| Author | Message | ||
     Bolthead |
Have a great future Al and Joanne! | ||
| 86129squids |
Mr. Lighton- Given that you're waaay out West, maybe you and yours will head out towards our blessed Appalachia... let me, Vern, Matthew, Dave, John, et al, know and we'll "have us a time", as Ray Wylie Hubbard likes to say. Maybe around 4/1/16?  | ||
| 86129squids |
And- FVB, WTF?!?!? GIVE the inanity a REST. | ||
| Lady_asb |
Wow - thanks for the kind words!! Transitions are never easy, but your words definitely help. For my part, I can't even begin to tell you how much this business has meant to us. There will be a HUGE void in our lives. Al and I have worked side-by-side, day in and day out, and I still love him, and consider him my best friend. Now THAT is truly special, and something that will hopefully stand us in good stead in the next stage of life. When I think back to when we first took over American Sport Bike, I knew that my brain was not geared to handle technical questions (some things never change, even after 12 years!), but I absolutely wanted to support the Buell community with Al. Mostly because I recognized in the Buell community (and in the bikes) a unique quality - there are no cookie-cutters here. That is a very good thing. I hope that you continue to support each other despite differences in other matters. Badweb has been a conduit for support throughout the years with Buell Riders Assistance Network, lending tools, auctions to help fellow riders, sharing expertise, etc. We have been very fortunate to have played a small part in that. THANK YOU!!!!!!! | ||
| Xb9er |
Dear Al and Joanne, Thank you for your years of dedicated customer service and excellent products. American Sport Bike was where I always would call when I needed anything for my bikes. Enjoy retirement; I think everyone here knows that you both have earned it! | ||
| Trevd |
Crap! I've been on the fence for the past year about whether or not to sell the Uly and move on to something else... this might push me off the fence. | ||
| P_squared |
Al & Joanne, thank you both for what you have done. I'd be fibbing if I said I won't miss the great customer service, but I sincerely hope the next chapter in your lives is even more fulfilling for both of you, as you both richly deserve it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well hell. Guess I know where most of my Christmas bonus card is going now, time to stock up! You guys have been stellar. Excellent service, great selection, just a top notch organization. I'll miss you. But, you've earned a rest. Enjoy the free time and the traveling, and if things bring you to Maryland I have an open door for you both! | ||
| Nuts4mc |
Thanks for all the hard and excellent work...see ya on the road | ||
| Ulyranger |
Sorry to see another quality small business go. Did not know them personally, nor had any direct contact but have ordered from them and the service was excellent!! It was nice to know someone had my back for my orphan Uly. Best wishes to the Lightons in their future endeavors and adventures..... | ||
| Reindog |
The closure of American Sport Bike IS NOT good. Now, the Lightons are going to be drinking all my beer, eating my salt/vinegar chips, and going on motorcycle rides with me. Wait....this IS a good thing! | ||
| Sprintst |
It's fitting though, since there is no more american sportbike being made, and from the looks of it..........  | ||
| Court |
You got salt/ vinegar chips? You deliver to La Jolla? Hahaha ..... I hope Al drinks all your beer ! 😀 | ||
| Iamike |
I can see an epic ride report here: Al & Joanne ride the world visiting all the Badwebbers who are friends. I would guess they would need to do this soon because they won't sit still long. With the service they are known for, they will be snatched up quickly. | ||
| Richardbiker |
All the best to you, Al and Joanne! Thank you for your support and hard work for the brand. | ||
| Etennuly |
Al and Joanne, Thank you! I really appreciated having a place to call for technical help and great service in getting the parts that I needed. I always liked that you could pack and ship parts from across the country faster than the local HD dealers could get Buell parts from the back room to the counter!  | ||
| Two_seasons |
I understand why! I really will miss doing business with you two. My heart is still aching  | ||
| Fb1 |
