Buell linked to takeover bid

Unfortunately, as much as I would love to believe this could save Buell, this story makes no sense to anyone who understands HD's corporate structure.  It would be quite pointless for these businessmen to talk to Erik Buell about the future of the company that bears his name because he doesn't own it--HD owns it lock, stock and barrel and they have decided to shut uit down; a reversal of that decision would have to come from HD's board of directors, not Mr. Buell.  

I certainly hope that Erik Buell designs and builds bikes again--but it won't be as "Buell"s, because he no longer controls that trademaek with respect to motor vehicles.  I'd love for Buell to be saved, but this one doesn't even pass the smell test.

Posted: 19/10/2009 at 16:38

@Thomas

Sure he doesn't own it, but he was/is the person in charge there and can give them all the facts they need to know if they were to buy it (organisation, revenues, etc.). He would of course be the most likely candidate to take on the role of CEO if the new spin-off company were to be formed. Then they just need to make a formal bid to HD - the article never actually said that they were going to ask to buy it from Erik Buell.

Posted: 19/10/2009 at 19:42

  If I remember correctly Erik Buell still owns 2% of the company and if HD was given the chance to get back some green for the East Troy plant instead of a total wash I think they would be willing to help Erick and the town keep the dream alive.  At least I hope so.

Posted: 19/10/2009 at 20:03

Thomas Reimel, you can't be serious!! You may be right but the reality is that everything is for sale - at the right price.

I am 100% positive that if someone was to present a win-win deal to HD for Buell, the deal would happen.

Hell, no one would ever have thought Anhueser would be a euro company but yet, the shortsighted stock and bond holders sold it off for a song. Buell could be the least of things and HD itself could be on the block.

Stranger things have happened.

Posted: 19/10/2009 at 21:52

I agree with Thomas.  Erik doesn't own Buell, but more important Harley never said that it is axing Buell, but simply that they are ceaseing production.  That leaves the door open to restart production if that time ever arrives.  On the other hand Harley is outright selling MV Augusta.  I don't think the sale of Buell is on the table.

Posted: 19/10/2009 at 22:38

Erik wasn't running the company,  Flickinger was.  Harley will not let the all the technology of Buell go elsewhere.  They spent a lot of money developing and filing for those patents.

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 00:10

 HD  bought MV.  There is always a selling price.  It's just a matter of getting the deal worked out.  Providing both parties think they are gaining something from the deal.   Numerous companies have sold off their child companies during hard times.  I don't see any reason for exception here.

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 00:25

Buell was ready to break ground on a new facility in East Troy early this spring. HD killed it on the Friday before the Monday start of construction. Buell/HD ended up having to pay the developer, designer, and construction retainer in full. I knew something was up.

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 02:14

Royal Taninbaum wrote (see)

Buell was ready to break ground

...the only thing being broken on this thread is a lot of foul smelling hot air.

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 06:56

Wasn't Ducati in such dire straits that they were pretty much reduced to making motors that manufacturers such as Aprilia used?  Maybe HD could work such a deal with a new Buell, making OEM motors for Buell to use.

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 20:11

 I hope a solution can be found.I met Erik at Daytona some years ago.A man with a passion for motorcycles.Still have his badges on my "DAYTONA " coat. And a sighned poster .

Posted: 20/10/2009 at 22:56

wow this would be awsome

Buells are awesome bikes with great new technology and incredebly reliable.

Anything that would keep the company would be great news.

After all this is the ONLY Amercian sportbike company, we have to save this brand becuase of the fact we need to keep jobs in America, we need to share this great bikes with other countries that appreciate inovation and we need to leave somethign for future generations to be proud off.

thanks to any group of people that belive in thsi great brand.

Posted: 21/10/2009 at 04:12

If buell is sold so are the patents, unless there is some sort of agreement in the sale for HD to keep them. This is because the patents are liscensed under Buell not HD and most were even patented before HD had controll of the company.

Posted: 21/10/2009 at 17:10

I have the patents for the translucent body panels for the XB I was thinking there was more involved in the copies I have than that.  Ho hum however this particular patent was assigned to BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY not HD and on the 3rd of June 2007.  hmmmmmmmm  What I make of that I dont know!!!!!

Posted: 21/10/2009 at 19:35

I was shocked to hear that it has been axed.Racing brings in new buyers.Win the AMA championship,the first by an American company in how many years,then find out you are no more?Typical American corporate mentality rules again.The Motor Company spent  70m to buy a high end company and cater to a wealthy status conscious client instead of a hard working 20 to 30 something with a great affordable product sounds about right to me.I would love to see it come back.Triumph was a dead company twenty years ago and look at it now.How many times is Indian going to die?KTM,Bimota,Triumph and Can Am are all boutique builders by todays standards but are alive and thriving bulding great products under 20k.If there is a takeover and buy out then I am sure there will be legal battles of David and Goliath proportions with the only winners being the lawyers on Goliaths side.I would love to see Buell stay alive,move to the south like Charlotte or Daytona.I would be in line to be the first to risk my money to buy the stock for the new company too.BRING IT ON!

Posted: 22/10/2009 at 23:22