| Author | Message | ||
     Buckinfubba |
Well as I sit here drinking my favorite SOCO adult libation, I am staring down my last day tomorrow in the Big HD?/Buell business. I finally got my blood pressure right and will be starting at schwans on monday. It has been a long and often hard uphill battle, but it was fun when it wasn't screwed up. Back in 1999 I took the leap and sold my business and started all over again at MMI at the ripe young age of 36. I had me a wonderful girl by my side and we left Indiana for florida in a blaze of glory. all we had between us was a 5x8 uhaul and our clothes. well florida was good until the drunk idiot took me out of commission and almost out of this world. I still graduated 3rd in my class and 5th for the whole year. with the body in pain and no job on the line we moved to North carolina because by god I was gonna work for Don Tilley if it was the last thing I did. And lo and behold 1 week after arriving I got lucky and spoke with Don and Told him what I wanted to achieve with Buell motorcycles, Not harley I didn't care about them, in fact I had a love hate relationship with them. He said to his son, if we got a spot hire him, he likes Buells and wants to work with them. well about a year and a half passes of bolting on chrome becuase the sales folks there had no idea how to sell buells, heck I was selling them from the service dept. Well I beg plead, get dave to email me some stats of what could be done in flat arse Iowa and after 4 months of fightin it out I wore down the sales manager and they said well lets see what he can do. well the rest is history on this site, I did very well, in five months in a town with the population of about 25k I sold 35 new and used buells and a few suzukis and a yamaha I took in on trade (which freaked them out). well the details I won't go into with my in fighting down there and also how the big corporate machine at the mother company will do its damndest to hold buell back. no they won't kill it but they will slow it down alot. Buell will live on just fine thank you. well in all that time my dedication to the business helped me run my girl off, who I still miss to this day, and probably won't get that lucky again. I am back in my homeland of Indiana and things are good, I am buying a new house and starting a new career that I am sure I will accel at. anyways I wanted to say also my time in north carolina wasn't a total wash out. I got to meet a couple of guys who have become like brothers to me and I miss both of them alot for different reasons. My brother kevin, my partner in crime, I can't thank him for beable and wanting to help me make an idea come to life with the drummer pipe. Thats why it is named after him, I only had an idea and absolutely not enuff knowledge to bring it to life. well we all know he has a crap load of knowledge when it comes to that. Plus we had a load laughs over the last year and probaly will for a long time to come. and you all who supported a dumb redneck and a smart hillbilly by putting your trust in 2 guys by purchasing the drummer. Hell were just glad dang near everyone of you are happy with our lil pipe. and no kevin I won't tell anybody about what you told me not to tell anybody if I had some drinks in me.  and most of all to my Brother Ted, 2 yankees some how with 2 very different personality's became such good friends is beyond me. It musta been the air or the mountains or both. You've thanked me a million times for you know what, well thank you for showing me that life and heart is much deeper than I ever thought it was. I am a happier person these days because of how you pulled yourself up by the boot straps and are getting on with this big thing called life. I guess they call it perspective. well I needed that. so heres to buddy. perspective is everything I guess, I used to only see motorcycles and only motorcycles. well now I see alot more than to this world. machines are just machines. anyway I am ramblin on.....I ain't goin nowhere I'll still be here and me and kevin are still the lil drummer boys. But I hope Buell stays strong and keeps on being innovative and different and living on!!!!!!! and I wish Harley davidson would wake up........ and realive what it has and do something about it......I doubt you'd ever see someone choose a dinette set over a buell | ||
| Doughnut |
wow. | ||
| Daves |
Glad to hear you got things in order to get the job you wanted. I have NO DOUBT you'll sell the heck out of stuff. Good luck with the new job. Make sure to check in from time to time. When you're ready for the next Buell, give me a shout!(you knew I had to slip some sales stuff in there). Give me a call from time to time, you have my number. I talked to a guy from down south named Gary that knew you from Tilley's and spoke very highly of you, even before I told him that you and I are friends. Dave | ||
