| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
>>>>So why did Court delete his post? I deleted the post because I think most folks, despite some of the issues I have raised, simply fail to see the reality and the myriad commercial impediments to attempting to reenter the motorcycle market. I've been quite unequivocal about the fact that I don't think we will ever see a "Buell" in the sense of what we knew for those halcyon 25+ years. I'm also unconvinced that a lighting manufacturer from New Jersey and an entrepreneur from Wisconsin can set off in lock step to try to recreate, as most here seem to be expecting, a company and dynamic that is 7 years old. Times have changed. Elves have moved and are in great job with better pay and job security. They can thank Erik Buell, not as the genius engineer, but as the humanitarian and great team builder, for sending them to those jobs with a skill set that is truly the best in the world. Buell . . . the days of Homecomings, Battle2Win, Team Elves and BattleTrax have moved from the "events calendar" to the "memory" files. And they are the best memories in the world. My association with Erik Buell has changed my life, taken me places I never dreamed I'd go and put me in the company of thousands of the best people and friends anyone could ever ask for. No regrets Coyote. We'll see . . . . I've been wrong before and remain eager to be proved wrong again. | ||
| Oddball |
Maybe an eclectic electric range of machines? Perhaps a more common ground for the two principals. | ||
| Ffbuell1 |
Court, I think you are right I do not Think we will ever see E.B.R. resurrected, way to much time has went by since the purchase,and still we hear nothing from the new owner or Erik him self! What need's to happen ,and I doubt it will is an existing successful company like H.D. to realize that they desperately need to widen there product line ,by actually building bikes that will cater to a different demographic then what they have now, Harley's market share and stock has been tanking all year ,while many other manufacturer's have increased market share. Just look at the new offering's from the big four ,as well as Triumph and B.M.W. all newly designed engines for the Bonneville and Thruxton lines and a 320 cc B.M.W. But I really do not think H.D. is smart enough to realize that not only their (core customer ) is getting older but they (Harley) pay NO attention to any one regardless of age who rides dirt, sport, sport tourer's or naked bikes.NOT every one has $20,000 + to spend on a new bike. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Court - why the change of heart? You seem to have always been the positive person in these sorts of threads, one to give us all hope. And now you're telling us that the dream is over. I like your honesty about it, though. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Unfortunately I think Court is seeing the same symptoms that I am seeing in regards to EBR coming back. If they had real intentions I do not think we would be having the silence we are getting now. When you will not even respond to one of your dealers asking questions by private e-mail that pretty much is the nail in the coffin IMO. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Court - why the change of heart? I'd suggest it's not a "change of heart" at all. I, you may recall, am the one who . . in the face of "they could sell the leftover inventory next month" have maintained . . . in the face of some significant criticism for being a nay-sayer . . . that there were great obstacles. I pointed out . . .time and time again. That EBR was completely dissolved and individual components dispatched to the winds to various buyers. That no one could sell, acting like they were "EBR", the remaining inventory,. There were, you'll recall I was quite clear and concise, at least a years worth of work to get the proper certifications and business arrangements made. I'd hoped, as observed above, that a motorcycle manufacturer would step into the game. Instead, in walks a manufacturer of lightning from halfway across the country. It's not impossible . . . but sudden try you've 2 widely disparate personalities and business styles to reconcile in the face of the plethora of obstacles. Not impossible, but . . as I've said time and time again . . akin to climbing a greased mirror. We'll see. I've been a huge fan of The Elves (having counted the phrase some years ago) since the beginning. But, the instant situation . . . after waiting 4 years for the elusive AX . . . doesn't evoke enthusiasm that we'd seen in days gone by. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Not trying to sound critical, so you dont think BB can do this? People rushed to his praise when he bought the assets of EBR, in my opinion, blinding following a man they knew nothing of days before, acting like he is a saint that no one should speak ill of (see the mention of his assault charges or whatever it was where he beat someone up while playing bouncer). But you seem to take a different approach, it seems to me at least. I like your honesty And you are right, looking back through this thread there are no posts (remaining at least  ) that show anything different than you have just stated above Thanks for your honesty, though I wish you'd tell us a few more stories than you do ("Remind me to tell you about..."). As Buellidon said, from the outside it does sound bad that they aren't saying anything to their dealers about POSSIBLE future, and I feel for the dealers like Dan who were stuck in this situation. Well, I'll still enjoy my S3 and 1125R, and hopefully add to the garage at some point with more. Thanks EB for all you did to motorcycling and our lives. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
American Buell Racing | ||
| Hughlysses |
Erik hasn't said much, but he hasn't been completely silent. He posted a response to a question on Facebook in September that indicated things were moving along:  | ||
| 86bgn |
I guess I don't understand why anyone is doubting what Bruce has said? Why would he mislead anyone? II he is the kind of guy that feels talk is cheap,and do what you say, I can completely respect that... If I was him I wouldn't say anything either, unless I was sure of how I was moving forward. Yes, it really sucks for dealers, and some have a boat load invested in it, but this is better than how HERO left it and I am sure he will try his best to help everyone out. | ||
