| Author | Message | ||
     Davegess |
Buell in, you tell us what US companies would you buy these things from? Seems like Buell could use the help. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I prefer American products, but that doesn't mean the American manufactures don't have to earn my business. There is lots of American junk out there, and I have no intention of enabling them. Buell has earned my business, that's for sure. My XB has been an insanely reliable and cheap to maintain motorcycle, and works amazingly well for what I want it to do. Now, please, build an affordable dirt bike. It's killing me trying to keep these damn Kawasaki's running. And put the best motor in it you can get for my price point. Not the cheapest, not the most American, the best (be it out of York PA, or Austria). (Message edited by reepicheep on May 29, 2009) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
well this thread went to $hit.....  I bet the folks putting our bikes together are happy they have jobs..... and the Uly Squack likes the ride....  | ||
| Rfischer |
EEK..!! I just discovered the oil filter on my E55 [not to mention 1000 other pieces] is made in Slovakia. I've been ripped off - POS isn't a German car after all.... Puleeze...get over your jingoistic simple-mindedness. NO manufacturer of anything makes or sources ALL their components domestically. That would make no economic sense and would quickly lead to failure of the business. Psst! My made-in-China toaster has parts made in Vietnam. Jeez... | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
all this complaining about buells not being completely American is silly. I is still made with more American parts than the computer your typing on is. In todays world it is hard to find any thing that has a bunch of parts to it made completely in America. I wish you could find things that are completely made in America but its just not the case. The best alturnitive is to buy things that are mostly made in America. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"Buell in, you tell us what US companies would you buy these things from? Seems like Buell could use the help." Sure, have Buell/HD HR call me and arrange an interview. I'd be all for it. I'd start with the frames first. I personally spoke with the owner of the company who makes the 1125 frames (from Illinois) at a design show about a year and a half ago...I asked him point blank.."why aren't you making all the Buell frames?" "(shrugs) Beats me, we want to, but Buell won't give us a clear answer as to why" | ||
| Ducxl |
My apologies for contributing to it in a manner that doesn't congratulate Buell. My Buells' have performed fabulously since new. Performance Machine Company used to supply wheels to Buell.Not anymore. Tell me why you love the Chinese variants more? | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
because PM probably would not make the wheels buell wanted them to or at the volume. Back when buell used PM wheels they were really expensive bikes and they did not make near the amount of bikes they produce today. | ||
| Flxmanlethal |
Probably performance machine co. got greedy so BUELL looked elsewhere...Let's face the facts once the demand goes up so does the price. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
You know something? The folks here who are stating..."find me a company who uses 100% American" and " Its an American company", are failing miserably to see the point of those of us who objected to EB's article. We aren't ripping Buell for not using American parts, we are calling "foul" on EB stating how he'd "bet on US manufacturing", while doing a 180° and using overseas materials. Back up your bet Mr Buell. Back up your bet. | ||
| Xl1200r |
He's still using American Manufacturing to put together all of his imported garbage. Go back to the apple pie story. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
you have to think about the fact that PM is probably not that big of a company. They are an after market company and if some one was to use there wheels for a mass produced bike as apposed to a limited production number bike like the old buells were you would be waiting along time for your bike. Also that said bike would be much more expensive. kinda like olins forks. They are probably the best forks you can buy for a motorcycle however the only bikes that come with them from the factory are limited production bikes like the ducs and those r1s that came with them one year. | ||
| Rfischer |
Buellin...Since you are not a manufacturer, business owner, or operational manager, I'll humor you and explain why exactly Buell won't give all their frame-building business to one small domestic OEM vendor: because they cannot have all their eggs in one basket for such an essential element of their product. It's called risk management. The same reason why in my company we maintain parcel shipping [an essential element in OUR business] accounts with both UPS and FedEx. We prefer UPS but cannot afford the potential disruption to our business if UPS drivers go on strike [FedEx is non-union]. Word, Man. (Message edited by rfischer on May 29, 2009) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
RF...all the XB frames are in one basket. Right? One supplyer for all the swing arms too. That seemed to work out. "He's still using American Manufacturing to put together all of his imported garbage." So I no longer assemble model airplanes, I manufacture them? Interesting. (Message edited by Buellinachinashop on May 29, 2009) | ||
| Socalbueller |
Rfischer - Well they had all their eggs in one basket from 2003-2007 for the frames. edit- oops posting at work makes me a little slow. (Message edited by socalbueller on May 29, 2009) | ||
| Hughlysses |
I think one of the "between the lines" points in Erik's article is that he sees the possibility that in the future, a lot more parts in his bikes will be U.S.-sourced. Expecting little old Buell to "drive" that change is not reasonable. OTOH if the current economic climate forces beneficial changes in U.S. manufacturing, (cheaper/faster/better) Buell would have ample reason to switch to U.S. made components. | ||
| Court |
I am very optimistic about USA manufacturing. Most . . . that is MOST . . . the statements in this thread pertaining the the Buell frames are inaccurate. Buell has done some amazing things and does a fabulous job at sourcing. No manufacturer wants to buy something 18,000 miles away that they can get from 2 miles away. I bought a Buell with the PM wheels (which you could not buy now if you wanted to) and the motorcycle listed for about $18,000. It would be interesting to poll folks here and see:
It's a global economy. By the way . . . a good deal of the profits for things, lets use the Rotax motor as an example, goes to the United States. When Rotax folks sell motors to Buell:
