Buell Motorcycle Company [SEP] founder
Erik Buell


Erik F. Buell (born April 2, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is the founder, former Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of the Buell Motorcycle Company, which eventually merged with Harley-Davidson Corp. Buell is a pioneer of modern race motorcycle technology. Buell is also the founder of Erik Buell Racing. Buell was raised on a farm in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, and learned to maintain machinery at a young age. In his teens, Buell began motorcycling. His first ride was an Italian Parilla 90cc moped. He later
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Erik Buell


his house as the 'Buell Motorcycle Company' in which Harley-Davidson invested a 51% interest. Harley-Davidson bought complete control of Buell Motorcycle in 2003, and distributed all Buell motorcycles through select Harley-Davidson dealerships. Erik Buell remained responsible for the engineering and design of all Buell motorcycles. Buell led the company to create some of the most innovative, usable sport bikes under the XB series of Buell Motorcycles. Using inventions like a twin spar hollow aluminum frame to house the fuel and create chassis rigidity, a
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Harley-Davidson


when the company re-branded the training academy and started using the Harley-Davidson Street 500 motorcycles. In those 14 years, more than 350,000 participants in the course learned to ride on the Buell Blast. On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson Inc. issued an official statement that it would be discontinuing the Buell line and ceasing production immediately. The stated reason was to focus on the Harley-Davidson brand. The company refused to consider selling Buell. Founder Erik Buell subsequently established Erik Buell Racing and continued to manufacture
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Buell 1125R


The Buell 1125R is a sport bike that was made by Buell Motorcycle Company in the United States. It was introduced in July 2007 for the 2008 model year. Production of road-going 1125Rs, and all Buell models, ceased in October 2009. In November 2009, Buell founder Erik Buell launched Erik Buell Racing, which initially produced race-only versions of the 1125R. The 1125R is powered by a Helicon V-twin engine made by BRP-Powertrain (Rotax) of Austria. The liquid-cooled engine has a
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Buell Motorcycle Company


hosted events around the country. Buell discontinued BRAG in 2006, stating the changes would improve, "the privileges and ownership experience for all Buell owners more than ever before." In 1998, Harley-Davidson bought a majority stake and took control of Buell Motorcycle Company, and the company became a subsidiary. Since then, Buell has used modified Harley-Davidson engines, primarily from the Sportster, to power its motorcycles. Most Buell motorcycles use four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines, originally built for XR1000
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Buell Motorcycle Company


The Buell Motorcycle Company was an American motorcycle manufacturer based in East Troy, Wisconsin, and was founded in 1983 by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell. Harley-Davidson acquired 49% of Buell in 1993, and Buell became a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson by 2003. On November 17, 2006, Buell announced that it had produced and shipped its 100,000th motorcycle. On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced the discontinuation of the Buell product line as part of its strategy to focus on the
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Erik Buell Racing


Buell founded Erik Buell Racing in November 2009 following the shutdown of his previous company, Buell Motorcycle Company, by parent company/majority stakeholder Harley-Davidson. Erik Buell Racing's first efforts were directed toward production of complete, race-only motorcycles and parts based on the Buell 1125R production model, under license from Harley-Davidson, to support privateer racers. On July 1, 2013, Hero MotoCorp, a motorcycle manufacturer based in India, acquired 49.2% stake in the company for $25 million. The two companies
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Erik Buell Racing


Buell's consulting business. Belfer stated his intention to work with company founder Erik Buell to re-establish the business as soon as possible, including a manufacturing base in East Troy where Buell previously employed 130 people producing high-end motorcycles. The deal failed as Belfer was unable to secure financing for the $2.25 million purchase price, and the official receiver filed to re-sell the assets in a new round of bidding, so the remnants of Erik Buell Racing returned to auction on December 10, 2015. The auction
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Buell Motorcycle Company


Harley-Davidson brand. The last Buell motorcycle was produced on October 30, 2009, bringing the number manufactured to 136,923. In November 2009, Erik Buell announced the launch of Erik Buell Racing, an independent company run by Erik Buell which initially produced race-only versions of the 1125R model, then subsequently offered an updated 1190RS model for the street or the track, and is currently producing a further improved 1190RX model which is also intended for street or track use. The first Buell motorcycle, the RW750, was built
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Harley-Davidson


-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley on June 1, 2006. It opened in 2008 and houses the company's vast collection of historic motorcycles and corporate archives, along with a restaurant, café and meeting space. Harley-Davidson's association with sportbike manufacturer Buell Motorcycle Company began in 1987 when they supplied Buell with fifty surplus XR1000 engines. Buell continued to buy engines from Harley-Davidson until 1993, when Harley-Davidson bought 49 percent of the Buell Motorcycle Company. Harley-Davidson increased its share in Buell to ninety
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Buell Blast


The Buell Blast is a motorcycle that was made by the Buell Motorcycle Company from 2000 to 2009. The Blast was conceived as an entry-level motorcycle to attract newcomers to motorcycling in general and to Harley-Davidson in particular. As such, the design goals were low cost and ease of operation and maintenance. Steps to achieve these goals include the use of an automatically tensioned belt final drive, self-adjusting hydraulic valve lifters, and a carburetor with an automatic choke. The engine design was borrowed from Harley's Evolution
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Buell Motorcycle Company


