| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
It was the spring of 1995. Erik Buell and I were regular participants on the CompuServe Motorcycle forum "RIDE" and the Buell, I mean ANY Buell, was big news. What had Harley-Davidson done...up'n teamed up with a kid with a vision and announced that the Sportster engine with a mild exhaust and intake mod was headed toward the world in a sporting configuration. Reactions, mildly put, were "mixed". On one end you had the HD old-timers cryin' blasphemy...at the other end their was a small contingent whispering something about Erik Buell becoming the Kelly Johnson of HD and, as they lamented "this success can't continue", tinkering in his workshop to guarantee Harley's chip in the big game stayed blue and atop the stack. With a much silence as a new model introduction, Erik Buell gathered up folks I'd come (that's another story) call THE ELVES. He went to Berkeley and found a kid who'd just done his Mater's Thesis on the "Dynamics of two wheel in-line vehicles", the first of a slew of fellow visionaries with ponytails in blue jeans. The mold was cast as Erik began to pour in a mixture of high school shop teachers who wanted a "bigger challenge"; accountants tied of ties and an Indian fresh from a culturally arranged marriage and ready to flex his intellect. The challenge, wise men and women said, was impossible. The die was cast and no one would change the course of the 93-year-old company. But geniuses don't just build frames, put your brakes where they belong and relive dreams of races past, there were geniuses in much bigger office, with an equally clear, if of a differing perspective, vision of what 10 years hence would look like and the star they needed to steer by 35 miles to the Southwest. Erik and I were full of •••• & vinegar...it's a variant of the way you feel about your dog, it's that kind of love. On the surface, a stranger may say "what the heck, it's just a dog"...to you it's the world. The dream was to us. He at the helm, me just loving a challenge. It was the spring of 1995. Names like Haughton, Wilson, Moltman, Rogers, Higgins and Bantz were scootin' around, having a great time and wouldn't have had a clue if you'd used the word Buell. They didn't know it but their emotional train was building steam on the way to collect like-minded folks who understand that the people attached to the motorcycle shape the dream. They understood that our days here were precious and it was that unquantifiable "Elves" vision they embraced.... they just needed to connect to it. It was the spring of 1995 and Erik Buell and I were full of •••• n' vinegar when Steve Beigler called the Buell "the sweepings off the Harley shop floor". I tossed the challenge that may have changed my life.
Just like today, the responses came..."yeah, sure" and lots of talk. It was about a month later, when I was configuring the bike with luggage and making test runs from Topeka to St. Louis and back that someone said "that crazy SOB from Kansas is really gonna do it". To the faithful, that was old news....we had something to prove and on July 7, 1995 I was surprised to see a crowd, Gold Wingers, Dressers, CBR's and whatever sitting in the parking lot of 2799 Buell Drive. The journey had begun. That trip would take me to 37 states over 31 days and see something like 62 folks, like Jeremy Ricker, who'd never heard of a Buell, become Buell owners. The bike sat parked at Mother's at the crest of Mt. Palomar as interested folks took turns making the run up Canfield Road (I totally dug seeing that sign). Two days later, I was on a Bimota spending the day carving Mount St. Helens as Roger gave the Buell a wringing out. At the end of the day, I left for Boise to meet interested folks. Over the next 2 years the bike would have seen 44 of the 48 contiguous states including a host of impromptu, spur of the moment "hey can you run down to North Carolina this weekend" type trips. It's been 10 years and memories are intense as I rummage around the basement looking for things that haven't even been on a bike in 8 years. I'm finding stuff I'd forgotten I'd owned...stuff like a charge in a tank bag for a Motorola 8000 "brick phone". The S-2 had been brought out of hibernation and has been getting a thorough once over and prepped. Like the old days, I have no schedule, no real idea of which way I am going, I'm just gonna hit the road late Monday night, meet up with "Chuck" (a regular legend who stays just below the surface.....you don't know who he is, but he's important) and we'll meander till we see other Buells. It's been 10 years since the Lap of America. I was just caught up in the thing but I sense Erik knew exactly where we were going. I've got some great memories and will be adding many over the coming days......remind me to tell you. Court  | ||
| Court |
