A Canadian Built Production Motorcycle?

DATELINE: November 19th, Blackjack's Road House, Nisku AB.
WHO: Williams Custom Bikes of Canada
WHY: Unveiling of Canada's first Transport Canada approved production motorcycle since 2007, the Irv Special 100
WHAT: Under $18,000K Motorcycle that has great customization options
WHERE: www.williamscustombikes.com

Sven Bernard

The day was filled with anticipation. Every time I walked by the main stage, I had the urge to peek under the covering. That light piece of cloth was the only thing shielding this motorcycle from my view.

As much as I wanted to peek, I didn't.

Finally it was 9 PM and Sven Bernard the Manager of Williams Custom Bikes of Canada bounded on to the stage.  He talked a bit about the history of the company and used a rather entertaining powerpoint presentation to make his points. Williams Custom Bikes of Canada has been around since 2003.

Located in Heisler AB, they started out importing bikes, but decided after a number of years that with the Canadian dollar and some of the challenges the industry was going through, they should take a different tact.

They'd build their own motorcycles, right here in ALBERTA!

Now these bikes are not flat out customs where every part and piece possible is made in house.
These are production bikes and they are Transport Canada approved and bare the mark MADE IN CANADA!

Sven introduced Irv Williams, the CEO of the company and Irv spoke to everyone about how excited he was to see the bike, as it would be his first time too!

Irv Williams

Irv Williams is a heck of a guy. He's from Fort McMurray and he's one of those unfortunates who lost his home and all of his toys including his motorcycle. But he is the consummate business man and a jovial one at that.

Travis Blakko is the head mechanic/builder. Some of you who follow the custom motorcycle scene might remember his shop in Lethbridge, AB. He brings years of custom building and modifications experience to the table.

After having the key players in the team up on stage, it was now time to unveil the Irv Special 100.

Travis (L)    Irv (R)

What a good looking machine!

This hardtail looking machine is actually a softail.
The custom frame for this motorcycle was designed and built in house and the jigs are set up and ready for production!

  

I had the opportunity to give the saddle a little warm up, the sprung solo saddle has a gel pad in it, making it very comfy. I would want 6" pullback risers to bring the bars in to me, but other than that small change, it fit pretty well and I'm not quite 5'8". (I am told that's not a problem, having 6" pullbacks!)

The bike seems pretty well balanced.

The Irv 100 Special comes equipped with a 100" (1640ccm) Ultima V-Twin engine, 6 speed transmission, Mikuni Carb, primary belt, secondary chain for ease of maintenance and repairs.
GPS Tracer by “Spot” installed. (Always know when your Bike is moved and if stolen recover it quickly.)

And it comes with a kicker and electric start!

This bike was "designed" to be the do it yourselfers dream. 

Easy to: do oil changes, access the electrical, battery etc.

Williams Custom Bikes of Canada has 6 motorcycles in total that will be in their line up by late 2018.
Their cafe racer and their 70's style trike will both sport their very own, completely designed and engineered in house, inline 4 engine!

The company is offering the rider a 2 year factory warranty extendable to 5 years.

For an extra $200 you can provide them with the paint code of your choice and they will paint your bike, in YOUR color!

They also offer another innovative service,  if you want your bike to be airbrushed or wrapped, they'll supply you your tins, ship them back when they are done, and 14 days later you should have your personalized bike in your driveway.

They offer accessory packages as well, that include windshields and saddle bags etc., and they offer this bike in a 2 up model with two kinds of two up seats to choose from.

The Irv Special 100 retails at $17,995 for the solo and $18,495 for the 2 Up version.

Get in on the Pre Order Offer:

If you like what you see you can pre-order your bike with the factory before the 31st of January 2017 and put a deposit (or pay in full) on it, they will discount your purchase price by $2,000. Production of the Irv Special 100 starts February 7th, 2017.

We'll do our best to bring you updates on this new venture for Williams Custom Bikes of Canada!

Your opportunity to sit on these bikes, talk to the builder and the team is:

Calgary Motorcycle Show: January 6-7-8

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show: January 13-14-15

The Vancouver Motorcycle Show: January 20-21-22

In the mean time, check out their web site: www.williamscustombikes.com

PS: I am looking very forward to the press ride in the spring.

www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Remembrance Day at Harry Balfour School in Grande Prairie AB

Last week I received a beautiful scroll like parcel in the mail from the kids of the grade six class over at Harry Balfour School.

Their principle, Christian Gee invited me to their Remembrance Day service after I had phoned him to thank him for the most beautiful of gestures from the grade six students at his school.

