Author |
Message |
Court
| Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 11:16 pm: |
|
Homecoming 2007 AGENT 00-NO . . . On the case!
Disturbing Image - not my art either Well . . . . when I saw this, I began to worry. What was afoot? . . . which rumors were true, which weren't, what had those cagey Elves been up to? Where had they been stashing that collection of talent they'd quietly been amassing in the sleepy hamlet of East Troy. It was that time of year . . . Homecoming. Homecoming, since the late 80's has always been a chance to see old friends, meet new ones and spend fun time with the similarly infected and infatuated. But . . . this year would be different. There were rumblings and, so far, all of them I had seen and heard were pretty much in conflict with what I knew. The pure silliness that somehow Buell would run to someone else's warehouse, stuff an engine under their arm, run back to East Troy and stuff it in an existing frame didn't jive . . . I, for no reason other that history, had it in my mind that if anything happened it'd likely be a ground up, not a single part that's ever before lived near a piston and would be an art cast in metal rendering of the current state of technology . . . but it was pure speculosity. Nonetheless, all things conspired to make this Homecoming different than any that had ever come before. Timing . . as they say, is everything. From near and far they came. . .
They came by air
They came by bike . . . .and they came from near and far. . . in record numbers. Long gone were the days when a "big" turn out was 12 Buell owners (80% of those in the US) and little did I suspect when I came over Lake Michigan on Friday that something like 470 rabid Buell folks would descend on East Troy the following day. Whatever this Okra rumor was was sure stirring interest. . . I decided to send in an international Super Spy to check things out . . . it was essential, I explained to him, that he choose a non-descipt vehicle to reconnoiter the land of Elves as inconspicuously as possible . . . Off went James Gess. . . Agent 00-No
East Troy - 1 Mile Ahead
The Elf-Quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agent 00-No
We may need to work on the "inconspicuous" vehicle portion of this whole spy thing . . . |
Toona
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 12:30 am: |
|
OH NO! The new '08 Buell's are just another rehash of "Flashy New Colors" and they come with 4 wheels!..... BTW, is that an Elf "arriving by bike" with no license plate? |
Court
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 01:01 am: |
|
Having found nothing strange . . . well, stranger than usual, in East Troy . . the next step seemed obvious . . . head toward. . . . .
#1 - Great Looking Bikes
#2 - 18 year old Scotch AND
#3 - Gorgeous Woman .......and just as sure as could be. . . there they were, those wild and crazy Buell folks. The best of friends who you only get to see once a year and yet feel like you know. . . some were orderly and well behaved. . .
Mr. and Mrs. Crusty - NOTE - There's lots more news coming on these two!
Is it me, or does it look like Brad, himself an accomplished trumpet player, has grabbed the mic stand from Ed as Spidey plays air tambourine . . or is Spidey sharing "dimensional information". . not sure I wanna know
Uh . . . does this butt make my butt look big? . . nahhhhhhhhh Erik was in rare form, having a blast making new friends. . .
This was billed as a "pre-release" party for the THUNDERBOLTS new CD "RIDERS OF THE EDGE" yes, you too can buy a copy and wild eyed musicians were selling them as fast as they could come out of the box!
A cool thing happens when your friends are the people who build your motorcycles and who you enjoy being with. Dana provided the venue which was KILLER and the help at THE BOILER ROOM (in addition to being absolute dolls!) could not have been nicer. When you get this many good friends together. . . well, good things are gonna happen. . . There are nights when bands just perform . . simply play the music. Then there are nights that bands and crowds develop and synergy and ABSOLUTELY ROCK . . . This night went clearly in the TOTAL ROCK column with the crowd becoming fully engaged and the band responding. It was awesome . .
THE THUNDERBOLTS
Ed Schenk - Buell IT Pro by day . . .
Ed Laben - Buell Supply Logistics Pro by day . . .
Ed Laben - Rocker by night
Erik Andersen . .Buell vendor during the day . . . great way to keep track of him my night!
