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Hughlysses
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 11:07 am: | 
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You know, some of this business integration is as much a burden of being a part of HD as it was a benefit. Think about how over the past 4 or 5 years WE often knew about new products, replacement parts availability, ways to correct problems, etc. BEFORE our dealers did. The internet really is a wonderful thing and Buell could certainly take advantage of that.
A new Buell company might not need a lot of the things that were requirements when working with HD.
(Message edited by Hughlysses on October 24, 2009) |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 11:11 am: |
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S&S Sportster SB100 1996-2002 Buell®
4” stroke with a 4” bore
Cylinder length is .260” taller than stock. 100” engines generally fit in a stock Sportster frame with no modifications
Compression ratio 10.3 : 1
Crankcase has 1986-1990 (4-speed) style cam geometry, 1991-2003 (5-speed) style drive side
Includes S&S® Super Stock™ cylinder heads, crankcase, cylinders and pistons, flywheels balanced and assembled, supreme rods, pinion and sprocket shaft, S&S® 555 camshaft set, gear case components, adjustable pushrods and pushrod cover assemblies, hydraulic tappets and tappet guides, Super G carburetor kit, S&S® roller style rocker arms and shafts and billet aluminum rocker covers
Primary components, charging system, ignition system, oil pump and transmission components are not included
Natural aluminum finish
Special Order Only
It wouldn't fit an XB, but you'd think they 'd be able to make something that would...
Having said that, why not continue with water-cooled Rotax motors only? Maybe the 1125 and a smaller version, maybe a bigger version later for a touring bike? |
46champ
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 11:25 am: |
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If you wanted to put a S&S 100 inch engine in the XB it would come with a substantial increase in cost. MSRP is $9231.45 does not come with primary components charging system ignition system transmission and oil pump. Even with wholesale pricing plus the cost of the other components I'll bet you would have $7,500 to $10000 in the powertrain. |
Cowboy
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 11:46 am: |
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I was quoted $9300 for every thing just bolt in(100% every thing new)For 2001-X-1 lighting |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 01:22 pm: |
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Buell is integrated INTO:
Dealer network
H-D net
Financing
Vehicle distribution
Parts distribution
Sales networks
Staffing
Training
Advertising
Legal
Accounting?
Procurement?
I'm certain there are other areas in which Buell is integrated into HD. These have nothing to do with having parts in common.
I would dismiss all of the above as nothing more than paper and logistics. A large room, a tool kit to requirements, a few wrenchers and a supply of necessary components. That's all that's needed to build the bikes. Money aside of course, and just a simpleton approach to manufacture!
Rocket |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 01:25 pm: |
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Back to the integration thingy, for a moment, ok?
There simply isn't any such thing. Period.
Companies spin off divisions every damn day of the year.
Look at Leitz: Used to be the Leica camera company, now the name is shared by three unrelated companies.
The problem is with the new CEO, Keith Wendell. He comes from Johnson Controls, where he has spent the last twenty years.
The company had sales of about 35 billion dollars, an on a good year made about a billion and a half.
Harley on the other hand, has sales of about 5 billion in a good year, and makes about a billion and a half.
So, lets say that you were on the board of Harley, and you needed a new CEO, would you pick a guy with no motorcycle experience who ran a big but not particularly profitable company with nothing in common with Harley.
Hint: the answer is NO.
Obviously.
As American companies mature, the guys who are motor heads, or computer nuts, like Steve Jobs or Erik Buell get replaced by bean counters.
After they build a company based entirely on their personal genius, the money suits decide to replace them with " a real business man".
Company then goes out of business.
Happens all the time. Look at GM. They spent fifty years developing five world class brands, now their idea of progress is shutting one of them down.
If it weren't for Obamacare, throwing hundreds of billions at GM the would be out of business now.
Instead, it will take a couple of years longer.
In Wendell's world, shutting down a division the size of Buell , I would guess 50 to 100 milliion per year,is just no big deal
No big deal at all.
Any questions? |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 02:01 pm: |
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Kind of related to GJ's post, while looking for info on the closure, I stumbled onto this article from the Kneeslider a couple of years ago where Johnson Controls forbade employees in Europe from riding motorcycles while on company business:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/04/16/johns on-controls-ltd-bans-motorcycle-use/
I wonder if Mr. Wandell had anything to do with that? |
Vampress
| | Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 08:25 pm: |
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When Buell, in some way shape or form, does get back on two wheels, I for one (along with so many others) would love to see them more actively involved over here!
As Hughlysses says,
WE often knew about new products, replacement parts availability, ways to correct problems, etc. BEFORE our dealers
Well, it was worse for us...Chili actually had to take a catalogue in to our local dealer, as HD never got around to sending them any. Any new products were hard to get and
ordered in on a need only basis. Accessories and apparel are at a huge mark-up and limited styles. It's like pulling teeth.
But the more I scan the roads, the more Buells I see popping up around the place here, and we live in a sleepy little beach town on the edge of a city.
I don't think you'd get the grin off two faces for weeks if we ever actually get the chance to meet Erik and other badwebbers alike. |
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