MX - Canned Ham

The first model released by can-am was the MX. Aimed at the emerging motocross market of the early ’70′s. First released in 1973 in 125 and 175 variations, a 250 was added in early 1974.

In late 1976, can-am released an updated model to their successful MX and TnT which attempted to capitalise on their competition success. This second series MX bike – the MX-3 included key developments in suspension, with can-am following the trend with laid down shocks and greater fork travel. Marzocchi forks replaced the Betor at the front, with an extended swing arm at the rear, improved overall suspension travel.

The 250 model of the MX-3 was known as the Black Widow. The bike produced over 35bhp, with the small tubular frame and swing arm struggling to handle the power. Produced for a single year, it remains one the most sought after collector models.

Models generally progressed with the MX 4 and MX 5, with the latter becoming the third series of dirt bikes.

In 1980 Cycle World magazine chose the MX6 as their 250 bike of the year, stating: “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”

The one thing that can-am ’s are characterised for are their power coupled with vague controls. This was summarised by Popular Cycling when reviewing the MX-2 giving the bike 10/10 for power, powerband and acceleration, and a further 10/10 for general handling, but limited the scores to 4/10 for suspension, braking and rider comfort.

The last MX model was the MX-6B - although pictures exist if an MX7 no known examples exist. Largely an update of the MX-6, the B model was developed in late 1982 just as can-am was coming to an end in Quebec and transferring to England under Armstrong/CCM. It was never put into production and very few examples of the bike are known to exist.

The Legend of the Black Widow

The MX-3 250 is known as the Black Widow, but you won’t find that name on any sales brochures. The reason why goes something like this:

The MX-3 was produced at a time when the thought of making bikes was already starting to wane at Bombardier. The bike was built on limited budget, as Bombardier had refused to invest the money in a new chassis. Laying the shocks down has already been tried by other makes and in a desperate try to keep up with the ‘70’s suspension chassis race, can-am followed suit.

In the early test stages Jeff Smith reportedly looped the bike and refused to ride it. Jimmy Ellis tried and after a hair raising practice session in which a spectator was serious hurt, declared the bike “a black widow” – meaning it was lethal. Unfortunately the French Canadians took the declaration as a seal of approval (assuming Jimmy meant the word as an antonym) and commissioned special decals for the rear fender. But the American dealers took exception to them and stripped off the decals, with Bombardier being forced to issue a recall notice to remove them.

But by then, the name had stuck. The Black Widow is now the most desirable of any collection. And yes it’s still as lethal to ride!

A special version of the MX3 was sold for desert racing on a limited race availability. See Oddballs for more details .

MX 1

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1973 Models	3843	125 MX-1	750 -1500	124 short stroke oil injected	6 speed wide ratio
1973 Models	3853	175 MX-1	750 -1500	174 short stroke oil injected	6 speed wide ratio
1974 Models	4843	125 MX-1	1500-2500	124 short stroke oil injected	6 speed wide ratio
1974 Models	4853	175 MX-1	1500-2500	174 short stroke oil injected	6 speed wide ratio

1975 Models

5863

250 MX-1

750 -1500

244 short stroke oil injected

5 speed close ratio

1973 can-am commenced production of the 125 and 175 models

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1977 Models	7844	125 MX-3	???????	listed in Bombardier archives, but not officially produced
	7854	175 MX-3	circa 250	174 short stroke oil injected	6 speed close ratio
	7864	250 MX-3	1000 - 1500	244 short stroke oil injected	5 speed close ratio

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1978 Models	8840	125 MX-4	circa 250	174 long stroke premix	6 speed close ratio
	8864	250 MX-4	1000 - 1500	244 long stroke premix	5 speed close ratio
	8884	370 MX-4	500 - 750	366 premix	5 speed close ratio

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1979 Models	8944	125 MX-5	?????	174 long stroke premix	6 speed close ratio
	8964	250 MX-5	1000 - 1500	244 long stroke premix	5 speed close ratio
	8984	370 MX-5	circa 500	366 premix	5 speed close ratio

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1980 Models	8044	125 MX-6	750 - 1000	124 long stroke premix	6 speed close ratio
	8064	250 MX-6 - S&W Shocks	750 - 1000	244 long stroke premix	5 speed close ratio
	8084	400 MX-6 - S&W Shocks	500 - 750	398 premix	5 speed close ratio

Year	Frame No	Bike Reference	No's Produced	Rotax Engine	Gearbox
1981 Models	8401	250 MX-6B - Ohlins Shocks	500 - 750	244 long stroke premix	5 speed close ratio
1981 Models	8402	400 MX-6B - Ohlins Shocks	500 - 750	398 long stroke premix	5 speed close ratio

MX

The Legend of the Black Widow

MX 1

MX 2

GP 250

MX 3

MX 4

MX 5

MX 6

MX6B