Another Buell guy by day
......and rocker by night
......kinda neat that the media staff from GSDesigns (the folks who bring you FUELL, have all become friends
......totally dug the lighting on this CityX It was a great evening, with great friends. . . . a regular "Homecoming Habit". Special thanks to Dana (Bad S1) for putting this gig together! Court |
Ridrx
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 01:32 am: |
|
Great coverage Court. Looks like you guys had a Blast! Wish I could've been there. Maybe next year. Now where are those pics of the '08?...We OO-No you've got some by now.LOL (Message edited by RidrX on July 07, 2007) |
Court
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 03:58 am: |
|
Whoever made the decision to move Homecoming from the traditional weekend to this weekend turned into a hero today. Some of you recall it rained cats and dogs on the "traditional" weekend. . . well, today could not have been nicer. . . as the Buell balloon went aloft early to serve as a beacon to incoming riders.
Welcome to Buell - can it get any cooler than this?
This bike gets my vote. I've seen the pictures, but they just don't do the workmanship justice.
As a "gadget guy", this had my eye.
John "Crusty" Jackson comes through again. Not only terribly useful but brilliantly executed. . perfect compliment to the Ulysses
Bazootie - 2007 Homecoming Model
Everything that happens at Buell . . starts here. . . always has
Abe was on a roll. . . he didn't just GIVE us the formulas, he derived each and every one, explaining the interplay between various dynamics and when and how it enters the design process
Even with lunch on the table folks were staying to ask questions of one of THE experts in analysis. Google his name, if you liked the presentation and are a total gear head, you'll love his book "Building Better Things With Finite Element Analysis"
I've always marveled at Abe's ability to explain how minor changes impact complex dynamics in design can markedly change the characteristics of two otherwise identical vehicles.
Erik's talk kept folks riveted. Here he's getting help about the racing series that Scott Zampach won. Erik and Dave met when Dave came to Erik's house years ago to buy a used car. . . .
Talk about "depth" on a team? Erik deferred an XBRR question to Steve Anderson . . . yep, THAT Steve Anderson!
A tough question, from a German visitor, about the TT got a pretty frank answer . . refer back to the "Honesty" part of those values. The next question I live 5 miles from here and am thinking about buying a motorcycle, why should I buy a Buell?"
The answer could not have been more powerful if the marketing group had scripted it. . . as Richard raised his hand, explained how he'd ridden an FLH for 20 years and was amazed by how many carefree and comfortable miles he's been putting on his Ulysses . . "I'm never going back" And as Erik jetted off to Nashville . . Bubba Blackwell and Keith Ulicki escorted a group of Buell riders to Uke's for an afternoon of food and entertainment.
......WHAT A DAY! (Message edited by court on July 07, 2007) |
Alsza
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 10:06 am: |
|
Wow, more great pics and I love the story lines.. Oz said the band was phenomenal will the general public be able to purchase the CD? If not.. psst Don.. hint hint hint |
Court
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 11:53 am: |
|
The RIDERS OF THE EDGE cd by The Thunderbolts will indeed be available. I'll post details on Tuesday . . . the next two days are a bit hectic. Times are good! I think you'll be hearing several things you'll like in the next 96 hours. |
Jasonk
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 03:13 pm: |
|
...Thanks for the update Court...am truly looking forward to the 'announcement' on Sunday...and just a tidbit for all about Erik, when presented with the equations on the board from the previous tech session, he responded by saying 'I believe this means keep two wheels down, and the shiny side up'...started out what was a fantastic interactive narrative about the history of Buell, from an engineering / design perspective, without being over the top technical (although I did see a few people in the audience go 'huh?' when Erik was explaining the uses of LVDT's in dimensional analysis)...was good talking with you Court, hope to do so again... |
Jdw3343
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:03 pm: |
|
Hey guys this video is out there, how about confirmation. /www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=1078606383&chan nel=711881422 |
Rex
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:33 pm: |
|
http://picasaweb.google.com/buellv/2007BuellHomeCo ming Court and crew. Good to see you there. Wow, what a Homecoming, and I cannot wait till next year. 25 years! Here are a few more photos for everyone. Heading to the airport in chicago today, so I did not head out to the track. The factory is always a great place to sit and watch bike assembly. wonder where the new bikes will be built. At the old barn? The video looks good. sure wish we had the pickle okra. Next year, I will make sure and bring some. I started to feel older this homecoming, owning just tubers. they seemed far and fee between, with all of the other bikes. more to come on sunday, I guess. rex |
Rex
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:35 pm: |
|
|
Rex
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:42 pm: |
|
ASBN. Jack Van Voast, Michael Wozniak, and Rex Chaney at the Art of the Motorcycle in Northern cal. Well, it looks like we will have a lot to discuss at the upcoming August Meeting.