| M1combat |
I'll say it again Brian - You do GOOD. And you're right - No dinette set for me  . | ||
| BadS1 |
Congrats Bubba!!! BTW I had the dinette set already so I didn't have to choose.LOL | ||
| Buckinfubba |
Dave your ears musta been burnin ....I was thinkin of callin a few nights ago. But I got involved in a good book.....yes I can read. I'll call ya in a few days....brudda BTW the house passed inspection this morning at 9am while I met my neighbor fishing off his dock....man its gonna be sweet. you and penny will have to get down and hang out sometime. DON.....matbe a high priced hooker but never a dinette set d-nut........no...wow!!!!! | ||
| Buckinfubba |
dana thats cause you been married forever now!!! | ||
| Iamike |
Brian- I have turned down a couple of job offers just because I've always been worried about what I might be getting into (grass is greener syndrome). I empathize with you on Buell though. I get fed up everytime I go into a HD/Buell dealer and have a salesman or parts person say "I don't know sh_t about Buells". I had that happen again at my local shop, even after the influence of Dave. The CityX looks like a neat ride but I am not getting much confidence in the support structure. Are you talking about the Schwanns with the yellow trucks? I love that stuff! Good luck in your new venture. | ||
| Cataract2 |
So, no more Drummer? | ||
| Doughnut |
Best luck in the world to you. Hope you get down my way sometime. First round on me.  Is the Drummer dead? | ||
| BadS1 |
Hell Bubba it'll be 10 years this April and to some on this board thats nothin but in todays society thats a hugh milestone.All and all we've been together 13 years.Damn proud,damn proud. | ||
| Crusty |
Dinette set, Buell. Dinette set, Buell. Dinette set, Buell... What's a dinette set? Seriously, good luck, Bubba. Life is meant to be enjoyed. I don't know what a Schwanns is, but I hope you sell a boat load of them. And have a lot of fun doing it. | ||
| BadS1 |
Ice cream....I love ice cream.  | ||
| BadS1 |
Ice cream....I love ice cream. Give me my old fashion Hamilton Beach and some Horlicks Malted milk and hand over the ice cream. | ||
| Rokoneer |
Bub, if you get that Schwans route that brings you near your brother the dentist (you know the 1000 mile route...)you better give me a friggin' holler so I can experience you in person. Dealin' with you was one of the highlights of modding my Buell last winter. Viva La Bubba! | ||
| Buckinfubba |
hell no the drummer ain't dead....I said organized Buell world....not the ever lovin hilbilly redneck Buell world. Nope me and kevin are goin strong and havin a good time we just are seperated by a few states.....thank god for that new contraption called a phone. we have executive meeting with hot dogs and soda pop Schwans is the big yellow truck and its a lot more than ice creme. Dana you should be proud...she's a good egg....your cracked  well I am on my 4th double now and listin to some SON VOLT a great band that shoulda been big but wasn't....singin may the wind take your troubles away...... just got off the phone with the good one that got away, and had me some sentimental moments. too bad she's found someone else and lives in texas now.....oh well onward ho wayward soldiers think I'll go scare up somethin interesting this evening out in the music clubs and see what happens....alll the youngun's are back intown and some might even have a daddy complex....you never know | ||
| Buckinfubba |
pete it was good dealin with you too....couldn't ya just see me truckin all the way to new york.....damn I might eat everything before I get there. I ask my new boss about school that I'll be at all next week, I said what is it mostly product knowledge....he said nope....get some food and eat it and I am having a cook out soon ...that will be product knowledge....I guess I get ba big discount.....fatman liven large | ||
| BadS1 |
Bubba I know they have fish,steak and you name it.We used to get it once in awhile,but known best for ice cream around here.Do ya think you could jump a couple states and deliver to me???I'll clean that truck out of all the ice cream it has in it.When Dana pulls out the Hamilton Beach from 1942,there ain't a malt shop in town that can touch me. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
  | ||
| Odie |
I spend an easy $200 plus a month on Schwans food and ice cream, the kids love that stuff. Unfortunately, the local Schwans office is run just about as bad as Buell is by H-D. | ||
| Blake |
