Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through Our History - Part 3

Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through Our History - Part 3

The dirty thirties were harder in rural Western Canada than anywhere else in the world, but out of the dust bowl of the prairies sprung up one of western Canada's most influential businesses and riders.

Nicholson Brothers Motorcycles was opened in Saskatoon Saskatchewan in 1933 by two brothers, Lawrence and J.B (Bernie) Nicholson.

While their dealership and mail order business was important to the growth of motorcycling in western Canada, J.B. (Bernie) Nicholson himself, is a man who influenced the motorcycle industry in a mighty way.

Photo located:
thevintagent.blogspot.ca

The Nicholson Brothers started out importing the Douglas and Calthorpe motorcycles and by 1935 had evolved their business into a mail order parts house replete with extensive catalogues of parts that were updated yearly and included information on all of the improvements each manufacturer had made to their motorcycle offerings.

Over the years they imported and sold motorcycles and parts for these brands (and others): 
Calthorpe, Douglas,  Raleigh, Rudge,  Scott, Panther, Super Excelsior, A.J.S., Ariel, Matchless, Norton, Royal Enfield, Panther, Sunbeam, Triumph, Villiers and Indian.

At the age of 25, Bernie constructed the first ever repair manual that offered diagrams and information on repairing and maintaining the motorcycles that he had worked on.

He had already been contributing technical articles to Motor Cycling magazine, but was inspired by the compliment paid to him by Graham Walker, the editor of Motor Cycling over the aide he had given writing and reworking an Indian manual.


According to the article written by Greg Williams:
"In a letter from Graham to Bernie dated October 31, 1941, Graham writes, “It is difficult to express in words just how much I appreciate the trouble you have gone to. You possess the happy knack of describing the necessary work in such a concise manner and in such a logical sequence as to make it understandable to even inexperienced fitters, and yet, at the same time, suitable for the first-class mechanic."

In the 1930's and 40's, most motorcycles did not come with repair manuals.

Photo located: occhiolungo.wordpress.com/

Published in 1942, the first edition of "Modern Motorcycle Mechanics and Speed Tuning" sold 4,000 copies. In all Bernie produced 7 manuals. The 7the edition of Modern Motorcycle Mechanics included information on almost every Japanese, British and American motorcycle that had been built to date. He covered the topics of motorcycle design, operation and maintenance and included chapters on specific brands. The 763 page hardcover book sold over 10,000 copies.

Because of the contribution of these repair manuals, motorcycling was able to grow in regions where mechanics/fitters were few and far between.

Many a motorcycle was kept on the road because of "Modern Motorcycle Mechanic" and today, the same is true.  His manuals are the bible for antique and vintage motorcycle repair.

Nicholson Brothers Motorcycles also employed interesting marketing tactics in their parts and sales catalogues. They give one an idea of the growth of motorcycling as seen through the retail window of one motorsport dealer.

Photo located at: www.gregwilliams.ca

In 1939, they had a map of Western Canada on the back of their catalogue and it had listed the places they had sold motorcycles to.

Blue Sky, Grande Prairie, Sexsmith and Rochester Alberta were among the places listed on the map.

The caption on the bottom of the map:

 The popularity of motorcycles is increasing in all parts of Canada and it is interesting to note that the sales of machines in outlying districts where roads are almost non-existent have been growing steadily. As well as the great sporting attractions of motorcycling, the exceptional low cost transportation and the ability to travel to points inaccessible to cars are amongst the advantages a motorcycle offers."

You see, even in its earliest of days, motorcycles, like their predecessor the bicycle, changed lives by giving people a new found sense of freedom and self reliance.

Today, Greg Williams nurtures and cares for the Modern Motorcycle Mechanics publishing.
Greg has also written a book on the history of the man behind the books called "Prairie Dust, Motorcycles and a Typewriter"

Interesting Historical Tidbits:

1910: Sturgess Cycle opens in Hamilton Ontario. They are considered to be Canada's OLDEST motorsports dealer and the OLDEST Honda dealership.

1911: Schulte's easy-start "Free-engine" model with multi-plate clutch in rear hub is available (patented by Schulte in 1908, this is Triumph's first bike with a clutch). This meant riders no longer had to run along side the bike to get it started, & then jump on! They could just ride away from a stationary position.

1911: The Manitoba Motorcycle Club is founded. Today the Canadian Hall of fame says it is the oldest MC Club in Canada and that is reported to be the 4th oldest in the world.

1927: Stanley Glanfield, took a 3.5 hp single cylinder Rudge-Whitworth on an 18,000 mile journey around the world, covering four continents.

Photo located: thevintagent.blogspot.ca

1928: Graham Oates becomes the first person to traverse the breadth of Canada on a gas propelled rubber tired vehicle. The trip took him 21 days. Sponsored by Ariel Motors and Castrol Oil, Graham rode from Nova Scotia to Vancouver on a new 497cc ‘Two Port’ single-cylinder Ariel motorcycle attached to a Canadian-built sidecar – constructed by Sturgess of Hamilton, Ont.

