Can-Am 250cc bikes

[mike mckinley]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

As a new owner of an ex-military Can-Am motorcycle, I am seeking out other MLU members who own or have owned the same. Looking for links to web forums, parts, technical advice, pics in service etc. Looking for the elusive gurus... I am aware of a couple already but looking for more.

Chris,

two online sources of info are the classic can-am website, and the canned ham website. there is also a chap in the u.k. who sells parts for the military bikes. mechanically, they are the same as the civi 1976 t'nt 250. parts are available . that engine was used by atk motorcycles into the 90's. the weak link is the bosch or typanium cdi box. i have restored a few civi t'nt and mx series can-ams, so if you got any questions.......i think i have copies of the canadian military manuals for these...i'll have a look.
also, the oil tank is the back bone of the chassis, which has/ had a foam element installed near the banjo bolt, where the oil line leaves the frame, heading for the mikuni oil pump. these break up with age and will plug the lines, starving the engine of oil, seizing the piston. be sure to blow it out. don't get the urge to do away with the oil injection either because the system feeds the cylinder and the crank bearings....the bearings will die in short order without the pump. the forks were made in spain by betor...seal kits are readily available, two seals per fork. bing carb parts are very expensive and can be hard to find. husqvarna used the same carbs on their 250's. the fork rake is ajustable from 27 to 31 degrees. despite what some people think, the can-ams were way ahead of their time.