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1313
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 06:56 am: | 
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Since I couldn't sleep this morning you guys are in for a treat. If you thought the stuff I've posted before this was cool, hold on to your hats (whether they are pink or not)!
Was there such a thing as Buell Racing before the XBRR?
Motorcycle Online has seemed to be pretty Buell friendly over the years. Ever wonder why?
Finally someone got ir right: Powered by Buell, Ridden by Higbee.
There was a time in my life that I just loved tie dyed T-shirts. Obviously by how much this one is faded it was about the time this one came out.
Carve Some Concrete (sounds better than Pray For Pavement - IMHO)
On the back, the senseometer was pegged. I bet your senseometer would be pegged too if you were spinning about 9,000 RPM with your XL based engine.
Surprisingly this is the earliest Homecoming shirt in the group. Can't remember if it was the first or if I have a treasure awaiting for me to find it.
What's funny about the above shirt (and many others showing the 2815 Buell Drive factory is that it never had the new Pegasus or the Buell American Motorcycles lettering on it. It had always had the older (dare I say Classic) Pegasus on both sides until it was updated with the new oval Buell logo in both places.
Even the Demo Staff shirts had some visual treats back then.
Buell Race Pique (Kind of reminds me of the title of an old Pink Floyd tune...)
Obverse (had to say it...)
Black and Red (the colors of my S2) plus a little white thrown into the mix.
Black and Red, this time a little warmer shirt. Looks like I need better laundry equipment. If the Bosch and Siemens stuff weren't so damn expensive - even for employees - I might own some.
Cool embroidery on front:
and back:
This last shirt for this session may look familiar to some of who've been around Buell for awhile. Although the shirt that looked like this that everyone could get had slightly brighter colors.
As with some other Buell shirts it's the back that truly makes it something special. This shirt was to commemorate the opening of the 2nd building in East Troy (2799 Buell Drive), which opened as the Buell R&D building, also containing the P&A warehouse.
Hopefully I will have some time tonight to post some more cool shirts. Times short since some of the business that I should've taken care of yesterday took a back seat to enjoying the beautiful weather and going for a ride.
More to come,
1313 |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 09:50 am: |
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this is excellent! Oldog, see what you started??? 
FB |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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cool stuff! It's a Buell history lesson as well as some cool t-shirts. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
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I've got two of those black low turtle neck shirts as well, it's an outstanding piece of technical gear.
One of them was too small for me... and my wife has taken to wearing it as well.
Bring back the black shirts! |
1313
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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To hell with the business for tonight! I got some time to kill before one of my other addictions (CSI:Miami) comes on.
Reepicheep:
Bring back the black shirts!
AMEN to that!
But first I will start off this session with a very cool white shirt. In 1998, in conjunction with the 15th annual HOG Rally at the State Fair Park in West Allis, WI, Buell put on a Battle of Champions, essentially an IROC type spec S1W 'race'. This was also repeated in 2000 with X1's, but I was lucky enough to be able to be Billy Graef's pit crew. Here's the shirt autographed by all the racers.
Okay, one non shirt picture. Here's the ultimate souvenir from that day (other than the bird carcass that was all over Billy Graef's leathers and his bike):
The Battle of Champions is a good segway into the next couple of shirts.
This one has a large gray Pegasus on the back:
It's amazing that this shirt came out about 15 years after the RW750 was originally put together.
Talk about a catchy phrase:
But once again what is on the back is what makes it truly unique from one bought at a dealership:
This is what we wanted to face of the boost gauge for the X1 turbo to be like:
It's kinda small, so here's a better look:
Now I'm not much for the carbon-look, but it is a black shirt...
This sweatshirt has a timeless look to it, and some people actually think this is from a big name designer:
Another catchy phrase on this next shirt, but I feel the image of the S1 in the Buell letters really adds to the allure:
Here's another cool black shirt. If you are from the US, there has got to be something that doesn't look exactly right about the image on this shirt...
Another Homecoming shirt (truth be told, the latest Homecoming shirts have been pretty decent - my favorite of the latest being the olive drab one from 2004 - I may have to take a pic of that one, now...)
Here's the '99 Homecoming shirt, front:
And back:
It's kind of funny that the '99 Demo Tour shirt was based off a normal shirt (just like Imeazy's on the front). Here's the back:
A little out of sync, here is the back of a shirt that I picked up in Germany during one of my trips for my current employer:
Now it's probably a good thing, but could you see what would've happened if the '99 demo tour shirt color was used with the 2000 demo shirt?
I guess it's probably not too apparent until you see the back...