Houston. . . we gotta problem! The Clairemont Inn just called. . . I told them that Jack and I were both "men of considerable wisdom and girth" and we needed a room upgrade. They just called....they have it taken care of.   Is it just me or should I be suspicious of a place that offers a "romance upgrade package" that includes a $12 bottle of Champagne? Cough...cough....I'm feeling ill.  | ||
| Firemanjim |
That's a mighty pricey bottle of bubbly--they got any with a screw top? | ||
| Outrider |
The champagne isn't that rich at least not by WI standards. However, I think that all the Clairmont did when Court advised them of their girth was to remove the swing over the bed.  | ||
| Davegess |
I called the Claremont and suggested that a certain Mr. Canfield would have some "special needs" I see that they have taken care of you nicely Court. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Wisconsin has standards?? | ||
| Outrider |
FMJ...Only when it comes to weighing in our women. Nothing else counts in this winter wonderland. That's why I ride a Buell and drive a Miata. If they don't fit or complain they don't belong in my life. Damn, I miss Dana Point!!! | ||
| Court |
Well, I'm telling you this is not getting a bit better. In fact each passing moment things seem to grow worse. I'm resigned to the "Cupid Romance Suite" and the fact that the kid at the hotel may not have entirely bought my story that the fur handcuffs were to keep Reinhart confined to the chair an insure my safety. I sense the kid and I stopped communicating earlier in the conversation when he asked how I was arriving and I responded "I'm bringing the ferry" to which he replied "most folks are coming alone." Egads....the ferry, that's been another very sore spot. I have had a half dozen conversations with Lenora at the S. S. Badger HQ. I've explained that those in the world of Buell live for experiences and I have a zeal to pilot the craft, if only for a short time, during the 4 hour lake crossing. She starts into some boiler plate mumbo-jumbo about Coast Guard Regulations and policy. I stop her in mid-sentence to explain that perhaps she doesn't yet understand just WHO she is dealing with. We're not, I plead, like other passengers, a point I fear she takes as gospel even early in our dialogue. In and effort to bring some combination of comfort and confidence borne out of our collective skills, I explain to here "I am a licensed aircraft pilot and the former holder of a Kansas Class "A" Chauffeur's License. My partner Reinhart (and I see this as being a deal clincher) is a former U.S. Naval Submarine Engineman. And to seal the deal, Chuck is an engineer and although he's much quieter and subdued he has great common sense and judgement (precisely the reason he handles the details of our travels...(I still deny the ugly incident of turning left instead of right leaving Borrego Springs and asking how far to Sand Diego when I was 100 yards from a sign that said "welcome to Arizona") I see Chuck as being more than qualified to stand on the bow (I slipped in some nautical terms) and giving me "go right, go left" type of instructions. Anyway....I've no more time to haggle with this gal. I'm consumed today trying to JB Weld a Coleman 66 quart cooler to the bodywork of the Buell and can't be distracted. See ya soon...... Court | ||
| Court |
The work of the young Jedi Phil is, this morning, becoming apparent. The S-2 Lap of America bike, after about 6 years (i of them outdoors) seems to be dialed in. He, even while fielding the "who'd you tick off" calls from the R&D Techs at the factory, did a stellar job, in a short time with a pretty "needy" bike. This bike just CAN'T NOT GO to Homecoming 2005. Today, I am perched atop a milk crate (long timers will understand), have removed everything single molecule of grime, grease or anything that doesn't belong on the bike (Phil wouldn't recognize it today) and am taking a toque wrench to 42% of the fasteners on the bike. Up to this point, the score is:
Commendable. Vickie, meantime, has been commissioned to learn and program an iPod. So far, the only glitch is she can't figure out how to import info from the CD and is doing LOTS of typing. The other "quirk" is that I can find about 2 dozen Buell thin saddle bag covers in an assortment of colors, but one base. Look for the S-2 with one saddlebag. At this point, that's inconsequential. I am also, having acquired girth since being so fit ("it looks as if Canfield could carry this bike if he wanted" after training for 8 months for the last 37 state jaunt, that a suspension adjustment is in order. We're going with a thoroughly inspected open-spring WP which is trying to launch me on each bump. Fixable.     Remind me to tell you!Court | ||
| Njbuell |
Looking good Court, suspension felt good to me....but then again, I'm weighing in at about 165 these days. LOL. If I dont talk to you before you go, have a good trip. Thanks for the complimenting voicemail. Glad you like it. Phil | ||
| Peter |
How long are you going for? I'm jealous.... | ||
| Court |