I have only ever been to Harry Balfour School to vote and so I was taken aback when I got there today.

It's a much different place when it is filled with children. This school has amazing energy, it's a very peaceful and yet joyful place.


I can't tell you how incredible their ceremony was.

Taps were played, poems and letters read, videos and music were played, all themed with Remembering.

They laid their gorgeous home made wreaths at their own makeshift cenotaph and I must say their entire ceremony went off with military precision that would make any commander proud.

It was truly well done and would have made any soldier or their family feel the love, respect and pride these children have in our veterans, military and our country.

What struck me as I watched these young people, was the concentrated focus and attention that every participant gave the service. From the youngest to the oldest, these children were well and truly engaged and showed so much respect.

After their service was over, I took the mic and as a neighbour who has no children in school, I thanked them for the scroll with the letter and newspaper and told them what it meant to me to receive it.

I thanked young William who wrote the letter that was part of the scroll and their teachers for the wonderful gesture of Remembrance.  I also made sure that their principal got the kudos he deserved for supporting and encouraging his staff and students.

When the gymnasium was almost cleared, a teacher brought young William over to meet me.

He is a wonderful young man with a very large heart. I'm not sure that he had really understood how I felt about the gesture until we met. I am so thankful to have met this young man and to have shared a tearful hug with him.

The young ladies who ran the ceremony thanked me for coming as did some of the teachers and Christian Gee and I spoke a little about the school and the administrations and faculty's goals for their students.

I can't tell you how impressed I was by him.

This is an educator with compassion, empathy and a genuine love of his job and pride in his faculty and students.

Equally important, this man has their respect and genuine admiration.

I have never been more gratified to attend a school function than I was today.

I hope to see lots of people from Grande Prairie attend at the cenotaph tomorrow and later to join the ANAVETS Unit 389 for soup and a sandwich at the clubhouse:

10117 93 St, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1Y1
Phone: (780) 532-2623

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

My heart swells with pride in our Youth & their Teachers here in Grande Prairie

Today, 8 days in advance of Remembrance Day, I got something very, very special placed in my mailbox.

It was a newspaper, wrapped in a letter, tied with red ribbon. It almost looked like a scroll.



When I opened it fully and read the letter I started to cry. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Here's why:

The Grade 6 students at Harry Balfour School know the importance of Remembrance Day and want to share this small gift with you. What Remembrance Day means to me....

It means take a moment of silence and bow your head. Remember all the soldiers that gave up their lives for us.  We are thankful for a country without war.

November 11 means respect.

William

Well William, I want to thank you, your fellow students, your teachers and who ever gifted you with the newspapers to give out.  

You all represent what is good in and about our country. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Proud Supporter Member of the C.A.V.

Member, Ladies Aux, Unit 389 ANAVETS

When a HOT motorcycle is NOT cool!

Doc with Love-Jugs

You hear it from Harley- Davidson riders all the time, “damn my bike is hot”, but they aren’t always talking about the way it looks.

Many a rider, especially those who ride Harley’s have experienced that excruciating thigh burn that comes from creeping along in stop and start traffic during high the heat of the summer.

It’s not a pleasant feeling and it’s definitely not good for the engine of your motorcycle.

Extreme heat can reduce the life of your engine significantly.

I got a set of Cool Master Love-Jugs this summer from Konquer Motorcycles in Kelowna BC. They are the exclusive Canadian distributor for Love-Jugs. My husband installed them for me. According to him, the install was very straightforward and was accomplished in about an hour and a half. Unfortunately I was not home when the install took place however he was kind enough to take photos as he went through the process.

As for how they perform and what they do, I am here to tell you that they work well, very well in fact. Anyone who rides an older Harley in particular knows how hard idling in traffic is on the engine and even with the shields, the heat on your thigh can be mind numbing. Riding hard for long periods in high heat is also not good for your engine unless of course you ride hard for a bit and then stop to let the engine cool. But if you are running Love-Jugs on your bike, neither of these scenarios needs to materialize.

Instructions and warranties

I do a lot of highway riding. I’m not one to enjoy stop and start traffic and traffic jams so I tend to avoid the larger centers when I am on my bike. But even in a really poor riding season of only 6,5000 K (thanks to being sick most of the spring and summer), I still found myself in rush hour traffic once and creeping along in road construction zones a number of times.

We here in the north don’t get as much extreme heat as say, the Okanagan, Drumheller and southern Alberta or the deep south of the US, but it does get hot 30-35 C, or about 100 F for a few weeks every summer. And if in the north was the only place I rode, maybe I wouldn’t feel the need to protect my investment. But, in a decent riding season I’ll put on 35,000 – 40,000 KM’s and I ride in places that get hot and uncomfortable. Because the engine in my bike is air cooled, anything that can be done to increase the amount of air getting to the back cylinder in particular is beneficial.