Hahaha ..... I hope Al drinks all your beer ! I've seen, on multiple occasions, Al drink a lot of beer. One night, gentleman that he is, he attempted - repeatedly - to put out a raging BBQ fire (note to self: Match Light briquettes do NOT need to be doused in lighter fluid...) with a squirt gun. His grin? Borderline maniacal, with a hint of Einstein and Rainman. (That *might* have been the night the Kernville Fire Department finally showed up...) Another night he studied laboriously the necessary trajectory to jump from our second-floor balcony with enough energy and momentum to land on the inflatable cover over the pool at our motel. He even made practice runs in our motel room, with one of our fellow miscreants standing against the far wall to act as padding. (In all fairness to Al there was a bottle of Goldschläger going around that night, so his dogged determination to perform this small-scale, yet highly dubious, Evel Knievel may have been a result of more than just beer...). And I *suspect* some beer was involved the evening of "Buelling Man" - I mean, why else would you tape a dozen bottle rockets to something you're just about to use to start what would turn out to be the world's most dangerous campfire?? Danged lucky someone didn't take a bottle rocket right up their earhole!! Al and Joanne, I know ya know where we live; the garage door is open any time, and the Parkway is as sublime as ever. Best of luck (ha, y'all make your own luck!!) in all your future endeavors. Merry Christmas to you and the Reindogs. FB&D | ||
| Al_lighton |
I still think that I could have made the leap to the pool cover...it would have been glorious..  | ||
| Al_lighton |
The "Buelling Man" fire pictures (camping at the Ocotillo Wells SRVA part of FBRAT) are here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/6817/155724.html?1130287314 and http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/681 7/154458.html?1130543642 Was truly an epic day. The picture of me in that thread pretty much captures the vision of the moment. They were just little bottlerockets, what could go wrong? (Message edited by al_lighton on December 17, 2015) (Message edited by al_lighton on December 17, 2015) | ||
| Rsh |
I met Al during a AMA race weekend in Fontana, great guy. Sad business news, I want to revive my XB9R in 2016 and was looking forward to dealing with American Sport Bike. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Maybe if I had less of that bottled memory eraser that night I could have "found my way" to have been more supportive and less wet blanket! Very sad to hear but I can understand. May you have the best of luck in all your future endeavors Al and Joanne. I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Al & Joanne, Many thanks for the great service, advice and parts. Greg note to self: inventory spares and get my order in ASAP | ||
| Hootowl |
 (except...not so stupid  ) | ||
| Submax |
Al & Joanne, As you can tell...you will be missed! Al...in the few interactions I had with you via email you were so helpful and patient with my newbie questions. Thanks so much for all you have done for the Buell community! Enjoy the next phase of your journey, wherever the road takes you! | ||
| Greg_e |
Yeah, I need to check what I have and what I think I might need too. | ||
| Oldog |
deeply saddened to see this, none the less, all the best | ||
| Denisea |
Al, Joanne, Zack, Ditto FB's post - and do be sure to let us know when you make it to our neck of the woods. It has been way too long! PS You can bring that Reindog feller with you. D | ||
| M1combat |
"Another night he studied laboriously the necessary trajectory to jump from our second-floor balcony with enough energy and momentum to land on the inflatable cover over the pool at our motel. He even made practice runs in our motel room, with one of our fellow miscreants standing against the far wall to act as padding. (In all fairness to Al there was a bottle of Goldschläger going around that night, so his dogged determination to perform this small-scale, yet highly dubious, Evel Knievel may have been a result of more than just beer...). " As I recall we only chose to call off the spectacle when we realized that we'd all be murdered by Joanne if something went awry... I even remember "gaining access" to said inflated pool-covering room to check to be sure there was nothing solid that would break the fall of our mostly willing dare-devil . Oh and Al... I still think of you when someone buys me a drink . (Message edited by M1Combat on December 27, 2015) | ||
| Reindog |
A truly ugly and vile night that was. An assault on FB&D's room yielded treasured grog which only served to further fuel the madness. Late in the night, M1combat and yours truly were force feeding Cheetos into Al's sleeping mouth after the warrior had fallen, while Unibear fetched burritos from an all night dive. The ride out of Showlow the next morning in a torrential rain was somehat "painful". |
