Introduced in 1982, the Sonic was Can-Am’s first four-stroke bike. It utilized an impressive 45 horsepower Rotax engine but it was a case of too little, too late. Can-Am’s parent company, Bombardier was just about ready to kill their dirt bike arm after the Sonic had been out for just one year, so by ’83 the production of Can-Am’s had moved to England as part of a deal with Armstrong.
For more on the story of Armstrong taking over Can-Am production, check out thisarticle from Hooniverse which refers to Rotax’s contemporary 2-stroke motor, the Type 486. Components included 42mm Marzocchi air forks with jampot reservoirs, Sun rims, Magura levers, Grimeca hubs, M. Robert fenders, and piggyback Ohlins shocks:
Photo from http://www.canned-ham.com/index.php/the-bikes/sonic/
With all that said, 1982 was the only year of Sonic 500 production in Canada, and this example (VIN: 850700138) is #138. It’s claimed to be an all original survivor that’s “as close to as new as you are going to find.” It’s being offered by the second owner who acquired it from the daughter of a collector. The seller gave the bike a recommissioning and it’s ready to go. Email me at abhi at bike-urious.com or leave a comment below to be put in touch directly with the seller, who’s in Missoula, Montana and is looking for $4,000. Update: The seller has let me know that this bike has sold.