Keeping the engine cooler does a few things:


1) It protects the engine oils from breaking down prematurely.

2) It keeps your fuel burning more consistently, meaning that horsepower is less affected.

3) Bearings and other moveable parts are protected better, making them last longer.


With the frame mount kit and the vibration master installed along with the Cool Master Love-Jugs, my motorcycle has become a new to me ride. (The vibration master & the frame mount kit together helps eliminate the amount of vibration coming from the cylinders meaning that you have reduced vibration on the horn and the fans.)

My 2010 Ultra runs way better in high temperatures now that I have these beauties on and they look good too.

Their nice low profile means that they are out of the way and cause no discomfort.

Hubby wired my Cool Master Love-Jugs into the accessory switch on the dash. It makes using them super easy.

You can shut the fans off manually right on the fans too, though why you would, I can’t really imagine. (Oh and just an FYI, the fans are marine quality and will not short out due to riding in inclement weather.)

As you can see my Love-Jugs are the stainless, high polish finish but you can get them in gloss black and flat black powder coat too.



They are available for Indian and Harley-Davidson motors.

Visit Konquer Motorcycles web site: www.konquer.ca to purchase if you live in Canada.

You can also visit: www.love-jugs.com to learn a lot more about this amazingly cool product. 

I truly love my Love-Jugs and the Harley or Indian rider in your life might just appreciate these as a very thoughtful birthday, anniversary or Christmas present!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

More Images of the install:

American Automotive Service Solutions Provides a Guide to Use When Inspecting a Used Car for Purchase

So you have come up with a budget that you are comfortable with and even gotten a car you love. This is great. Before you seal the deal, you need to inspect it to make sure you are not getting a raw deal. This is all the more important if you will be buying from a private seller. The safest way to go about the inspection is to have your trusted mechanic have a look at it. But if this is not a luxury you can afford, below are some tips to guide you on how to do it yourself.

Look for Rust under the Car

A car that has a rusted frame is bound to have lots of structural issues. Sure you could opt to repair the damage, but be aware it will cost you a lot and eat up most of your time. You are better off choosing another car.

Check the Wheels and Tires

Ideally, tires wear out evenly. If you notice any unevenness, it could be a sign that the car's suspension system is uneven.

The Exterior

Check to see if there is any part of the car’s body with paint shade that does not match the rest. This could be a sign that the body has been damaged. You should, however, ask the reason the paint job was done as there are also chances it could have been done to pimp the car.

The Interior

You obviously want to have a car with an attractive interior. Given that there are individuals who tamper with the odometer, you should be keen to check the mileage and compare it to the overall wear and tear on the interior and tires as well.

Check under the Hood

If you notice the bolts are smooth on the edges, it could mean that the repair work done was shoddy. On the other hand, if you notice the engine features new spark plugs, it is an indication of regular tune-up and maintenance.

Take it for a Test Drive

Before you make the purchase, take it out for a drive. Feel how it responds to you. If it is sluggish, there is a problem. Below are some tips and practices to make your test drive fruitful.

Drive the car cold. You will learn more from a cold engine than a warm one.

Take your car for a test drive on your usual route or one similar to it. Cars always feel great in neighborhoods streets but perform differently on expressways. Mix things up. Do the freeway, rural roads, parking lots and city streets.

Note how the car reacts when you turn the ignition key. Does the engine make weird noises and does it start easily?

Be sure also to check on the controls, transmissions, and brakes.

For more details on our extended service contracts contact American Automotive Service Solutions at 800-293-5048

How Paintless Dent Removal Can Be Used To Repair Motorcycle Gas Tanks

Modern technology has brought great advances to minor auto body repairs, particularly those repairs involving dents and scratches.

Paintless dent removal (PDR) has emerged in recent years as a great alternative to the traditional body shop options.

Paintless dent removal is often used to remove minor dents from cars. However, PDR is not only for cars -- PDR can be a great benefit to motorcycle owners. Beyond just the paint job, there can be some very practical applications to PDR for motorcycles, particularly when repairing the gas tank.

For minor dent problems, PDR is the perfect solution. With the right tools and experience in the maintenance of motorcycles, or by using a PDR-trained technician, repairing your motorcycle gas tank can be a quick, painless, and much less expensive option.

What is PDR?

