| Author | Message | ||
     Classax |
The whole thing seems wonky. I suppose a major might be willing to buy some IP and maybe some tooling and not be interested in the rest of the facilities but that does no good for making new motorcycles or continuing to make parts for the existing ones. I have doubts about Erik being able to get financing since if he could have he would have to stem this whole mess. Lastly the public and even a few owners have gone south on the bikes themselves. Even if you could revive some old dealers, the supply chain is likely unwilling to work with what ever the new company will be. If Bruce and company are still serious about saving the company I'm sure something could be worked out but that does't seem to be happening either. None of it seems to add up, and EBR locked down the suppliers so owners can't even source materials. Case in point, the front sprocket is clearly a cast item, so for the OEM its cheap to make now, but for anyone trying to reproduce it, its going to be super expensive. The only silver lining in the whole deal is getting to ride the bikes. Otherwise the whole thing seems a to be a huge mess. Here quickly approaching the one year mark since this whole thing started and we are really no closer to a final disposition on operations and parts than the day we suddenly learned they had shut the doors and quit taking calls. | ||
| Ljm |
I am with Tim. If there was a plan, it would seem more clear. But this is flying by the seat of your pants, at best. That being said, I hope someone is working behind the scenes to make something work. Coherently and sustainably. | ||
| Stevel |
Let's assume this goes nowhere, which is the more likely scenario. Those 350 EBRs must be disposed of and I assume for parts, as the license to sell for the road no longer exists. If so, I want one. How do I buy one? | ||
| Airbozo |
" EBR locked down the suppliers so owners can't even source materials." This is a common practice. Often times (at least with the computer/enclosure industry), several manufacturers will use the same part with a different part number for each vendor. If you try to order a part with one of those numbers and are not the designated vendor, then they refuse the order. I've had to deal with this when trying to design and build customer specific computer/controller systems that are basically made up of the same parts. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Interesting factoid: remember GP Holdings, the company that was supposed to bid $3.1M at the second auction, but they didn't? Erik Buell is now listed as their CEO. | ||
| Thumper1203 |
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| Blackm2 |
Care to post where you see that Hugh? Nothing on their website. Would seem a bit premature. (Message edited by Blackm2 on January 20, 2016) | ||
| D_adams |
https://www.equitynet.com/c/grand-prix-holdings-us a Scroll to the bottom. "Chief Executive Officer Erik Buell Erik Buell Former employee of Harley Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Erik built his first racing motorcycle in 1983, and established the independent Buell Motorcycle Company that same year, using Harley Davidson engines in custom chassis. Buell established the new EBR brand in 2009, building high-end sport motorcycles for global markets. Known for his innovative designs, his EBR brand is the first American company to compete directly with international brands like Ducati and Aprilia in the marketplace." | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think you are reading that wrong (it is stated confusingly). I think it says that EBR was seeking funding from GP Holdings, and then at the bottom they have baseball cards for all the people mentioned in the article with titles. So that was just saying Erik Buell was CEO of EBR, not CEO of GP Holdings. | ||
| Midknyte |
Is there a publication date on that page that I'm not seeing? Is new / current? | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Guys, there are MULTIPLE CEOs listed on that page. I think youre reading it wrong. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Furthermore, if EB was the CEO then why not just outbid LAP for your old company? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I believe the terms of the receivership forbid any principles in Hero or EBR from bidding. Now that it's out of receivership, those restrictions are gone. | ||
| 1313 |
I think youre reading it wrong. Hell must be freezing over as I actually agree with Hybrid for once! The link that Hugh posted is a 3rd party link, NOT a GP Holdings link. EVERYTHING on the internet is true, right??? If you want to go straight to the source: http://www.gpholdingsusa.com/about.html or http://www.gpholdingsusa.com/mgmt.html I don't see Erik on anything that is from GP Holdings themselves. Of course, this could all be done on purpose by GP Holdings... I welcome to be proven wrong! 1313 P.S. I really just welcome being able to readily purchase EBR parts, look at EBR bikes, visit an EBR dealer, etc... | ||
| Court |
I think it means ..... Those are roles the various folks played in prior firms. | ||
| Zac4mac |
THE CEO of GP Holdings is Rick Kovacic. Any other members that are CEOs are CEOs of OTHER groups/companies. RTFP | ||
| Hughlysses |
Upon re-reading the listing, I agree. I wonder if this listing is pre-receivership, when Erik was trying to find funds to keep going after Hero had stuck it to them but prior to putting EBR in receivership? | ||
| Hughlysses |
A much more positive article about Erik: http://www.motorcycle.com/features/whatever-non-il legitimus-carbuellundum-est.html | ||
| Court |
And THIS continues to nearly bring tears. If nothing else.......Erik Buell has always believed in himself, America and ALL of us If this all ends now he's been wildly successful beyond folks imagination. | ||
| Malott442 |
Thanks for the link, Court. You can feel the energy in the dialogue, it's infectious. | ||
| Hughlysses |
www.erikbuellracing.com is still plugging along as if the company is still running. Seems like LAP would do something to indicate they have EBR and want to sell it. | ||
| Classax |
I don't think the owner/curator of the site or the facebook account are actually affiliated with what used to be EBR or LAP at the moment. | ||
| Johndd |
The "we're now out of business" message appears to be missing. | ||
| Sprintst |
Selling off inventory......... | ||
| Needforspeed |
http://www.liquidap.com/portfolio/ebr/ They are looking for people to buy inventory. They have not decided if they will sell some parts to individuals, bulk sell everything to single buyer, or hold to them as part of the sale to someone who purchases the manufacturing part of the company. Go to the website and call them if you have a interest. | ||
| Noone1569 |
Needforspeed, I think you need to see this link: http://www.liquidap.com/ebrparts/ | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yes, and the link says "download the inventory and send in a request". Note the word "REQUEST". Doesn't sound to me like a parts store, not like they're looking to sell me a slotted front rotor and hardware...} | ||
| Noone1569 |
That's exactly what they are doing, trying to sell you a front rotor and hardware. Download inventory, find part # you need Fill out http://www.liquidap.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01 /EBR_OrderForm.pdf Send it to them. Get part. Perhaps, I am mistaken and you can simply fill out the "request" for every single part they have in their inventory? (Message edited by noone1569 on January 27, 2016) Further info provided by someone that called them states that they are not sure exactly what direction this is going to head as of yet, but are in the process of setting up orders for parts so riders can buy them. That's pretty cool. (Message edited by noone1569 on January 27, 2016) | ||
| Needforspeed |
The inventory list is not working right now on their site. Hope it comes up soon. | ||
| Noone1569 |
Need, saw your post on EBRforum where you said you called and talked to them regarding this. Interesting to see they setup an order form/site/list before they know what direction they want to go. This could be good or bad. We shall see. |
