEASE go e me a web page for parts on a 1970 something can am tnt 175 bombradier I bought one for 650$ and it needs referb but i can’t find parts ANYWHERE. P.s my first bike and I don know much about bike but I’m ok with small engines.

  • Mark says:

    You still have these two bikes?

  • Scott Smith says:

    Have 1983 Can-Am MX 125 and looking for rear brake control rod, bushing and nut to hold rod in bushing.

  • Scott H. says:

    Looking for a ’70s style white Can-Am jersey, any thoughts?

  • Dakota says:

    I have a 1985 Can Am 250 two stroke Bombardier I’m looking for a carburetor can anybody help

  • Dean says:

    Hi, I have just bought an 1978 250 ex military bike. I need a engine gasket kit as it has an oil leak and looks like there wasn’t a gasket fitted! Can anyone point me it the right place to get one. Thanks

    • Anonymous says:

      They did not use gaskets, all you need to do is clean both sides with brake clean and use a good engine silicone.

  • I have a 79 can-am 400 Qualifier, I ‘am looking for a flywheel. Don’t know if 370 or 250 will interchange? Does anybody know where I can find one? Thanks chas

  • Josh says:

    I’m looking for a starter shaft for my 86 ase 200.
    If anyone has one or a site that I can buy new or used.

  • Pete Johnson says:

    Just picked up a 1986 200 ASE project for my daughter and I this winter. Any info on where I can get a shop manual for it? Any help is appreciated!

  • Craig Fox says:

    What silencer is on the Can Am mx6 125 on your site? Looks like its aluminum!

    • John white says:

      I got mx5 250 that someone tried turning into mx6 125 don’t ask me why but they did have aluminum silencer wish I could post a photo but u can reach out to me john white on Facebook me and my daughter is sitting on scag lawnmower orange or add can am groups on Facebook I can share with you photos and better details on that year silencer. Or email me at johnrobert198927@gmail.com I’m also looking for 125 parts lots of parts

  • Ace aka josh says:

    I have an 1984 85 500 mx but it needs a total restore.

  • jim heier says:

    What’s up Can-Am people. My name is Jim and i have come across a 1986 Can-Am 200 ASE needing some love. First thing on my list is a header pipe for this bike. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  • Scott Johnston says:

    Hello. I just had the privilege (or horror) of buying two Can-Am’s (’77 250 Qualifier & ’76 T’nT 175 O/R) at an estate auction yesterday here in western Colorado. Original owner who passed away and they came with the original (old) Colorado titles. I part out many old bikes to fund my restorations but these two “may” be worth restoring. I can send photos. In my research over the last few days, I see both good and bad comments on these. However, the ’76 vin# 6855000431 seems to be the most rare. I am not sure what the O/R stands for (off-road?) or how many were ever made. It seems like they were only made in phase 3 of this model for that year only. I have also seen the “VL” listed after them with something about being vintage legal to race. I need to get them running before I decide what to do but the carb slides seem stuck so I have work to do. Any info you have would be great. Thanks!

  • ed says:

    Does anyone know where I can buy a service manual for a 1985 can-am bombardier ase 250 dirt bike?

  • Bryan Strait says:

    I have a 84 Can-Am MX 500 in excellent condition, I took a spill and racked my rear frame section and can’t get it straight enough to use. Does anyone have a rear frame section for my bike? I would be very grateful. Please send a photo and how much money please. I’m located in North West Ohio up by Toledo, Ohio. Thanks to all you vintage Can-Am riders, collectors, and general keepers of the Rotax machines From Canada. And yes England for that short time.

  • Ricky Hofer says:

    All I can remember, is that the 250 had a pretty strong engine.

  • Scott T. says:

    @B.P 6: Are you still in the market for a Can-Am 500MX?

  • B.P 6 says:

    Does anyone know where I could find a repair manual for a 1984 Can-am MX 500 online?

  • Anonymous says:

    @Dan M – 38mm Mikuni 400cc Can-Am

  • Dan M says:

    Just bought a 1984 Can-Am 500 in New Hampshire with a 1986 500 ASE rolling frame with a 400cc motor in it. Can’t wait for spring! Anyone know what size carb the 400cc motor takes?

  • Kevin says:

    I have a 1980 Cam Am 250 MX6 and oil leaks out of the shifter shaft, can someone advise?

    • Anonymous says:

      In case nobody replied, there is an o ring that seals the shifter inside the motor. Yes, you have to split the cases to get to it. Sucks! I used a fat o ring between the Shifter and kicker. Works ok, slows the leak to a minor drip once in a while.

      • David Dawson says:

        Thanks for telling me the bad news that I was ready to hear. I have the same problem on my 1973 Canam TNT 175. I added an “o” ring on the shifter shaft like you did and it helped but didn’t stop the leak entirely. No worries a little oil on the MX track isn’t as bad as riding the street with an oil leak.

  • Mike F says:

    Had a 1980 MX 400 just like the first photo. I could keep up with my buddy who had a newer Suzuki 500 cc. It was a great Cal. desert bike and hill climber for its time. I read it had 42 horsepower in the owners info book.

  • dan carney says:

    Had a 1985 250 ase/lc. Seems to be a rare beast. Any comments? I’m 55 and would ride it daily if only I could!

  • KJ says:

    Looking for a 84 Can-am 500 MX or ASE.

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