1931-36: The Communist Party of Canada was virtually outlawed when nine of its leaders were arrested and convicted under the Criminal Code for being members of an "unlawful association"and was banned when war was declared in 1939.

 

1946:  Ducati produces its first bike, the 50cc Cucciolo.

I hope you enjoyed this instalment of "Motorcycling in Canada - a ride through our history"

Next we'll meander into Manitoba to see what was happening there....

I hope you will join us in our quest to find Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community!
Get your nomination for your favourite community ready! Visit www.riderfriendlycontest.ca to find out more!

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

Research for this Article:

Greg Williams

The Vintagent

Occhiolungo

Ian Chadwick
Canadian Encyclopedia
Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

How was your weekend?

I had a fantastic weekend at Cyclemania in Saskatoon, lots of great people and incredible motorcycles - I think that's what most of us in the riding community call a fabulous way to spend a weekend! The PMS is receding and what a relief it is!

Watch for this week's Busted Knuckle Chronicles, coming out on Thursday morning for the low down on the show!

Cookie attended the Port Dover, Friday the 13th celebrations and also has a wonderful report on that event in this coming Thursday's paper...

Now, on to the news of the day...

There is an article in the news today that may prove of interest to riders here in Canada who have experienced profiling by police officers. In Grants Pass, Oregon, bikers are protesting traffic stops and profiling & are considering legal action.

Everyday across north America, riders encounter the discriminatory practise of profiling by the police. (A practise that is disallowed by law when applied to ethnic communities.)

Many riders believe that what the outlaw and 1% clubs do or experience have little to do with them, however they would be very wrong.  Attend an event where outlaws and 1% patches are present and you can almost bet your bottom dollar that you have been photographed, so has your ride and license plate. You can also rest assured that you are listed on an associates list in the databases of the police services.  When you see the police attending motorcycle events in a large way, protection is only ONE service they are providing - the other is intelligence gathering.  Because the police view the outlaw and 1%er clubs as criminal organizations, anyone who speaks to them, admires their machines, attends the same events is fair game in the eyes of the police because you just never know when that 75 year old grandmother might be a drug mule.

In the US there are pushes taking place all over the place to challenge and change laws that are discriminatory towards motorcyclists. Just because you ride a bike, attend events does not automatically mean you have criminal intent.

The push for equality of treatment as road users and citizens is one that every motorcyclist should consider getting behind. Some argue that it's the outlaw & 1%er clubs that have brought this on themselves and they should fight their own battles and if the police ONLY targeted those persons when gathering their intelligence and stopping riders, then I would agree with them. However, it is the police that have made these issues something that has the potential to affect every rider who attends motorcycle related gatherings of any nature. It's one of those issues that like the use of helmets and the noise generated by some riders that causes lots of debates and disagreements.

Another article of interest comes from Virginia where it is now legal for motorcyclists to ride side by side.  

The old law in Virginia saw riders fined for pulling up beside each other at a light, or riding up beside a fellow rider to signal a need to stop etc..the new law now gives the riders the right to decide when it is safe to ride side by side. Bikers in that state are looking at the new law as a win against the discrimination that they face with regards to laws.

What are your thoughts on this topic? I think it should make for some interesting discussions!

In other news:

Steve McQueen of Calgary is the first Albertan sporting a Veteran's plate on his motorcycle. After 7 years of lobbying, his efforts have been rewarded!

In Michigan where the right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet was recently granted to riders, if you 1 - take a safety course and 2 have $20,000 in medical insurance is seeing an interesting debate starting...should riders who choose to ride without a helmet be forced to sign an organ donors card? What do you think?

In Zurich Switzerland, travellers are being treated to a massive series of displays of Ducati Motorcycles.

In Cuba, Harley riders are celebrating their first ever motorcycle rally.

There are travel articles, sports news and other bits and bytes that might be of interest to you over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email...
Laughter is a great way to start a Monday!

Have a great day,


Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

WOOOO HOOOOO

What a great day of riding, it feels so good to be back in the saddle. It is amazing what a good 900 KM ride can do for the soul and the brain. All that stuff that seems so important, so overwhelming gets put back into perspective!

I have about an hour to get to Saskatoon and then head over to get set up for Cyclemania and I know I said I probably would have an editorial today but...yeah - I find it hard to not work!

We have some exciting news!!!!

We will be holding a contest very soon wherein we will be giving away 2 sets of two tickets to the Eric Church Contest at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis courtesy of Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys!!!!!  We will announce the details soon so stay tuned! (Click here to find out what Russ Brown has planned.)

