| Author | Message | ||
     Noone1569 |
Anyone know how we can get a copy of the transcript? I'm currently looking. | ||
| Milar |
>LAP Is the same company that assisted >Indian in their restructured emergence >correct? Yes. Here is a list of their motorcycle liquidations. M http://www.liquidassetpartners.com/motorsports.htm l | ||
| Rick_fears |
"Liquid Asset Partners will be seeking investors, or a buyer, for Erik Buell Racing." "Their (EBR) bikes, out of the box, can go head-to-head with the top Italian race bikes. Our sale process will enable the proper exposure of the company and price flexibility that may better fit a new owner," "The next step for Buell could involve crowd-funding, a private investor or another motorcycle manufacturer. Melvin said he hopes that company founder Erik Buell and the rest of the Buell management team will remain part of the process." "Our hope is that someone will continue to make these amazing motorcycles," Melvin said This is a good thing. | ||
| Buelliedan |
"the rest of the Buell management team will remain part of the process." That ship sailed many months ago. | ||
| Thumper1203 |
THANK YOU Bruce Belfer, you gave us hope when we needed it most You never quit, and that.. we'll never forget | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Well stated. Thanks, Bruce. | ||
| Steveford |
Thank you, Bruce, for keeping the core group together and for believing in Erik when the chips were down. I hope you at least came away with another motorcycle out of it all to add to your stable. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Yall are still on BB's nuts, damn. Keeping the core group together? What core group? Bruce - maybe you could have bid higher and won the auction had you not bought new payroll checks, fixed the phones, and put the website back up of a company you never actually acquired. Maybe. | ||
| Hughlysses |
As I speculated what might happen a day or two ago, the results of the auction did nothing to quell our on-going speculation. The major benefit I see with the current state of EBR compared to pre-auction is that Erik can now become officially involved. The sale has been approved, the receivership is officially over. The new owner is free to hire whoever they want. This presents the possibility that they can market this as a much more complete package. "We have these designs, this manufacturing facility and equipment, and this (or these) guys to form the core of a new company." That may be a much more marketable thing than some IP and a building full of equipment and a bunch of motorcycles with no assurance that any of the people that were the brains of this operation would be around. Maybe that's what is needed to get companies with DEEP pockets interested in continuing the production of American sport motorcycles. | ||
| Davegess |
i'll say one thing about this, with Erik involved the fat lady is not even warming up. It is going to be interesting. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Jim Jones would be envious | ||
| Robertl |
My company split and my division was bought by a large asset management company (actually one of the largest). Their plan is to buy us as a private company and then go public in a few years. What happens after that who knows but their goal is to profit and splitting up the company doesn't do that. It would not shock me if they sold off or cancelled a few products but overall the goal is to increase the value and sell. I see a lot of finger pointing and bashing but only 1 person brought money to the table. As someone said above, I am sure of 1 thing and that's Erik has a plan. I mean really, worst case, all those parts people are asking for hit ebay in a few months. I myself, look forward to the next curve ball because I sense there is a lot more to come. | ||
| Oddball |
Ferris, Witness kool-aid being prepped have you? I'm curious to see how this all plays out. I'm not very optimistic but hope things work out. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"but only 1 person brought money to the table" Yep, LAP. TWICE. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
ps - I loved Ferris Vons post haha | ||
| Steveford |
Reading between the lines, my guess is that Mr. Belfer agreed to let the chips fall where they may when it became clear that the other party had much deeper pockets and EBR stood a better chance of surviving with their backing. That would explain the weird matching bid and leaving it up to a judge who probably just wanted to go home for a cocktail. If I'm right, that would be a really hard thing to do given how much time, effort and money he put into the endeavor and he's a much better friend of Erik Buell (and the Buell and EBR owners) than he is being given credit for. | ||
| Sprintst |
RIP  | ||
| Plotter |
It is what it is... Ready to see what the future holds... | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Steve - exactly what should BB be given credit for? Serious question. Getting the website back up? Great...he got a website up for a company he didnt own and doesnt, currently, sell motorcycles. Getting the phones fixed? Buying payroll checks? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'm looking forward to reading Court's take on this. