Friday, January 10, 2014

Trillion's Power Hammer

I've been off and on this project of mine for some time now. Finally, it's almost finished! For those of you who are familiar with sheet metal machines aimed through the artistic fingers of craftsman I need not explain, but those wondering what this machine is for? Basically, it takes the place of the ol' mallet over sandbag metal forming but is much, much faster! A couple years back I had the opportunity to take a metal working course at TM Technologies (www.tinmantech.com), I had been interested in this since I was first introduced to power hammering back in '03. Kent of TM Tech was my choice, he had a very specialized air-hammer version that he had been developing since the 80's! After four stupendous days of direct hands on training at his facility in Northern California, I came away with years of knowledge and knowhow. I bought some of the specialized tools from TM and built my own version around them. Now, what project do I do first....? 

Monday, December 9, 2013

CFD K-9 Investigation Unit

I finished off a project for the Calgary Fire Department K-9 Investigation Unit that I was commissioned to design and fabricate. It's a kind of carousel that will hold samples of 'accelerants' to help in specific training tactics. It was to be lightweight, rotate easily and collapse for transport. Below is a pic of what I created. Also, you can check out a link to the Global News of it in action here: http://globalnews.ca/video/1007887/gibbs-the-calgary-fire-departments-new-dog
 

 
 


Thursday, November 21, 2013

It's Official!

It all comes down to this, an AMA Land Speed certificate! Hard work, late nights, money, help from friends and family and sponsors has paid off with a 125.703 mph record in the books! I feel a slight bit of relief and closure as I reflect back on this summer as the year winds down, and can't help but think how it could have been so different had I just given up, only just a bit. I've learned time and time again, to keep pushing and your efforts will pay off. Now, to get back to work on beating that record next year!!

Derek

Sunday, November 10, 2013

TJ's Cycle is now closed.

It's been a week since I set foot in TJ's yard to drop off a bottle of single malt Scotch, a favorite of owner Mark Blundell as I say good bye to him and company. I will truly miss the days I would scour the wrecking yard with my son who was only four on his first trek in search of that one part that would get me ever so closer to finishing my latest custom motorcycle, we would both always come away with something! With the increasing presence of ebay and crappy auction style tv shows that pollute our cable, people think they can get a part cheaper somewhere else. Problem is they forget about the high cost of shipping us Canadians face and secondly, to actually hold the part you need in hand for a few bucks more vs playing Russian Roulette on the same part coming from another country I find ludicrous! TJ's had to deal with all these kinds of losers. Calgary is an expensive place to run and own a small business, this I know all too well! If you find you're one of these people, then you just paid the price of not having Calgary's last and only motorcycle salvage and service shop around. I as well as my son will truly miss those great mornings of wading through the rows of sun soaked bikes.

Derek.

Monday, November 4, 2013

125.5 MPH....

The title reads the record I set at the 10th BUB Speed Trials this past August 26th. Apologies for not posting any results on this blog sooner, I was using the Trillion Industries Facebook page as it was more convenient at the time. Please check out the link here to find out how I almost didn't make it 30 hours prior to leaving for Bonneville! https://www.facebook.com/TrillionIndustries Also, grab yourself the October issue of Classic Bike magazine! Mark Gardiner wrote a great piece, describing just days before my trek to the Salt Flats.

Derek




Thursday, August 15, 2013

Bike EXIF

A big thanks to Chris Hunter of BIKEEXIF for publishing a great article about Derek and Project Raquel. Not too mention words by our good friend Greg Williams. See the post below:

http://www.bikeexif.com/turbocharged-motorcycle#more-15911

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Showing The Love

Make sure you all show our sponsors some love. We have had some great companies and personalities partner up with us on this project and we couldn't do what we are doing without the level of support we are getting. Not to mention the people who have been buying the Can's O' Fuel and getting their name on the posters. So check out the links to the right here featuring our partners, we know, trust and regularly work with them. You should too.

~K