Brian, you are one of the gems of the Buell world as assembled online and in real life too. Good luck with the new job. Good to note that it indeed is "just a job". I once had my head all wrapped around my job and also learned that there are other things in life. If I had it to do again, I'd rather be poor than go through that again. Oops, I am poor, but only materially.  I got a plan for ya... Southbeach and the gym... New lean and mean Buellin machine, new leathers and a fresh new umbrella girl for you at all the track days next year. Sound like a plan? The chickitas will be beating down your door. | ||
| Easy_rider |
For what it's worth, Bloomington Buell/HD seems to support the brand well. I hear the ads in Indy all the time. Maybe you'll strike gold and get back on two wheels before long..... Not that there's a need for a goodbye. I haven't seen that owning a bike is a prerequisite for posting! From the outside here it looks like you've got reason to visit from time to time. | ||
| Loki |
Bubba, So you like Son Volt also..... Tried any Wilco or Uncle Tupelo? Or even the Bottle Rockets? You want to try somethin else? Find a Jayhawks CD somewhere or just ping me and give me a good addy. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Brian I've spoken to you on the phone when you were at Tilleys & you gave me good advice. I hope everything works out for you mate, I didn't hear yet if you got the house on the river & sold the bike? If you did, enjoy it & pick up a cheap ride til you start getting your commission checks! Just don't eat all the ice-cream or you'll be buying super duty shocks! I'm just jealous cos I love ice-cream but can't eat it. You're always welcome to visit, see if you can swing it as a fact finding mission for new European flavours. Cheers for now | ||
| Outrider |
Bubba...Welcome to the "Disorganized Buell World!" Much more fun on this side of the fence. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
well The lil fact finding mission out among the young masses last night worked like a charm. God love it when a crazy young co-ed says....ooooooh nice tattoos, I got one , wanna see....it didn't hurt that I got up and sang a lil last night. Dang I gotta put a band back together, it makes fishing so much easier and efficent. and easy you are right Bloomington is a supportive dealer of buell. alright gotta get ready and go do my last day.... | ||
| Henrik |
Bubba - good words. The best of luck in your new endeavors. Henrik | ||
| 1313 |
Couldn't agree more with Outrider's comments...  Best wishes Bubba (event though we all know you'll do fantastic without them)! 1313 | ||
| Whatever |
Flubba, Indiana is not so far away from Wisconsin!!!  New jobs are harsh, but once you get the hang of it, they can be kindof fun... You have a place to sleep in Bayfield County... Charlotte | ||
| Epierce |
Brian, Thanks a million for everything you did for Robin and I. You made the five hour drive to Statesville well worth it. Robin loves her XB9S. Sorta wish I kept my 9R, but I have no regrets in getting the 12R. Was hoping to see you at the Runnin the Ridge next week. Best of luck to you. Eddie & Robin | ||
| Buckinfubba |
eddie tell robin I said hey...yeah i wanted to be there, and I will be phoning in to some folks when your all there to tell me all the stuff I am missing. take care and I hope the roads are in good shape after all that rain. thanks brankin...everything is goin rosie up here char darlin I just can't resist....I knew sooner or later you'd offer me your bed and some one should shoot me....I forgot to put in that first post my partner in wierdness down there..eric T otherwise know as spooky...hell I just talked to him and forgot to put him in their as one of my close friends down there....lots of beer and mexican food and a very tasty bottle of genleman jack between...plus a trip to atlanta to see ted ....man we found us a hippy restaurant with a nice hippy waitress and had a good ol time....and no I wouldn't let him make me stop at the CAFE RISQUE....for a tasty hamburger. altho looking back on it....dang it we should have | ||
| Blublak |
Damn Man!... I have to say that it's sad to hear your 'outta the biz'  And I know Robin will be forever greatfull to you for the joy she has now on 'BumbleBuell'. But, like you I recently changed jobs and it's a challenge and a good one at that. I just wish you were still going to be in Boone.. so I could say my farewells properly Now don't be too much of a stranger, Buell may have lost something (errr.. One)  great.. but the rest of us can still have ya.. Right here, where you'll always be thought of as OUR Buell Ridin' Redneck/Yankee Brother of From Mother.. Let me know if and when you ever manage to get up my way, you've got a place to stay, a garage for your ride (see you need to have two wheels) and of course,  all the hospitality that you showed us when we came down there.. Later, | ||
| Tedk |
No that's not a tear, I just got something in my eye...I miss ya Bubba, but I'm happy things are going well for you. | ||
| Easy_rider |
BF, When's the move-in date? |
