OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Other Makes (CanAms, Coopers, etc) => Topic started by: Tahitian_Red on July 08, 2008, 08:18:03 am
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Actually Can-Am started to get their shit together in 1980-81, but the end was near. Here's a pic of my current racer. It's a 1981 MX-6B 250. In 1980 Cycle World magazine chose the MX6 as their 250 MXer of the year over bikes like the YZ250G. I just replaced the original Ohlins with modern piggybacks.
:)
(http://www.post-vintage.com/images/MyMX6b.JPG)
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Red's quote "...the end was near....1980 Cycle World magazine chose the MX6 as their 250 MXer of the year over bikes like the YZ250G." interests me.
I'd left MX at that stage so I wasn't 'in the loop', but is this a fair assessment of the Can-Am? Was it really that good?
The sceptic in me thinks maybe the motorcycle media was helping a struggling Marque...just wondering, any thoughts on that?
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There is one here in Queensland, its super clean.
Note to self, got to get a Can-Am ::)
Oops, and there is a pic of it in the other thread from Wombat.
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Here's what Cycle Magazine said in it's May 1980 issue:
"With the 250 MX-6, Can-Am has done more than hold their own against the market leaders. Yellow, red and green machines may dominate motocross start lines across the country--and maybe even finish lines--but not because they hold a performance advantage on the Can-Am. The MX-6 has the best engine in it's class; It handles as well as any of the competitors and better than most. It's blemishes are few, the most serious being its tender clutch. If you decide to go with the orange machine, it will be an act of defiance, but it will be calculated act with a predictable result: Winning.
It's the Maico 490 of the 250 Twin Shock class. ;)
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Hi guys,
I'm in the early stages of restoring a 1980 MX-6 400, will post some pics when I get the chance.
I would like to swap the stock steel swing arm for an aluminium one from the 81 model like Tahitians,
are these hard to come by? Most of the other parts I got from RTR moto in the US.
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I think that the MX6 Can Ams are a great bike except for the ugly looking sidepanels & the rear guard that looks like a parrots beak . The earlier models looked better in this department . Also the front brake backing plate on the right hand side looks to put too much of a bend in the brake cable . I am looking for a front backing plate off an '82 Sonic for my MX6 project , because they mount on the left hand side & they fit the same front wheel . I would like an MX6B alloy swingarm as well , but when they do come up on ebay they attract a bit of interest & go for a high price .
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I had am MX6 400 back in the early 90s. I bought it for $300 and sold it for $400 but before I did I did a couple of the Colo Poker runs on it and a couple of Nepean dirt tracks. It was a brilliant bike that was excellent in all departments except for its godawful looks. I'd have kept it id the EVO class would have been around then.The 250 was the drag racing king of the class in 1980 but I don't know about being better than the Yamaha in other departments. It was a good bike though.
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Firko,
They do have looks only a mother could love, but my MX-6B is growing on me like a chubby girl with a great personality and sense of humor.
;)
I too was shocked a respected magazine picked the Can-Am over the 1980 YZ250.
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They do have looks only a mother could love, but my MX-6B is growing on me like a chubby girl with a great personality and sense of humor.
;)
Spot on! :D :D I quite like them too, only spoiled by the side panels - just squared off.
Way wrong in the style department; no flowing lines as we've come to expect from designers.
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Rosco,
That was me at Broadford,the bike is a 250 Qualifier that is being made to mx6 spec(not much to change)I had the bike at Ravenswood and was on fire for the first 2 laps of practice then she died, I think its over fueling.
I hope to have it at Vinduro and Blue rock.
Will post some picks shortly.
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Red,
Will you be at Glen Helen end of Sept?I believe there is a AHMRA round on then.
I will be over there at this time and would like to catch some racing.
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ATK,
I will be there! Would you like a factory ride? ;D (weight, helmet, pant and boot size?)
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Ross,
The forks are stock 38mm. I think they look larger because of the angle the photo was taken. I may switch to the later 40mm forks in the future.
I think MX-6's came in 125, 250 and 400 in 1980 and 1981.
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Can't help agreeing w the comments on the looks of the MX6.
I personally much prefer the looks of the MX4, tho no doubt the MX6 is a better bike. (I've never ridden either)
MX6's did come in 125s as indicated above. I have the engine out of one that was converted for enduro use back in early 80's. In fact I think its the one that featured in ADB mag in the day.
But its not the usual rotary valve engine that they came delivered with. Its a case-reed engine like the RMs of the 70s & like the 370/400 rotax engine. Apparently they're a rare engine (tho Puch used them in some euro models I believe) & I can't find a head for it anywhere. The water-cooled version is more common, but mine is aircooled, circa 82/83.
Anyone know anything about them?
