| Author | Message | ||
     Steeleagle |
Maybe a little late to post, but as usual, I plan to be heading to Wisconsin the week before the MotoAmerica races at Road America June 3-5. I'm planning to be in the East Troy area, just hanging out, by late Tuesday-ish. Gus's will be my obvious source of food. So if anybody else is going to be around, let me know. There's nothing in particular planned (yet), but I'll be checking in with some of the "locals" and maybe check out the re-release of "Smokey and the Bandit" Wednesday or Thursday evenings at the local theaters. I head to Road America Thursday evening. This has always been the trip I have looked forward to, but I think COVID has done a good job of reducing the participants, as well as the new "home" heading to Grand Rapids. Georgia might be closer for lots of folks, but I'm still gonna make the pilgrimage to the birthplace...of the bike, not Erik! Anybody else? | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Ourdee usually would post the homecoming thread, even when he couldn't attend. Since one was not started, (he was probably busy farkling the Himalayan), I managed to commit myself to other plans for the week. Due to compounding circumstance, the gathering I most looked forward to the last few years has appeared to have gone dormant. I agree Grand Rapids Buell will need to introduce a few other unique models, and sell more bikes under the brand than HD did before it earns the title of "Home" for most of us. (Personally I hope they can do it.) Perhaps in future, we could work more closely with the East Troy/ Mukwonago Chambers of Commerce to see if we can organize a more formalized event significant enough to entice some of the faithful to return. | ||
| Steeleagle |
The challenge each year is to come up with some type of activity to entice others during the week, like our visits to Uke's or the HD Museum in the past. LD's BBQ Bike Nights are on Tuesdays, earlier in the week. Gus's has their Cruise In on Saturday nights. Yes, HOMEcoming is NOT on a weekend, as the weekend it has typically been scheduled around is the MotoAmerica races at Elkhart Lake. If folks wanted to see about meeting up there, I could check into it with the RA folks. Is the week FOLLOWING the race weekend a better option?? As far as coordinating with C of Cs, personally, trying to generate event support for a group of enthusiasts of a business FORMERLY in the area might be tough. Who would you ask to support a Buell/EBR gathering? We're a pretty specialized group!! I'm all for trying to do something to maintain the "tradition", but which comes first, good attendance or an event sponsor? I, too hope that GR Buell continues, if for no other reason, to ensure of a flow of parts for current and future owners. Open to suggestions. | ||
| Court |
This is kind of reminiscent of the mid-80's when Homecoming was a small crowd of RR1000 and RR1200s and folks standing around a Quonset hut. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
"...a small crowd of RR1000 and RR1200s and folks standing around a Quonset hut." Heck I would travel for that. My thought was the activity itself needs to be the draw. Activities are fun and I enjoy riding in a column of Buells. Way back in my AMX days there was an annual "homecoming" in Kenosha. The city would allow us use of the Southport Park for the " AMC Nationals" a one day event with volunteer judging in multiple classes by knowledgeable former employees and enthusiasts, a peoples choice award ballot with paid admission, a swap meet area, and food truck vendors. A similar organized Buell event in East Troy or Mukwonago would be significantly smaller, but I think the cities could be on board to boost their profile for tourist dollars. | ||
| Steeleagle |
Bump. Well, I'm still planning to be in the East Troy area by Wednesday, June 1. Hopefully I'll see the local Buell/EBR folks, and feel free to PM me or post here. It may turn into a HomeALONEcoming as far as BadWeather folks. I'll be heading to Road America on Thursday evening, to help out a Stock 1000 racer there. If anybody here will be at the races, post up here. Perhaps an impromptu group shot could be done, or a bunch of selfies! Undecided which bike/bikes I'll be trailering. My days of RIDING through Chicago area have become a victim of sheer terror of the traffic there, just trying to get AROUND Chicago. I know I've contacted some locals outside of BadWeb, so I'll have folks/places to go, but hope that some others will make an appearance. | ||
| Tootal |
