The Honda SL. The Ultimate Bush Bike. Part 3

On this date in April a member from the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol paid a visit to Patrolman Orcutt at Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4.   The following photographs were made at that time documenting the restoration process of the 1973 Honda SL 125 "bush bike".  This bike was acquired by the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol for $150.00.  At the time the bike was a rolling chassis, in very rough condition.  Using skill and ingenuity and Rust-Oleum paint sourced from Home Hardware, Patrolman Orcutt was able to create a respectable running machine.  The Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol looks forward to putting this bike into moose dragging duty when fully completed.

Patrolman Orcutt's moose patrol vehicle is this incredibly tidy Honda Goldwing.  The exceptional torque of this machine allows it to drag two or three moose at once, depending on moose size.  Pint sized nurses from Collingwood are particularly fond of this reliable and sturdy machine.

This is one of the moose swivels commonly used by the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol when dragging large moose.  

The Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol would like to thank the manufacturers of Rust-Oleum paint for making a decent rattle can paint shooter.  It's not perfect but its better than most.

This is the beverage area at Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4.  You have two choices of what you want to drink.  Rum or Rum.  Straight or with a maple syrup chaser.

Some of you might recognize this medal.  This was awarded to Patrolman Orcutt for heroic endeavours in moose dragging in 1978.

When the correct bolt or nut can't be found the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol has been known to substitute glue when restoring a motorcycle. This is the extensive Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4 glue collection.

This is a novelty, oversized Estwing hammer.  I am not really sure why this is in  Royal Canadian 
Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4 

This "Mistress of the Moose" statue was crafted by an Iroquois warrior and gifted to the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol in 1964 as part of the "moose wars" peace settlement between the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol and the great Iroquois nation.

This is the home theatre entertainment system at Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4.

Old school Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol moose trail helmet.

This is what a proper bush bike looks and sounds like.

1997 Moose Interceptor

Sometime in April 2014, a lone member from the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol, took Moose Interceptor # 9 out to stretch its legs.  On this day the destination was Bobcaygeon, Ontario.  Moose Interceptor  # 9 is a first response motorcycle, designed to reach a downed moose as soon as possible after the initial moose report is called into Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol headquarters.  The Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol deploys dozens of various Moose Interceptors across the great expanse of Canada.  

This particular Moose Interceptor was designed and manufactured in Italy to secret specifications mandated by the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol for moose intercept duties.

Moose Interceptor # 9 was commissioned in 1997 and was delivered in 1998 after a brief stop over at the Vatican where the bike was blessed by Pope John Paul.



1997 Moose Interceptor # 9 Specifications

ENGINE SPECS

Engine Type: 1064 cc, 4 Stroke - Air Cooled - 90° V Twin
Engine Bore and Stroke: 92 mm x 80 mm
Valves 2 valves/cylinder
Claimed Horsepower: 90 hp (67.1 kW) @ 7800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 95 Nm (70.1 ft. lbs) @ 6000 rpm

Transmission type: 5 speed
Final Drive: Shaft

MISCELLANEOUS SPECS

Tire - Front: 120/70-17
Tire - Rear: 160/70-17
Brakes - Front: dual 320 mm discs with 4-piston calipers
Brakes - Rear: single 282 mm disc with 2-piston calipers

DIMENSIONS

Overall - Length: 2125 mm (83.7 inches)
Overall - Width: 690 mm (27.2 inches)
Overall - Height: 1095 mm (43.1 inches)
Seat Height: 810 mm (31.9 inches)
Wheelbase 1475 mm (58.1 inches)
Fuel Capacity: 19 l (5 Gal)
Dry Weight (without fluids): 221 kg (487.2 pounds)

 PERFORMANCE

Top Speed - Classified

0 - 60 MPH - Classified

Maximum Moose Dragging Speed ( 1800lb moose dragged with 50lb chain )  172 MPH

Moose Interceptor #9. Photo taken in Bobcaygeon.  Frozen lake in background. No moose this day.

The Honda SL. The Ultimate Bush Bike. Part 2

Let's face it.  Moose can be bastards.  When a moose gets hit by a truck, members of the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol prefer it when the moose dies right there by the side of the road. Occasionally a moose will get hit by a vehicle and then stumble off into the bush to die.  For this reason, the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol has a fleet of  "bush bikes" which are deployed into the forest to retrieve moose carcasses.  These light weight, yet powerful machines are put into service with a chain to drag the dead moose out of the bush to a secret location where it can be properly dispatched and processed into sausage.   One of the preferred bikes put into service by the Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol is the Honda SL.

This particular Honda SL 125 is being restored by Patrolman Orcutt.  Please note the jewel-like engine restoration.

This Honda SL, which has been modified by Patrolman Orcutt, has been dyno tested to produce in excess of 150HP when running on regular octane pump gas. 

With the proper gearing, this motorcycle can drag an 1800 lb moose at a constant speed of 135 MPH.

Secret proprietary tires.  Specifically designed by the Ministry of Moose Patrol for the express purpose of moose dragging.  These tires are not available to the public.

This secret photograph documents Patrolman Orcutt as he rushes to the scene of a downed moose on his trusty Yamaha DT.

Patrolman Orcutt demonstrates his polishing technique.

This is the lounge area at Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4.

This is the command centre at Royal Canadian Motorcycle Patrol secret lodge # 4