Can Am Bombardier 250.

[Cato]

I had one years ago and loved it, they were built up from kits shipped over from Canada. The kits were assembled just up the road at the BSA factory, probably as some sort of deal when the MOD stopped using the BSA?

This one's been awaiting its turn for a while now so time to tear it down. I can foresee a lot of paint stripping in the future.

 

[Greeves246]

There is always a good crowd of them at Stafford in the outside section at the far end. Owners club probably. When I worked for Andover Norton, Nick at the retail shop used to carry spares for Can Am.

 

[Cato]

There is always a good crowd of them at Stafford in the outside section at the far end. Owners club probably. When I worked for Andover Norton, Nick at the retail shop used to carry spares for Can Am.

Always surprised by how many there are at shows. They only made about 5000 and I reckon about a 1000 either stayed on the Falklands or got dumped into the sound. They turn up in the obvious places like Germany and Canada, but also in odd places like a museum in Osaka.

I loved the previous one I had, really usable as a daily. I got rid of it when I had to commute further afield and didn't have the space to keep it with the Katana.

 

[Neil50]

I learned to ride on one in the Army in 1986. Great bikes that took LOADS of abuse Needless to say it wasn't bright yellow

 

[Cato]

I learned to ride on one in the Army in 1986. Great bikes that took LOADS of abuse Needless to say it wasn't bright yellow

I discovered why it was yellow when I started stripping it this afternoon. The generic trials bike from mudguard is yellow plastic, so it appears that they painted the rest of the bodywork to match.

I've um'd and ah'd about colours, and whether to do the frame one colour, bodywork another. But I'm going to keep it simple and just go NATO green or desert sand for everything.

 

[Cato]

I learned to ride on one in the Army in 1986. Great bikes that took LOADS of abuse Needless to say it wasn't bright yellow

Which one's you?

 

[stuvy]

I discovered why it was yellow when I started stripping it this afternoon. The generic trials bike from mudguard is yellow plastic, so it appears that they painted the rest of the bodywork to match.

I've um'd and ah'd about colours, and whether to do the frame one colour, bodywork another. But I'm going to keep it simple and just go NATO green or desert sand for everything.

There was one that comes to the bike night and it’s bright yellow as well,

There one in the background

 

[Neil50]

Which one's you?

Within 30 mins of first seeing a motorbike in training they had us riding side saddle, walking alongside it using clutch control, lying on the seat riding, kneeling and riding and then drag racing down the runway as fast as the bikes would go. They called it CONFIDENCE TRAINING!

 

[Cato]

There was one that comes to the bike night and it’s bright yellow as well,

Can't be many yellow Can Ams about? The paint looks like JCB or generic plant yellow to me, I suspect that there may be a farmer involved in its past.

 

[Cato]

Within 30 mins of first seeing a motorbike in training they had us riding side saddle, walking alongside it using clutch control, lying on the seat riding, kneeling and riding and then drag racing down the runway as fast as the bikes would go. They called it CONFIDENCE TRAINING!

I remember being in a tent in -40 c and it was described as 'character building'. We described the experience somewhat differently.

 

[stuvy]

Can't be many yellow Can Ams about? The paint looks like JCB or generic plant yellow to me, I suspect that there may be a farmer involved in its past.

Will keep an eye open as we went last night and it was a really busy night with 20 bikes

 

[arian]

I had one years ago and loved it, they were built up from kits shipped over from Canada. The kits were assembled just up the road at the BSA factory, probably as some sort of deal when the MOD stopped using the BSA?

This one's been awaiting its turn for a while now so time to tear it down. I can foresee a lot of paint stripping in the future.

View attachment 385550View attachment 385551View attachment 385552View attachment 385553

Grrr. Years ago, I was at Blackbushe car auctions, and come the end, after most people had left, there were about 6 Bombardiers, and the auctioneer couldn't give them away. I couldn't transport them, or store them after, but regrets, I've had a few (and not too few to mention ).

 

[Robotstar5]

I think one of those comes up our road regular, has a deep squared off box bolted on pannier style.

 

[JEZGUZ]

I was almost tempted years ago with a 350 or 500, but as usual never took the plunge and then prices have got silly. I vote for some black bands on the tank so it'll look and sound like a mental wasp

 

[Porkypine]

Great bike, haven't seen one for years.. Seem to have a hazy memory of these being flogged off as surplus for something daft like £250 each

 

[Cato]

I was almost tempted years ago with a 350 or 500, but as usual never took the plunge and then prices have got silly. I vote for some black bands on the tank so it'll look and sound like a mental wasp

Those were the follow on military bikes, the Armstrong/CCM MT500 with a left-hand kick start that was responsible for more than a few ankle/shin breaks, then the Harley Davidson MT350 with a much more civilised electric boot. Both much bigger and heavier bikes than the Can Am. I had one of each at different times and they're great but I do prefer the smaller two-stokes.

 

[Cato]

Great bike, haven't seen one for years.. Seem to have a hazy memory of these being flogged off as surplus for something daft like £250 each

They (like a lot of other bikes) could be bought in decent fettle for a few hundred quid until about five years ago. Then the 'rising tide lifts all ships' thing happened to bike prices and there's no such thing as a cheap bike anymore.

 

[nickk]

Quite a leap from aB40 then!

 

[stuvy]

Those were the follow on military bikes, the Armstrong/CCM MT500 with a left-hand kick start that was responsible for more than a few ankle/shin breaks, then the Harley Davidson MT350 with a much more civilised electric boot. Both much bigger and heavier bikes than the Can Am. I had one of each at different times and they're great but I do prefer the smaller two-stokes.

@mtt.tr do you still have yours?

 

[mtt.tr]

@mtt.tr do you still have yours?

Still in boxes but yes I do