The 2018 Burt Bentley Trophy winner (best restored by a club member) Tony Medernach’s 1911 Harley Davidson single

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JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Robyn Gray, a popular motorcyclist and former Harley-Davidson retailer, was killed Thursday night in a crash on Garven Road northeast of the city.

Manitoba motorcycle enthusiasts are mourning the death of well-known motorcycle show organizer Robyn Gray, who died late Thursday night after being hit on his motorcycle by three vehicles in the R.M. of Springfield.

The 71-year-old, who lived in East St. Paul, was westbound on Provincial Road 213 — also known as Garven Road — near Lorne Hill Road at about 11 p.m. when he was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old male from East St. Paul, RCMP said. Gray was thrown from his motorcycle. He was then hit by a second westbound vehicle being driven by a 30-year-old woman from Portage la Prairie.

RCMP say they believe that Gray was struck by a third vehicle heading east on Hwy 213. The driver of this vehicle did not stop at the scene and has not been identified. Police are asking anyone with information that may help identify the driver to contact the Oakbank RCMP at 204-444-3847.

Gray was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision, RCMP said.

Officers from the Oakbank detachment and an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist continue to investigate.

Gray was a former organizer of the popular Winnipeg motorcycle show, Rolling Thunder, at the World of Wheels and, at one time, owned a Harley-Davidson dealership.

“Robyn was a larger-than-life figure and very well known in the motorcycle community, not just in Winnipeg, but around the world,” said Free Press Autos editor Willy Williamson, a close friend of Gray’s.

Gray was an activist who strongly supported rights for motorcyclists and helped pen many of the laws and guidelines in place, Williamson said. He was involved with the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups and organized rallies held at the Manitoba Legislative Building to protest rate hikes by Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Robyn was never afraid to not only stand up for himself but for others too,” said Williamson.

Gray shared his love of motorcycles with many, including one patient at Riverview Health Centre. Gray arranged for himself and a group of motorcyclists to visit a resident there who was a big bike enthusiast and rode a motorcycle back in the day. Gray was also involved in a number of charitable causes, including the Thursday Night Riders’ annual Children’s Wish Foundation Charity Fundraiser and the Annual Ladies of Harley Davidson Breast Cancer Pledge Run.

“Robyn was a huge supporter of our military veterans and organized and led an annual Remembrance Day run that often had as many as 50 other fellow bikers along for the ride,” said Williamson. “One November, it was particularly cold and Robyn, local artist Jordan Van Sewell and our buddy Brian Segal and I were the only ones who made the ride. It was so cold my bike wouldn’t start and the guys had to push me down the street in front of the Selkirk Legion to get it going. Robyn was cursing and complaining the whole time but wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving me stranded, that was just the type of guy he was, he always had time for his friends, always. I will miss his laugh and his passion for life,” his friend said.

“Robyn had a youthful energy that was contagious, he was always planning something. He may have been 71, but he really never slowed down, he recently told me he wanted to get to work restoring the old fire truck he had in his yard. He was happiest when he was turning wrenches and telling stories,” said Williamson. “…He always said he wanted to write a book, and I’m really wishing he had.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

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AMCM Membership application
Membership app

2018 Bison Rally Registration
2018 Bison registration

Bison Rally letter of Introduction
AMCM_Donation_Letter_2018

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“Rusted Restoration” presentation from April meeting

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Our AMCM ambassador for India, Ross Metcalfe reports…

As you know, I spent 15 days in India a couple weeks ago.

There are literally of millions of motorcycles on the roads.

Most of them of the 125cc variety with every second motorcycle a Honda Hero.

As many of our members know, Royal Enfield began in England in the 1890s, and the last one sold in Canada in 1970.

But in India, they continue to make the 500cc Bullet which, in that country, is a very large motorcycle.

Even though they are made in India, the Royal Enfield is rare as they are expensive compared to the small bore bikes.

I just happened upon the local Royal Enfield club in Delhi as our tour made a lunch stop at a roadside restaurant.

In the parking lot, there were 40 or 50 bikers all wearing red t-shirts.

They told me that on April 8th (that day), every Royal Enfield club in the world was out for a ride titled “One Ride Around the World”.

You would have thought it was our corn roast as they were having a blast playing games such as Slo Races.

My last comment would be, Royal Enfield is the only motorcycle company that can boast having spanned three centuries.

