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| The Connie is off getting safetied, and the Ninja has found a new home. I’m bikeless! |
One of the things you learn about motorcycle culture is that it tends to exist underground, out of sight. For example, this week I discovered that there is a bike shop in the small town that I’ve lived in for five years. I had no idea that down the back of the industrial mall behind the country market is a specialist motorbike shop. This reminded me of our trip to Old Vintage Cranks a couple of summers ago.
I’d contacted the owner, Lloyd, over the phone during the week about getting the Concours safetied. He doesn’t usually work with ‘metric bikes’, but he was willing to look after me. Mostly Ironheads is a full service shop that, in addition to offering everything you need to maintain your bike, also offers you some genuine historical motorcycling perspective. While chatting with Lloyd he showed me a 1934 Harley Flathead engine that he was in the process of rebuilding. In the front of the shop you’ll also find a collection of customized Harleys from various decades. I’m going to bring the 3d-scanner when I return for the Connie next week and get some models of this classic American iron.
It’s convenient to wander around department store styled dealerships and bike shops, but it isn’t all that interesting beyond what you’re shopping for. Places like Mostly Ironheads run at a different speed. The proprietors are always happy to spend some time chatting with you and the chances of seeing something genuine and learning something about motorbiking are much higher.
If you’re travelling through Elora, Ontario on two wheels (and many people do to have lunch by the river in the summer), be sure to pop down behind Dar’s Country Market to Mostly Ironheads and have a look at a hidden piece of Ontario motorcycle culture.
Mostly Ironheads Website
Mostly Ironheads on Facebook
3d models of some historical Harleys