2000 Homecoming Staff shirt:
And back:
This shirt came from the UKBEG (UK Buell Enthusiast's Group):
This cool shirt was given to me during the 2000 Homecoming:
The back is almost as cool as the front shown above:
Here's a shirt that caused quite a bit of a stir at Buell:
The back was pretty cool as well:
Maybe you didn't notice what caused the stir at Buell, so here's a closer look:
Another rather unassuming Buell shirt:
Until you check out the back and you see how special it is:
The last picture I have right now is this old P&A shirt. In addition to the T-shirt version shown a black button up shirt was also made, but it was notorious for having rips form in the tails of the shirt. The one in my closet is a perfect example. But here's the T-shirt:
I've hijacked this thread enough! Let's see what everyone else has!
1313 |
Oldog
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:23 am: |
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Brankin:
Thanks for taking the time to share, what an awesome collection of memorabillia(sp?)
Thank you very much for sharing the story and pics, If I might How long were you with BMC and what did you work on.
In truth the more I learn about the history of BMC the more I want to know.
there is some thing special about this that leaves me at a loss for words
My X1 to me is a little more than a machine its a small piece of history,
I will likely have the Beast until I am no longer able to ride it or maintain it
Thanks for dragging out your shirts Jerry and Brankin and for taking the time to tell the storys
If you ever find your self on this coast
I owe you a beer..( You too Brankin )
thank you all for sharing and good night..
(Message edited by oldog on April 25, 2006) |
Firemanjim
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 02:50 am: |
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Hey,he said "TURBO X-1"!!! |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 06:49 am: |
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If you ever find your self on this coast I owe you a beer...
Oldog, me 'n D will be in Franklin, North Carolina on September 4th for the start of BRATPAC. is that close enough to Wilmington, NC to take you up on your kind offer???
This is what we wanted to face of the boost gauge for the X1 turbo...
Brankin, you got some 'splainin' to do!!!
FB |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 08:39 am: |
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I can't say that I've ever seen the history of anything told in t-shirts!
I too find myself very interested in learning how Buell (and their customers) got from there to here...
What has been available for reading glosses over so much, this fills in some of the spaces....
Thanks for sharing.... |
Oldog
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 08:18 pm: |
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OH yes!
I will mark the calender, What is your favorite flavor of barley pop?
Chime in Brankin you up to go? |
1313
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 08:53 pm: |
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Oldog,
I'd sure like to know how this state manages to have multiple towns/cities/hamlets/villages with the same name:
BTW, This is NOT the first time I've encountered this, either...
I'm assuming it is the one that is 422 or so miles from me rather than the one that is only 238 or so miles away, due to better riding. Either way, I'm up for it as long as my vacation days (or Hell, even sick days) allow.
As for the X1 turbo. This was a very interesting story, although too shortlived. For the 2002 MY, we were playing around with the thought of offering a turbo X1. There were 2 prototypes assembled with basically the straight up Aerocharger kit, with a very special ECM that only allowed boost to be supplied depending on what gear you were in. This killed the idea of having a boost gauge since in some of the lower gears (1st and 2nd for sure, but maybe even 3rd) there was no boost being supplied and therefore there would be no action on the boost gauge. I met the Aerocharger reps that came out to Buell and they offered me a sweet deal on a turbo kit for my S2, but I decided against it as I didn't have the $$$ then, I really didn't want to have to pressurize my fuel supply and since I wouldn't have the boost limiting feature of the ECM I didn't want my bike to be something that I had to be that careful riding. The thing that killed Diablo (the project name for the turbo X1 - how appropriate, huh?) was the failure/reject rate for a particular component on the turbo itself. I believe it was the vanes, but can't remember for sure. Whatever part it was Aerocharger had a new manufacturing method for the part that they believed would reduce the reject/failure rate but it seemed like they needed the $$$ from the Diablo project in order to implement the new manufacturing method. It would have been cool as hell to make the ultimate X1, but in a time when Buell's were not very well perceived for durability the right decision was made to not to go into production with Diablo.
When I got to ride a Diablo I ended up getting stung 3 times by a bee that went down the front of my jacket and in between my shirt and my chest (I guess I shouldn't have kept hitting my chest every time he stung me...). So needless to say I did not get a chance to thoroughly enjoy it. Although a Harley-Davidson employee who was pictured in a failry recent Fuell about his racing activities said that when he rode one he got on an on-ramp and the front wheel came up at about 25 or 30 MPH or so and did not come back down until he let it at 100 MPH so he could merge onto the freeway. Sure wish my ride would've been like that.
Since Diablo died, we turned our focus to the 'special edition' X1W. I tried every trick imaginable to give the extra 10 Hp kick the original White Lightning had over the standard Lightning (providing a voucher for the slip on muffler with each X1W was one idea), but at that time there was no way to do it for such a low volume bike and remain EPA legal, etc.
I've probably already said too much, yet not enough...
1313 |
Oldog
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:06 pm: |
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Who Knows?
I need to check work sched too
Ferris will be "here" memorial day Sept7
Sun - Mon? or Sun - Mon - Tue?
an what flavour? |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 04:12 am: |
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1313,
We appreciate the insights. I especially liked hearing the project name
Good stuff! |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 05:41 am: |
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What is your favorite flavor of barley pop?
cold.
