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....? 

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

 

 
 

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

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.

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

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

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

Can Of Fuel

If you are interested in supporting the team on the salt in Bonneville and getting down the track then here is your chance. Next time your in at Trillion Industries, throw in your $50 for a can of fuel or race fuel (before August 23rd) to show your backing Derek and the team. We will make sure you get a signed 8x10" metallic print of the bike on the salt as a thank you.

~K
**UPDATE**
You can use your paypal account here to send $50 for a CAN O' FUEL! to (info@trillionindustries.com).

Modern Motorcycle Mechanics

Super proud to announce today that Greg Williams and Modern Motorcycle Mechanics is supporting us for this years attempt on the Salt.

Greg Williams (l) and Derek Pauletto (r)

Greg is always a great supporter of what we do and it has been a pleasure knowing him throughout the years. Greg stopped by the shop today for a few minutes to see the bike and what Derek has been up to. Looking forward to sporting our new Nicholson Bros. shirts on the salt. Make sure you check out Greg at the link to the right and show him some love.

~K

33 And Counting

Thats right racing and motorcycle fans!! 33 days, 19 hours until we leave for Wendover Nevada for this years BUB Speed Trials. We are very excited and stressed obviously as it is coming up fast and we have some major building left to get the bike race-ready.

Some cool news though as far as the technical side goes. We are using a new computer for the bike and the company backing it is proving to make things far easier on us this year. We will be rolling them and our other partners out in the next few weeks as we gear up for the trip.

Another technical aspect to mention is the fact that this year we know we are in a position to benchmark a new record in class and the challenges we had last year of a half-finished bike are behind us. Many aspects where tested last year and we are ready to get down to business and finish out with return runs.

Stay tuned here for news and information how you can help us out and be a part of the history of this project.

~K

Gear Up | Calgary Salt Flats Racer

Well it's only February and Derek is already getting geared up for this years BUB Speed Trials at the Bonneville Slat Flats. There is a lot of changes for the bike as last season we learned a lot. Time to establish some records and really make some noise with Raquel. Ask Derek how you can be a part of this years records and please continue to support the great things that are happening at Trillion Industries.

K~

World Of Wheels | Calgary Customs

Two things!! First of all make sure you get down to the World Of Wheels in Calgary this weekend where Derek will be showing off the LSR Triumph with some new parts and ideas. Derek will be at the Calgary Bonneville Racing group section with all the other Salt fanatics.

And second, I finally had a chance to put together some of the footage I shot last summer at our 2012 record attempt. Some real gems in here, you can see some of the pain we went through yet all the time the guys had good attitudes. And Derek is himself...enjoy

K~

December Update | Calgary Customs and Fab

Well it's been a very busy and interesting year for us at Trillion Industries . Like anything else in this productive province we have grown in what we do. The Salt Flats trip was an experience, we have learned much from the Project "Raquel" bike, and we have met lots of great people and developed many awesome relationships. It's been a great year to say the least. Derek and the crew would like to thank everyone for their involvement with our projects, our awesome clients for continued support of what we do, and our partners for keeping the standards high. Along with the thank you we want you to know what we are up to for the next few months...

~Kurtis~

"There are currently four motorcycle frame-off customization jobs on the go due for this spring which includes:

- A ground-up modern modified bevel head Ducati 350 single.

- A ‘71 Honda CB500 Cafe with single side swingarm sporting a spoked rim 240 tire with sport bike suspension.

- A Yamaha XS650 Cafe conversion

- A pre-war Triumph 350 twin resto with an original Norton Girder fork swap.

And for spring start-up projects:

- 1958 BSA 650 Plunger frame custom one-off

- 1952 Triumph 650 Pre-Unit custom

- The re-do and upgrading of Raquel- New front suspension, transmission, riding position, more dyno tuning and pushing the limits of the turbo system. This year we see the addition of nitrous oxide!

All some other non-bike related projects:

- New Prover trailer unit- designed for calibrating liquid pumping stations and trucks that’s certified by Measurements Canada

- Lighted LED towers- designed by Trillion for the industrial/construction development sites

Plus all the day-in and day-out business of repair, modification tokeep everyone rolling smoothly.

2013 will bring new ideas to develop for Trillion, if we all live past Dec 21 that is! :) "

~Derek Pauletto~

Right From The Salt

Derek and "Raquel" have been invited by the CVMG and will be down at the Millarville Race Track for the 10th Annual Vintage Motorcycle Swap Meet this Sunday (Sept 9, 2012). Make sure you get down there and see the Land Speed Record Triumph that Team Trillion took down to the Salt this year.

We haven't even washed her yet....

The Story Starts Here

The crew arrived back in Calgary this morning obviously very exhausted but extremely happy. We managed to do something that most people just dream about even with the constant challenges and set-backs we had in the last 6 days.

Trillion Racing Team members Chris Taggert, Derek Pauletto, Kurtis Kristianson, Chris Hart.

It's a long story but I managed to shoot a lots of footage that will eventually be made into a mini-doc that should be out around Christmas. Also a lot of still images that will end up here as we update the blog now that we are back.

Stories are always better when there is some kind of drama but I have to say we did not plan the crazy events that unfolded during the last few days in town and while we were on the salt. Constant break-downs, loss of oil pressure, breaking parts, major modifications without tools... ...we did it all. Derek was extremely cool through the whole process and our crew as a whole worked their ass off to think outside of the box and use their experience to make things work. 

Derek Pauletto in the timed mile on the mountain course.

