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Interview with Derek Pauletto by: endo
To start with a history lesson, I started building my ZX6E (Project Monster) during the winter of 2005. In this time it went through some very ugly and odd transformations. Needing a tail section after a friend took an angle grinder to mine, I bought a subframe setup to fit on. Problem now is that I needed someone to weld everything up. I tried to usual avenue’s, phone books, referrals, etc., but was left with a feeling that no one really knew what I wanted, let alone gave a hoot about the final product. Here’s where I was told about Derek Pauletto.
He got his start in motorcycles around the age of 18. His parents were much against it, but he had secretly put a motorcycle on layaway at his local dealership. When he turned 19 he went down and picked up his 1988 Suzuki Katana 600. Time went on and it was time to sell the Teapot. He picked up a 1992 GSXR750W which he went on to use at the race track with the Calgary Motorcycle Racing Association (CMRA). After being nominated for and winning the award for Most Improved Rider, he decided to get serious. The winter of that year saw the 750W get torn down and fully race prepped and set up for a serious campaign. First lap of the first practice session of the year resulted in him getting the brunt of someone else’s mistake in the chicane at Race City and he tumbled, with his GSXR getting destroyed while flying through the air behind him. It was here that his career changed.
Derek took his wrecked engine to a local shop called Aerotech, hoping they could help him out with some welding. He happened to have a resume on him and shortly thereafter he was hired. After dabbling in automotive interior work and changing his career focus from cabinet making, this seemed like the place where he could really explore his artistic side in the proper medium. This was September 1995 and also the point where Derek picked up what he calls his first project bike, a 1988 Honda NT650GT, affectionately known as the Hawk. Though it’s been “completed” for the better part of 10 years, it still turns head, enough so that you should keep an eye on Cycle Canada for a possible upcoming feature.
After working on countless custom bikes building bodywork and parts galore, he decided in 2003 that it was time to try his own game. Trillion Industries was born, but for the time being, it was only a part time effort. Having some projects under his belt and a lot of late nights, 2005 saw Trillion become a full time endeavor. The first project that allowed Derek to leave his job was the commissioned build of a helicopter. Yes, you heard that right, his first project as a self-employed business man, was a helicopter. Better yet, at the time I met Derek, he was working out of his garage, so I went to see if this was the guy I wanted to trust my motorcycle with and he’s building a bloody helicopter in his garage. I was convinced. He has since changed locations a few times but has now found a spot all to himself that does the trick. Things have changed a lot for Derek in only 2 years but he has made quite the name for himself.
I can’t even begin to explain the many thoughts and projects in this guy’s head, but they are inspiring to say the least. His first major build, frame and all, is called the Rovad. It’s done the show circuit throughout Western Canada, as well as shows in Cincinnati and Sturgis 2007 where he was invited to be a part of Michael Lichter’s display “One World Chopper”. Being among builders like Roger Goldammer, and meeting the likes of the Teutel’s, Eddie Trotta, and more, was a cool experience. In this writer’s humble opinion, that says to me that he’s on the right track.
While the Rovad is Derek’s most well known build at this point, with its innovative “Triple X” front end, there is more to come.
Currently in the works is a late 70’s CB650 Café build, with a 250 rear wheel which is actually a stock Comstar that has been widened. It has a custom swingarm that was built 3” longer than stock and modern USD suspension held in Trillion designed custom triple clamps. The CB will also be using rubber from a major supporter of his, Avon Tires. Keep your eyes open for the next project too…it will simply blow you away. Simply titled “9”, it will be a small displacement, single cylinder turbo bike using custom rims designed in house, as well as a Trillion frame and bodywork. A weight under 300lbs is also in the plan for “9”. He hopes to get some work in on his wife’s 1991 Suzuki GS500 soon as well, which will have full 2006 GSXR suspension and there are heavy rumors of some serious engine work. Just for fun, Derek is researching the possibility of an over bore and his own 4 valve head for the GS.
For the future, Derek plans on manufacturing and distributing some of his motorcycle parts including his LED bar-end signals and his own line of metal working tools. His bar-end signals have gone through many designs that I was allowed to see and the evolution is pretty amazing. The 3 watt LED signals will be available for both 7/8” and 1” bars and in several finishes, including polished and anodized, with custom colors available for an extra charge. He has even designed and built a stainless steel hammer with swappable polyurethane heads that allow for a different mallet profile and the ability to replace damaged heads. This shows his diversity very well as he is very quick to point out that he is not a dedicated bike builder. You could have fooled me, but among the bikes in his shop there lives a helicopter, an English Wheel that he is building himself, prototype tools, and many other non-motorcycle projects. He also built a titanium “sit-ski” with a custom built Elka shock for a paraplegic customer.
The major plan for the future though, is a personal goal of Derek’s. I’ve heard him say it many times before and it’s been said in other interviews that by his 40th birthday he wants Trillion Industries to be its own brand of motorcycles, not just a shop. The heart of a brand is an engine, and that is a large focus of his. He believes that forced induction is the way to go, so expect big things from Trillion Industries.
Seeing first hand what Derek has done in a very short 2 year span has astounded me and I sincerely wish him the absolute best. This is a man of extreme talent, dedication, smarts, and focus and it shows in all of his work. A firm believer in quality over quantity, the only way to go is up and he’s well on his way. In his own words, he was “honoured” to be featured alongside the likes of Roland Sands and Gregg Desjardin, a place I truthfully think he belongs.
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