We are now working on our 9th year, and will be looking at 10 years next year. Our tenth anniversary, and Buells 25th anniversary. (Message edited by rex on July 07, 2007) |
Rex
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:44 pm: |
|
Court, when is the book coming out. Buell, 25 years in the making! Thanks REX or should the title be "Ask me about this the next time we meet?" hahahhahahahah |
Davegess
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 04:54 pm: |
|
Court, when is the book coming out. Buell, 25 years in the making! Sooner than you think!!! |
Dbird29
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 05:09 pm: |
|
The chapter on okra is difficult to digest. 'remind me to tell you some time' |
Buell920
| Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 07:34 pm: |
|
jdw3343 that link got shut down real quick. xb1125r liquid cooled pretty cool!!!!!!!!!! I like the new style fairing. (Message edited by buell920 on July 07, 2007) |
Naustin
| Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 10:23 am: |
|
Good job, Court on the photo documentary. Ann and I had a great time and it was great to meet everyone. |
Court
| Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 12:13 pm: |
|
One of my personal favorites. . . .
True love? . . . you bet it is! |
Thespive
| Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 02:06 pm: |
|
Court, have you gotten all of your homework done? You sure seem to be spending a lot of time on extracurricular activities, don't make me call your professor! --Sean |
07xb12scg
| Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 06:30 pm: |
|
......totally dug the lighting on this CityX Yes, that looks awesome. I've been thinking about getting a red or multicolored LED kit to light up the engine on my Lighting. I think it will look cool. |
Spiderman
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:34 am: |
|
Court, If those books are numbered I want 13 and 83 BTW Great to see ya again! |
Bads1
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 02:10 pm: |
|
Thank You Court for the kind compliments. I'll be sure to relay the message to my two bartenders from that evening. It was great to see you again and all old and alot of new faces. Thanks a bunch and I'll try to do it again next year for the 25th. |
Xb12lp
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 02:26 pm: |
|
Can someone please tell me where i can get a set of piaa lights that are on the red Uly in the picture above. Please help I have looked everywhere....Thanks Lou |
Wpadave
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 07:31 pm: |
|
Court, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the pictures and commentary from the 2007 Homecoming. For those of us that could not make the trip it sure helped get through the weekend. Dave |
Court
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 09:47 pm: |
|
Dave: that is very kind of you. Thank you and it was my pleasure and honor as it has been for so many years. I have to tell you. . . I enjoyed Homecoming when it was 6 people . . I enjoy it more now. I never cease to be amazed at the neat folks who ride Buells and my life would certainly have been less fulfilling without them. I've been telling the tales for years and, as you may have gather. . . it's not old yet. Thanks again and I'd suggest that next year would be a great year to make your first! See ya there, Court |
07xb12scg
| Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:51 pm: |
|
Hopefully one day I'll make it to homecoming. Then you can all hate me in the flesh! :P |
Court
| Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 08:40 am: |
|
"hates" not a word I've ever experienced in 20+ years of experience with Buell. Motorcycles, and generally the lives of the folks who ride them, are filled with passion. Passion invokes an intensity that results in some spirited conversations. Those can occur without ever approaching "hate". Hate and disagree are unrelated. Court |
Naustin
| Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 10:32 am: |
|
Passion invokes an intensity that results in some spirited conversations. It usually goes something like this: ........ |
07xb12scg
| Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 12:54 pm: |
|
I am a passionate person, that's for sure. German+Irish... Naustin: drinking BEFORE riding? You're a bad influence! ;) |
Bads1
| Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 02:27 pm: |
|
07xb12scg, I really don't think anyone hates you. That is a very strong word my friend. What you have found is a community of passionate Buell people is all. |
Diablobrian
| Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 08:20 pm: |
|
All I have to say is I must have been tired when you took that pic, I don't remember being that tired, but the wandering eye is a dead give away I hope that everyone there that wanted some of the scotch got some! |
|