I'd be willing to bet that the "nominal profit accruing and resulting in taxes and profits in the USA" is higher than the profit would be if Buell hired 150 folks, paid tens of millions and tooled up and tried to economically build such a small number of motors. Frankly . . at the quantities we're dealing with the Helicon motor needs to be ONE of the items (one of likely 25) coming down a production line, it would never support the manufacturing overhead by itself. Hahahahaha . . . just went to put my Ray-Ban sunglasses on . . . . guess where my AMERICAN MADE Ray-Bans are made? | ||
| Doerman |
Wheels PM made optional wheels for Buell back in the tuber days. The standard wheels were Marchesini(sp). XB and the Loki platforms have perimeter brakes, which PM might not be able to supply (cast vs. machined). In other words, PM might not have been able to meet the new specifications. Frames and risk management: In the early production days (late 07 and early 08), there were delays in the delivery of the 1125Rs and the delay was attributed to the frame supplier (here say). If I were in Buell Purchasing, I would hedge my bet on the XB line coming from the new supplier until they prove to me that they are a reliable supplier (schedule and quality). Buell may also have a contract set to expire with the Italian frame supplier at a certain date of for a specific number of frames. Sourcing is a crucial and difficult business. Buell seems to do it right. The article is very inspiring and is a testament to the real "Yes we can" America. | ||
| Rfischer |
Small mfr's often have no choice but to deal with one vendor [ask me how I know]. As they grow they are able to multi-source which is waay preferable, but requires scale. And, no-one "manufactures" anything if by that you mean the entire product, be it motorcycles, cars, or airplanes. You do know how Boeing "manufactures" airplanes, don't you? Airbus too. As for your model airplanes......  | ||
| Court |
>>>PM made optional wheels for Buell back in the tuber days. Prior to that (your data is accurate commencing in 1993/4) Performance Machine made all Buell wheels. (That's **mostly** (with a couple rare exceptions) accurate) Buells reasons for bringing frames to the United States was not based on cost. Cost was a factor, in fact I'd say it was #3 in terms of importance. . . just a guess on my part. Buell does, as AM has pointed out . . an amazing job of purchase engineering. Bear in mind we see but the tip of the iceberg. If someone wants to be REALLY impressed and is going to be at Homecoming let me know and I'll arrange for you to visit with a Purchasing Engineer. It truly is amazing. Failing that . . . Dave Gess would be a better source of information than he may ever reveal. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I'm looking forward to the factory tour. The line was too long last year. I wanted Dave and Court to sign my book first. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
The article reads like an advertisement more than anything else | ||
| Court |
>>>>The article reads like an advertisement more than anything else Not surprising . . . frankly MOST of what I have seen in 22+ years of being around Buell has a huge element of "that's the way we'd do it if we only could". The people at Buell have worked very hard, hired some of the best and brightest and done a stellar job of creating an environment where folks strive to do their best, seek and accept responsibility and achieve amazing results. If that sounds like an advertisement . . . well I suppose it is. There's a world full of companies that would love to have Buell's successes to their credit. It's an amazing company as a result of amazing people. I am NOT a compensated spokesperson like the guy who sells the insurance on tv. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Nothing wrong with "tooting your own horn" but I'm hard pressed to find the correlation between Buell's formula for success and the title of the article. It appears to me, that America is going in the wrong direction in terms of our economic policies. Despite good old fashioned American grit and determination it will become increasingly difficult to run a successful business in America. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"The article reads like an advertisement more than anything else" HI THIS IS BILLY MAYS FOR BUELL.....  | ||
| Court |
Considering the HUNDREDS of companies who have tried to enter into everything from vendor contracts to strategic alliances with Harley-Davidson and failed . . . . I think what Buell has done places Erik & Co. among American manufacturing legends. I've done somethings in my life I'm pretty proud (Graduating #1 in my class from an Ivy League school last week is on that list) of and I'm sure many of you have too. If you'd done what Erik Buell had done, were making a profit in the crummiest economy since the Great Depression and saw your product being enthusiastically accepted in a couple dozen countries and your business growing . . . what would the article you wrote sound like? I think Erik has every reason to be both proud and enthusiastic. Court | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . . what would you give, as General Motors prepares to declare bankruptcy on Monday, to hear a speech from the Chairman of GM saying "we're enthusiastic, excited, each and every one of us committed, making a profit, expanding our market and markets and excited about continuing to carve out a leadership role within our industry" May just be me . . but I've never longed more to see someone with guts, brains and balls step up lead and brag about being an American manufacturer. The more I read it the prouder I am of what Erik has said. (Message edited by court on May 29, 2009) | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
There are others who feel the same way and exhibit real leadership. It's worth the read. http://www.weathertech.com/service/amessagefromdav idmacneil.aspx As far as Government Motors is concerned, the jury is still out. | ||
| Court |
Great read ! | ||
| Court |
>>>As far as Government Motors is concerned, the jury is still out. No, the jury is in. The FBN has announced the schedule. The bankruptcy will be filed, shortly after an announcement and speech by Obama on Monday. Then, right here next to my office in Manhattan GM Chairman Fritz Henderson will speak. The UAW announced their (lame) concessions today. The hope is to bring a "restructured" GM out of bankruptcy in 90 days. Sounds like kicking a patient out of the hospital, without being cured, and announcing that since they are out they are well. Until the things that took the world's most powerful corporation into the dirt are fixed no amount of money will solve the problem. But . . in view of the national propensity to bail out anything, regardless of how hopeless, helpless or ill conceived the plan . . . and in deference to my personal greed and the fact the GM stock, for the first time since before my parents were born, dropped below $1.00. Yeah . . . I'm not confident in them long term, but I am betting I can 10X my money in a year. The jury is not out; they declared the defendant guilt and pronounced the death sentence. |
