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Mnscrounger
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 04:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

AIrbozo; I keep getting mine cut shorter and shorter for the same reason. I work alone in a shop with few mirrors.helmet hair never looks good. I can usually tell its time for a haircut because in meetings people stare at the top of my head. " Excuse me, my eyes are down here!"
It also makes it harder to see how gray it's gettin'.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 04:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Court
I am starting to build guitars again after a 15 plus year break. If you are up here bring the les paul or prefered axe and we can jam. I play bass have a degree in music and am also a broken down ex construction worker and musician.
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Reindog
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 05:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

****************************

(Message edited by reindog on October 25, 2017)
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Reindog
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 05:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

*******************

(Message edited by reindog on October 25, 2017)
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Steveford
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 05:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The enthusiasm is still there in my case but the bikes are getting older and are becoming increasingly expensive to keep them going.
Every day I'm doing 100 miles commuting and in no time at all you've put on 10,000 miles not going anywhere interesting.
The Useless has been sucking up money like you can't believe, it may be time to shove it in a corner for a bit while I ponder it's fate.
The Triumph triples are taking over the Ford garage slow but sure.
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Steveford
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had to laugh last week in the parking lot at Wally World as there was a guy in his 60s, long hair, window down, smoking a joint and blasting some sort of thrash metal on the car stereo.
Court, was that you?
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Far out Dude . . . .

Wally World - No
Long hair - Yes
Window down - likely
Joint - No
Thrash - No

But . . . . bless the guy for being happy and relaxed. I watch some of the stress in folks. Nothing . . . no cholesterol, no blood pressure, no diabetes . . nothing . . NOTHING . . . will usher you out of this world faster than stress.
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Steveford
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 06:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That is one thing I will never have to worry about.
They had a little seminar at AT&T a gazillion years ago and we had to do some testing. I got singled out as "here's a rarity, a true Type B personality, they're rapidly disappearing!" which made me laugh.
I think what we do is stress the rest of the world out by inadvertently driving the Type A people crazy, ha, ha.
I keep looking at an S3T as my next bike after that Sprint GT I'm getting. No, Badweb isn't dying, it just smells funny from time to time.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 07:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As the weather turns cold you will see more traffic
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Milar
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 07:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Court,

I never mentioned Erik in my post. I have no idea what his enthusiasm level is.

I complimented you as "the heart of the community" and recognized your contribution. You've earned it and you deserve it.

But what you wrote was:

"I'm preparing to dispatch my Buell and Buell related goodies in the coming months due to new hobbies and a new house ."

If selling your motorcycle and Buell related goodies so you can pursue "new hobbies" means "my enthusiasm has never been greater" I'll accept that.

But you can understand it sure sounds like those "new hobbies" are more important than your Buell(s).

Buell will be rediscovered someday. His is an amazing story. But not now so prices are dropping and BadWeb is losing subscribers. The silver lining is that it will allow us to buy rare and beautiful Buells we could never have afforded.

Mike
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 09:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>>>But you can understand it sure sounds like those "new hobbies" are more important than your Buell(s).

Nothing should be construed as "more important". I confess . . . that although I was a Champion All-Around Gymnast in high school and college I have also dispatched my tights and trampoline. Don't get me wrong . . . I wish I could still do single arm giants, Hecht vaults and a back double regrasp . . . but, alas, time and tide have taken their toll.

It's a waste to have a 111 RWHP S2, arguably the first Buell to turn a wheel in most the famed American riding venues, sitting and rotting away. The brand new tires I bought, 2 years ago, are still sitting here banded together waiting to be mounted. The Ulysses is the tougher one to part with . . and I've ridden it more the last year, but it sat for 2 years prior to that. Since buying "the farm" I've bought 3 cars and there is another on the way . . . I've become obsessed with the S5 convertible and the vintage MGA . . . both, depending on who you ask, perhaps safer on the twisties around here.

I'm not sure Buell is "undiscovered" and Badweb still has a huge following. Gone are the days where I got pissed off one day and rode all night to prove the Buell on Mt. Evans in Colorado . . .or the famed "sweepings off the Harley factory floor" that prompted the Buell . . .LAP OF AMERICA trip . . . or the taunt from BMW that saw us put a scruffy team together and break 4 Land Speed Records the first time at Bonneville . . . but, there are plenty of good folks about to take up the charge.

You've yet so see some of Erik Buell's genius . . . a careful read of that Linked In post a couple weeks ago foreshadows . . .

Erik and I have been through lots of ups and downs . . . good days and bad. We've laughed together and cried together. We've had things taken from us . . .beaten out of us but no one ever got to our enthusiasm.

Erik Buell has the strongest character of any man I've ever known. In addition to motorcycles, I'd have the honor and pleasure of knowing him as a friend, father and husband. I envy his character. He's everything he looks like and more. He's nowhere near done and neither am I.

