Author |
Message |
Phelan
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 02:25 pm: |
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http://www.americansportbike.com/A-S-B_Closure.htm l |
Sifo
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 02:39 pm: |
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Well that's bad news! |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 02:57 pm: |
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Regardless of Al's shining recommendation of an alternate parts supplier, this absolutely cements the fact that I'll never buy another Buell, EBR or variant thereof. Al and Joanne are great people, and had it not been for them, I would not have kept my XBR for nearly as long as I did. Dealers let me down, one and all... only by running into a tuber owner while at Costco one day did I eventually discover American Sport Bike and my enthusiasm was revived. I count Al and Joanne as friends in life, and wish them the best of everything that is to come. |
Stirz007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:09 pm: |
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Al and Joanne are good people and have helped me out more than once. Bummer |
86129squids
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:12 pm: |
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Ummm- craptastic. In the grand scheme of things, I guess this was inevitable... here's wishing the best for Al and Joanne and anyone else associated with them... "May the road go on forever, and the party never end"! |
No_rice
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:12 pm: |
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that is sad glad i was actually able to make it out there for a visit and stop in the shop with Graham this spring for an extended visit with Al and Joanne. They are very good people. i have the good fortune of having access to order my own buell parts through my work, but many people who wont step foot into a dealer will now be having a harder time staying on the road. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:23 pm: |
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Obozo - Destroyer of Worlds |
Poppinsexz
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:25 pm: |
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Thank you Al and Joanne for all the past help! I hope you have a bright future |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:36 pm: |
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And another thing... Talk about service beyond service... Al once spent a whole Sunday with me rebuilding my forks, teaching me step by step along the way, for the cost of parts only! Joanne printed out threads from BadWeB, pictures and other reading material and sent them to me while I was in prison... it really kept me from going insane! Never in my motorcycling experience has there been a pair of people who cared more than these two about keeping riders on the road. Period. |
Greg_e
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:37 pm: |
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And the suck continues... But I can't blame them, they need to stay profitable or it just isn't worth doing. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 03:53 pm: |
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Deja vu. I had these same feelings when a company called "Indelible Blue" closed its doors after IBM's horrendous mishandling and mismanagement of OS/2. Sad to see. |
Wolfridgerider
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 04:00 pm: |
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Well that does suck.... Part of the reason I bought the S3 is I figured they would be around to help with parts and such. Big thanks to Al taking the time to help me with my saddlebag latches just a few days ago. |
Jim2
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 04:16 pm: |
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Thanks Al and Joanne for all you have done. American Sport Bike will be missed! |
Ducbsa
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 04:48 pm: |
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I bought my XB at St Paul HD/Buell! |
Reindog
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 04:50 pm: |
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Aw, the joys of retail will finally be in Al and Joanne's rear view mirror. They have been the most amazing people serving the Buell community with passion and dedication. I have watched them work six, sometime seven days a week for years at a time. Unbeknownst to most of Badwebbers, there are truly some dishonest and really bad people out there who prey on retailers. To my knowledge, all Badwebbers who have been here awhile do not fit that mold and have been great supporters and customers. I have known about the impending closure of American SB for months and it has been hard to keep my big yapper shut. It is bittersweet that I welcome Al and Joanne to the next stage of their wonderful and blessed lives. I am keeping my Uly for now as it still is by far the best motorcycle I have ever ridden. I might transition to a Motoguzzi Stelvio when the time comes. |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 04:52 pm: |
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I remember Al posted here some time ago that business really boomed for them after the fire sale, but he knew it was only a matter of time before things would taper off. I'm very sorry to see them go; hopefully they are proceeding into a well-deserved retirement! Hopefully HD will continue to provide factory parts for a few more years and Twin Motorcycles will continue and expand their sale of aftermarket parts. |
Buellish
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:12 pm: |
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Thank you Al and Joanne.I hope the next chapter in your lives brings the happiness you both deserve. |
Hybridmomentspass
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:13 pm: |
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This is bad news, theyve been great to deal with in the past. "Obozo - Destroyer of Worlds" WTF are you rambling on about? Why make this a political/Obama thing when it clearly isnt (unless you think O had a hand in HD shuttng Buell down, which is one of the first reasons that they give on their site) |
Fresnobuell
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:32 pm: |
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Met Al briefly at Fontana one year at the AMA races. They were the go-to source for BUell when I got into Buells circa 2005, so American Sport Bike will always have a soft spot here. good luck to the LIghtons for whatever they choose to do from here on out. |
Reindog
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:33 pm: |
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The closure is mostly due to the "Heroes of Harley". |
Macbuell
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:45 pm: |
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Man, that sucks. It feels like I am getting coal in my stocking this year when it comes to anything Buell related. |
Kmbuell
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 05:47 pm: |
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This isn't great news, but Al and Joanne are two of the best in the retail motorcycle business. I'm sad to see them move on, but wish them the absolute best. I hope we can do business in the future wherever they land. Kevin |
Rick_a
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 06:13 pm: |
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American Sport Bike was the source for all my Buell parts until I got some dealership gigs. Most service parts are available through HD, the aftermarket, and vendor direct, but having one place to get it all is nice. It is unfortunate, but most everything can still be found with some research. |
Thumper74
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 06:20 pm: |
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Like most of you guys, I had a hard time with supplies from local dealers. I found it easier to buy from American Sport Bike, cheaper and often received the parts cheaper than buying from my local dealer. Al even let me interview him for an economics class on business ethics and keeping up with trends a year or two ago. Great guy! |
Ourdee
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 06:57 pm: |
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I remember sitting in the grass at an intersection with a broken belt talking to Al on the phone. I just felt like everything would be alright. Thanks Al. |
Two_seasons
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 07:17 pm: |
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I wish you both the "retirement" that you richly deserve. It's tough to be in business these days! God bless you two. |
Al_lighton
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 07:25 pm: |
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Thanks for all the kind words, folks. Means a lot. We'll be around, just not as a store. We'll actually get some time off for a change, and plan on getting around the country a bit on motorcycles. So don't be surprised to see us somewhere nearby you. Matt's comments about dealers notwithstanding, Lance at HD/Buell St. Paul is good people and is VERY good at what he does. He's a Bueller, he knows the bikes, and has done more than you know to help keep your bikes on the road. He's one of the few dealers that keeps the com lines open to the folks at HD (and Vintage Parts) that supply the parts. He's helped solve a number of issues in the background that you never heard of. Give him the benefit of the doubt while he figures out how to take on the business that has been coming our way. But he will serve you well, I'm sure of it. Thanks, Al & Joanne |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 08:00 pm: |
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I didn't mean to knock all dealers, just the ones I dealt with. If Al says he's good, then he's the best around for sure. When I found American Sport Bike I knew I needn't look any further, and my dealings with dealers came to an end. I'm sure he dealt with a few on my behalf. While you're touring the country on your motorcycles, maybe think about stopping in Sugar Hill, Georgia. I've got RV parking if you're trailering, and I've got plenty of garage for the bikes if you're two-wheeling it. I'm sure my girls would love to meet Zack. |
Zac4mac
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 08:27 pm: |
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I tried to be eloquent and it didn't work so I started over. Thank you Al and Joanne you will be missed, Have LOTS of fun now. Z |
Sprintst
| Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 - 09:06 pm: |
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ah snap. I wasn't too worried when the other place just announced, but American Sport Bike too?? Dang |