1986 Canadian Armstrong MT500 EC dispatch Motorcycle

[SteveJ]

I just finished restoring a 1986 Canadian Armstrong MT500 EC dispatch Motorcycle this winter. Its all done and on the road. And I must say that of all the single cylinder dual sport bikes Ive had over the years (4) this is one of the nicest. Its a great ride. Very rugged and stable to ride. Its only short coming is that it is heavy so i try to keep that in mind especially when all the gear is loaded. (When I was 20 this would not have been a concern. At 60 well thats different lol) I had it out at the summer skirmish event here in Calgary a couple of weeks ago where we static displayed and paraded. All in all with the panniers packed, some camo net, the radio on board, the smg in its carrier it made a real nice display.
So if anyone is doing one and needs any tech data, supplier contact, parts feel free to contact me. The last photo is a good friend testing out the bike.

[Robin Craig]

Very smart and tidy, great presentation

[Peter Phillips]

I must say, I've seen this bike in person and it's every bit as nice as the pictures show, well done Steve! I seen a lot of those bikes sitting in back compounds back in the 80's in Calgary and could never figure out why no one rode them

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Peter Phillips

I seen a lot of those bikes sitting in back compounds back in the 80's in Calgary and could never figure out why no one rode them

Mostly because they served no purpose by that point. They were substantiated as being required to pass messages, demands, or retrieve small spare parts from the service battalion and forward them to the firstline units, as well as for possible convoy control. They had the ability to snake through the mile long convoys.

In reality their time had passed. It seemed like all they did was act as a play-thing for select troops to damage and destroy. They are now a thing of the past.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Rob, do you mean to say all those movies of James Bond being chased by some para-military organization on motorcycles shooting SMG are a work of fiction..... I quite enjoy those scenes going down winding roads in Italy, through train tunnels, dropping through wine estates..... they are super..... I guess it is not the same thing driving through scrub oak trees over sand dunes in Shilo....

No wonder they are having problems recruiting reservists in Alberta. They would rather be riding their ATV or Iltis off road.....

Cheers!
Stuart

Fiction or not, how did the bad guys fare out in those movies? Perhaps there is a reason why the army does not use motorcycles, motorized hang gliders, or gymnastic girls painted gold in their modern day battle plans.

[SteveJ]

Kind of sad really. But I guess the military has thrown off all the vehicles we now restore maintain use and display they are all dodo birds. We are lucky in a sense and this hobby is the best one I've ever tried. I looking at a KLR now and maybe I'll have the last two generations of Canadian military moto's in my garage.

[SteveJ]

Thanks Stuart.

Much appreciated