| Airbozo |
"Floor plan interest is what the dealer pays to the finance, bank, GE etc, each month until the bike is sold." Thanks Dave. I always thought it was a commission type setup where the manufacturer gets paid when the bike gets sold. | ||
| Court |
I'd ....most certainly .....NOT take Bruce, his abilities or his motives to task. His past successes, like Erik's, are amazing. I simply think the zeitgeist may be tough given the onerous mountain of regulatory and commercial mountains that would require conquering. | ||
| Steeleagle |
Underpromise and overdeliver. Until we walk in their shoes, it's all speculation. The silence is unnerving, but we'll find out when we find out. I would not want to be in their shoes, trying to juggle the hoops of a re-start AND biting their tongues after reading all the posts here on how they should be posting updates every day, telling them what kind of bikes they should be making, etc. Sheesh. If it was easy, anybody could do it. I'll take the position they've learned from past endeavors and are making sure they get it...better! How many days to build Rome? | ||
| Davegess |
Bad news folks. The deal with Bruce has fallen apart. He could not close it. Don't know why or any details at all just that the receiver has informed us all that there will be a new auction on December 10th. Certainly explains the silence. | ||
| 86bgn |
Unbelievable! Bulliedan, you called that one right.. That's just crazy, wow (Message edited by 86bgn on November 14, 2015) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Wow. | ||
| Malott442 |
Wow, if that is true, that has taken a lot of wind out of my sails..... Come on lottery!!!!! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Although rare, I have seen Court post less-than-rosy comments. I'm glad this one got saved, harsh but honest. Thanks for being tour-guide for so long, Court. I don't think the ride's over yet, my BMC, Buell and EBR still have a lot of life. Hope there's some way we can continue Homecomings tho... Z | ||
| Snacktoast |
Wow, if that is true... It's absolutely (and unfortunately) true. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hopefully more details will come out, but it's very hard to see how things got to this place. From what I read, the auction of EBR, like just about all auctions, required bidders to have proof that you could support your bid when it was accepted. So it doesn't seem possible that Bruce just didn't have enough money on hand to pay what he bid. We saw information here about the amounts being paid to the Receiver and the various people that worked with him to support the auction. If the deal is off, is the Receiver just SOL for that effort or does Atlantic Metals still have to pay to cover his costs? I guess this also means the former employees and creditors haven't seen a dime. Maybe Hero is still screwing things up? Maybe they claimed they were entitled to ALL EBR's design work or something similar so that Bruce would be left with nothing but the 1190 (IF that)? If something like that happened, perhaps Atlantic Metal's creditors backed out of the deal? What a CF. | ||
| Rainman |
Wow. Simply wow. | ||
| Bruce_belfer |
In a nutshell, our right to close ended 9/30. Hero's right to claim against inventory ended 10/6. Buying the company is one thing. Recapitalizing it to success is an 8 figure endeavor. No financing could be secured with an uncertain balance sheet. This is no reflection on Erik or the EBR team. Feel free to draw your own conclusions about HERO's motives here. AMG has been making payroll and reassembling financing the entire time. Buelliedan, among others, even got some parts. I'll be there in December, ready to go. It ain't over till it's over. Never quit. Bruce | ||
| Hughlysses |
Gee, who could have imagined those bastards would screw this up? Glad you haven't given up yet, Bruce. Thanks for the update. | ||
| Classax |
Villain Motors strikes again. No bank is going to close a deal when the books aren't settled. Thanks for the update Bruce. | ||
| Oddball |
How does a "right to claim against inventory" last 6 days longer than the "right to close" ?? I thought they had gone through a time period with a cut off date for any claims against what was EBR ?? July wasn't it? How did villain get a gift of zero day + 6 to torpedo the ship? Because they were 49% of EBR? I hope i never see their products in this country. Hopefully they're too stupid to build from the designs they got. In fact if things have been reset hopefully nothing ever got to them and they can suck it for however many years they can be drug through. (Message edited by oddball on November 15, 2015) | ||
| Steveford |
The company has to go up for auction again because of something Hero did? Is that correct? | ||
| D_adams |
It appears so, yes. | ||
| 86bgn |
Sounds like the attorneys that are working for Hero should go back to their home country with them. Sad that in America we don't take care of our own first. (Message edited by 86bgn on November 15, 2015) | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'd guess the reason for not letting us know this sooner is Bruce hoped they could work something out with the court to go ahead and purchase EBR's assets as planned. The court must have insisted on the "re-auction". A very good thing is that Bruce and company have not been sitting on their hands for the last several months waiting on the sale to go through. Hopefully they'll be the successful bidders in next month's auction and hit the ground running. | ||
| Davegess |
Hero had asked for a one year period where they could say "opps we forgot we owned this". Bruce and his group were able to get the court to make that a shorter period. It does seem that EBR got a bit a screw job by the final close date being before the final cut off date. I hope this doesn't cost Bruce too much money. Screw Hero. Speaking of Hero has anyone seen them launching the new 270 cc bike that EBR designed? Should have been on the market this past summer. |