I would love to make it but I have a retirement party for three guys I worked with for many years. Date's just not going to work. Have fun for those that go, always a good time! | ||
| Zacks |
Well, it seems as always - best intentions and then work sneaks up on me. Once again, I'll be out of town although I have to say that Anchorage is the farthest they've sent me for a homecoming weekend. | ||
| 1313 |
Unfortunately I will not be able to make it this year. My mom will be going out of town that weekend so I don't have a place to stay. While the above is true (and I've got keys to her house), I've prioritized by activities - still Buell related (wait and see..) - to something different this coming weekend (which effectively kills me from making HOMEcoming). Take good care of the torch! | ||
| Mnscrounger |
"...still Buell related (wait and see..)..."  | ||
| Court |
And . . if I can just get a photo of a big cheeseburger and fries from Gus's . . . . I'll be good. | ||
| Steeleagle |
Court: It might be up to me, but I can handle the pressure!! | ||
| Court |
Yeah . . . . without that fix . . . I'll be convulsing . . . nothing but great memories going back to the days we'd meet behind the Quonset hut and the "next year" rumor was the RR1200. Buell would not have been the same with out Gus's . . . . lunches. . . . secret meetings . . . and great food. Thanks for covering me Dennis. Let me what I owe you for the meal. :-) | ||
| Steeleagle |
Reservations made for arrival Tuesday, probably late. I'll be hanging out in the East Troy area Wednesday and Thursday. If anyone will be in the area as well, post up for a possible meet-up. I'm headed to Road America Thursday evening for the weekend. Race fans attending should post up for a possible meeting there. I'll be crewing for a Stock 1000 racer, so I might have limited opportunities, but it's not about me!. Not even sure what bike(s) I'll load up for the week. Am I flying solo?? | ||
| Odd |
I'll be around on Wednesday | ||
| Odd |
I'll be around on Wednesday | ||
| Steeleagle |
Wednesday seems to be a good day for folks. Gus's closes at 8 pm and I think most know how to get there. Let's try for Gus's on Wednesday starting around 5 and see where it goes. If that doesn't work, make suggestions for times and places. Obviously we lost Roma's as an option! Looking at the Road America schedule, I'll be free on Sunday for a group hook-up. Saturday will be a little tougher for me to break free, but if someone else wants to see about getting together Saturday there, use your keyboard! | ||
| Steeleagle |
Before the cloudburst:  It was delicious, Court!  | ||
| 1313 |
"...still Buell related (wait and see..)..." 1998 Battle of Champions S1W:   I now return you to your normally scheduled HOMEcoming thread. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Brankin, is that as in formerly ridden by Erik at the BOC exhibition. Now fully restored and in your possession? | ||
| Canario |
Are you guys meeting at Gus today? | ||
| Steeleagle |
Canario: Yes. I'll be heading there in about 30 minutes or so to hang out. There should be several others after 5 pm. Hope to see you! | ||
| Canario |
On my way from Elmwood Park, IL. 2 hrs away. See you all at Gus | ||
| Oldog |
I hope to see that in person later this year can we arrange this ? | ||
| Court |
Dennis: Thanks so much . . . My mouth is watering. So glad you’re there . . . . You’re as much a part of Buell history as Gus’s! Thanks and have fun! Court | ||
| Two_seasons |
Met up with Steeleagle and Canario at Gus's tonight. Had a couple of Chicago dogs and a mint milkshake. Yum. Gus's makes good grub! A small meetup but a great time with my friends.  | ||
| Twirlin |
Considering late lunch at LDs followed by a milkshake at Gus's | ||
| 1313 |
Now fully restored and in your possession? Original, survivor condition. Warts, scrapes, bubbling tank decals and all. I hope to see that in person later this year can we arrange this ? You know where I am - we'll just have to work out the details. I will not be making the bike street legal, just preserving it as it is. I miss the days of cross-topic threads, almost as much as I miss being at HOMEcoming! | ||
| Oldog |
I will not be making the bike street legal, just preserving it as it is. Glad to hear that! any attempt to restore it IMO takes away from its value ( to a point ) I would love to hear the growl ... | ||
| Mnscrounger |
"I would love to hear the growl"  Did Brankin officially hijack the thread now? If he did, I think he should post a sound clip of the bike firing. |