"too big, too heavy, too expensive and too late" for Buell. Harley-Davidson forced Buell to follow the rigid product planning and distribution process beginning in the 1990s, with the philosophy that Buell was the starter brand, and customers would eventually trade up to a Harley. By 2008, Harley's credit arm, Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), was struggling, and the lower resale value of Buell motorcycles meant that new bike sales were significantly affected. When Harley CEO Keith Wandell was hired,
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Buell Motorcycle Company


focus more on the Harley-Davidson brand. Selling Buell was not legitimately considered, as Harley didn't want their Harley dealerships to sell an outside brand, and Harley didn't feel Buell had much value without the dealer network. In a news release on the Buell website the same day, company officials thanked customers, employees, and dealers for "an unforgettable ride". Closing the Buell brand was estimated to cost Harley approximately the same as their total investment in Buell over the past 25 years. Erik Buell immediately began
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Buell Motorcycle Company


centralized with some models featuring a computer-controlled valve to switch between two exhaust paths as necessary to maximize torque. Buell designs focus on providing good handling, comfortable riding, easy maintenance, and street-friendly real-world performance. Buell motorcycles were engineered with an emphasis on what they called the "Trilogy of Tech": mass centralization, low unsprung weight, and frame rigidity. Buell engines were designed to be street-friendly both in fuel efficiency (up to with the Blast), and in torque (the
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Buell Motorcycle Company


due to the significantly higher price. Buell introduced the XB frame in the 2002 Firebolt XB9R sportbike. The Firebolt XB12R was introduced in 2004 and was initially sold alongside the smaller displacement Firebolt XB9R. The Lightning came in 2003 and was marketed by Buell as a streetfighter motorcycle. The XB9 engines had a displacement of , and the later XB12 engines had . The XB12 engine had a longer stroke of compared to that of on the XB9. The cylinder bore size between both engines was identical at . The Buell Ulysses XB12X debuted in July
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Erik Buell Racing


's website indicates that the company is establishing a new dealer network to sell the newly produced motorcycles. The first focus of Erik Buell Racing, the 1190RR was an upgraded and restyled version of the Buell 1125R. Used for professional racing in several race classes, the bike has been a part of several race and championship placings. In June 2011, Erik Buell Racing officially announced their first street model, the EBR 1190RS, a sport motorcycle with a 1,190 cc (72.6 cu in) 72° V-twin engine delivering . Released
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Buell Motorcycle Company


in 1983 purely for competition in the AMA Formula 1 motorcycle road racing championship. At that time, Erik Buell was a top contending privateer motorcycle racer. After completion of the first two RW750 racing machines, one of which was sold to another racing team, the Formula 1 series was canceled. Erik Buell then turned his focus towards racing-inspired, street-going machines using engines manufactured by Harley. In 1987 Rockville Harley-Davidson in Rockville, MD (now District Harley-Davidson / District Cycles, formerly Battley Harley
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Bubba Blackwell


Bubba Blackwell is an American stunt performer and motorcycle jumping world record holder who is sponsored by and promoted by Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Prior to his association with Harley-Davidson, Blackwell was sponsored by the now-defunct Buell Motorcycle Company (Buell was partnered with Harley-Davidson Motorcycles before becoming defunct in October, 2009). Blackwell is best known for breaking Evel Knievel's jump record for buses using a Harley-Davidson XR-750 flat-track racing motorcycle. Bubba Blackwell began his career on April 26, 1998, when
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Buell Motorcycle Company


-Davidson / Battley Cycles in Gaithersburg, MD) became the world's first Buell dealership and the owner, Devin Battley has Buell #1, an RR1000 in his personal collection. In 1993, Harley-Davidson purchased 49% of Buell, investing $500,000 and taking Erik Buell's house as security. Erik Buell took the deal, against strong advice from his attorney. Harley-Davidson CEO Jeffrey Bleustein had bought it as a skunkworks development. In 1994, Buell created the Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG) which
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Erik Buell Racing


Erik Buell Racing (EBR) is an American motorcycle sport company which produces street and racing motorcycles, based in East Troy, Wisconsin, USA. The business entered receivership in April 2015. After two previous attempts, the business remnants were sold in January 2016 to Liquid Asset Partners (LAP), an American organization specializing in the purchase and liquidation of failed businesses. Liquid Asset Partners kept the company intact and motorcycle production resumed on March 1, 2016, the first new model rolling out on March 17, 2016. Erik
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Buell Motorcycle Company


Swedish manufacturer Öhlins, and the wheels were made of magnesium. It was the first model using the ZTL2 eight-piston caliper by Nissin. In 2009, Buell announced production of the 1125RR, also a race-only motorcycle. The bike was internally called the B2, aimed for the supersport market. Built from the 1125R, the 1125RR changes include a titanium exhaust, magnesium wheels, full fairings and a chain drive. On September 9, 2009, Buell won its first AMA Pro racing championship. Rider Danny Eslick clinched
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Buell Motorcycle Company


he immediately questioned why Harley even owned Buell. Wandell, who had never been on a Harley before being hired, was heard talking about "Erik's racing hobby", and questioned "why anyone would even want to ride a sportbike". He organized a team to analyze "the adrenaline market", and concluded that sportbikes would encounter high competition and low profits, while cruisers had high returns. On Thursday, October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson Inc. announced the end of production of Buell Motorcycles in order to
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Erik Buell


smuggled Erik Buell onto a cruise ship for the Harley-Davidson annual dealer's meeting. Battley told Harley-Davidson then-CEO, Vaughn Beals, that Buell could give the company a performance image with no risk to Harley. They set up a table for Buell to speak with dealers; by the end of the cruise he had deposits and orders for 25 motorcycles. Attendees such as Bill Bartels, Don Tilley, Devin Battley and Frank Ulicki later become some of Buells most successful dealers. In the 1990s, Buell reformed
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Buell Motorcycle Company


1,203 cc version produces ). They are also simple and easy to maintain. Most Buell two-cylinder engines utilize computer controlled ducted forced air cooling (variable speed fan that only activates as required), two valves per cylinder, a single throttle body, zero maintenance hydraulic valve actuation, and zero maintenance gear-driven cams. The RW 750 was a development of the Barton Formula One racing motorcycle. Buell bought the parts and tooling from the failed Barton concern and developed the RW 750 for his own use and for sale
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Buell Motorcycle Company


most expensive development project Buell undertook. Because the engine was overpriced, it ended up making money for Harley while losing money for Buell. It was regarded as a technical success. In July 2009, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Blast would no longer appear in their line-up. The ad showed a Buell Blast being destroyed in an automobile crusher. The XB powertrain still had its roots with the Harley Sportster powertrain and was designed for both projects. Unfortunately, it was designed by Harley with minimum input from
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Motorcycle wheel


dry. Buell Motorcycle Company introduced a rim-mounted "zero torsional load" disc brake that was claimed to reduce unsprung weight in the wheel-brake system, including lighter wheel spokes that carried no braking load. This style is generically termed a "perimeter brake" for its point of attachment to the wheel, and had been used in smaller numbers by other manufacturers before Buell. They can rarely be found on custom motorcycle spoked wheels. Exotic wheel technologies like hub-center steering and the centreless wheel have not gained wide
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Buell Motorcycle Company


