Armstrong MT500 CFR 86-78530

[Robin Craig]

In discussion with Ed Storey I am trying to grind down as to whom within 2 Svc Bn this bike might have been used by.

I have watched this video which kind of spread the possibilities far and wide as there is both MP and Signals components contained within.

Is it fair to say that this bike could have been used by more than one user over a period of service ie MP or signals etc?

Just looking to understand the set up

Video is interesting just for amusement, especially if you are killing time awaiting a Covid result. Helps to take the mind off things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDQu...hHLVdjnxACTx3T

[Robin Craig]

So to somewhat answer my own question, I want to clarify my previous post.

I am delighted to even have a serial number to CFR confirmation, that is so much more than many people have for their vehicles. I feel truly blessed.

As far as 2 Svc Bn goes, one wonders when the bike is whole again, how should it be marked to be true to its history, or what we know of its history.

I guess the plain green overall and the CFR on a plate at the rear should be all I should or can reasonably do, anything further ie Sigs or MP etc or Engineers is just conjecture really and it takes away from being true to ones self.

Unit journals will likely be the only source of finding any specific day in time when some identifiable unit had it for that moment.

I feel my last post was akin to that of a spoilt brat and I apologise for my behaviour.

[Alex Sandor Csank]

You're growing a pretty healthy collection of Canadian military bikes, young man! You KNOW that eventually you will need to add a TRW to that bunch, don't you?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

In discussion with Ed Storey I am trying to grind down as to whom within 2 Svc Bn this bike might have been used by.

I have watched this video which kind of spread the possibilities far and wide as there is both MP and Signals components contained within.

.....

At RV 89 I was a clerk at Div Rear in the G4 shop. We set up in a two-storey classroom building on the base at Wainwright. The maintainers, loggies, and movements were managed by this detachment from FMCHQ. This was pre-Internet, and almost all comms were physical. We had wired telephones, and for some things - some times - there was a line of sight microwave telephone system that connected out to the deployed Service Battalions. There was a detachment of Dispatch Riders from 1 Canadian Signals Regiment that hung out in our 1st floor. They had Iltis' and would drive out to pickup non-urgent paperwork, and bring it back to my office where we sorted it to the various desks. (Most of the time, they just hung out in my office and oogled my very attractive coworker, who would decide which swain to favour with her attention.)

So, it is entirely possible that your motorcycle was used by dispatch riders to carry the mail that needed to go back and forth to Div Rear from the Svc Bns, but didn't need to clog up the electronic message circuits.

[Grant McCullough]

Hi Robin, looks like you found a nice project to keep you busy. The first time I saw one, I asked the rider what it was, he said it was a Harley, the side cover on that bike also said Harley Davidson. I suppose the parts supply was going to the CF,from Harley by then. I only saw one in service once, the previously mentioned rider noted my enthusiasm, but (Wisely) declined my request to ride his machine.

I also own one of these hard to find machines. It took quite a few years from the first time I saw one, until I was able to get one for the collection.

Force Motorcycles out in the UK has a large amount of spares. You may require some of their wares, judging from the look of the piston and the strange angle of the connecting rod. I would love to know the cause of the engine failure, to avoid any future ones. If you find out the cause, please share with the community.

I hope you the very best in successful resurrection of this rare machine.

Grant McCullough

[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?