| Author | Message | ||
     Tattoodnscrewd |
Well .. actually .. it started last night driving home from East Troy ... I really hope I am not the only one because if so I may need help ... Honestly, Char (whatever) summed it up pretty well - so I know I am not the ONLY one .... but on my way home last night this depressing feeling started really sinking in ... and ALL DAY today .. I was just depressed, saddened - with so much emotion yesterday and the excitement of it all (what a bunch of owner's can do in next to no time to prepare - talk about a grassroots event !) I think we were able to escape some of the realities of what led to yesterday's event .. (other than listening to Erik and co. talk - it was a happy day) And I regret not being able to actually ride with the 96 who did ride, I actually feel like I missed out big time ... thank you all for making this event happen !! I wasn't in the market, nor can I afford one right now, add that I am an old school kinda guy when it comes to bikes.... but I feel OBLIGED to do whatever it takes to buy a new bike .. just so I can feel like I can hold on a little longer .. or something like that... It nearly brings a tear to my eye looking through the threads about yesterday's ride .. I know us as owner's (and I do know the elves will also still be around - expect to see them at our Homecoming 2010) are going to keep the spirit of Buell alive ... but I now feel like now that yesterday has passed .. so has Erik's dream ... and that hurts ... it truly does feel like losing a friend and family member .. My heart goes out to him, and all the dedicated people in East Troy who 5 years ago brought a little soul to my motorcycling experience ... something I will forever be grateful for ... (Message edited by tattoodnscrewd on October 27, 2009) | ||
| Spike240sx |
Ill second that! Been feeling crappy all day. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
" A man may fall many times in life. But he is never a failure as long as he tries to get up" -EVEL KNIEVEL | ||
| Spiderman |
Today was good, Yesterday was hard at times, it felt like the last time. Even though I know it isn't! It was literally an emotional roller coaster for me yesterday.  "This is fun, hey, Scot,Tattooed, Tim, etc"  " Man I can't believe this, this sucks!" "Hey Char!, ANDY!!" ' Arn't you Spidey' "Hey every body" "Man this feels like the last time I'll be here " "Hey Lori B!" "Wow guys thanks for the free beer!" Then it was all fun with a little bit o' sad times but Brakin AKA 1313 kept me level! And all the other FAMILY I have made over the years! I hung out till the crowd died down, talked with Erik a bit, got a cool pic with my new to me Argus 75. We exchanged handshakes, a bottle of Yuengling and a big hug! And I think to me that is one of the two best things to come out of my Buell life. I have heard the phrase before, "Don't meet your heros." I am not only glad I have had the chance to meet Erik, but become friends with him! The second is all the family, the friends, the people like Scot who is an engineer at Buell. I met him through a friend. Jon aka Psyclone. Who built the guitar I designed for Erik. These people call, write, text, detail your bike, send you huge cut outs of Spider-Man from General Mills manager meetings, send you parts for free or shipping when you are down, offer you services when you a broke, a place to stay when you are in town/out of town, randomly send you a Buell belt buckle from "Stan Lee", come hundreds of miles to attend your wedding for free booze an food. I could go on for another million paragraphs I am sure! With all the connections, friends and family I have gathered through Buell over the years have ment so much. Others that I know outside can see it. I was even debating coming to this event being laid off and short on cash, but my wife knew and told me to go! Damn't Brian now you got me all sad again! LOL See you all in a few months and I look forward to the Influx of new members of the BadWeb we should be seeing December 18th!     My BROTHER the original Ferris Bueller!  Another BROTHER Jon, Psyclone I gotta stop posting pics or this post is going to really get long LOL (plus I don't have pics of all of you!) | ||
| Danger_dave |
I did a track day on a brand new Hyabusa. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I know the feeling guys. I'm not ashamed to say my eyes got watery a few times on Monday. I remember a couple of times on Monday morning, I felt a deep twinge of anxiety while we were getting ready to leave Steve and Tonis house to head over to Hals. That feeling left me by the time we got there, but I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed at the sight of all the people that showed up for the ride. Then at the factory, after the presentations were made and everyone spoke, I got the feeling again. But now it was because I knew from that point on the gathering would begin to disperse. I realized that if I ever did see the factory again, that it would no longer be the home of Buell. That was hard. A good friend that was there told me that everyone is going through a grieving process, similar to as if we lost a close friend or relative. He is absolutely right. I'm not really sure what stage I'm in right now but it isn't "acceptance". I'd rather punch some chaps-wearing poser in the snout than admit Buell will be gone soon. (Message edited by Indy_Bueller on October 28, 2009) | ||
