Built in grandpa’s memory

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This article was published 01/02/2016 (3715 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The reddish matte paint finish with darker highlights gives the Indian Scout motorcycle an antique — almost rusty — look.

“We were going after the older look; like it was found in a farmer’s field,” said Mitch Ruth, who along with technician Jeff Altenburg, created the customized motorcycle they named The Rebel, in memory of Ruth’s grandfather John Killbery.

Killbery started Headingley Sport Shop on Bridge Road in 1969. Ruth, 32, said he first started working in the family business at about age 11, when his grandfather hired him to mow the lawn. As Ruth grew up, he learned mechanics and engineering fundamentals from Killbery, who was self-taught.

The business relocated to its current site at 5160 Portage Ave. in 2006. Ruth said his grandfather put in long hours to build the business, which sells and services Polaris snowmobiles, ATVs and utility vehicles, Kawasaki motorcycles and accessories. In September 2014 the company became one of the few licensed dealers in Canada for Indian Motorcycles.

Ruth said he found out last fall about Indian’s contest called Project Scout: Build a Legend that invites Indian Motorcycle dealers to customize a 2016 Scout model using a minimum of three Indian Scout accessories. He and Altenburg decided to enter, and when Ruth’s grandfather died at age 84 on Nov. 6, he dedicated his entry in memory of Killbery.

“It’s a tribute to him. He loved this industry,” Ruth said.

As well as the unique paint job, Ruth and Altenburg lowered the bike’s suspension and added a custom exhaust. “It gives it kind of a mean sound — like a rebel,” Ruth said.

There are 35 entries in the Project Scout contest, including those built by dealers in France, Germany, Portugal, across the United States and two from Quebec. The Rebel is the only entry built by a Canadian dealer from outside Quebec.

The top three Project Scout finalists as voted by Indian Motorcycle fans will receive an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to the 75th annual Daytona Bike Week for themselves plus a guest. Indian Motorcycle will also host a special award ceremony at Daytona Beach during which a panel of celebrity judges will select the ultimate winner of the Project Scout: Build a Legend program, and party-goers will vote to determine the Fan Favorite award winner.

Ruth said that anyone can vote, and as of Jan. 26, The Rebel was in second place.

The deadline for voting is Fri., Feb. 19. To vote go to http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/project-scout

The top three finalists will be announced on Fri., Feb. 26.

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