| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
It was a mule. Erik spent quite a bit of time with it. It was an S-1 platform, prior to the X-1 being introduced. Yes, if you need info it may be available. But, I suspect it would cost me a dozen tacos to a schoolteacher. | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
FMJ, you need to take a really serious look at an Opensource device called MegaSquirt. It has all the features you need to run a turbo Buell. Several guys from there are running Harleys already so there is some experience. It has the facility to compensate for boost built in. There are also ignition controllers that integrate with it. Get yourself an X1 manifold, injectors, pump and regulator and you're half way there I think. Good luck. http://www.megasquirt.info/index.htm http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/megasquirt/ http://www.megasquirt.info/manual/mtabcon.htm Regards Steve www.ukbeg.com steve_s@ukbeg.com | ||
| Mikej |
Sportsman, The key to your inquiry might just be the word "grassroots". Think about it some. Around here there are several if not many small grassroot shops catering to Harley owners. One not too far away is run out of a guy's daylight basement and I believe he may be getting enough business to make it his full-time occupation. There are more, independent and separate from the Corp, shops around. Some have store fronts, some just have a garage. Nobody said you have to sell new bikes in a shop. Define your niche, cater to your customer base, make no excuses, and make no claims about trying to be "Authorized" when it comes to warranty work. If you have the drive and the talent and the passion to do this then do it, especially if you have the time and resources to make a go of it. Do what works for you. And if you're successful send me a keyfob, thanks.  | ||
| Bomber |
the number of indie shops yo-yos up and down, but there are ALWAYS some that have been round sincxe the Johnson administration . . . .. it is a way to make a living, but not an easy one . . . . for more data on stand-alone-ish Buell shops, you might wanna ping DaveS in Waterloo . . . . he was trying to spin off a Buell Ducati store from his parent H-D/Buell dealership (with support from his boss, I believe, but something nixed the deal . . . . I don't know any more than that, but he may be able to shed some light that others can't | ||
| Mikej |
Would probably have to be an in person off the record back alley after dark in a snowstorm on a Sunday type of conversation.  | ||
| Daves |
Is it going to snow sometime soon? Dave | ||
| Mikej |
On Sunday. | ||
| Sportsman |
Mike, I think you're right to a point, and appriciate the pep talk. But that is a awfully hard road, though not impassable. Working out of the house works fine and is a place to start but has no future. Eventually, you get worn out, sick of working Sunday when you should be riding. Think of Joe's hamburger palace next to Wendy's. Joe usually ends up dieing at the grill and the franchise owner retires at 50 in the Bahamas. I guess it doesn't matter if you love what you're doing but factory training, resorces, and guidance with a business plan make a HUGE difference. The symantics thought may hold promise. At least it keeps my fantasy alive. If I didn't have dreams, I wouldn't have nuttin | ||
| Mikej |
All it takes is money. I still like the idea of the little coffee shop attached to the front steps of a dealership like out at Eastside Harley/Buell in Bellevue Washington. Regular customer base, plenty of time for them to hang around while waiting for their bike to be serviced, a place for spouses to hang out while the other half shops inside, and so forth. Symantics are often the key to success. If not the direct path then an indirect path may work instead. Pick up a non-Harley shop, work it for a few years, then sidestep into Harleydom. If not a garage, perhaps a storefront along the same business lines is in order. I've looked into a few ventures in the past, buy the building, lease out part of it to cover overhead, work out of the other part of it until you can expand to the whole building. If the business drops you become a landlord, if it takes off you just stay upfront with the leasee and grow where you are. But sometimes dreams are detained or derailed or delayed by factors out of reach of ones current assets. YMMV. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I thought Buell was looking into the "stand alone" idea in the late 90's. I even think there was a contact link for purchasing a dealership on their website. I could also be completely off base. Maybe living in a dreamworld  | ||
| Mikej |
Much has changed from then 'til now. | ||
| Sportsman |
I think Mike and I may be in similar circumstances. Been looking, but yet to find something I'd bet the house and present business on. I personally don't even have the desire for something as big as a new HD shop. (I kind of miss Harley shops of the 70's that had 1 tatoo'ed guy with 1 tooth at the parts counter. You get to know him, and that was that.) But like you said, now commercial real estate is the first key to any business. Mike, if you think this is getting too far off topic, ping me direct. dougb123@att.net | ||
| Steveford |
Court, I spoke w/ the boss-lady and yes, Rose Schoch did indeed know Miss Ellie of Miss Ellie's Motorcycle Emporium in Tannersville, PA and spoke highly of both Miss Ellie and her business. I gather that she became ill and moved west so Rose wanted to know if anyone knows what became of her. Anybody know? Rose is still bombing around like a maniac (she just won the Small Business Person of the Year for PA), has been REAL supportive of myself and the Buells and after viewing this site, has agreed to become a sponsor so tell Blake to look for an envelope soon. I've been doing the Buell sales, parts and service there and we're doing our best to get a LOT more Buells out dodging deer and minivans on our beat to hell roads here. Steve Ford P.S. Seeing as how you're not busy, Rose wants to know if you'd like a part time job in the Buell department! | ||
