1973 Can Am

[TommyBwell]

The salesman at the local mega dealer that carries everything and knows nothing had no idea that Can Am started selling motorcycles in 1973. Since we have so many people that are new to riding getting their start on Can Ams I was wondering how many people have never seen one of these?

[Vader]

Sweet!

[ARtraveler]

I remember them well. In those days, I was driving a Honda 350 Scrambler.

[BajaRon]

I had one! 250 MX. Blazing Fast! Great Low End for a 2 Stroke. Loved the rotary valve and the injection lube. But the suspension would KILL YOU!

Like 'What Suspension?'

[pegasus1300]

they were great bikes and did well on the motocross circuit and in enduros. They never caught on and Mother BRP went in another direction. Not sure when they disappeared late, 80's I think. I know they took Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the ISDT in 1973 and sweep the AMA motocross series in the mid 70's. We already know how great Rotax engines are,but Can Am also developed some great suspensions and frames.

[MouthPiece]

Saw them do pretty well at Daytona during bike week back "in the day". I was disappointed that they discontinued them.

Chris

[Bob Denman]

I always thought that the rotary valves were pretty cool; everything else that I had ever seen was of a piston port design...

[PrairieSpyder]

Now I understand the "retro" design on the t-shirts!

[TommyBwell]

I always thought that the rotary valves were pretty cool; everything else that I had ever seen was of a piston port design...

The rotary valve was a cool way to go. By 1973 most of the Japanese bikes were moving to reed valves. I love the low pipe. There were a few of those around but I think it looks great.

[Highwayman2013]

Our dealer in Henderson NV has one in the showroom.

[PMK]

I rode my friends back in the 70s. At the time I had my Suzuki TM125.

Made a whirring sound rather than a scream.

I have the photos of Jimmy Ellis on a factory Can Am works bike at the first Southwick national.

PK

[PMK]

Now I understand the "retro" design on the t-shirts!

Yes.

PK

[Chupaca]

Remember them well out on the "Manchay" motocross track. They are still around down there. We were running Suzuki TM's and later RM's. Great bike but those 3" of travel were bone crunching...

[Tanshanomi]

I wanted a Can-Am Sonic 4-stroke thumper so badly back in high school.

[TommyBwell]

I wanted a Can-Am Sonic 4-stroke thumper so badly back in high school.

I didn't remember the thumper. That is sweet.

[PMK]

I wanted a Can-Am Sonic 4-stroke thumper so badly back in high school.

Somehow I thought I saw one in need of work on

Mark's Vintage Swapmeet on Facebook

[Bob Denman]

I wish that I hadn't heard that...
Now, I'm tempted to go look it up, and get myself in a World of trouble!

[DR Buck]

Back in those days I had a Yamaha 250 Enduro and my street bike was a Honda CB-360.

[speedbuggy]

Back in the day, the Canadian Army used these bikes for recce, courier, patrol and many other duties in
the field.
They really put them to good use.

[PMK]

I wish that I hadn't heard that...
Now, I'm tempted to go look it up, and get myself in a World of trouble!

Marks Vintage Swap Meet is serious trouble unless you have a lot of money to spend OR restraint from buying. Sometimes whole bikes, sometimes parts.

There are some pretty neat facebook groups for vintage dirtbikes. Some the value on old dirtbikes is crazy. A recent EBay 1975 RM125M with the factory hop up kit, tons of NOS parts to build it. Basically showroom new. Auction went to almost $8000 and the reserve was not met. Someone was willing to spend almost 8k on a 75 RM125.

I have a 1981 KTM495mc I have owned since 2001. I'm the third owner. The bike was not running and needed the cases split and other work done. The wife has wanted it gone for a long time. Tonight I plan to order some of the last parts I need to put it together. After showing her a nice but not restored 81 KTM 495mc that recently sold on ebay for almost $6k, she is a little more at ease of having it around.

The other one to check out Bob is Vintage Motocross Buyers & Sellers Price Guide, the guy that "owns" that group is coming out with a TV show about restoring vintage MX bikes. While cool in concept, once it airs, the price of decent vintage bikes that are desirable will go up.

PK

[james danny]

Yes bought one in 73 they were called TNT a good but rough bike before good shocks

[Bob Denman]

Marks Vintage Swap Meet is serious trouble unless you have a lot of money to spend OR restraint from buying. Sometimes whole bikes, sometimes parts.

The other one to check out Bob is Vintage Motocross Buyers & Sellers Price Guide, the guy that "owns" that group is coming out with a TV show about restoring vintage MX bikes. While cool in concept, once it airs, the price of decent vintage bikes that are desirable will go up.

PK

Thanks for this info! I've got a riding buddy who's into old Spanish MX bikes... I'll bet that I can get his Wife REALLY mad...
(He has yet to find a 'tessa or Bul, that he didn't like...)

[PMK]

Thanks for this info! I've got a riding buddy who's into old Spanish MX bikes... I'll bet that I can get his Wife REALLY mad...
(He has yet to find a 'tessa or Bul, that he didn't like...)

Those FB groups have all brands and models. Actually some really cool stuff. BSA motocrossers, Honda pressed steel framed bikes, Hodakas, CCM, Bultaco, Ossa, Montessa, DT's, AT's, CT's, TM's, RM's, Yamaha MX's, YZ's, CR's, IT's, MT's, PE's, Pentons (some very nice cool stuff), KTM's, Maicos, Carrabellas, I mean all sorts of neat stuff including old Can Ams.

I have been told no more motorcycles unless one goes. I explained the Spyder Takes up two spots, can I get two if the Spyder goes. I was almost instantly killed with those burning, glaring eyes.

She knows I want a trials bike and is being smart where I am being foolish.

PK

[Bob Denman]

Trials...
Perhaps a Beta?
I had an old Honda TL 125 (1976), that was an awful lot of fun. It made me learn how to ride the technical spots in our trails with skill, than with a heavy wrist...

[PMK]

Trials...
Perhaps a Beta?
I had an old Honda TL 125 (1976), that was an awful lot of fun. It made me learn how to ride the technical spots in our trails with skill, than with a heavy wrist...

TL125 and TL250 are stupid over priced. Yes a Beta, or Sherco would be good also.
Gas Gas is chapter 11, Honda has seriously gotten into Montesa which will be good I believe.

There are used bikes out there, some are trashed, other decent, many overpriced. Time will tell...

PK