| Nevrenuf |
at least you got to go?? | ||
| Buellerandy |
I had the same feelings when I was riding back home as well. The event was oustanding, thanks to everyone that was able to make it happen. But I still feel like no matter what we do, we'll never have our closure. Imagine how much of a difference it would've made if HD would not have been so vulgar about letting Buell go. | ||
| Daves |
Missing it will be something I will always regret. I had no choice and that sucks. | ||
| Svh |
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. | ||
| Xl1200r |
The worst part is when your significant other thinks you're overeacting when you feel like this. I least I know I'm not alone here. I go back and forth between, "Damn, it's really over - I can't wait to see what's next!" and, "Damn, it's really over - what am I gonna do now?" | ||
| Larryjohn |
I know the feeling. I was bummed at work yesterday and really couldn't put a finger on it. I thing you have nailed it TNS, after visiting East Troy and coming home it feels kind of final. I can say however, that when I think about the two days I had there I kind of cheer up. This was the first ride I went on with other Buellers and it was so nice to be around people that understand how you feel. On our ride home to Michigan through some really crappy weather and traffic I kept thinking to myself that the trip was worth it and I would do it again. I think the nastiness of the return trip helped me appreciate the event even more. Kind of like being pushed down a bit just to test you. Are you a true Bueller or were you along for a nice ride. I know the answer and can't wait for the next event to meet some more of the Buell family. | ||
| Spiderman |
I don't drink so hopefully Spidey had my share Oh we did | ||
| Josh_ |
My significant other was disappointed she could not be there, and disappointed I could not fit more factory-labeled shirts on my bike for the ride home. It's depressing looking through all the pics and knowing this chapter of The Ride is over. | ||
| Sekalilgai |
I had plenty of time to think on the ride home. I was kicking my ass for saying something quite inane to the reporter (thank god it didn't air) but she had asked how I felt. Truthfully it was sad on many counts for me. Sad because of the good hardworking people going to lose their jobs. I hear so often about the new generation and the entitlement mentality; in talking with the people in the factory all I got back was a sense of pride. These people are not only proud of their product but also proud to be part of the team. Our guide told me how they tracked torque settings for the fasteners and could trace each bolt on each bike back to the builder. Oddly enough, the group of guys I work with did the exact same thing on one of our projects. This is not what the customer or contract asks for; it is done because it matters. The other component to my sadness seems to be the extinguishing of this one expression of the spirit of creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and non-conforming individuality that (I hope) will be the strength that we, as a nation, will rely on to remain strong in the years to come. It is kinda like when you discover this neat-out-of-the-way restaurant. The food is good because the chef cares. It is not like you get a bad meal at the Olive Garden, but if you want to experience something different, great-even, you're going to have to take the chance and step away from the blind, pack-minded mentality. Yeah, take a chance. And so the Buell riders, talk about non-conformists! You certainly don't ride a Buell to be accepted. You're stepping out on a limb in a way; but it really doesn't matter since what comes first is the ride. The irony is that the very expression of individualism that is supposedly why many ride motorcycles.... doesn't seem to extend too very far in the practical commercial world. Mass-produced individualism is what appears to be the norm. So a business decision is throwing a wrench in the works. Erik looked healthy and so did the rest of the elves we met. Perhaps collectively and certainly individually they will carry on the Buell values that I have much, much respect for. I am optimistic they will do great things wherever they land. For obviously selfish reasons, I wish for the continued Buell motorcycle adventure to continue but I have no doubt the story has not ended. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"but I feel OBLIGED to do whatever it takes to buy a new bike .. just so I can feel like I can hold on a little longer .. or something like that..." My buddy is a detective for the Pewaukee PD...he's hunting down my old XB as we speak. | ||
| Whatever |
