Armstrong MT500 CFR 86-78530

[Robin Craig]

Thank you all for the comments.

Alex, the TRW doesn't interest me frankly, don't know why, but doesn't.

Grant thanks for the comments.

The bike went by Covid courier to a mate who is going to assemble the bike for me. The Canadian parts manual has arrived.

He has put the two halve together so far and that's about it. Once he gets the manual the shopping list will come out and the parts order will go in.

Maybe riding this summer, who knows.

[Peter Phillips]

Hi Robin, I was in 1 Svc Bn from 86-92 then 2 Svc Bn from 92-97 and do vaguely recall seeing a few bikes neglected and sitting in various compounds in Calgary and Petawawa. If anyone asked about them the story goes that they were for DR's (Signals Dispatch Riders) to use to convey messages in the field from the Battalion CP to the Brigade CP. But I was also informed that no one used them because a) they broke down a lot, and b) no one was qualified to ride them, and c) the Iltis had a heater and overhead protection. Don't forget the Iltis was the new toy back then so they got used a lot. And as I think about it, 90% of exercises were held in the Fall, Winter and Spring which made the bike even less desirable to use. In all the exercises I was involved in from BC to NB over 11 years in support of every unit in the Brigade, I can truly say I never seen one working in person. That's not to say they weren't a good machine in the right hands.

On a lighter note working for various units (1 Fld Amb to be exact), anyone ever load up a 6 x 6 5-ton with feminine hygiene products wearing webbing and a rifle with cam paint on Good times!

[Alex Sandor Csank]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

Alex, the TRW doesn't interest me frankly, don't know why, but doesn't

Well, that's certainly in MY favour, as you won't take mine then!

[Ed Williamson]

I have one too

[Alex Sandor Csank]

Originally Posted by Ed Williamson

I have one too

Ed, you DO have eclectic tastes in vehicles, don't you?

[Robin Craig]

So the work has started, by my mate, not my handy work.

He has taken apart the front wheel hub. so far its new wheel bearings and brake shoes. he is thinking new control cables may be prudent and a fuel tap for the tank and new tires as these are shot.

It will be a slow process as he has other work to do but I am happy to have someone knowledgeable do the work for me. In the mean time I do work for others and my side job to afford it all, fair exchange, and progress.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Robin

A video from a m/c centric youtuber on the Armstrong MT500 (78569) that I thought you might like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2yR4d_pu14&t=22s

Happy New Year

regards
Darrell

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Darrell Zinck

Hi Robin

A video from a m/c centric youtuber on the Armstrong MT500 (78569) that I thought you might like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2yR4d_pu14&t=22s

Happy New Year

regards
Darrell

Hi Darrell,
An interesting video!. I was working in a REME workshop when the MT500 came into service with the British Army and recall an issue with the Austrian built Rotax engine. The cam pulley on the head was stripping its splines, it was made of a diecast material from memory, and we had to replace them with a modified pulley, (may have been steel, long time ago now). The guy being critical of the left hand kickstart, well being European made, that was the norm unfortunately. I prefered right hand starter, being a Brit bike owner.
For me, I prefered the BSA B40WD!