Saturday Morning Moto News - Bakker Nelis, Recalls & Buell Liquidation

Remember the Suzuki TL1000? It had a great engine, but was let down just a bit by its chassis. Well, Dutch chassis man Nico Bakker has taken the engine from that Suzuki machine and placed it a frame of his own design - it is destined to become a Triumph Speed Triple competitor, but it is a bit more expensive. Take the the link to see for yourself...

http://tinyurl.com/y97xeg2

We have heard endless articles written about the Aprilia RSV-4 engine recall...but, we have not heard much about Kawasaki's recall of their 2009 Super Sherpa KL250G9F. Apparently, there is an issue with plastic pieces - from the painting process - getting into the engine and seizing a camshaft. You need to get that one checked quick!

http://tinyurl.com/yzhzllh

Over at the former Buell plant the liquidation of the factory has now started. There were many interesting items available on the first day, but there were only a few 'great deals' available at this time. The vehicles, for instance, were all at Blue Book value. It must have been a rather sad day for fans of the marque...but some got good deals and some will get them later.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwxlue

Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News - Buell Auction and Husky

The Buell factory in Easy Troy, Wisconsin, will be auctioning off equipment from the factory and some motorcycles used for design duties - though none of them are Buells. The motorcycles are a 1999 BMW R1100RT, a 1998 KTM Dakar, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple and a 2008 KTM SuperDuke. Also available will be trucks, tools, lifts trailers and much, much more. It all starts on 28 January 2010 and will lats about a month, or until most everything sells. Get there or lose out on some great deals.

http://tinyurl.com/yb6wun7

Husqvarna is looking for more dealers in the United States. Now that they are part of BMW, the company is in great financial shape and is producing some of the most interesting, good looking and useful motorcycles in the world. I would become a dealer, but they would probably not have me. So, if you are lucky enough to be attending the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, 13 - 15 February 2010, stop by their booth and you may find yourself selling Husky bikes.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9g59q

2010 East Hare Scrambles Championship Series Schedule Released

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) today announced the dates and locations for the scheduled events in the 2010 East Hare Scrambles Championship Series. This is a HUGE series with many entrants and several championships awarded, so take the link and look up the information you are looking for...

http://tinyurl.com/yb2gpj8

PR: Events Added to Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic

The event is the return of racing for the AHRMA and will take place 11 - 13 June 2010 at, of course, Road America in Wisconsin. They have added events for motocross, cross country and trials on courses built specifically for vintage racing. It will only make your trip there more busy, but you will be busy having fun!

http://tinyurl.com/ygqeaal

The 1914 Jefferson V-Twin Motorcycle - To Be Auctioned

The Mid-America auction to be held in Las Vegas during 7 - 9 January 2010 will have many historic and rare motorcycles for sale. The 1914 Jefferson V-Twin will be one of those. It is the pinnacle of manufacture for the tiny American company as they stopped production in 1914. The machine has some advanced features for the time and was a worthy competitor in the industry...too bad that it had to end, but you may get to own one if you attend the auction!

http://tinyurl.com/yf5pw7d

The 1954 Victoria Bergmeister - Post-War Beauty

The article does not have much there, but the motorcycle is beautiful! It really does look like a miniature Moto Guzzi engine! Not much information, but a bit of education and some nice photography...It is sad that so very few of these were made - and many fewer still running. Lucky person that Cam Greguske!

http://tinyurl.com/yzzgupg

Erik Buell Starts Erik Buell Racing - Good News

It is nice to see Buell stepping away from Harley and moving back to doing something on his own. He will start by providing race-only parts for racing Buell motorcycles and will build race-spec 1125R motorcycles under license from H-D (the least they could do for him). It will, of course, be known as Erik Buell Racing and will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin. For more info, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yg7xn9k

Wisconsin Attorneys Donate to Motorcycle EMT Organization Rescue Riders

Hupy & Abraham, S.C has donated US$7500 to the group known as Rescue Riders. It is an appropriate name as they are trained emergency response personnel who volunteer their time helping out at accident scenes - actually, a volunteer medics - good people helping out all of us. OK, enough of that. Anyway, the money will go on to help train 300 more volunteers for the roads of Illinois and Wisconsin. Nice to hear some good news...

http://tinyurl.com/yfd9vkr

Is That a Silver Lining? Buell May Come Back

It is a bit far off to say for sure, but this has happened before. Now that Harley-Davidson has killed Buell, the local county where the brand was (is) based has sent a letter asking Erik Buell if he would be interested in forming an investment group to keep the brand alive. Most sources, though, say that Buell is so very integrated within H-D that it might be impossible to buy it away and start it up again. However, Erik Buell has been told things were impossible before - and that never stopped him.

http://tinyurl.com/yk2q4kf

P.S. If you are reading this and you have the ability to assist in this process, contact Mr. Buell and see if you can help out...it certainly could not hurt.

2009 Milwaukee's Riverwest Neighborhood Rockerbox Block Party

I would call it more of a 'rally' considering the number of historic motorcycles and scooters that showed up. Apparently, this is an annual gathering in the Riverwest area which is organized by a local restaurant, Fuel Café. It tends to bring in many enthusiasts from all over the Midwest US. 17 categories were judged at the event, but I do not have those results, unfortunately. At least go check out the article...

http://tinyurl.com/ykz9zv7

Man Travels the USA, Gets to Eugene, Oregon, and His BMW is Stolen!

Perhaps he should have known better, but not many people from other states understand the level of crime in the state of Oregon. (I've only been here five years and already I have had more thefts and break-ins than I experienced in my entire life before moving here.) Ian Hintz, from Wisconsin, was traveling across the great USA only to have his BMW R1200GS stolen from downtown Eugene, Oregon last night. He had his passport, money and Social Security card in a side bag on the bike when it was taken...I wish him luck in finding his ride!

http://tinyurl.com/yf6oo28

AHRMA Announces June 2010 Vintage Motorcycle Classic

Yes, I keep hearing about the rumblings between the AMA and AHRMA - not to mention the various other controversies surrounding the historic motorcycle association. However, it is still worth attending their events just to see the vintage iron racing on the track. So, in June of next year, head out to Road America for the event and have fun with your history!

http://tinyurl.com/nm4oyy