| Author | Message | ||
     Ridenusa4l |
Froggy Im right there with u and court, i cried when i saw a man that i look up to almost break down as he pulled the cord on his baby, but WE WILL RISE AGAIN!!!! Jake | ||
| 2tracksam |
Court et al - I just got my Uly last week and when and if the time is appropriate pass my thanks on to all the employees at Buell for creating and making such and fine enjoyable motorcycle. I will be sending my written thanks as well. I watched the video this morning and while gut-wrenching to watch, the passion and care were obvious. Real emotion, drive, compassion and care is the real cream that always finds it's way to the top. | ||
| Pilk |
Thanks Court..... Please tell Erik and his employees that we believe in them, and that we thank them.... Pilk eta: I cried watching the video too....  (Message edited by pilk on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
Thanks Court.. | ||
| Nadz |
One, I have no interest in Harley's anymore. None. Goodbye, good luck, and don't let the door hit you on the way out. I will not be waving. Two, I'm still shopping for a Uly. There's a huge parts base out there for Thunderstorm engines, and they're so bombproof I won't need many before Buell rises again. Three, I have faith that Erik will continue on as he has for 26 more years. I just hope H-D doesn't hold the patents hostage (petition anyone?). When Erik comes up with his Next Big Idea, sign me up! -Nadz | ||
| Ratbuell |
Thank you Court. If for nothing else, for making this *personal*. There is a person at the helm here. Everyone is worried about badweb, and their bike, and "where can I get one the cheapest"...and that's human nature, I suppose (part of the reason I'm not particularly fond of our species most days). But when it comes down to it, and all the banks are closed and all the beancounters are home for the night...there are still people at the center of this story. As I said earlier today - please give Erik my best. If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And if people wonder about whether Erik is a "real" person or not...this card is what I got last year, laying in a hospital bed with two shattered legs.  I've been keeping this one to myself...but now is the time to share it, and to show why I believe that Erik is truly one of the nicest, most down-to-earth, *amazing* people I've had the pleasure of meeting, however briefly it's been. If people want to know why I'm so passionate about the bikes and the Company "for no apparent reason"...this is it. One piece of paper, with a real signature, sent to a guy in a hospital after a motorcycle accident. All my best to Erik and the Elves. Personally...I'm not counting you out just yet  Court - thank you for keeping us updated. Take care of *you*, too! - Joe | ||
| Bjbauer |
I will promise Erik Buell this. If he can resurrect Buell in some way in the future I will buy a bike from him. Book one sale for a company that doesn't yet exist but I hope does. | ||
| Oldog |
Please Post an address for Erik and The elves, unless we should send letters to the factory address | ||
| Froggy |
Oldog, Court posted this on another thread
| ||
| Ridenusa4l |
I think these say it best... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI and those who are a little more intimate with their buells... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfdt7Bd_urg Jake P.S.- I'm under the category of the second one hahha  | ||
| Telewoodski |
Thanx Court, I appreciate all that you have told us, and not, about the workings of Erik and The Elves. I look forward to hearing more of your sage. | ||
| Thespive |
. . . it'd be great if you could just drop him a note and tell him "I believe in you". That was the second thing I did this morning! --Sean | ||
| Tbenson |
"You guys are looking at Court as if he's Moses coming down from the mountain.....very funny!" Funny is an understatement!!! | ||
| Court |
>>>>Funny is an understatement!!! That's an accurate statement . . . if you've ever ridden with me you'd know I'd never even FIND the mountain! | ||
| Desmo900 |
To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056. | ||
| Etennuly |
Is the address on Ratbuell's envelope the correct one to send a card to Erik and the Elves? It seems right. Thanks again Court. I would love to make the group 'thank you' and 'support' party on the 26th, but I have been nailed down by prior commitments. | ||
| Vtwinbuell |
What is your vision of freedom? Post it on HD's website. It might make you feel better. http://freecountry.harley-davidson.com/landing.php  | ||
| Drhacknstine |
I would rather NOT encourage HD to continue to hold Erik and his ideas back. NO, I don't like what they did or how they've chosen to do it. But,If they do true to form ( IE. The way they handled the Aermacchi/two stroke program of the late 70's) they will sell off all remaining bikes. Then wholesale all the parts inventory to places like American Sport Bike. And finally let the Intellectual and such go... Only pursuing those who attempt to use the Harley name or infringe their market. A Sport Bike Isn't their market. See where this is going? This could be better than other alternatives for Erik, at least better than being sold to someone else in China ,Korea , or some other cheesy mass market. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
I just posted this on Harley's website "Freedom is riding on the American characteristics of innovation, power, agility and affordability. Freedom is riding an XB Firebolt." | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Ratbuell - thank you for sharing something so personal. I thought Court's optimism and talk of opportunity was a bit much at first, but I'm starting to see the possibilities. There are two things I thought of today that give me faith that this is not the end of the motorcycles we love. 1. Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender, was the founder of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, and creator of the Telecaster, Stratocaster and Precision Bass. He went on to do some of his best work and make some of his finest guitars with Musicman, the G&L, after he had sold Fender to CBS. 2. The 1981 buyout of a motorcycle company from a large corporation. That motorcycle company has pretty much never looked back since (though it has upset and disappointed a few people along the way, and especially in the last 48 hours). Maybe things aren't going to turn out the way we thought they were going to, but there's still another 174 years in that plan, and lots of possibilities and opportunities. In case anyone had forgotten - The Buell Values: TELL THE TRUTH BE FAIR KEEP YOUR PROMISES RESPECT THE INDIVIDUAL ENCOURAGE INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY cheers, chili Buell owner and enthusiast | ||
