Sure. I have many Japanese Buell Rider friends in Japan. They heard the sad news in Oct 15th, and wanted to send the messages to Erik. Since I live in the US, so I told them I could bring their messages to Erik. They wrote their memories, wonderful experiences of Buell, and appreciations and encouragements to Erik, and they also attached the photos. I got 64 letters through MIXI (a Japanese social networking site). so I printed it out and made the booklet.
Front Cover. It says "Arigatou" (means Thank you in Japanese)
Back Cover with Erik and all Buell bikes(Illustrations)
Just seeing these pictures makes me regret that I couldn't go even more. I was planning on driving up (kudos to those who rode, but I'm not that hard core LOL!) but work trumped those plans.
I still hold out hope that any day now, we'll hear of Buell being sold to an investor and things will return to normal. All I have is hope, and a Buell in the garage.
All, thank you for the great pictures. I am saddened that I could not be there. I would have loved to hang out with Joe, Brankin and Tony. There may be a law that forbids us from being in the same bar at the same time, not sure, something to do with S2 owners?
The pics, video and words lifted my spirit some. While I was saddened by not being there the weather made me glad I am in a warm house.
This was an important event and my hat is off to all of you that made it. Thanks, there is no better people than Buell Riders, bar none.
chuma, that had to be one of the neatest things given to erik. nice job. we just sent a card and a letter for them to mark(wolf) so he can hand deliver it.
I dunno if some of you remember me, I was the guy on the Sabre.
I met so many cool guys on Saturday, I can hardly remember all your names. But, what a bunch you are. You Buellers are sure a unique crowd. I have always been a huge fan of Eriks ingenuity and spirit, and that day has further cemented in my mind that there is still hope here in America.
At the end, when I finally got to meet and shake Eriks hand, from the moment he truely sincerely said "thanks for coming" to me, you can tell he is a really honest to goodness, blue jeans and tshirt kinda guy like all of us that just actually had the balls to start his own motorcycle company
With Erik, also where he would speak to many of you badwebbers by your first name!
Talking with other fellows around my age (and diagnosing a bad spark plug wire, how fun), that actually know something about everything mechanical, and really feeling in your element, really makes me happy. Its really good to see other guys my age that arnt the stereotypical japanese-sportbike tshirt sunny day, noob wheelying huge chickenstrip ones. Just good ole american boys enjoying their american bikes. The pride that everyone has really made me happy.
I hope a few of you can re-introduce yourselves to me, I recognize many of your faces, but dont remember the names!
Now for my few pictures...
WOw, what a day
Soggy, 40% chance of rain, bleh, it was like 120%!
Hals about 1/2 hour before heading out to East Troy
It was so wet, even fuzzy Mr. Happy clung to the windsheild like he was a suction cup!
Mutant Blast! Converted to EFI, with a 1125CR rear clip, and a Yami WR seat and tail section. The guy who made this bike, I had to get back home soon, so Im sorry I did not catch your name, if you could reply back, id appreciate it.
The handiwork...
A nice damp ride to the factory was rewarding. As everybody (and the factory workers) were off eating, you could almost have free reign to look around the factory.
Hey Josh - one of #85 please, Brankin on my S1W...#92 and 93, Kim and I on the Uly...and 120 with me and Flick (even though I look stoned lol). That'd be awesome, whenever you get a chance to email 'em
Now, to get our pics off the camera. Took the wrong USB cable so don't have a thing off of there yet, but Kim was snappin' away while we were riding (and the rest of the day as well) so we'll see how they turned out!
I would have loved to hang out with Joe, Brankin and Tony. There may be a law that forbids us from being in the same bar at the same time, not sure, something to do with S2 owners?
No worries Brankin and I broke enough laws at Al's Tavern yesterday night as is
Don't worry there is always the S2 gathering in 2011!
I don't think in all the posts I have read yet on any thread it has mentioned that the Buell employees all chipped in and bought a keg for all the owners at Al's Tavern. I don't drink so hopefully Spidey had my share but still a very cool thing for them to do.
I still am relishing in how appreciative every employee was that we were there. Being told thank you for coming by so many people when you are there to thank them was amazing. I love this family.