Sportster. After these were depleted, a basic 1200 Sportster engine was used. In 1995, the engines were upgraded with Buell engineered high-performance parts and further upgraded in 1998. The liquid-cooled Harley V-Rod motor, developed by Harley-Davidson then made street legal according to the EPA by Porsche, was originally an Erik Buell project, designed for a fully faired AMA Superbike Buell by 1998. Harley decided the engine should also be used in a sport-cruiser, then took over development, making it
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Buell Motorcycle Company


looking for outside buyers, finding BRP (who owns the Austrian Rotax engine manufacturer BRP-Powertrain) a good choice, especially since Harley would have to pay Rotax "an eight-figure sum" for the 1,125 cc engine contract. Erik Buell later founded Erik Buell Racing to provide support for 1125 and XB privateer race efforts. Buell XB models also incorporated the industry's first Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) perimeter floating front disc brake system, a patented "inside-out" wheel/brake design that puts the brake
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Bubba Blackwell


his custom Harley-Davidson Super Glide. The burn-outs often end with the rear tire of the motorcycle blowing. Toward the end of the Buell sponsorship, Blackwell toured with "Team Bubba", which included two other stunt riders other than himself performing stunts on the Buell motorcycles. However, with the liquidation of Buell Motorcycles, Blackwell exclusively performs stunts with the Harley-Davidson twin-cam engine motorcycles and jumps on the Harley-Davidson XR-750. On March 10, 2014, Discovery Channel premiered the television show,
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Buell Motorcycle Company


in the same class as Japanese sportbikes. Erik Buell agonized over this, saying "it's not about listening to the voice of the customer." "Cycle World" magazine said the 1125R was "a bit of an oddity." The bike was initially released with a crude spark map, leading to criticism of the bike at low speeds. The Rotax Helicon also ended up costing significantly more by production time due to fluctuation in exchange rates. For the 2009 model year, Buell introduced the 1125CR, a version of
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Buell Motorcycle Company


, and that the inertia of having the weight further out on the rim, and the heat generation near the tire, were not negative factors, based on testing. Askenazi concluded that testing and race track experience had proven the ZTL to be "state of the art." Other industry innovations introduced by Buell in the XB lineup were the "fuel in frame" technology, and the dual use of the swingarm as an oil tank. Also, all Buell models have a muffler mounted below the engine which helps keep mass
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Buell Motorcycle Company


the 1125R in the cafe racer style. This was done in response to customer feedback, which said the 1125R wasn't what was wanted, and causing Buell to shelve plans for a Streetfighter, going for a cafe racer instead. The 1125CR has a longer swingarm, a longer wheelbase and a shorter secondary drive ratio. Buell also produced a limited series of 50 XBRR (, ) racing-only machines for factory-backed and privateer racing teams. The XBRR frame was a XB1/XB2 hybrid, the suspension came from
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Erik Buell Racing


as a 2012 model, only 100 are to be made. On 16 October 2013, Erik Buell Racing officially unveiled their first production motorcycle, the EBR 1190RX. Like the previous 1190RS, the 1190RX is a sport motorcycle with 1,190 cc (72.6 cu in) 72° V-twin engine, but delivering and 101.6 lb-ft (peak) of torque. On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, Erik Buell Racing officially unveiled their next production motorcycle, the
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Harley-Davidson


-eight percent in 1998, and to complete ownership in 2003. In an attempt to attract newcomers to motorcycling in general and to Harley-Davidson in particular, Buell developed a low-cost, low-maintenance motorcycle. The resulting single-cylinder Buell Blast was introduced in 2000, and was made through 2009, which, according to Buell, was to be the final year of production. The Buell Blast was the training vehicle for the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge New Rider Course from 2000 until May 2014,
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Devin Battley


an RR1000 Battletwin, in his private collection. In 1987 Battley smuggled Buell onto a cruise ship for the Harley-Davidson annual dealers' meeting. Battley told Harley-Davidson then-CEO, Vaughn Beals, that Buell could give the company a performance image with no risk to Harley. They set up a table for Buell to speak with dealers and by cruise-end he had deposits and orders for 25 motorcycles. Attendees such as Bill Bartels, Don Tilley, Devin Battley and Frank Ulicki (all ex-racers)
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Buell Motorcycle Company


to private entrants. The engine was a liquid-cooled two-stroke square four. Buell's development resulted in a more competitive racer, but production ceased when the AMA discontinued the Formula One class. The RR 1000 Battletwin was a street sportbike using a modified Road Warrior chassis and a Harley-Davidson XR1000 engine. Buell invented the "Isoplanar" engine mounting system to allow the heavy, vibration-prone engine to be used as a structural member of the frame without transmitting the engine vibrations to the frame. Lack of
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Buell Motorcycle Company


cam, liquid-cooled 72 degree V-Twin displacing 1,125 cc and producing . It produces of peak torque but varies less than of torque from 3,000 to 10,500 rpm. There is a vacuum assist slipper clutch to give predictable drive performance in hard cornering and deceleration and a six-speed transmission. The Helicon engine was developed and built by BRP-Powertrain in Austria. The design had significant Buell input and was funded through Buell's cashflow. The 1125R did not have a full fairing, as that would have put it
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Erik Buell


engines have been re-engineered with a displacement of 1190cc, with a substantial power boost to 185 hp and 102 ft/lbs. of torque. During July 2013 the Wall Street Journal reported Hero MotoCorp, a maker of high-end street motorcycles bought a 49.2% stake in Erik Buell Racing LLC, for $25 million. The remaining stake is held by Erik Buell, the founding chairman and chief executive... In 2002 Buell was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The very first (prototype) RW750
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Bubba Blackwell