| Dnlink |
I went here http://freecountry.harley-davidson.com/landing.php and left a message. Those HD chicken shits will not let you post the Buell name. Its flagged as a curse word!!!!!! My message: Erik B. FOREVER!!!!!!! harley davidson NEVER!!!!!!!! | ||
| Vampress |
Thanks Court. As usual very vague and suggestive...and a very interesting read. I would suggest that there is no way an outsider could possibly know the workings of any deals between Buell and Harley, therefore who has rights to property (intellectual or otherwise). The possibilities could be endless if things were worked in the favour of Buell at some point. Hearing optimistic words from someone who does know Erik so well however is very uplifting and hope inspiring that "the show will go on". Otherwise it would have been a very sad day indeed. | ||
| Squidbuzz |
The "I didn't know they were entered" quote from the Aussie's is priceless. Thanks for sharing with us Court. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Is the address on Ratbuell's envelope the correct one to send a card to Erik and the Elves? The address is accurate and I can't tell you how much having a handful of these cards for folks to see, carry home and note and read again will mean. I've tried to answer in a couple other threads this morning. I'm sure after sleeping less than 2 hours (why does Australia "wake up" about my bed time?) some of the answers are less than coherent. I've got another swamped day (on the bright side 4 hours of it is the "roll out" for the Porsche Panamera) so I'll be out of touch. I'll write more tonight. I'l leave you with three things today . . . . . . 1) Read those BUELL VALUES again . . . watch that Buell history video . . . . .close you eyes and try to imagine a person, anyone who has ever worked at Buell, for Buell or known Erik . . . simply saying . . . . "I surrender, I am vacating the dream and giving up". Ponder. 2) Your kind words and support mean more than you can possibly know. I answered e-mails until I couldn't stay awake any longer. . . I'll get to all of them but you people are the oxygen that sustains the dream. You are more powerful than a corporate decision. 3) I'm old fashioned. I have faith and believe in an honest person, working hard driven by vision. Erik, Dave and I have been here before. I think he even perked up a bit yesterday when I reminded him of a couple moments that would cast this one with flat champagne at a company party. Most of all . . . . thank you guys. Never dreamed anyone could package love and shared vision in such an inspired machine. Court P.S. - Any of you Australians read Bryce Courtenay? If so, you'll be at some advantage. | ||
| Jimidan |
Court, I guess that this means there will be an updated version next year of your great book? | ||
| Herobluebuell |
Court thank you so much in trying to shed some light on the situation. I would love to think that your predictions that Buell is not gone are true. Erik's got a 200 year plan, let's all see it out. Gone but not forgotten. | ||
| F_skinner |
Court, thanks for the insight and glimmer of hope. There are some things I do not understand and do not need to understand. It will be very interesting to see what happens. I have, year after year, been amazed with every new Buell motorcycle. I am pissed at HD not only for this but for the years of allowing Buell to be sold in less than enthusiastic dealerships. I do know that Buell is very dedicated to Buell riders and that was the theme of an email I got out of East Troy. The Norton, Triumph and Indian guys were real interested to talk to me yesterday however I prefer not to talk about it because I cannot get through a sentence without bad mouthing HD and will most likely continue to do so. After being a Harley rider in the AMF years I think they have a proven track record of bad ideas with random sparkling performances. For me, I will be done for a while. I am not allowed to watch the video anymore and need to just concentrate on other things. I hope all us Buell riders can get together somewhere this summer because Homecoming is something HD cannot take away from us. You Court, are a shining light for Buell and have done so much for so little in return. Erik Buell is lucky to have you as a friend and I am betting a lot of people are. My best to Erik Buell, Kim, Henry and all the other people at Buell. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Buell is a different story. Buell MOTORCYCLE Company . . . . . only designs and builds motorcycles. Harley-Davidson, through their subsidiary Buell Distribution Corporation, handles EVERYTHING else from dealer relations, demos, pr, marketing, media, technical service, technical publications, legal, customer service, warranty and so forth. Selling Buell to another company would entail granting unfettered access. Justifiably unwise. In this age of corporate spinoffs and acquisitions (I have been involved in 2), I'm not sure why this is a sticking point. Separating these functions from HD would take some effort, but is certainly doable. And should be done to sell the $100 million subsidiary. Also, I don't see how HD's concerns about a competitor gaining access to HD's dealer network is valid. HD would just need to specify that the sale does not include any access to the dealer network. Also, at this point, I don't see why a potential buyer would even want to continue with the HD Dealer network. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Tpoppa- See Doerman's posts a couple of pages back: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=17&post=1606370#POST1606370 I think we're missing some of the finer corporate/legal points here. Based on Court's post and what Doerman says, I'm thinking Buell Motorcycle Company won't be sold, but possibly all their assets (factory, tooling, and patents) could be sold intact. It's gonna be a while before we see how it shakes out, but I'm hopeful. Court- thanks for sharing your thoughts on what was a rough day for all of us. It really hit me this morning (when I woke up at 3 AM and couldn't go back to sleep)- how odd is it in today's society that thousands of people who happen to own a commercial product feel connected this closely to the company that made that product and the people who work there? It's truly a unique experience and the threat of losing that is what worried me more than anything. Erik is lucky to have you as a friend- I suspect you had a lot to do with him getting through the day yesterday. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Hugh, That does make some sense. It would be VERY interesting if the entity that purchases MV Agusta would push for the Buell innovations, patents, & tooling to be bundled in the sale. Imagine the possibilities from that pool of technology and design. |