Trust me . .. if I get (and a couple folks have viewed the Buell carnage here at the barn, real aggressive and get after it . . it'll take me years to clear out this stuff.

But . . for the time being . . . it's been relegated to rack and racks of shipping cases in the loft.

The stuff put away . . the enthusiasm is not.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - 11:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Court where is that post I want to read!!
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Dave
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 06:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

360 Degrees of Respect
October 10, 2017 • 198 Likes • 46 Comments

As I take a break after Buell and EBR and look for whatever will be next, I decided to start putting together some thoughts from reflecting on my experiences and career. Actually it looks like there would be plenty of material for a book or two! But in advance of that, I decided to put up a few reflections here.

One of my greatest blessings was that I had a father who came from a very poor background where he had to start work when he was 11 to help support his family, yet he obtained multiple degrees, including a masters in chemistry and a doctorate in patent law. The result was a man with two personalities. When he came home from the office where he was a senior patent law partner, he ripped off his suit and tie and was immediately in jeans and a work shirt to start his tasks on our 150 acre working farm. Dad slept very little!

Because of this dual life, my dad's friends ranged from farmers and mechanics to lawyers and corporate executives, and they all were at our house, of course at different times. It gave me the opportunity to meet a wide range of people from an early age.

The executives and lawyers would come for drinks and dinner parties. They were kindly and would spend the appropriate amount of time asking how my schooling was going, and whether I was involved in social groups and sports. Then move away to discussing politics and high society with adults over cocktails. The farmers and mechanics on the other hand would show up to help my dad or for a casual beer. They wanted to see my go kart, talk about why a Farmall M was easier to start than a John Deere, why sowbugs were important, and on and on. Really interesting stuff for a kid!

My father saw his university education as the magic to his success, and pushed me very hard to focus on that. "Respect your teachers" was the adage. Strangely he did not truly understand what a bonus his wealth of life experience gave him. To him it had been a very hard path, and he thought the best path was scholastic. But I saw that there was a lot to learn elsewhere.

As I grew older I really began to feel a shallowness in the schooling I was getting. My grades were high, but what and why was I really learning? There was so much vibrancy in the real world. So much complexity that was washed over in economics, sociology, history and engineering classes. At the university level the snobbishness was even higher. It was all focused on respect for those above you. Teachers, administrators, coaches were the idols. Respect was aimed "upwards", and maybe a little bit sideways to your peers.

Yet what I found equally, no, let's be honest, much more interesting was when I was working in the evenings at the motorcycle shops, car repair garages and on weekends on farms. This drove my father crazy, and led to me being thrown out of the house at 16. He could not understand why I wouldn't focus exclusively on school, especially since if I did what he wanted I would not have to work.

But I liked working with my hands, and even more I liked the people working with me. Many of them had worked multiple jobs, giving them a wide perspective, and their networks of friends diversified it further. I learned to have respect in all directions. There were lessons, and teachers, all around me.

Because of all this diversity of interests, I did most of my engineering classes in night school. Of course this meant I graduated late. Was this a setback? No, it turned out to be a huge advantage. Not only because I had technical skills from the wide range of tasks I had done, but far more so because I could appreciate every person with whom I worked.

Sure I could weld, but I also could appreciate the guys who could weld a lot better than I. Same with machine operators, and assembly line workers. I knew how focused and meticulous a top level engine mechanic was, so I asked for and paid attention to their observations on engines. These folks soon knew I understood and appreciated them, as well as listened to them, so they talked to me.

I'm not talking about the ubiquitous executive walk through, shaking hands and knowing names. I'm talking about really respecting and listening to these people. The real bonus: they have so many ideas. Sometimes these are nutty, usually they are unfinished and certainly they won't be explained in engineering terminology. But what a wealth of raw material.

So, despite my late start, I had a rocket career in my first engineering job, getting five promotions in less than four years. I was able to get many tasks done quickly because I listened a lot to everyone's thoughts on the problem, so my engineering solutions were more robust. And I got the solutions through the pipeline faster because I had mutual respect and support. And when I started my own business, this style continued to deliver outstanding results. My dad finally understood and respected my choices too!

There are so many examples now that I think back on it. For just one - the unique and radically flexible manufacturing we had at Buell came from listening to the assembly people, and not from hiring an outside firm to design and install a conventional assembly line. We were told what we were attempting was impossible, but in fact it was more than possible; it was extremely successful. And it cost us a whole lot less than the conventional route.

Through my career I've been fortunate to keep this perspective, and I've seen great success from others who have it. But this cross-society respect is less common than it should be. Can you have business success staying detached? Why, sure. There are many who clawed the mountain of success and then golden parachuted into a gated community retirement. But from what I have seen, you will have greater and longer lasting business success if you respect everyone; and you will also have the far more important success of many friendships.

