DAD’S SHOP

DAD’S SHOP Journeyman Red Seal Motorcycle Mechanic and Certified Harley-Davidson Technician. AMSOIL Dealer • Built on faith and honest work.

Motorcycle, powersports, marine, and small engine diagnostics, maintenance, performance upgrades and repair.

07/25/2026

Gettin er done. Quick lil’ update on the action around the shop.

Hair Straight Back……….

Well when I say it’s been hair straight back…..I mean it, here’s a little update on some of what’s been going on.Went to...
07/16/2026

Well when I say it’s been hair straight back…..

I mean it, here’s a little update on some of what’s been going on.

Went to the second annual Alliance Church Campout with the family.

Made sure a great customer had his new front tire and wheel bearings. As well as a rear tube so he’s good to go for his family bike trip.

Picked the dogs up from their sleep over at Ruff’N It Kennels.

And today I had my Uncle over helping me fix up the loading/offloading ramp. It looks and works excellent. Just needs some paint now.

Finished up a few other customer jobs.

O……. And…….
I have been getting comfortable in a dyno cell again. So if you own a Harley Davidson and are interested in getting it dialled in, please reach out. And we will talk about what we can do.

Made a very special trip to an even more special man, Gido.He had a small mishap with a moose butt last year. My brother...
06/29/2026

Made a very special trip to an even more special man,

Gido.

He had a small mishap with a moose butt last year.
My brothers and I finally made it out to bring parts and do a quick 3 man front end repair. Now he’s ready to tow livestock, camper, or anything he wants to hook behind the ol’ 7.3 Powerstroke.

This customer had an unfortunate “whoopsie daisy.”The 7-way RV cord was accidentally pinched, causing the 12V charge wir...
06/19/2026

This customer had an unfortunate “whoopsie daisy.”

The 7-way RV cord was accidentally pinched, causing the 12V charge wire to short to ground and contact other circuits. In a matter of moments, the heat generated was enough to burn the insulation completely off the charge wire and melt most of the wiring within the affected section, all the way back to the main junction box. Thankfully, the damage didn’t go any farther.

We removed all the damaged wiring and installed new wire throughout the affected section. We also went the extra mile by soldering every connection and sealing them with dual-wall heat shrink for a long-lasting, weather-resistant repair.

The result? A reliable connection with minimal voltage drop, brighter trailer lights, and stronger trailer brake performance.

🔧 Why the First Service Matters 🔧This 2025 Can-Am Outlander X MR came into DAD’S SHOP for its first service.The owner sp...
06/13/2026

🔧 Why the First Service Matters 🔧

This 2025 Can-Am Outlander X MR came into DAD’S SHOP for its first service.

The owner specifically requested that we go the extra mile and replace not only the engine oil and filter, but also the front differential, rear differential, and gearbox oils. While that isn’t specifically called for in the maintenance schedule at this interval, I agreed it was cheap insurance and a worthwhile investment in the longevity of the machine.

Many owners think the first service is “just an oil change,” but the reality is that every gear, bearing, clutch, and engine component is wearing in and mating to one another during the break-in period. As a result, fine metallic particles are created and suspended in the fluids.

The photos tell the story.

While the oils may still look relatively clean to the naked eye, the amount of break-in material captured by the magnetic drain plugs is exactly why many owners choose to perform these fluid changes early.

For this service:
✔ Engine oil & filter
✔ Front differential oil
✔ Rear differential oil
✔ Gearbox oil
✔ Intake and snorkel inspection
✔ General chassis and fastener inspection

Could the machine have gone longer before changing these fluids? Probably.

Will it hurt anything by replacing them early and removing break-in contaminants? Absolutely not.

In my experience, preventative maintenance is almost always cheaper than repairs.

Take care of your equipment and it’ll take care of you.

DAD’S SHOP

Harley-Davidson Certified
Journeyman Red Seal Motorcycle Mechanic

Colossians 3:23
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

Sometimes the first and most proper repair just doesn’t drill out. 😉This old Ford came in with a broken exhaust manifold...
06/12/2026

Sometimes the first and most proper repair just doesn’t drill out. 😉

This old Ford came in with a broken exhaust manifold-to-pipe stud. After several hours attempting to drill and remove the broken stud, it became clear that continuing down that path would likely create a much larger and more expensive repair.

So instead, a custom clamping fl**ge was fabricated and fitted to securely pull the exhaust fl**ge tight against the manifold. While I was there, a pair of failed exhaust hangers were also replaced.

Not every vehicle needs the most expensive repair. Sometimes the best repair is the one that is reliable, practical, and makes sense for the age of the vehicle and the customer’s budget.

DAD’S SHOP — fixing problems, not just replacing parts.

Dang… what a clean little Honda EG2800i.Customer complaint: No-Run Condition.Removed and completely disassembled the car...
06/06/2026

Dang… what a clean little Honda EG2800i.

Customer complaint: No-Run Condition.

Removed and completely disassembled the carburetor, then ran it through the ultrasonic cleaner. The emulsion tube was plugged solid with fuel varnish and ethanol residue, preventing proper fuel flow.

When it comes to cleaning the tiny passages inside small carburetors, nothing beats an ultrasonic cleaner paired with the proper cleaning solution.

One thing I learned about this inverter generator is that this particular model uses mostly non-sealed electrical connectors, making it susceptible to moisture intrusion. Even a light pressure washing caused a no-run issue prior to drop-off, with the low-oil sensor circuit intermittently triggering.

Back at DAD’S SHOP, I removed the control panel, dried all connectors with compressed air, and applied a moisture-displacing, anti-corrosion protectant to help prevent future issues.

Then I went the extra mile and gave it a final wipe-down with Mothers 😉.

Another happy Honda headed back to work.

Moved the ol’ loading ramp to a nicer spot to serve our fine customers better/safer. More pictures to come when it gets ...
05/31/2026

Moved the ol’ loading ramp to a nicer spot to serve our fine customers better/safer.

More pictures to come when it gets a few improvements.

You win some, you lose some. And other times just see the blessing and the win.Took a good size rock off a high boy, luc...
05/29/2026

You win some, you lose some.
And other times just see the blessing and the win.

Took a good size rock off a high boy, luckily it hit the signal lens and nothing else.

Blew the lens apart on impact.

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Drayton Valley, AB
T7A

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