There is no way things are going to run smoothly when you are dyno tuning your build and engine only hours before you leave town. Not too mention the fact that the bike was only 95% complete before we left. No slacking here, just constant hold-ups on parts and building that were out of our hands during the weeks prior. When the bike ran it had wings. After only a few runs the bike had a signature sound that was unmistakable around the pits and Derek quickly dusted off his racing skills from the past, getting to 107.094 MPH (unofficial). 

Unfortunately in the last hours at Bonneville the electrical problems became too much and the bike could not get out for the final return run. The Impound crew was extremely gracious and supportive as we tried desperately to make our return before the 4 mile closed. In the end, all the little nagging problems caught up with us and we had to step back. Derek and the bike would not make the final return run.

Derek takes a break on the hot salt flats between test runs.

Regardless of the way our story ended, we couldn't be happier about what we managed to achieve in our first year. We learned a lot and actually believe we have such a powerful and well engineered bike that we WILL be breaking records next year. With more time and testing we will return with something solid and have more focus on the racing then on the repairs. Stay tuned to the blog, check out our new facebook page ( Trillion Industries ), and continue to follow the story. Give Derek a shout, email, or tweet and let him know your supporting the adventure. 

Cheers!  K~

Uphill All The Way

Well we've been down here for three days now and it seems that as soon as something works, we run into another issue. These are the kind of things that happen when you drive 1500 km to an international event when you have only 90 % of a bike. Not that the team or those involved have been slacking but when you take on a project of this scope with so little time, you need to work hard to overcome all challenges that come your way.

 Derek pulls away from the support truck at  104.63MPH

Today we showed up at the boat-launch early to get in to a line up to get on the track and couldn't even get out to the pits as we were told that operations were postponed for the day. No racing. Just a massive lake with only a few inches of water would kill a day on the salt. After a few minutes of discussion we decided we had too much to do and just drove out to the pit area. Once out there we just got to work, the place was a ghost town but there was too much to do.

Derek taking a break between test rides while Chris Hart checks values on the program map.

By 5 pm we had fixed a torn clutch cable, managed a bad shifting issue, and tried to work through a partially tuned program map. And still after 5 runs down the back line we managed to hit 104.63 MPH so all the hard work and problem solving have been paying off. We are tired, burnt and happy that we are doing the impossible.

The crew at the start line for a tour with Betty

More pictures and updates will be coming in the next few days but for now it's all about capturing what we came for. Not only a bit of adventure but a chance to finish what we all agreed to be a part of; benchmarking a record in an open class with a bike that defies traditional standards.

Derek relaxing on Salt now flooded by an afternoon thunder shower.

On The Salt

We got into Wendover this afternoon around 3pm and went directly to the Salt Flats where we met up with Roger Goldammer. The boys got straight into finishing the last few items on the bike to get it ready for tech. Unfortunately the day was already getting late so tech has been scheduled for the morning. Everyone is tired but happy that we are here and have a running bike for the track tomorrow.

There is a 7 am start tomorrow morning and Derek has a racers meeting as soon as we get to the race area. We should be running the bike in the morning and if all goes smoothly we should have something to report for early afternoon. Make sure you send Derek a note and catch him on Twitter. Stay tuned.

K~

It's On!!!! Salt Flats Here We Come

After days of problem after problem and continual setbacks we finally had forward movement. It has been so frustrating to keep the shop open while working on the bike and last night when we thought all was good, nothing. Again a late night and then this morning Chris and Reg from RCTS had everything ready to go and then ....no signal from the pick-ups on the crank sensor. Turns out the the shaft that the sensor pips run on was bent and would not even come close enough to work... again we are done.

About a half hour of ideas and potential solutions, the shaft was straightened and the sensor moved in to within .015' thousandths of an inch. The starting dolly was fired up and the bike again rolled in gear with our fingers crossed. BANG !!! she fired up and started to run on it's own. 25 minutes later Reg and Chris were tuning this thing to idle on it's own and you could begin to hear the turbo spool up.

By the time I left the shop today at 3pm the bike could turn over easily with one kick and is running (at this time) fine by itself. We still have lots to do before we go but we are in a place we only imagined we could be by now. We are still on!!!

Happy? Yeah we're happy!
  

Make Some Noise | Project Raquel

So there is literally only days left and we are doing what we can to finish the bike. Days are long especially for Derek and even our new technician Chris Hart has been pulling his own hours at the shop with wiring and electronic controls. The stress is on and the trip date is fast approaching.

Strange feeling these days with a lot of people stopping in to check out "Raquel" (the slat flats race bike), seems everyone has positive things to say. "Oh you guys can do it", or "it'll happen, you guys are good at last minute projects". The problem is we are good under pressure and as much as we appreciate everyone's support, we know that we have to pull the rabbit out of the hat and make this thing like a miracle. This time for real, and not only complete the build but run it at least twice across the hot and bare salt.

Right now there are no "what if's", only a target  that we have to hit doing 130 MPH in 10 days. Derek is focused and those who are close to him have stepped back to let him work. There is also no such thing as a problem. Only challenges thrown at us every day which is basically another chance to use our skills and experience to design, build or work-around another road block. No dropping the ball, we are too busy working on success.

So while we are spending late hours at the shop turning ideas into historical reality, we are asking anyone who is following this blog, Derek on Twitter, our friends and everyone who just loves living larger than life, to support us by spreading the word. Keep watching this page for updates and follow Derek at the twitter feed above. Make sure you send him some twitter love and lets get as many people checking this out as we can. We need your momentum to finish this so lets kick it into high-gear.

K~

One Week.

We have one week left and I don't need to say it but we are very busy. Derek has been working around the clock and we are hoping to run the bike this week. So far it still looks good but again, there just is not enough time in the day. Below is a test clip from the work we did last week.