Brankin, it's Franklin #1 on your map. more details as to why and when i'll be there are HERE.
cool story on the turbo X1. all the more reason we all need to meet up and partake in some barley pops - something tells me you've got a lot more stories where this one came from...
FB |
Davegess
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:16 am: |
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1313, great shirts, save those pix some palce handy I think they need to go on my web site.
I saved the X1 story, I will run it too but not any time soon, just want to make sure it is preserved.
Love the shirts, I want that RW one!!! |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 01:45 am: |
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How about another installment of the Buell story...In words and t-shirts!
This is cool ,original and different. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:10 am: |
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Deeley's House of Buell Grand Opening t-shirt, 4/10/1999.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on April 28, 2006) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:12 am: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:13 am: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:14 am: |
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one of the few stand-alone Buell stores in the world, and in typical Trev Deeley fashion this place is top notch in every detail.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on April 28, 2006) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:25 am: |
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a couple of pix from the grand opening celebration in '99.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on April 28, 2006) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:25 am: |
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sorry for the pic quality. someday i'll get a digital print scanner...
that's the late, great, legendary Trev Deeley on the left, with Jerry Wilke (former president of Buell) and Erik Buell to Trev's left.
as memory serves the plaque that Trev is holding was in honor of the Deeley Racing Team just having set another speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats, 150 and some change if i'm remembering right.
Mr. Deeley was as shrewd a businessman as they come (the EXCLUSIVE distributor of H-D motorcycles in ALL of Canada!), and was a powerful figure in the world of Harley-Davidson and Buell. i don't think it's very common to see the president and the COO of the Buell Motorcycle Co. making an appearance together outside of East Troy, Wisconsin, but when it was Mr. Deeley himself handing out the invites, NO one said no.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on April 28, 2006) |
Bartimus
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 06:05 pm: |
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HEY!!! I recognize that thumb !!! |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 07:59 pm: |
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Diablobrian
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:24 pm: |
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Cool FB,
I'd love to see the shirts and stories keep on coming!
I am thoroughly enjoying this trip through Buell history
(Message edited by diablobrian on April 28, 2006) |
Jersey_thunder
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:56 pm: |
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thanks!!!.....those shirts make the new ones look LAME!!
JT |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:47 am: |
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a couple of stories about Trev Deeley.
i was at the inaugural Arizona Bike Week in 1998. i had driven several days to get there, with mine and a buddy's S2 on the trailer. there were several reasons why this gig was important to me, not the least of which was yet another opportunity to compete in BattleTrax.
i'd organized a small group ride while we were there, the day before BattleTrax, and during the ride i blew the rear head gasket on the BLURR, my '96 S2.
this was a TERRIBLE turn of events, for many reasons, not the least of which is that it jeopardized my attendance at BattleTrax the following morning.
Michael Wozniak, aka the "Woz," loaned me his "bread truck" and i spent all night (literally) replacing the offending head gasket on my S2. i'm no mechanic, and this was my first time this deep in my motor, but i got 'er done.
the next morning i was in line at BattleTrax at the appointed time, pumped and ready to go. i'd gotten about three hours of sleep.
as the queue of bikes inched toward the starting line, me with bleary eyes and a heart that was already in my throat, who should saunter by but Willie G. and Nancy Davidson, and Mr. Trev Deeley.
to say i was dumbstruck is an exercise in the blindingly obvious.
i always carried extra copies of Sport Bike USA with me, and i handed Willie and Trev each a copy.
Trev quickly scanned my magazine, and before i knew what had happened he thrust a $20 in my hand and said he wanted to join PACBOG. dues at the time were $15 a year. keep in mind i'm in line for BattleTrax, i had just spent the night repairing my Buell so i could compete, and i'm about three bikes away from being waved out on the course. it's safe to say i was wound up rather tight.
Mr. Deeley needed change for his $20, but i, in my grand, clueless naivety, figured he could wait.
"Trev, dude, I'm just about to go out onto the course. Give me a minute and I'll get your change for you!"
"Yeah, right," he growled, "I'll take my change NOW!"
he had a smile on his face, but his face was also serious.
several people were within earshot, including Willie G, and it seemed to me at the time that Trev was enjoying himself immensely.
"Yes, sir!" i stammered, and set about finding someone who could cash a $20.
it wasn't 'til i made his change that i got to finally head out onto the course and take my first run of the day.
the good news? my S2 stayed together, Trev Deeley became a member in good standing of PACBOG, and...
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Diablobrian
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 02:23 pm: |
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Ahhhh the infamous "proof of life" photo |
Eor
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 05:12 pm: |
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I'm not a big fan of black, but this is my favorite Buell tee shirt....
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 05:16 pm: |
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wow Eor, that's one of the coolest Buell shirts i've ever seen. thanks for posting. |
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