| Author | Message | ||
     Mndwgz |
This thread got me thinking... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=17&post=1625015#POST1625015 When Buell turns off the lights in Troy on 12/18, where are the calls going to go? I haven't called since 1989; haven't had to. Where the hell are they going to keep all the "spares" for the next 7 to 10 years? Should we hoard a few odds-and-ends? Just wondering. Any insight Court? | ||
| Court |
>>>Just wondering. Any insight Court? Yes. QUESTION: When Buell turns off the lights in Troy on 12/18, where are the calls going to go? ANSWER: The calls will go to the same place they always have since I left Buell. The calls will go to Harley-Davidson Customer Service at Juneau in Milwaukee, WI. These guys and gals are really good and I'd expect you can anticipate excellent service. Follow the "dealing with customer service" guidelines I posed 4 or 5 years ago. COMMENT: I haven't called since 1989; haven't had to. Music to my ears! . . . In 1989 you likely spoke to Rich or Dave Gess. Remember the "big recall"? . . .the "safety pin" retainer for the rear caliper. It came with a letter from Erik, a hand drawn, by Erik, diagram and a letter of explanation. I have my letter and sketch still sitting here . . . someday I really ought to make the update.  QUESTION: Where the hell are they going to keep all the "spares" for the next 7 to 10 years? ANSWER: Again. . . . in the same place they always have. Most parts either direct ship from vendors or come from the Franklin, WI facility. HD used to operate this and in the last several months (working from memory, could be wrong) they retained a 3rd party to operate it. CLARIFICATION: We are REALLY going to miss one of the most secret and amazing Elves of all, Mr. Steve Somoji, his co-Elf April Cash and their Boss Elf Bruce Champion. This Team handled certain very Buell specific stuff over the years and never ceased to amaze me. Steve has personally shot some custom paint projects and in addition to being very skilled at what he does, he is an artist with paint. This group will be sorely missed. QUESTION: Should we hoard a few odds-and-ends? "COMPANY ANSWER": There is no need, we're Harley-Davidson and we made a promise. "COURT'S ANSWER" There is a real need, they're Harley-Davidson and they made a promise. I don't think they intend not to do a stellar job but Harley-Davidson has their hands full and I kinda have a sneakin' suspicion you may see 2,200 more folks leaving. My feelings are that supporting Buell may not rise to a high priority. I have reason to believe that an enterprising and smart fellow may solve this problem for us. I'll know more. When I do, you will. Gotcha . . . .covered . . .since 1987. Court | ||
| Court |
>>>>This thread got me thinking... Good way to get kicked out of here . . . . | ||
| Sparky |
I'm kinda concerned about parts when it comes to ordering parts at the local H-D/B shop. Long story made short follows; ends well. When I ordered some attaching hardware for STT number plates at Bartels' H-D/B last Sunday, there was some kind of glitch with the part numbers missing the "dots" in their computerized catalog. For example, AA0608.2CZB appeared as AA06082CZB in the exploded parts diagram on the screen. But when he entered that number in the H-D Order Placing system, it came up as not found. All the Buell-specific numbers with missing dots were coming up as not found. OH NO! I started getting the sinking feeling that H-D might have already started removing the Buell-specific part numbers (but knowing that nothing like this should be happening this soon). Fortunately one of the old-timers in the Parts Dept was overhearing the conversation and volunteered to help. He thought to look up the numbers in the paper catalog so they could put the "dots" in the correct place in the numbers to make the system work. Only then did the Order Placing system recognize the numbers and all went well. I'm just glad that this dealer had an experienced parts man who had a backup plan to make the system work. If he wouldn't have been there at that time, I might not have been able to order the parts and likely would be frustrated (at H-D). So, I don't know if someone else was in the middle of reorganizing the numbering system or if there was something wrong with that particular terminal or what. I was wondering if other dealers may have run into a similar situation. | ||
| Mndwgz |
Re: just in time parts. I hope they'll be easier to get than Laverda spares. The call went straight to Erik when I asked to talk to him back then. Wrong assumption on the safety pin. My buddy Ted and I were designing a Rotax powered (583cc 2 cly. rotary valve, two stroke) street bike, and I called this innovative bike person we had been reading about. Picked his brain about design and specification directions we wanted to pursue and weighed his feedback.  This is the 440 "air" incarnation. No pods necessary; they were easy to peel on and off with the engine of the day. We found the airflow through the frame to the undertail radiator wasn't sufficient in that low pressure area. The sound of these things didn't compare to Jim Hunters pink and blue bike, but it was still good for the perma-smile.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
440 two stroke with a continuously variable transmission? I bet that thing was a *handful* of motorcycle! | ||
| Mndwgz |
The 583cc = 120hp in 318lbs wet. Clutches were ramped to let it idle, blip engage and idle around, 1/4 throttle felt like (pull big rubber band and let go) and it would cruise there, 1/2 throttle was wheelie monster, 3/4 throttle was smoky tire. 1 to 1 on the clutches was geared to 192mph + another 25% od, and it was always in the right gear. Hit the rear brake and it "downshifted". I don't think the 440 was "built" like the 583, but it dropped the weight to around 250lbs. The geometry we built into it was adjustable at the trees and the swingarm and it never felt like a handful once dialed in with the Marzzochi's lightened up a bit. Hearing it come down the road it whirred, crackled and just didn't sound like any bike out there. Any pace bike for the early tests were simply left in the dust. That was back in 1991. It's collecting dust until I get my hands on it again. | ||
| Mbc |
WOW,I want one. | ||
| Mikej |
How many people are currently directly employed by H-D in the state of Wisconsin? How many people are currently directly employed by H-D in the state of Pennsylvania (sp?) ? What is significant about the number 2,200? There is already a major influx of competition in the limited local job market coming in from the automotive shakeup (cost me my job a few months ago, I only wish I was given even half the severance the Buell employees are getting). (Just tagging onto a current thread instead of starting a new one.) Thanks for any answers. | ||
| Drhacknstine |
I've been thinking that old 440 I've horded in the back of my garage needed a home and I think I just found it... Humm  Mndwgz, Can I pick your brain on the drive set up and such at a later time? | ||
| Mndwgz |
No problem Pat, PM when ready. | ||
| Petereid |
REALLY going to miss one of the most secret and amazing Elves of all, Mr. Steve Somoji, his co-Elf April Cash and their Boss Elf Bruce Champion. I delt with Bruce once and he would be an asset to any company. A pleasure to deal with and worked at solving my problem quickly and efficiently. | ||
| Jasonk |
Court, Re: Franklin WI distribution center. Most staff already let go, HD actively marketing the property for sale. Follow link for details. http://www.franklinnow.com/news/60452807.html | ||
| Mikej |
From the franklinnow link:
I forgot about the speculation of the Capitol Drive location. I wonder if that includes the big newer building out back or just the older engine assembly plant on Capitol? I wonder if all engine assembly will move to Pilgrim road or if it will be outsourced elsewhere. Some of these plans preceded to new CEO. The future sure looks uncertain and unstable from my limited viewpoint. I think I'll go buy some fishing hooks at lunch, might be needing them to afford to eat in a few months, things don't look too good at the moment. |