Cheers, Ross

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These members were hands on in the rescue and restoration of the Dunlop Trophy
that hung in the MMC clubhouse that was destroyed by fire, Great job guys.

The Restored plaque which was first awarded to a MMC member in 1911 will hang in the meeting room at Harley Davidson of Wpg.

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RainMan action figures on sale now.

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AMCM display at the 2018 WoW Cyclerama

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Here’s a tip for Synchronizing Norton Carbs

Click on the pic for details

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Tech Night

MAGNETOS presented by John Thompson

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Movie night at Keith’s Save the Rust Museum

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A video from Cuba that includes AMCM member David Blanco

Thanks to Rob Henry we have an English translation of the dialog in the video HERE: Translation
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MMC Gold Medal Winner Sadie Grimm

Click on the picture for the complete story

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The 2017 “Fishing Trip” was again a great outing his year and thanks to Don Charleton we were invited to a tour of a Water Bomber stationed at Gimli airport. Photos by Lyle Ball

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Bonneville Utah, Another motorcycle speed record for Ted and Gary. Vintage APS VF 1650cc record holder , 124.75 MPH is killer fast on a 1942 UL 80″ Harley with a hard tail frame on a washboard track, well done !
Just got home! We got a record of 124.75 mph on the two way run. Our fastest one way time was 127.58 mph. The track was very rough, especially in the measured mile… lots of guys were baling out at about 100. We were very happy with our results, but feel that the bike was capable of 130+ mph on a smoother track… she pulled very strongly!

Gary

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Fun and Games at the 41st Annual AMCM Corn Roast

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Ted Hector and Gary Macdonald

will be attempt to set

records at Bonneville yet again

with a new racer.

Aug 29 – 31

Click on pic for a read.

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South Beach Casino Show and Shine

Neil Ball AMCM/CVMG- Best Japanese, ’72 Kawasaki H2 restoration
Kim Robinson AMCM- Best European, BMW with sidecar
Tim Klassen AMCM/CVMG- Best British, Norton
Steve Montgomery CVMG- Best Vintage, Harley

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Thanks go to Lyle Ball for the photos

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Tom’s Rusted Restoration

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TECH TIPS– – – Posted in August 2017

As all BMW slash 7 R100 Airhead owners know, this model (and several other BMW models ) require a colossal 28 amp/hour 12V battery which is located under the seat and is VERY inaccessible. There are two bolts on either side of the battery box which only JUST clear the battery width and even after replacing these with carriage head bolts,, still require much tongue work to get the battery out! Not to mention that if these two bolts are removed completely the whole frame collapses because they hold together a hinge point!

I have replaced many batteries over the years, always with the cheapest conventional lead acid flooded type, and always take the battery out to my warm shop over winter & keep it charged, because my garage is not insulated. Despite this they only last one or two years: three at best.

Now it is time to replace the battery again and I decided to pay what I thought would be the extra and go for an AGM battery. (Absorbed Glass Mat) These are sealed, maintenance free, retain their charge longer, have more CCA (cranking amps) and are supposed to last three times longer than conventional flooded ones. An added huge bonus for us BMW owners is that it is HALF AN INCH SHORTER!

After an internet search I found one right here on the Canadian Prairies ! They ship it for free right to your address (no more going over the border to ND), and it comes fully charged! And for less than I have been paying for conventional batteries locally.

Details :—

Sask Battery Regina, SK. Email; Saskbattery@live.ca

Ph 306 781 9844 www.saskbattery.com

Update: MB Battery is a partner of Sask Battery located on Logan ave in Wpg

www. mb.battery.com

Type AGM30L-BS/YIX30L 30amp 12V 385CCA

Price CA$79.50 plus 11% GST = $88.25 delivered

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Joe is making progress on his trike…have a look.

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Conquering Perimeteritis Ride 2017

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Just short of 80 people attended the 10th annual event hosted by Chas Peters and Tom Hesom with help from their families.

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AMCM Booth @ 2017 World of Wheels show

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Newsletter archive updated with the first year of newsletters starting with 1978 Volume 1 #1

Update… Added 1979 to 1985 issues

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The Manitoba Motorcycle Club (MMC) or as they were known then, the “Winnipeg Motorcycle Club”(notice the WMC pennant on the 3rd bike from the left) in 1911 getting ready for a reliability run.
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For older posts see Web Archives 1 and 2

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