I think I have it in perspective... but for two weeks now I have been feeling powerless to help the people that will be out of thier jobs... it isn't so much that there won't be any more new Buells... cause like Tattoo I am old school... if I buy another Buell it would have to be an S2 or S3... but knowing the factory is being dissolved hurts and it creates another emptiness in my heart... Last year on July 15th everything in my life changed... I knew I was losing my job... I lost a couple of my best women friends... I ended up in the hospital for the better part of four months... and the medical difficulties continued for nine more months after that... my future turned to shit right before my eyes and it took a really long time to come around and feel just OK again... it wasn't until June that I got my sense of humor back... I posted about it on here in August and I got personally attacked by someone who told me it was my fault and I should quit whining... this made me take a very guarded approach to everyone I know through badweb... and the political squabbling soured my affections as well... Monday... the emptiness was back... and the sound of it was deafening... just the cold rain falling on my head... and a feeling that I was lost without this anchor. But this community is the best part of the entire experience... and someone said last night... "WOW is that your bike, it is beautiful"...it always makes me smile... almost everyone asks for a ride and my reply is always "I don't ride passengers"... It was a beautiful fall night... out to dinner with good friends... and the colors and lights were just popping out at me... and I felt like everything is right in my world... There is no price for freedom, joy and warmth... but it does show up on the ride... and the ride, the journey is the best part of all of this... it is so cool to make friends all over the world who feel the same as I do... I do believe that things happen for a reason... but sometimes it takes many years to figure out what the point was... I am still reeling from everything that I went through the last 15 months... I can honestly say the day we were at Road America for HC 2008 was the last day I felt bliss... But Monday restored my faith in this community... how cool is it that people I don't recognize come up and say "Hey 'Whatever' how are you, I am so and so"... There are many more rides to be had and many more Homecomings to go to... and many more strange stories that Court will tell us... When we went to the farm in 2003... and I saw how they made those first bikes with the engines hanging from the I-Bolts and webbing I knew there was something special about these bikes... This whole chain of events reminds me of this... If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!" --R Kipling     | ||
| Doerman |
Char, Very powerful message. Thank you for the courage to write it. Monday was strange for me. Stuck here and not able to be there. I could not focus. Thinking about you all every minute. It was great to see the pictures and videos that came in later in the evening. I knew it had been a great day - with mixed emotions - but still, great. When I saw Ourdee's video of Erik speaking, I knew Erik is on the mend. What a difference from the Oct 15th website video. The employee seemed uplifted as well. It is, after all, about people, not machinery. I want to tell every one of you in attendance Monday that, behind each and every one of you there were 50 or more persons like me (that could not be there) admiring you for taking the time and thanking you for representing us all. You folks did a fine job. Thanks to all, Asbjorn | ||
| Tnxbrider |
+1 Chris I'll really wanted to be there as well. T | ||
| Spiderman |
Hey look at that a$$hole in the blue shirt! LOL | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
those pics look like they're from 1967. | ||
| Tstorm96 |
I was going through my buell pix archives, and this thread's as good a place as any....Erik's next career...?    Only took us ten minutes to pry his butt off the seat - the smile never went away! Thanks to Matt Guidera and crew for stopping by that day. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Kills me that I couldn't be there. Absolutely kills me. I plan to, however, ride out to the factory Friday afternoon. Maybe I;ll be able to say thanks to a few people then. | ||
| Whatever |
Kenny, What the hell is it... Char | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I'm not Kenny but it's a drag bike Char. Thanks for your post. I've got something in my eye... | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
Rocco - what time are you planning on going ? | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Must be where the inspiration for the pods came from | ||
| Nevrenuf |
once again char well said. was it the bike that made us better people or the people associated with the bike that made us better people. i'm just grateful to belong and be a part of the whole experience. and hopefully things get better. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Char, Very nice post.. class act you are (but I promise not to tell anyone!). Brad | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Brian. Probably leaving Kenosha 3ish? | ||
| Rocketsprink |
whatever....  |