Written by

Erik Buell
Innovator, Motivator, Entrepreneur, Creator
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Oopezoo
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 07:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good read. Thanks for posting
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Airbozo
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 12:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"A tinge of rebellion may have crept in when someone made a snide remark at work. I countered by telling them "I'm playing Joseph in a Christmas play at church".

Once it was "religious" they can't say a word.

So . . . .on it grows."

This gave me the good laugh I needed this morning!

Love it!

To be honest, I wish I would have had an in with Al when he decided to shut down American Sport Bike. But only now would I be able to invest to keep it running. I need something like that to keep me sane and closer to home.

I spend so much time commuting on my bikes, I barely ride for fun anymore, except my ride home. The last 15-20 miles are through the Santa Cruz mountains on a twisty mountain road. 99% of the time when I ride to work, I get home with a huge smile on my face. Part of the reason the SO was not too upset when I bought my Firebolt without informing her first.
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Maddiemsu
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2017 - 12:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I check in here everyday still and plan to keep my 2 Xbs and the 1125 and hope to add an EBR and a tuber or two at some point - I keep drooling over Lake_bueller's package deal. My own through time collection if space, time, wife and funds allow.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 12:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I check in regularly. Haven't had much time to ride lately, so nothing's breaking, so no questions to be asked...but the politics are fun over on QB ; )

Court - the haircut comment was pure jealousy. Back in the day I had hair to my waist. If I may say...it was gorgeous. Wavy, thick, golden-brown....I have a great face for radio, so it was nice to have a defining visual characteristic! But when I started riding a lot (and got one of those pesky day jobs), I cut it all off. Brushing it out after a ride was a PAIN. Now...well, I'm graying but not snow-white yet, still have a day job, and it just stays boringly short. It's easy; I'm lazy. It works for now.

Great post of Erik's writing. I've always been impressed as much by his ability to think, as his ability to to build great motorcycles. Truly a renaissance man, and one I'm proud to have met.

One of these days we need to have a studio-and-Buell-warehouse weekend....
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Mhlunsford
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 01:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Years ago I took my son and went to a American Sport Bike night Rex old club south of San Fran and my son said dad bunch of old guys like you. The younger generation is not that interested. we are all aging.
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S1owner
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 04:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

“Back in the day I had hair down to my waist”

Ditto
Now at its longest its maybe an 1-1/2””. Mostly convenient and lazyness and because part of it strangely stopped growing!



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Kc_zombie
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 03:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is that Slash?
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Kc_zombie
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 03:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"NOTHING . . . will usher you out of this world faster than stress."

@Court: Absolutely sir, absolutely!
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Tripper
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 07:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Been on Badweb since 1998. Bought my S1 from a BW advert and made many friends. I even will include Blake in that category. After many years of not contributing to the conversation I'm back trying to get this S2 I bought back into shape. So now I bent a valve or something and am waiting patiently for Court to sell me that motor of his. In any case Badweb is as valuable and vibrant as ever. There just ain't as many of us. Love the Badweb
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Mhlunsford
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 09:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Badweb is on FB
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S1owner
Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2017 - 09:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Badweb is on FB

Not that I know of
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Williamscottrobertson
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 01:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"NOTHING . . . will usher you out of this world faster than stress." - Court

I can vouch for this first hand, it took my dad out at 57, 4 years ago.
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Buellrobot
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 08:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm 36, just bought my 2nd Buell this summer (now have an X1 and the more recently acquired CR). Planning on keeping both running and on the road as long as I possibly can... both such unique and fun motorcycles! I read the boards and will occasionally chime in, but much more often lurking.

Hoping that badweb will stay up for a long time to come!

Court – fun to see some photos of what you're up to these days! Thanks for sharing and please come back to visit often. Also, when you're ready to lose that final pound, there's always the barber shop
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Ebutch
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 10:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just in-case
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Ebutch
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 10:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

& I'll be upset
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Buelliedan
Posted on Monday, October 30, 2017 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I decided to sell a large part of my business and move out to the country in MO to reduce my stress. Luckily I did okay with some investing and my Army retirement that I do not have to make a whole lot to pay the bills now.

If you are in a financial position to not have to work as hard as you do now I highly recommend it. Your family, health and possibly your life is not worth losing to pursue that extra dollar IMO.
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Phelan
Posted on Monday, October 30, 2017 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There's still new blood out there from time to time.

http://www.motorcycle.com/features/skidmarks-choic es-part-ii.html#disqus_thread

Getting them to BadWeb is difficult though with all the things working against forums these days. Namely, social media is taking over, for better or worse, because it is seamlessly integrated into our phones. Many people don't even use computers anymore. I have a very fast, late model touchscreen Ultrabook and when I get a Facebook or other alert I still grab my phone, with my laptop on my lap, to check the alert because the phone OS is faster due to better optimization. Posting a picture to Facebook takes split seconds. Posting a pic to BadWeb? Could take minutes.
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