Peter: I'll be gone only a week but it should be a fun one . . . I'll try to post updates and photos here. Bike is as ready as it can be. I *thought* I had the luggage for it, but don't. I sent a bunch of that stuff to Aaron several years ago for long-term stashage in his garage. It's a small concern, no deal breaker. I'll travel out of a tank bag and what I can strap on the back. Plan is to depart around 1600 and wander through New Jersey and meet Charlie near Allentown. We'll overnight there and do a 873 mile jag tomorrow and be waiting for the Ludington-Manitowoc Ferry at 0800 the following day. Departure is at 0900 and we gain an hour crossing Lake Michigan so we'll meet Jack Reinhart who will be waiting to welcome us to Wisconsin. I haven't decided which cheese I'll have first....the white or the yellow. Court | ||
| Court |
Man...it's always the details. Vick is consumed with loading the iPod and I can't find my Cowsills 8-track anywhere. | ||
| Court |
HINT: This is not news to old-time "combat Tourers" but if you are setting out for Homecoming, and preparing to ride long days and deep into the wee hours, here's a hint:   | ||
| Court |
I think I'm ready.....see ya on the road.  | ||
| Bud |
good luck and a very nice trip gr,b | ||
| Court |
I am on the road. Left NYC shortly after 1600, arrived here in PA about 90 minutes later, Charlie got in an hour after I. The S-2 ran splendidly and I'm already having tons of fond memories. It took longer to get our food at dinner that it did to ride here. Tomorrow we'll set out for the 750 mile jaunt to the ferry terminal and head across the lake to Milwaukee. See you soon! Court | ||
| 98s3sns |
Ferry what ferry?Where do you board the ferry and does it cut way down on the time that it would take to go around lake Michigan.Thanks for any advice. Shawn | ||
| BadS1 |
Court I spoke to John tell ya more when I see ya Thursday. | ||
| Court |
Well, we were taking the S. S. Badger from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI. But, plans have changed and now we are taking the Lake Express from Mukegon, MI to Milwaukee, WI. Court | ||
| Court |
This is rediculous. I have been bustin' my arse trying to RENT, I DO NOT want to buy, a badger costume. I totally dig the stuff the folks in Wisconsin wear! I'll keep trying, but for now it looks grim.
We'll have a good time anyway, Court | ||
| Smokedaddy |
Should try a mushroom costume instead! Ride safe, -SD: | ||
| Davegess |
The SS Badger is an older coal fired steam turbine boat that used to haul trains across the lake. It run from Manitowoc to Ludington. 4 hours. The Lake Express is a catamaran that goes from Milwaukee to Muskegon. 2 1/2 hours. Is either faster than driving thru Chicago? Depends on where you are coming form and where you are going. Both are nicer than driving thru Chicago. | ||
| Oldog |
Ride safe | ||
| 98s3sns |
Thanks Court & Dave.Shawn | ||
| Paulinoz |
Good trip guys, wish I was coming. Just got caught by my new bussiness partner looking at flights to WI on the net and he said no way. We have 5 x 40' containers arriving into our new warhouse and he refuses to unload them on his own. Keep us updated on your travels it's not like being ther but it is better than nothing. Buy Mr Guess a glass of red for me I am good for it. | ||
| Davegess |
court, if your coming thru MIlwaukee give me a call with you arrival time. Unlikly that we can meet up but I might be able to swing it. I will probably be at work. Dave | ||
| Bomber |
either ferry is fast than riding through the City of Big Shoulders (specially this time of year, which, as opposed to winter, if fondly refered to as "Contruction."  it ain't Chicago so much as it's Gary -- I could never understand why the hioghways INTO gary are always packed -- out of, sure . . . . the Badger is charming, a bit frayed round the edges, and they won't let ya near either the pilothouse (2nd choice for me) nor the engine room (first choice, of course) -- yet another reason to hate terrorists! it's kinda fun negotiating the railroad track in the "car" deck, but they DO let ya tie down your own sccot (which is mostly good) -- experienced tie-down folks (I hesitate to use that terminology in light of the pics of Court's room) have been know to forcibly re-do the work of beginners . . . ."I know i't you bike, but I ain't gonna let it fall over into mine!" see you all Thursday AM | ||
| Court |
875 miles closer....10:15AM Mukegon ferry tomorrow! See ya soon. S-2 running GREAT! | ||
| Davegess |
The Eagle has landed. The Lap of America bike is on the ground in Wisconsin. Diversionary reports of serious traffic accidents have been called in to the Highway Patrol so the high speed run to West Bend should be able to avoid any niceties like speed limits. Reports that the Lake Express ferry has been cited by the Coast Guard for allowing motor vehicles to operate on the foredeck are simply untrue and will be contested. Reports that Badgers riding motorcycles have terrorised downtown Milwaukee are exagerated. Film at 11. |