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I think it's actually the tank that really adds to the ugly factor. I'm thinking about getting an aluminum tank made after the petcock on the stock tank fell out as I reached the pit after my last moto. It has a very flimsy push-in petcock held by a rubber gasket.
>:(
(http://www.post-vintage.com/images/petcock_kit.jpg)
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I used to think about certain bikes 'thats a bit ugly', now its more 'hey , thats got character'. Bit like the kx rear guard. I do like the Can-Am's 'character'!
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The front cover of the November '77 issue of Motocross Action magazine has a picture of Jimmy Ellis on a works Can Am with a cool looking aluminium tank . I would scan it & post it if I knew how .
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Did I hear somone say that MX6s are ugly ! Hey ! Wash your mouth out with soap. And where's the goddamn moderators of this forum ! Blasphemies like that shouldn't be tolerated !!
Having said that, there is a certain "boxiness" about the side numberplates and back guard that requires a certain degree of culture to fully appreciate. And Can-Ams are bikes that are meant to be ridden, just looked at like some Japper CR or YZ. If you look at this piccy of an MX6 in full flight, you'll see that the "boxiness" sort of disappears when you put a rider on it and move off the showroom floor and onto the track.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/Kommer/MX6.jpg)
Well, that's what I reckon anyway- 'though I am perhaps a little partial to the orange Canadian beauties !
Cheers,
Nitram
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Paul Kalika from Vic has a photo of his bike w modified RM400 sidecovers on the classiccanam website, under Viewers Bike photos. It removes the boxy look of the standard MX6 sidecovers. Worth a look.
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(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-4/1252864/WorksCanAmrear.jpg)
I think that I prefer the look of the back end of this works Can Am pictured at Mammoth Mountain on the Classic Can Am website . The rear guard / numberplate combo does away with the ugly sidepanels . I have a set of Fox piggybacks that are about 390mm eye to eye long , so I hope they are the correct length .
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Hi Husky Evo,
I think that the stock MX6 shocks are 410 or 415mm long. So I guess at 390 your Fox might be a bit short.
Nitram
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The Fox piggybacks in the picture above seem to have a longer extension on the bottom eye , so I may be able to get away with that .
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Hello Husky Evo. The bike you have pictured grew into the Qualifier4 and the Sonic 500. The shocker length is 440mm and the frame is substantially different to the MX6. They also run a different airbox. If you were at the Vinduro you might have seen my Qual4 parked at the impound? Kawaboy,that is my 370 pic on the Classic Canam site - I do admit I have returned to the original style of covers once I sourced some for some degree of authenticity but it looks pretty good using the RM covers! If you are using a Qualifier frame the 410mm shocks will be too long; 390mm was the std length (the top mount is in a different position and the bike sits lower) unless you use the mx arm and the longer forks. I've been hiding unnatural attractions for these beasts since I puchased my first 175 O/R in '76 and have been collecting and racing the things for too long! Its bloody great to have so much enthusiasm shown for these bikes - its about time!
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)
I see a nice looking 400 MX6B on U.S ebay . His listing says shipping to USA only , but I imagine that some sellers can be persuaded otherwise . It would be nice to see a few more of these on OZ racetracks . I also see an '81 Can Am 125 MX on US ebay at the moment .
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Can-Am-1980-Can-Am-MX-6-400-cc-Near-Mint_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ159588QQihZ011QQitemZ320280929453QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)
I see a nice looking 400 MX6B on U.S ebay . His listing says shipping to USA only , but I imagine that some sellers can be persuaded otherwise . It would be nice to see a few more of these on OZ racetracks . I also see an '81 Can Am 125 MX on US ebay at the moment .
Did you notice this.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___1979-Can-Am-370-Qualifier-Very-Nice-Condition_W0QQitemZ300245443902QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300245443902&_trkparms=72%3A971%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1318
$1200US Buy Now :o :o. Now thats gotta be good value ;)
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There is definitely some bargains in the U.S of A .
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I bought my MX-6B for $750 US on eBay. ;D I was the only bidder.
It was runnnig, complete and in great shape! I just freshened up things (new air cleaner, new tires and new plastics). After I raced it twice I replaced the bars, grips and clutch lever. The original Ohlins were in great shape, but needed to be re-valved and add the proper springs for my weight. After looking at the cost of restoring them I was getting close to the cost of a new set of modern Ohlins, so I bit the bullet.
Still my best buys have been on Craig's List. I purchased three 1979 KX250's for a total of $1200 US. All of them complete and two of the three are running bikes.
;D ;D ;D
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(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-4/1252864/JimmyEllisworksCanAm.jpg)
I bought a new printer with a built in scanner . Just giving it a test run with Jimmy Ellis on the works Can Am .