was sponsored by the Harley-Davidson subsidy and his stunt shows also included the Buell Blast and the Buell Lighting. Between 2010 and 2013, Blackwell discontinued using the Buell motorcycles. However, in 2014, Blackwell returned to using the Buells in his stunt shows. One of the highlights of the stunt show was Blackwell lifting the front wheel, doing a motorcycle wheelie, on his street-legal Harley-Davidson FLHTCU outfitted with the 120 cubic inch twin cam engine. Blackwell also performs burnouts, including going through all 5-speeds of
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Buell Motorcycle Company


a seat height, the XB12XT also has wheels that are approximately lighter than those found on the XB12X, which have added mass to make them stronger for off paved road use. The XB12XP is a police model that was available for the 2009 model year. In July 2007, Buell announced the 1125R, a sport bike that departed from Buell's history of using Harley-Davidson Sportster based middle weight powertrains and tapping into the XBRR racing bike learnings. The Rotax Helicon powertrain uses four valves per cylinder, dual over-head
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Buell Motorcycle Company


up buying a bike from the dealer where they trained. The Blast came from a quick proof-of-concept at the Buell factory. It originally used half of a Sportster 883 engine. The engine ended up 80 percent over budget and very expensive compared to the higher-technology Rotax engines available from outside the company. "Cycle World" wrote "Such an overrun would be unheard of from an outside supplier, but when your supplier also owns you, you grin and bear it." The Blast was ultimately the
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Buell Blast


Sportster engine with the rear cylinder eliminated. The plastic bodywork pieces of the Blast were made from Surlyn, a substance used to make the outside of golf balls, to protect the surfaces when the Blast is dropped, and the color is molded-in. The Blast was used in Harley-Davidson's Rider's Edge New Rider program, a similar course to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic "RiderCourse". In July 2009, prior to ceasing all motorcycle production, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Buell Blast
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Pro Stock Motorcycle


his death in 1998. The category was mostly dominated by Suzuki GS powered machines until the introduction of the Buell and the Harley-Davidson V-Rod. The V-Rod debuted in 2002 and the Buell debuted in 2003. From 2004 to 2012 the Vance and Hines V-Rod was arguably the most dominant motorcycle in the class. Andrew Hines won three championships and Ed Krawiec won two, utilizing the V-Rod. Suzuki and Buell team owner George Bryce was an outspoken critic of the V-Rod's set
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Fischer Motor Company


Davidson and Michael Jordan Motorsports contractor Gemini Technology Systems for frame development, and various companies related to US-based heavy equipment and automotive suppliers for other components. The original platform is based upon a 1990s era Grand Prix chassis. In contrast to Buell Motorcycle Company, Fischer intended not to "reinvent the wheel" with any radical design concepts, but to "just take existing technology and fine-tune it," Fischer told "Cycle World" in 2003. Styling for the new motorcycle was done by British designer Glynn Kerr
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Buell Motorcycle Company


Buell. A turbocharger was to be sourced from Aerocharger to help pump the XB horsepower to , but the Aerocharger supplier deal fell through when Harley-Davidson decided to engineer one in house. That project was a failure, despite "millions of dollars" spent. Before the first XB was sold, the cost was well over the target, leading to a sales price increase from the original price of $7,995 to $9,995. It was a popular bike, but never sold at Harley marketing department's expected volume, partly
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Erik Buell


2009, amid the economic crisis, Harley-Davidson announced that production of Buell motorcycles would cease on October 30, 2009. In November 2009, after being dropped by Harley-Davidson, Buell launched Erik Buell Racing. The firm produced and supported race-only versions of the Buell 1125R. His most recent creations, now unrestricted by Harley-Davidson, the EBR 1190RS, the 1190RX and the 1190SX. The 1190 models are powered by the similar water cooled, 72 degree V-twin that powered the Buell 1125. The
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Buell Motorcycle Company


and Buell's Director of Analysis, Test & Engineering Process, Abraham Askenazi, Parker conceded the ZTL system's advantage in unsprung weight. But he pointed out the remaining weight is located further out on the rim where it is most detrimental to acceleration and braking, and that there were potential heat transfer issues, and the need for one fork leg to be stronger than the other. Responding, Askenazi disputed all of Parker's criticisms, saying the ZTL system was 30% lighter than the brakes on the Suzuki GSX-R1000
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Buell Motorcycle Company


space caused Buell to put the suspension components under the engine. The linkage caused the spring and the shock absorber to extend when the wheel went up. Variations on the RR 1000 Battletwin include the RR 1200 Battletwin (1988–1990), the RS 1200 Westwind (1989), the RS 1200/5 Westwind (1990–1992) and the RSS 1200 Westwind (1991). Two-seater with Road Warrior-based chassis and Sportster engine. The S2T Thunderbolt (1995–1996) was a touring version, with saddlebags. The S2 was very
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Buell Motorcycle Company


expensive to develop (around $100,000), and 1,399 units were sold in the first year—well over the 300 units Buell had projected. The S1 Lightning was a more fundamental sportbike than the S3 Thunderbolt and M2 Cyclone that it was marketed alongside and the production on this model was stopped at 5000 after only 3 years. Variants of this version of the Lightning were the S1 Lightning (1996/1997/1998) and the S1W White Lightning (1998). The S1W came with a larger tank and "Thunderstorm" cylinder heads which
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Buell Motorcycle Company


accessories for the standard S3 model. The M2 Cyclone was produced from 1997 to 2003. It was in the middle of the Buell line up between the puristic S1 Lightning and the more comfortable but heavier S3 Thunderbolt. The S1 Lightning was faster and lighter than the others but had a very narrow seat. The S3 Thunderbolt was a touring bike that had a wider seat and more comfortable riding position, but was also heavier. The M2 Cyclone filled the gap between the sport and touring models with a bigger seat than the S1
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Buell Motorcycle Company


Lightning and lighter and faster than the S3 Thunderbolt. The M2 was only available with the 1,203 cc engine and five-speed transmission. The frame was tubular CrMo steel. The Blast was Buell's only model to use a single-cylinder engine. With displacement and dry weight, it was their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools. This filled Harley CEO Jeff Bleustein's idea of having a make-specific training bike, since many students end
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Buell Motorcycle Company