Paintless dent removal removes dents from cars and motorcycle gas tanks by working both from the inside and the outside. With motorcycle gas tanks in particular, PDR involves going back and forth between using tools on the exterior and interior of the tank and patiently working until the dent is removed. Having the proper tools is absolutely crucial to the success of PDR.

Benefits of PDR

There are a number of benefits to the PDR technique that make it a much better option than going to a traditional body shop.

Cheaper

First of all, PDR is much more affordable than a body shop. Body shops can be extremely expensive since the mechanics’ time is billed at a higher rate. A trained PDR technician will charge a much lower rate than an auto body shop, and doing the repairs on your own saves a great deal of money as well. However, it is advised not to attempt PDR unless you have the correct tools and knowledge of motorcycle maintenance.

Saves Time

Oftentimes, body shops will take days to repair your motorcycle, leaving you without your bike for a while. However, by either performing PDR on your own or having a PDR technician do it for you, you save a great deal of time. The typical paintless dent 

removal of a motorcycle gas tank takes about an hour. Your bike will be ready to ride in no time.

Able to DIY

The other great thing about PDR is that it is possible to do on your own, given you have the correct tools and knowledge about the workings of your motorcycle. It does take a great deal of patience as well, but can certainly be done on your own.

While many car dents are repaired due to cosmetic reasons, dents in your motorcycle gas tank are far more than just a cosmetic repair. The gas tank on your motorcycle requires being in tip-top shape in order to properly function. The gas tank needs to be restored to what it looked like in the factory, and PDR is able to do just that.

Long gone are the days of having to remove the gas tank from the motorcycles, remove the paint, apply filler, and then re-paint the entire thing. With PDR, your gas tank stays right where it is and you work in the art of going back and forth between the interior and exterior of the tank to slowly “massage” out the dent.

A key part in getting rid of the dent via PDR is using the reflection of the motorcycle via light into order to catch every part of the dent. If the tank is dented, the reflection will be distorted where the reflected dent is. You can continue to check your progress on the dent by checking the reflection.

As the dent is worked out, the reflection will become less distorted. And by the time the paintless dent removal is complete, the reflection will be smooth.

PDR is a wonderful option because it can be used for a variety of purposes. Minor dents are no longer the big issue they used to be with the use of PDR. It is no doubt that the motorcycle community has a lot to benefit from paintless dent removal. As a more affordable option that saves a great deal of time as well as being something you can do on your own with the right knowledge and tools, PDR gives you a stellar alternative to a traditional body shop for your motorcycle dent repairs.

Finding your next bike or your dream bike just got easier!

Here at Belt Drive Betty Media we are constantly working to improve our offerings to the riding community.

Buying a motorcycle is an exciting but stressful time for most of us.

We want to make sure we are getting a motorcycle that fits us, suits our riding style, is a color that we enjoy and that we are getting it for the best price from a dealership that is going to look after us after we purchase.

There are so many ways to hunt for a motorcycle, Kijiji, Craig’s List, hundreds and hundreds of web sites, but that takes a lot of time and effort!

So, how could we as a company, make finding the motorcycle a little easier?

Since you already rely on us for your daily world wide motorcycle news at www.beltdrivebetty.com and your weekly Canadian motorcycle news through The Busted Knuckle Chronicles that comes into your inbox every week, we decided to see if there was a way we could bring you the offerings of dealerships from across the country!

After months of working the kinks are, we are very proud to introduce

DEALER CONNECTION!

What is that? 

We connect you with all of the new and used motorcycle listings from dealerships across the country in one central location.

No more hunting through dealer web sites!  We are, through the Rider Friendly Business Association going to be working very hard to get as many dealerships across the country involved, making the hunt for your next motorcycle, your new motorcycle just a little bit easier!

We already have hundreds of motorcycle both new and used listed!

Visit: http://bustedknucklechronicles.com/dealer-connection.html

Our brand new Rider Friendly Directory, (www.riderfriendly.com), is being embraced by riders! Over 500 businesses are now listed and that number is growing daily!!!!!

On another note, we now have three submissions for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest!  Check it out and get your favorite community nominated – it’s the only way they have a shot at winning the $35K top marketing package!

www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Our mini series on the Fort McMurray Wildfire and the various people who volunteered and what they experienced is available on YouTube, Ride Like a Local as well as on channel 10, EastLink TV.

Doing the interviews and editing has been a rewarding experience and seeing the exact same situation through someone else’s eyes and point of view – very, very enlightening.  I hope you check out Part 1 & 2 of our 4 part mini series, The Fort McMurray Wildfire 2016 & The Riding Community that Stepped Up.

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty Editor & Rider