| Court |
Steve: Miss Ellie Guschell was a legend and was featured in the Motorcycle Dealers magazine top 100 dealers. They had a nice article on her and her shop one year. She, Author Stephen R. Boch, and Seattle devloped Michael Bledsoe (Drew's Unlce) were key elements in the TEAM BUELL proposal I designed in 1995. Today, I am more convinced than ever that the program would work great. I have the letter Miss Ellie wrote to Buell on behalf of the program. She was a legend in motorcycling and bringing people to the sport. | ||
| Sparky |
A lot of us with XBs who have gone down and scratched or dented the frame are hoping The Factory would have come up with a frame protector, knee puck, crash bar or something that works by now. Step up to the plate, guys, not all of us can afford thousands of $$ for a new frame/gas tank. I'll betcha many XB owners would rather buy frame protectors than chrome heel guards. (running, ducking for cover) | ||
| Philip |
just want to thank buell for another free t-shirt. thanks for listening and giving us a choice of sizes this time. thank you. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Speaking of free t-shirts,I sent in requests for 2 of them,1 in my name,1 in James name.Only got 1 shirt,jeez,I have 3 Buells,my kid oughta be able to get a shirt,for petes sake. | ||
| Sarodude |
FMJ- I think there's an unofficial "One per address" type of rule. Same thing happened with the knee pucks. -Saro | ||
| Bomber |
we got two American Muscle tshirts in my house -- one for each Buell title holder . . . . .. .mebbe we were just lucky? | ||
| Turnagain |
† This promotion is valid for U.S. residents only. One T-shirt per customer, offer good while supplies last. Only original dealer stamps will be accepted. | ||
| Sportsman |
Sparky, they do dent incredibly easy. Seen it firsthand. If my ship comes in and can afford a new 12, I'll be glueing knee pucks first thing. | ||
| Innes |
See comments on Quick Board "go to Buell.com" thread for opinions on t-shirt issue!!!! | ||
| Sparky |
Sportsman, I hear ya. But there are different methods to protect the frame, gluing or velcroing knee pucks, welding frame sliders (not recommended), gluing carbon fiber frame pieces, etc. My problem with these solutions is I don't know which one would be most effective in preventing damage, and I can't afford to do the destructive testing myself, but a factory can. So I'm hoping BMC takes up the cause and engineers a satisfactory cost effective solution. After all, if we can put a man on the moon, we can protect our frames. | ||
| Daves |
The person I talked to about the frame slider issue at the dealers meeting was taking notes. Maybe something will get done. Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Dynarider |
The person I talked to about the frame slider issue at the dealers meeting was taking notes. Maybe something will get done. Yea like a mount for the crashbars off of a HD bagger. In double dipped chrome of course | ||
| S_i_m_p_l_e |
 The only solution I have seen that seems to work was by a racer I met at Road America racing xb9s. He had made a mold of the frame and made some CF pieces about 5mm thick and mounted it on the frame using 2 sided tape | ||
| Sarodude |
Info Request: Are there part #s for the Blast stock and pro series exhaust coatings? If there are no part #s, can anyone point me to what to actually use? Manufacturer / paint code? -Saro | ||
| Crusty |
I WANT A S4-T!!! | ||
| Nevco1 |
Erik...Whoops, I mean Anon... Now it the time (opportunity) for you to come to the aid of all good men and women from Wisconsin, Illinois and other nearby States. In essence, I had a nice discussion with a polite gentleman at BRAG today and was told that concerning the Buell Homecoming the cost remains at $75.00 regardless whether you attend all or only one event. Quite simply, there are a number of us that live within a reasonable radius of the factory that cannot get vacation time for the Buell Homecoming but would like to attend an event or two. The same thing happened last year for the Buell 20th Celebration. It would be greatly appreciated if you could convey this to the folks at BRAG so they could consider making either daily or event passes available for those of us in this situation. I am confident they have the ability to do so as their associates at HOG were able to accommodate us last year during the Harley 100th. Thank you in advance for your assistance concerning this matter. Best regards, FW"Bill" Neveling US2025884 | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Bill....I'll have to say I agree with you in principle. Having been a SE local, the homecomings of the past were an event that I would attend what I could. It was nice to have the ability to attend events "ala carte". As a person that works in the hospitality industry, I also understand the simplicity in making this an "all or nothing" event. It creates a simplier and easier event for the planners. However, what's this event really about? Pleasing the Buell owners or making it easy for Peggy and the BRAG crew. Will I attend this years event? I'm still in the air. Not to toot my own horn, but Spidey, Dana & myself (along with a lot of other great people) put on one hell of a great event last year. It was fun to plan and a great time for everyone that attended. My only regret is that I started a new job that didn't allow me to attend the whole event. Erik, Peggy or whomever....remember what this event is about. Do the right thing and offer an ala carte option. Thanks for listening! Dennis |