2005. It had seating, ergonomics, and long-travel suspension that are suited for use on unpaved and rough roads. Buell advertised the Ulysses as "the world's first adventure sportbike." For 2008, among other changes, XBRR oil pump and ignition timing systems have been changed tapping into the XBRR race bike as well as the addition of heated grips and increased turning fork swing from 54° to 74°. The Ulysses XB12XT differs from the Ulysses XB12X in several areas. It has a different front fender,
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Erik Buell Racing


Tech and Porsche Design Group) and to former employees for unpaid wages. Liquid Asset Partners stated an intention to try to find a buyer experienced in motorcycle manufacture to re-establish the business. Liquid Asset Partners has kept the company assets intact and indicates they will continue to do so until a buyer or major investor can be found. Motorcycle production resumed on March 1, 2016 and the first new motorcycle, a limited edition "Stars and Stripes" themed 1190RX rolled off the assembly line on March 17, 2016. EBR
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Joachim Levy


a film about the street artist Banksy. In 2007 Levy became vice president of Six Point Films, working together with the double Oscar-winner Branko Lustig. Additionally he worked as director and film editor on a documentary about Buell Motorcycle Company, entitled "Buell The Documentary", for Los Angeles based Emmy Award winner and producer Steve Natt. In 2012, Levy developed The Bank, a comedy drama series about soccer and glamor, starring Paz Vega, Rasha Bukvic, Gary Dourdan, Philippe Reinhardt. A few months later,
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Erik Buell


attended the University of Pittsburgh. Buell raced motocross before becoming interested in road racing in his early 20s. He became a part-time road racer on a Ducati in the AMA 'Superbike' class and a Yamaha TZ750 in 'Formula One', despite the aging race program at Yamaha. During this period, Buell was employed as a motorcycle mechanic during the day and engineering student taking night classes at the University of Pittsburgh. After receiving his degree in engineering in 1979, Buell took a job at Harley-Davidson after
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Arcee


in a robotic race, she was dropped from the script and replaced with Ironhide. Before she was dropped, her alternate mode was slated to be a Buell Firebolt motorcycle; concept art by Ben Procter can be seen on his website. Even though Arcee was not in the movie, a motorcycle was used by Captain William Lennox to attack Blackout (although the bike was an Aprilia RSV 1000 R rather than a Buell). Arcee was also initially set to battle Blackout in the movie. According to the Hasbro 2007 movie toy
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Shawn Higbee


Shawn Higbee (born 1970 in Jamestown, New York) is an American professional motorcycle racer in the AMA Daytona and Superbike Series. He also races with the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (Rosamond, CA). Currently riding as a privateer (a self-financed racer), he rides both the Daytona and Superbike classes on the same, near-stock Buell 1125R. Racing accomplishments: 1994 - AMA Harley-Davidson Twinsport Champion 1996 - 4th in AMA Superbike at Pomona, CA; 1997- NASB Buell Lightning Champion,3rd in Macau International
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Motorcycle braking systems


bores externally with the holes created plugged after assembly. This type of caliper design has been used extensively by Yamaha on a wide range of models from its flagship Yamaha YZF-R1 to the more budget Yamaha FZS600 Fazer. Monobloc Brembo first used on the Ducati 1098. Buell Motorcycle Company introduced a rim-mounted "zero torsional load" disc brake that was claimed to reduce unsprung weight in the wheel-brake system, including lighter wheel spokes that carried no braking load. This style is generically termed a "perimeter brake"
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Erik Buell


he went to Milwaukee, WI to obtain an interview and "beat my way in the door," as Buell put it. While at Harley-Davidson, he was involved with concept motorcycles, Porsche-designed "Nova" V-four program, and was responsible for stability and refinements to the chassis design of the FXR series of cruisers, noted for their rubber-mounted engines. Buell used his racing experience to personally test Harley-Davidsons beyond normal riding limits, and implemented an electronic chassis testing regime at H
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Erik Buell Racing


announced that EBR will distribute Hero motorcycles and scooters in North America starting in the summer of 2014. On April 15, 2015, Erik Buell Racing filed for receivership, with a reported $20 million of liabilities, and ceased all operations including closing down their website. On August 7, 2015, it was announced that Bruce Belfer, an engineer from New Jersey with a background in metal fabrication, had agreed to purchase Buell's manufacturing assets for $2.25 million, while Hero MotoCorp. of India paid $2.8 million for
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Police motorcycle


For the 2009 model year, Harley-Davidson offers the Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide, the FLHP Road King, the XL883 Sportster and the new XB12XP Buell Ulysses Police motorcycle. The FLHTP Electra Glide and the FLHP Road King are also offered as Fire/Rescue motorcycles. The LAPD drew nationwide attention in June 2014 when they added the Zero Motorcycles MMX stealth electric motorcycle to its fleet. The motorcycle was praised over the traditional bulky Harley-Davidson and BMW bikes for its stealth, low operational costs, immediate tactical advantage
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Devin Battley


Devin Battley (born August 31, 1950, in Arlington, Virginia) is an American businessman known for his involvement with motorcycles as a racer and as a dealer. From an early age, Battley enjoyed racing motorcycles and participated in many national championships. He helped to orchestrate Harley-Davidson's interest in Buell motorcycles, and he sold motorcycles to King Hussein of Jordan and Mike Tyson. From 1981 to 1984, Battley raced in the "Battle of the Twins" (later, "Pro Twins"), part of
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Susie Tompkins Buell


Washington Post" published a story about the Democracy Alliance, calling it an "exclusive donor club" for progressive donors and identifying Tompkins Buell and her husband Mark Buell as members. Tompkins Buell held a fundraiser for David Brock's Media Matters at her San Francisco home. A foundation that bears her name gave money to Media Matters through the Tides Foundation. Buell along with George Soros and other Democracy Alliance members John R. Hunting; Paul Rudd (co-founder of Adaptive Analytics); Pat Stryker; Nicholas Hanauer; ex-
8709552
Flying Merkel