There is a ton of news that riders should check out:
In Saskatoon a rider was killed, the 19 year old lost control of his bike when he hit a patch of gravel

There is a great article from Greg Williams of the Calgary Herald on some Calgary area events

If you are a Ted Nugent fan, check out the article on the Michigan Thrills Bike Festival in July

An unlicensed 19 year old who turned left in front of a rider causing his death gets 120 days in jail, 100 hours of community service and a 3 year probation....

Audi is reportedly making their decision and announcement on buying Ducati next week - stay tuned, as soon as we hear, we will let you know!

Sonny Barger is about to add film producer to his list of accomplishments! Dead in 5 Heartbeats is the film...

There is a TON of other news in the feeds - check it all out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and through Emails...

To all those heading out to Port Dover today - PLEASE ride safe....you are important yah know!

For those in Saskatoon and area - stop by my booth - I WANT A HUG!!!!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend and if you live in Calgary/Southern Alberta - remember, this too shall pass!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A thanks to the Hells Angels of Saskatoon might be in order...

I read with much interest today about the ruling in Saskatchewan with regards to the banning of Motorcycle Club Patches (Gang Patches) in bars and on public property. The reason that I have such interest in this case is there was a similar law that was passed in Grande Prairie when I started hosting motorcycle shows here.

Now please - don't go thinking I am somehow supporting or a supporter of the Hells Angels or any other outlaw motorcycle club.  I am not, I am pretty neutral on the whole MC thing, being a female, all of that testosterone and posturing just isn't anything that holds interest for me. I am however a supporter of the freedoms the Charter of this country allows us.
I am also for reducing the absolute power of the RCMP and having better checks and balances in place for that organized group of men an women.

The trial judge who declared the law unconstitutional made the exact observation I made when a similar law was enacted here: The law was created to help police deal with gangs, drug trafficking, prostitution and child exploitation, but Brayford argued its wording is so broad it could persecute striking workers wearing union logos on their clothes.

So, in a way, many of us owe the Hells Angels a thank you for spending the money on lawyers and getting this law deemed as unconstitutional. And we owe a HUGE thank you to Judge Brayford for having the courage to follow the charter. Perhaps now, here in Grande Prairie the by-law will get axed and then I will be allowed into some of the bars here with my CAV patch on. (Mind you if they weren't around - the Red & White that is - we probably wouldn't have had this dumbassed law enacted in the first place.)

One of the fundamental problems of this whole banning the "Gang" colours thing has been the lack of education as to what patch/es is "Gang" related and what patch isn't. How in the heck is some bar maid or some bar owner gonna know which is which? The RCMP and other police services refuse to provide any education to bar owners and staff. So in effect anyone wearing anything other that manufacturer clothes/patches were being barred/banned as owners feared the reprisal of the RCMP. And in Calgary there are bars that even ban motorcycle manufacture clothing - H-D in particular.

It will be interesting to see if Calgary bars that banned the wearing of Harley-Davidson clothing in their establishments will now have to lighten up on their stupidity or not.
I wonder how many other provinces will follow suit? Manitoba also has a colours law.

I find the whole banning clothing thing to be totally stupid, senseless and an absolute waste of money - ban the clothes because of the "Power of the Patch" and its use for intimidation purposes... but the person who wears the clothing is OK to be present...
Another small victory for common sense which as Mr. Delhon my grade 9 social studies teacher used to say "Common sense is not too common"

In other news:
The Prince George Renegades had a member arrested for drugs etc along with three other prince George citizens - the Renegades are reportedly a puppet club of the Red & White.

And in Hamilton two more associates of the Red & White were scooped in as part of Tuesday busts in Hamilton, Waterloo and Nanticoke.

In Regina some Bikers received an honor from the police for their bravery in stopping a machete wielding crazy man and another knife wielding man who were attempting to rob a gas station attendant.

Harley-Davidson may not be named the official motorcycle of Wisconsin...

Bar Hodgson of Toronto Super Show Fame has a documentary airing about his exploits in Bonneville - David Hatch is the producer of this documentary - if you miss it on  TV it will be aired at the Toronto Super Show in January.


For all of my friends with mobility issues who would love to ride again but are in a wheelchair...you might be pleased to hear this, there is a wheelchair accessible motorcycle on the market now! The Martin Conquest 

I have a video about the motorcycle linked here - she's pretty sweet looking!


Oh and don't forget to take our Hotel/Motel Customer survey - this is your opportunity to help us as a community impact customer service in the hospitality industry as it relates to motorcyclists and people in general! Click here to take the Survey.

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can ride - PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...

If you are like me and living where there is snow, cold weather and riding feels like a distant dream -then get on the computer and find the BEST pictures of your ride because on January 1st, 2010 we begin the 3rd annual Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine - we have tons of fabulous prizes up for grabs!

And we are not done adding to the prize list!


Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com