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I am curious as to why so many of you are so sure that Erik has some new plan or even wants to be involved? The man is 67 y/o and maybe he just wants to put all of this behind him and actually spend some time with his family for a change. Dave Gess- Do we have any evidence that he has any intention of being involved in a new company if it ever happens. You have more access to him than most of us. What is he saying? I know a bunch of you are accusing me of being a negative ass and are now even sending me anonymous e-mails stating that (real tough guy having to hide behind an anonymous e-mail!) but I myself like to base my life on facts not maybes. Has anybody actually talked to Erik and asked him what he would like to see happen and what his role would be? And let's face it, if he is not directly involved there is no hope of a future for a new EBR/Buell. Also I am pretty sure the building EBR was located in was leased and was not part of the sale, so that to me would mean there is no current manufacturing facility right? It's all fine and dandy to have hope but when folks start name calling just because others don't agree with them that is just sad. And we wonder why Congress is so messed up? As Court said "Dan's facts . . while you may not like them . . . appear dead accurate." I know I can rub some folks the wrong way as I am not the most tactful person but I will always give you a straight answer even if it is not politically correct. It's just sad that folks get offended by the truth nowadays instead of "manning up". I am sure it has even cost me a customer or two, but I would rather go to sleep at night knowing I was honest with someone even if it cost me a sale by doing so. If the coward who sent me that anonymous e-mail has the guts to actually talk to me man to man, feel free to call me at 970-532-3344 (Message edited by buelliedan on January 15, 2016) (Message edited by buelliedan on January 15, 2016) | ||
| Blake |
Don't even acknowledge the anonymous trolls Dan. It's what they crave. That said, if you'll send me the email intact with header info, I'll cross reference the IP and we can see who the culprit was. | ||
| Court |
Dan: I think your facts are spot on. I don't **think** Erik .... or anyone else .... Harbors any vision of anything remotely like the Buell we knew in 1987....1998......2000 or 2005. It's been a great ride but .... As I have said and been taken to task for ..... That part of Buell is over. I've written an essay about the history of Buell and some possible alternatives headed forward. In sitting on it until the next book gets moving. Sharing it here .... And bringing facts and reality to this discussion would doubtless put me on the list to get e-mails from the same spineless bastard who came after you. I'm having too much fun ..... At this point of my life ..... To tolerate stuff I would have 10 or 20 years ago. I stick by my previous posts with regard to the next 3 years. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Blake Unfortunately it was sent using an anonymous e-mail protocal so it will not trace back to them. I get them all the time related to another forum that our old "friend" -AW- frequents. I can tell by what was written that it is from the same camp as those. It is just sad that folks will put profit ahead of honesty and friendship. (Message edited by buelliedan on January 15, 2016) | ||
| Rex |
it will be interesting. a time for all buell and ebr enthusiasts to stay together, keeping parts, information, and friends alive. fantasy. Sure would be fun to have it back again. I would love to see a 2010 aircooled motor in a tube frame. an 1190 in a tube frame. a moderately priced bike. Light weight, good handling, lots of torque, standard style like the S1 or M2 versions. Just wishing. Sure wish I had won the lottery. We would have battle2win magazine back, and motorcycles. oh well.....fun to dream. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Erik may be ready to retire and sit on the porch with his grandkids (he's certainly earned the right), but if that's his intention, why did he even show up at the hearing yesterday, much less have a big smile on his face as he congratulated the new owner? | ||
| Buelliedan |
What would congratulating the new owner have to do with his future intentions? All that says to me is he was interested to see who got it and was wishing them the best in whatever they decide to do with it. I have been to many auctions where companies are going out of business and the owner was there talking with folks, explaining what the equipment was used for and it's history, etc and wishing folks good luck when they bought something. Now if you have some info that he was saying something to the effect of "Looking forward to working with you" or something like that I am all ears? I just do not get why some of you post speculation like this with no basis on facts? What good does that do anybody? I'm not saying you are wrong but all I am asking for is can't we base this on known facts, not just rampant speculation? Same thing goes for the auction. Bruce said he would "never quit" but then when it came time to up his bid to exceed LAs bid he refused even though the rules said it was mandatory that he bids higher. That move makes zero sense to me. I am not bashing him but I am honestly confused as to what his intentions were by doing that? What am I missing here? (Message edited by buelliedan on January 15, 2016) (Message edited by buelliedan on January 15, 2016) | ||
| D_adams |
This is just my thoughts on it. LAP "won" the auction, even though Bruce matched their bid. The judge and receiver are privy to some inside information that isn't public knowledge. LAP has done this before and may have a potential buyer already lined up, for all I know it might very well be Erik himself. Essentially, it would cost him $2 million to get his company back from the clutches of the indian company that tried fairly hard to screw him over. Yes, there's 20 mil in both debt and assets, so that's a bit of a wash. Finding an investor to supply him with cash is the operative thing now. I have no idea what it would take to relaunch a company this size and recover from the turmoil, but I'm sure it won't be cheap. If I'd have won the lottery, I'd be all over it to get it restarted. | ||
| Rsh |
Bruce came in like a lion and then flamed out. Maybe Bruce just wanted his 15 minutes of fame. He certainly got it, some people here were slobbering and wetting themselves. | ||
| Buelliedan |
How many times does it need to be said? The new owners assumed ZERO debt. All the debts that EBR incurred will be resolved by the auction and what Hero paid so most will just get maybe 20 cents of the dollar. The new owner is not on the hook for any of that. They "may have a potential buyer already lined up, for all I know it might very well be Erik himself" I can assure you that there is neither at this time as I have already been talking with them about what they intend to do with the inventory they acquired. |