The Flying Merkel was a motorcycle of the American company Merkel in Milwaukee, which relocated later to Middletown, Ohio. The motorcycle was produced from 1911 to 1915. The founder of the company, Joe Merkel, began designing engines for motorcycles in 1902, and built his own motorcycles beginning in 1903, including a one-cylinder engine with a capacity of 316 cc, which was also used in the contemporary Indian. In 1908, he set up a company under the name of Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company in Pottstown, Pennsylvania
6919316
Buell Motorcycle Company


. The S3T model then added lower fairing extensions that gave better wind protection to the rider's legs. The S3T also had hard saddlebags that could be color-matched to the bike color and were available in either "wide" for maximum storage, or "narrow" for a lighter feel. In addition to the lower fairings and the saddlebags, the S3T also came with a taller handlebar for a more upright, relaxed riding position. Each of the parts that set the S3T apart were available as
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Dorothy Richardson Buell


Dorothy Richardson Buell (1886–1976) was an American educator and nature preservationist who became the founder and first president of the Save the Dunes Council, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the Indiana dunelands along Lake Michigan. Buell led a grassroots effort to save the remaining unspoiled dunes in northwestern Indiana from industrial development. Buell's sixteen-year leadership of the Save the Dunes Council, from 1952 to 1968, preserved thousands of acres of dunelands at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which she helped to establish in 1966 as an urban park
15653441
Motorcycle testing and measurement


order. Honda describes it as curb weight (aka kerb weight) and says this means the bike is "ready to ride." Others say all fluids are included and the fuel tank is at least 90% full. Erik Buell Racing gives "wet weight (no fuel)" for the 2012 1190RS motorcycle, while KTM gives a "weight without fuel approx." The wet weight of a motorcycle includes, but is not limited to fuel, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and battery. There is
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Motorcycle components


and generally regarded as a bad idea at the time. Today it is a used on some "thumpers" (single-cylinder four-strokes) that usually have dry-sump lubrication requiring an external oil tank. It has since gained some cachet in the modern custom bike world too because of the space savings it can afford and the reference to an earlier era. Buell motorcycles employed a similar design with the oil held in the swingarm and fuel held in the frame. Modern designs have the two wheels of a motorcycle
17606996
Buell 1125R


V angle of 72° and produces a claimed , with a rpm limit of 10,500. "Motorcycle Consumer News" tested and at the rear wheel, while "Cycle World" reported @ 9,800 rpm and } @ 8,300 rpm. The two magazines reported top speeds of respectively, and times of 10.51 and 10.39 seconds at . The Helicon engine's 72° layout differs from Buell's previous V-twins, which were based on 45° air-cooled Harley-Davidson Sportster motors, modified for greater efficiency and output.
20096043
California Motor Company


The California Motor Company was founded in San Francisco to produce the motorcycle created by Roy C. Marks formerly of Toledo, Ohio. The 1896 Marks Motorcycle was the first motorcycle made in the United States. Roy C. Marks,formerly of Toledo, Ohio, created the first moto bicycle in the United States in 1896 in San Francisco. In 1901 the California Motor Company was created for the purpose of manufacturing the Marks design of motorcycle. Founder were Lewis Bill - President, J. W. Leavitt - Vice President, and J.F. Bill -
13472639
Scott Flying Squirrel


The Scott Flying Squirrel was a motorcycle made by The Scott Motorcycle Company between 1926 and the outbreak of World War II. The "Squirrel" name was used for Scott motorcycles since 1921 but with the death of the founder Alfred Angas Scott in 1923 the unorthodox Scott two-stroke motorcycles began to become more conventional. Development of the three-speed Scott Flying Squirrel began in 1922 as the company was in severe debt and faced receivership. Launched at the 1926 Earls Court motorcycle show, the Flying Squirrel was expensive - nearly twice
20607820
Lightning Motorcycle


Lightning Motorcycle Corp. is an American manufacturer of electric motorcycles. CEO and Founder Richard Hatfield started the company in 2006 in San Carlos, California. Founder Hatfield looked to convert a motorbike to electric with lithium batteries after participating in an electric Porsche race team. Lightning Motorcycle then converted a former Yamaha R1 race bike to electric in 2006. The bike featured over 60 horsepower, about 70 pounds-feet of torque and a top speed of 100 mph. In 2008, Lightning developed a lithium battery induction motor ATV to be used for
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Buell Motorcycle Company


disc on the outer edge of the wheel, rather than at the hub. This lets the suspension function better, improving control and traction, through reducing unsprung weight on the front wheel, because only a single disc and caliper—with a corresponding reduction in bolts and brake fluid—is needed compared with the conventional dual-disc brake setup on most modern sport bikes. In an exchange in the pages of "Motorcyclist" magazine between Suzuki engineer James Parker, creator of the GSX-RADD hub-center steering system,
5777412
Ken Hill (motorcyclist)


a Kawasaki dealership in Hayward, California. Hill worked as a race mechanic for several professional motorcycle road racing teams and riders including Josh Hayes, Tony Meiring, and Chris Ulrich. He was also a test rider for Buell Motorcycles, with which he partnered in 2009 for a track day series, and a test rider for Kawasaki Motorcycles. In 2011, Hill collaborated with fellow YCRS instructor Nick Ienatsch to launch the subscription website FasterSafer.com. Hill is a contributing writer for "RoadRacing World" and "Cycle World" magazines. He
17947460
Harley-Davidson Evolution engine


they were replaced by the Delphi Electronic Sequential-Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) system. A simplified derivative of the engine was used on the Buell Blast entry-level motorcycle from 2000 to 2009. The Sportster engine as used on the Buell Blast was in most ways similar to the one used on Sportsters, albeit with the rear cylinder removed, along with other concessions to reduce overall cost and maintenance. The Evolution Big Twin saw a fifteen-year run in Harley-Davidson's Dyna, Softail, FXR, and Touring
4061395
Erik Buell Racing


magazine articles, this would have been an adventure version, based on the same platform as the 1190RX and 1190SX. A later article stated that the AX would not be based on the 1190, but would be a completely new motorcycle. In an interview with the editor of Cycle World magazine shortly after EBR entered receivership in April 2015, Erik Buell stated: "We've been working on the mainstream stuff. I can't talk about what was coming, but I will say some of it is much different than anybody would
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Excelsior Super X


