Canadian Military Motorcycles, the Machines and Man

[Grant McCullough]

Hello to all. For many years I have tried to acquire all of the ex CDN Military motorcycles and associated equipment that I could find. The goal is to open a museum focusing on this area of history. I would especially love to hear from any all Men and Women who have used these machines while in service with the Canadian Military, and the families of the same if they have stories, pics to share. I would also love to here from any former R.C.E.M.E members that worked on the machines, as well as any Vehicle Techs,and mechanics, that may have service stories, tricks, techniques to share. I hope to gather as much information as possible, and hope that anyone who has anything to share, veteran dispatch rider, to current owner or enthusiast to do so. Please PM if wanting to share privately or post here. The goal is to preserve this history and the memories of those that made this history possible. Cheers! Grant

[Grant McCullough]

As posted on Vimeo a Video from the Veterans Channel, an interview by Paul Cane, of HARRY WATTS Second World War Veteran,Canadian Army Dispatch Rider.
Http://Vimeo.com/302962666

Http://Vimeo.com/301397793

Harry Watts, passed on, in March of 2019, he also self published a book on his experiences as a DR in the Canadian army, titled
THE DISPATCH RIDER
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Harry Watts book is available here:

http://www.spitcrazy.com/Canadian%20Books.htm

[Grant McCullough]

This is a link to an amazing website compiled by a man named Johan. The Liberator, is the name of Johans website dedicated to WW2 Harley Davidson motorcycles. The following link is specifically about the Canadian Harley Davidsons.

Http:www.theliberator.be/liberator6.htm

Thank you Johan for sharing this work with the worlld


Many who have Canadian and US Army Harley Davidson Motorcycles are familiar with Bruce Palmers book “How to restore your Military Harley Davidson”. If you are restoring one or want to learn every single detail of these motorcycles this is the book.

https://www.amazon.ca/How-Restore-Yo...86XN6YXM0R6A92

[Grant McCullough]

This film is in England 1944. I am sure more than a few Canadians went through this course or one very much like it.

https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=ZSb-K2LipRo

[Grant McCullough]

A Short clip of Dispatch Riders in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps

https:www.YouTube.com/watch?v=ZTerqATYvy4

[Grant McCullough]

Another Canadian Army Motorcycle Training video with more content.

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=EsNL78G6oNQ

[Grant McCullough]

Motorcycle Messengers by Sharon Adams.

A nice article.

http://legionmagazine.com/en/2018/12...le-messengers/

[Grant McCullough]

Another Second World War instructional video. Thiese ones features the Norton 16H. Theory, maintenance and use

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRXP5zr8dmg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ7FMGXlM9E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2igIno8tYh4

[Grant McCullough]

A well presented video on starting a WD BSA WM20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cLTeBHYtI

[Grant McCullough]

Maybe not the most practical motorcycle ever made, they sure are cute though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaK88I4-CU8

[Grant McCullough]

A little bit of history regarding The Canadian Army Motorcycle Display Teams.

http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/Motorcycle_Display_Team

The White Helmets of the UK, they mentored the Canadian Signals team while it existed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CZ4EXh-Yv8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS1n16vkQx4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvF0CLEf-10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5eOQbMqDac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9iqK-xG0nM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpGLQ_N1f90

[Grant McCullough]

A nice set of photos compiled by Harold A Skaarup, with a tribute to Clive Law.

http://silverhawkauthor.com/canadian...ycles_511.html

[Grant McCullough]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axHHlUDaXns

[Grant McCullough]

I know...it’s a British film, however it is featuring the Military Can-Am which is made in Canada and was also used by the Canadian Forces. Finding any Military video of the Can-Am or even pictures, while in service is difficult.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZEHlDJXFRc

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This very original, 1st model Canadian Armed Forces Can-Am, was photographed in Ontario. If it is your machine I would love to talk to you!

[Grant McCullough]

Here is a factory rokon video from the period the Rokon was trialed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2XIqWmn_DE

[Peter Phillips]

Hi Grant, not sure if you remember me but I stopped in and bought a bunch of NOS signal lights off you....and you gave me a 1950's era jerrycan that I still owe you $20.00 for, don't worry, I haven't forgot . How about some pics of what you may have squirelled away in terms of motorcycles......oops did I let the cat out of the bag

Cheers!

[Grant McCullough]

No worries Peter, I remember you, thankfully you found new homes for the lights.
Yes I have lots of nuts, er I mean ex CDN Army Motorcycles tucked away waiting for fine folks, like yourself to view them. Pictures of the motorcycles will be posted here, when I dig them out.

Grant

[Robin Craig]

For anyone like Grant or myself who are motorbike barmy, the two books that one naturally buys are these. Both are hardbound and 8 1/2" by 11".

The Winged Wheel Patch by Messenger and Burns and The Canadian Military Motorcycle by Clive Law.

These books are getting pricey to buy these days and you will have to be lucky to find them and you will pay large through Abe Books.

If you are after post war bike information they are great up to and including the TRW. From there the last three in regular service bikes the Bombardier Canam 250, the Armstrong MT500 and the Kawasaki KLR250 are only given lip service when you compare the number of pages dedicated to he other types.

there are pictures supplied by MLU regulars whose names you will recognise, Like Ed Storey and John Cameron.

It is not a criticism it is an observation. If like myself, those are your focus you will be left feeling jipped on details.

However with folks like Grant involved I think there is a good possibility, that perhaps there can be an addendum booklet done by someone now the bikes are well out of service and some are available as reference machines. This suggested by Jason Ginn who has been quite helpful to me in tracking some of the Ottawa area Canams and their disposition.

I look forward to visiting Grant one day.

[Grant McCullough]

Robin thank you for sharing both of those well known and iconic Canadian Military Motorcycle books.

Here is another book, written by Greg Williams, close family friend to J.B “BERNY” Nicholson. Berny was an Instructor of inststructors, to Canadian Military Motorcycle Riders, and the mechanics, here in Canada during the war.

J.B Nicholson also wrote THE BOOK on motorcycle repair first edition 1942. Titled “Modern Motorcycle Mechanics” which is still in print.

Greg Williams book is titled “ Prairie Dust,Motorcycles and a typewriter” The life story of J.B. Nicholson.

Both books are available here:
https://modernmotorcyclemechanics.com/


Since the Canadian Military used so many British motorcycles, I would be remiss in not sharing what is probably the best written book on the subject.

British Forces Motorcycles 1925-1945 by Chris Orchard and Stan Madden
https://www.amazon.ca/British-Forces.../dp/075094451X