My CANned-hAM

[Tahitian_Red]

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.
 

[Wombat]

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?

[090]

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.

[Tahitian_Red]

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. 

[RED ALERT]

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.

[Husky500evo]

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 .

[firko]

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.

[Tahitian_Red]

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.

[Wombat]

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! 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.

[aussieatk]

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.

[aussieatk]

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.

[Tahitian_Red]

ATK,

I will be there!  Would you like a factory ride?    (weight, helmet, pant and boot size?)

[Tahitian_Red]

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.

[JC]

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?

[Tahitian_Red]

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.