The Excelsior Super X was a motorcycle manufactured by the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Company from 1925 to 1931. It was the most famous Excelsior motorcycle manufactured by that company and was the first American forty-five cubic inch motorcycle. Arthur "Connie" Constantine, Assistant Chief Engineer at the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, drew up plans for a mid-sized V-Twin to compete against the Indian Scout. When he presented the unauthorized project to co-founder Walter Davidson, he was reprimanded for wasting the company's
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Harley-Davidson Evolution engine


in pairs (front and rear) parallel to the cylinder axis as a result. This allows each lifter and pushrod to deflect from the cam lobes perpendicular to the lobe plane. This configuration is friendly to radical, high-output cams, making the Sportster Evolution a natural choice for the once Harley-Davidson owned line of Buell Motorcycle Company sportbikes from 1986 up to late 2009 (2010 model year). The Sportster Evolution engine has remained largely unchanged from 1986 to the present day, though changes to the transmission, final
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Buell Motorcycle Company


gave an extra . The X1 Lightning was the successor to the S1 Lightning line. They all used the Thunderstorm heads, fuel injection (Dynamic Digital Fuel Injection) and incorporated larger fuel tanks as well as completely different body designs. The most recognizable frame piece was the brushed aluminum tail section that swept upward and back underneath the two-up seat. The S3 Thunderbolt sport-touring model was produced from 1997 until 2003, along with a mechanically identical S3T "Touring" model that ran through model year 2000. The
5777420
Buell Motorcycle Company


1,203 cc air-cooled V-Twin engine was mounted as a stressed member in a tubular frame. The powerplant output in 1997 and jumped to in the following years due to revised cam profiles and the new Thunderstorm cylinder heads. While the bike's overall look was the same throughout the model run, there were significant changes made in 1999 that set it, and later models, apart from the 1997 and 1998 bikes. The early bikes used a rectangular section steel rear swingarm, WP Suspension front forks and rear shock,
5777421
Buell Motorcycle Company


a Keihin 40 mm CV carburetor, and a Performance Machine six-piston front brake caliper. Beginning in 1999 a new cast aluminum rear swingarm was utilized along with Showa front suspension forks and rear shock. The front brake caliper, while still a six-piston unit, was now made by Nissin. The most technological change came in the new Dynamic Digital Fuel Injection (DDFI) system, replacing the old carburetor. The S3 had a half faring that surrounded the headlight and gave decent wind protection for the rider's torso
5777422
Buell Motorcycle Company


unlike the Enduro-front fender that comes on the XB12X and lower fork protection is not as pronounced as on the XB12X, due to the intended purpose of the XB12XT which is more street than dirt oriented. Other major differences include the suspension which is completely different between the two bikes, being about an inch lower on the XB12XT and tuned more for street riding, vs. the XB12X's slightly taller and softer suspension better tuned for dirt use. Along with factory Hepco & Becker hard panniers and top box, tall windshield and
5777431
Rex-Acme


in 1899, merged with Allard, a Coventry bicycle maker, in 1902, the name remaining Rex. They enlarged the factory, and produced a range of three and four wheel cars (and their first motorcycle). In 1904 they began making motorcycles. The founders were fired by the company in 1911. In 1919 Coventry Acme was taken over, and in 1922 the two companies were amalgamated to form Rex-Acme. Wal Handley then raced Rex-Acme motorcycles, making them famous, and even became a company director
8731657
Al Buell


this period, he did a number of pin-ups for the Gerlach-Barklow calendar company. Buell also did work for several other calendar companies in the early 1940s. During World War II, Buell was rejected by the draft, so he spent the war painting a variety of popular and patriotic pin-ups for Brown & Bigelow. After the war was over, he began contributing to Esquire's Gallery of Glamour. Buell returned to Brown & Bigelow in the late 1950s. He continued to paint glamour and pin-
18005388
Fischer Motor Company


Fischer Motor Company is a US-based sport motorcycle manufacturer. Their MRX 650 is a sport bike built around a 90-degree V-twin engine and a one-piece, twin spar, aluminum perimeter frame. Alan Cathcart of "Motorcyclist" magazine in his 2006 test review, called the MRX, "the most important new American motorcycle in generations." Company founder Daniel Fischer developed the company's first motorcycle for mass-production, the MRX 650 using suppliers including an EADS (Airbus) subsidiary for engineering, Harley-
2470939
Moriwaki Engineering


Moriwaki Engineering is a Japanese manufacturer of speciality high performance products and motorcycle accessories. Mamoru Moriwaki is a Japanese motorcycle tuner, race team owner and founder of Moriwaki Engineering, a Japanese specialty engineering company that designs, manufactures and sells high performance parts for motorcycles and cars. His motorcycle industry career is closely intertwined with that of Pops Yoshimura, another respected motorcycle tuner. Moriwaki began his career as a motorcycle racer for Hideo "Pops" Yoshimura, a respected motorcycle mechanic and tuner involved in Japanese motorcycle racing. Moriwaki received no formal
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Jed Buell


became general manager of California Universal Chair Theaters. He joined Mack Sennett as a publicist and in 1930 was made director of all publicity at the Mack Sennett Studios in Hollywood. In 1937 Buell started his own production company for one of the strangest westerns of all time, "The Terror of Tiny Town" with an all midget cast. Buell recruited a troop of actors under four feet tall formerly called the Singer Midgets that Buell renamed the Jed Buell Midgets. The film was picked up for release by Columbia Pictures. Buell continued
6386269
Bubba Blackwell


support his family." After 21 years of performing professional stunt riding for Buell Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, Blackwell retired on August 15, 2015. Blackwell said of his planned retirement that he accomplishing all of his dreams and enjoyed fatherhood over stunt performing. He announced his jump the weekend of August 15, 2015 in Peoria, Illinois would be his farewell performance. Blackwell said he would follow his daredevil career with a lawn care business, but kept his motorcycles and jumpsuit and may one day return. Bubba came out
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Susie Tompkins Buell


into technical default on its outstanding loans. In 1997, CEO Jay Margolis banned Tompkins Buell and all members of her family from entering Esprit's headquarters. Also in 1997, Tompkins Buell filed a lawsuit against Esprit, seeking about $4 million in reimbursements from the company for tax payments she made after selling much of her stake in the company to investors. Tompkins Buell is often described as Hillary Clinton's soul mate. She led Clinton's fundraising efforts for 2008 in the San Francisco Bay area. In 2006, "The
8709551
Renthal


formed in 1969 by friends and motorcycle enthusiasts Andrew Renshaw and Henry Rosenthal, who are today the company's Technical and Commercial Director respectively. The company name is a portmanteau of the founders' names Renshaw and Rosenthal. The first handlebars were based upon a prototype that Rosenthal made for his trials bike from H14 aircraft aluminium that was World War II surplus material. The two founders made a tube bending machine to handle the aluminium and started small-scale production. Making motorcycle handlebars was initially a part-time job while Andrew studied
22185226
George William Patchett


George William Patchett was a British motorcycle racer and engineer. In his early career he was a motor cycle racer for motorcycle manufacturers such as Brough Superior, McEvoy and the Belgian arms company FN. At Pendine, Wales he won the Welsh TT in 1925 and the Welsh TT sidecar in 1927 on Brough machines. In 1930 he was recruited by the Czech arms manufacturer Frantisek Janecek, founder of the JAWA motorcycle company. Janecek wanted to build a cheaper motor cycle than their current model. Patchett's contacts with the Villiers company enabled
6724718
Hunter Motorcycles


Hunter Motorcycles Worldwide is an Australian motorcycle brand specialising in low-to-high capacity street and tourer style bikes. The first Hunter Motorcycle was approved for sale in Australia by the Department of Infrastructure in 2007. In 2017 Hunter Motorcycles were also approved for sale in Nepal and Indonesia. Hunter Motorcycles was started with an intention to fill a niche for good looking learner street bikes. The founder started the company as his own children came of riding age, realising there was little choice of learner-specific bikes on the market.
10758531
Erik Buell


the 1983 racing season. This delayed the development of the engine. With the stunted development, Buell's inquiry with his employer to gain engineering and financial support was declined due to reliability problems with the Barton engine. Buell then quit his job at Harley-Davidson to devote more time to his racing effort. By late 1984, Yamaha TZs were scarce (Yamaha had ceased production of the TZ series) and the competing Hondas were selling for around $30,000. Buell offered his RW750s under the 'Buell Motor Company' marque
5789989
AER (motorcycles)


AER was a British motorcycle manufacturer. The name was from the initials of the founder, Albert E. Reynolds. Based in Liverpool and his company, AE Reynolds Ltd., ceased motorcycle production on the outbreak of the Second World War. Founded in 1937 by Albert E. Reynolds, a Scott Motorcycles dealer who began producing high quality motorcycles to his own design. Reynolds had been influential in the development of a number of "de-luxe" Scott specials built between 1931 and 1934. He was disappointed that the Scott triple failed to
21662595
Adler (cars and motorcycle)


Adler was a German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer from 1900 until 1957. "Adler" is German for eagle. The Adler factory produced bicycles, typewriters, and motorcycles in addition to cars. Before World War I, the company used De Dion two- and four-cylinder engines in cars that ranged from 1032 cc to 9081 cc; beginning in 1902 (the year Edmund Rumpler became technical director), they used their own engines as well. These cars, driven by Erwin Kleyer and Otto Kleyer (sons of the company founder
12234506
Devin Battley


went on to become some of Buells most successful dealers. In 1994 and 1996 Battley sold a collection of motorcycles to Hussein bin Talal, King Hussein I of Jordan. He traveled to Jordan to deliver and test the motorcycles. While there he road across country with the King. A well publicized photo shows the King and Queen Noor riding a black, 1994 XLH1200 Harley-Davidson Sportster that Battley sold him. In 1999, Battley was interviewed on ABC's "Nightline" with Ted Koppel about his experiences with King Hussein.
13259863
Crocker Motorcycles


V-Twins). Al Crocker also produced an overhead valve conversion kit in the late 1920s for the Indian 101 "Scout". The proprietor and founder of the company, Albert Crocker, ceased motorcycle production in 1942 when the war effort put a shortage on critical materials. Indian and Harley received contracts with the US Army for military motorcycle production and Crocker received a contract with Douglas Aircraft making aircraft parts. That became a more lucrative business for Al Crocker than motorcycle manufacturing, and in 1942 Crocker Motorcycle became Crocker Manufacturing.
19772910
Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company


next decade. In 1901, a prototype and two production units of the diamond framed Indian Single were successfully designed, built and tested. The first Indian motorcycles, having chain drives and streamlined styling, were sold to the public in 1902. In 1903, Indian's co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedstrom set the world motorcycle speed record of 56 mph. In 1904 the company introduced the deep red color that would become Indian's trademark. Annual production of Indian motorcycles then exceeded 500, rising to a peak of 32,000
15980677
RetroSBK


RetroSBK, Inc. is an American company located in Camarillo, California. RetroSBK designs and builds custom and retro-inspired motorcycles. Most notably, RetroSBK-designed motorcycles are featured in the movie as the three components of Arcee. RetroSBK closed in December 2011. Its founder went on to start Motorcycle Service Centers and WKKustoms. It is a RetroSBK tradition to nickname project bikes and cars which started with Natasha - a 1995 Ducati 900SS which was completed in 1997. RetroSBK designed and produced motorcycles for "" which debuted in theaters on
1528048
Harley-Davidson Sportster


movement to a single plane, which greatly reduces vibration felt by the rider. Buell motorcycles built with variants of the Sportster engine have used a rubber mount system since 1987. The Model K, from which the Sportster evolved, was the first civilian motorcycle produced by Harley-Davidson with hydraulic shock absorbers on both wheels. Common usage calls this a K Model. This is developed from the earlier 45 W model, but with the revised flat head engine and new 4-speed transmission contained in the same castings as would become the Sportster
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