| 25 Years of Buell |  | Authors: Court Canfield, Dave Gess
Publisher: Whitehorse Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
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Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 43,742
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 1884313744
Dewey Decimal Number: 629
EAN: 9781884313745
ASIN: 1884313744
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
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| • | ISBN13: 9781884313745 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
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Product Description
This book was produced to commemorate Buell Motor Company's 25th anniversary. Illustrated by hundreds of photographs from private collections and corporate archives, it covers Buell's history from inception to the present. Erik Buell is, of course, at the center of this inspiring story, but the company has thrived not just because of one energetic, visionary man, but because that man was able to inspire others around him to give 110 percent to their common objectives. This story is as much about the people of Buell as it is the motorcycles of Buell. Both, as you will learn, are remarkable.
Book Description
This book was produced to commemorate Buell Motor Company's 25th anniversary. Illustrated by hundreds of photographs from private collections and corporate archives, it covers Buell's history from inception to the present. Erik Buell is, of course, at the center of this inspiring story, but the company has thrived not just because of one energetic, visionary man, but because that man was able to inspire others around him to give 110 percent to their common objectives. This story is a remarkable one.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 25 Years of Buell --now a collector's item November 30, 2009
Kenneth J. Aiken (Vermont)
Once upon a time there were over 200 American motorcycle marquees; then there was one. In recent years several of these earlier brands were resurrected only to falter and fail while a handful of new ones were created. Buell is one of the later.
In 1993 Buell motorcycles made headlines when Harley-Davidson purchased 49% of the firm and the new company unleashed the S2 Thunderbolt. The Blast became big news in 2000 when it was released as an entry-level motorcycle for beginners. 2003 saw the introduction of the XB design with fuel in the frame (instead of a tank), oil-in-the-swingarm (instead of the engine sump), and a perimeter brake with an inside-out caliper. In 2006 it was the XB12X Ulysses, a dual-sport, long-distance hauler that received rave reviews; this year it's the 1125R with the new V-2 Helicon engine. Behind each and every one of these models lies a wealth of engineering innovations that were often developed and tested under almost Rube Goldberg conditions. The story behind their development is a splendid example of American ingenuity, entrepreneurial doggedness, and just plain surprises.
This business didn't begin with those 1993 headlines and those seeking instant fame would do well to read 25 Years of Buell. The innovations that mark these motorcycles didn't just happen and success wasn't achieved by simply having innovative ideas. It's a story about grasping opportunities, stretched purse strings, hard work and just a little bit of luck. This book is the first comprehensive look at the birth and young life of an American motorcycle company.
Erik Buell is an entrepreneur, a craftsman, and an engineer who is best known for the motorcycle that bears his name. While the man is not the motorcycle, the motorcycle is definitely the man. Therefore, some of the short insider stories regarding particular "situations" in the development of these motorcycles become an insight into the man behind them. Why the first injection-plastic part made especially for Buell motorcycles had to be created and the Tach Kit development for the M2 Cyclone are two good examples. The short story about "Mr. Cash" and the longer one regarding the 1987 Harley-Davidson Winter Dealer Cruise illustrate how opportunities were grasped, even though that of the Buell bicycle came knocking on the door. These are stories that almost any struggling entrepreneur can relate to. Gearheads will be more interested in the Buell Trilogy of Technology--unsprung weight; mass centralization; and chassis rigidity--and that of Engineering Analysis. These accounts manage to emphasize the importance of Erik Buell's vision and engineering design ideas without glorification or becoming mired in technical details. Such restraint on the part of the authors is to be commended.
Both authors have played roles in the development of Buell as a successful company. Court Canfield started the Buell Owners Group in 1990 and worked as an employee in customer service and media relations in the late 1990s. Dave Gess became involved as the company's PR agent in the mid1980s and returned as an employee a decade later in the purchasing department. Both were volunteers before becoming employees and their personal involvement in the company makes this an insiders' account of the first quarter century of the Erik Buell's motorcycle business.
The story flows nicely and keeps me engaged. The authors have not succumbed to techno jargon or delving into arcane engineering features, yet still managed to convey the innovative designs incorporated into these motorcycles. Yellow sidebars - some of these "sidebars" are full double page layouts - cover technical, production, and performance details. Photos document the history of the marquee, but many would stand on their own as motorcycle art. All the diverse elements are arranged in a pleasing format and printed on glossy paper. This is an example of how authorship and editorial layout can come together to produce a fine book.
Addendum: November 2009 Harley-Davidson announced it would be discontinuing the Buell line of motorcycles. This book therefore becomes a collector's item, telling all but the very last chapter in the history of one of the most innovative American motorcycle companies of the last half century.
 25 Years of Buell May 23, 2009
Tracy J. Roeszler (Milwaukee, WI)
I gave this book to my husband as a gift (he knows one of the authors). I'm sure we'll keep the book for years to come because he will go through it every so often.
25 years of BUELL February 22, 2009
Marvin Cohen (Kingston, Pa.)
Having been a Buell fan since 1995 and an owner since 1997, and having met both of the authors, this book brought back fine memories. The pictures were rememberances of factory visits early on. I still have my S2 Buell, currently with a sidecar attached and get to use it regularly in good weather.
 Buell Rider January 7, 2009
Eric R. Poggenburg (Wheaton, IL USA)
After scowering the internet for Buell related books and continually coming away empty handed, I was thrilled to find this book. I thought it had a significant amount of interesting facts about the company and lots of great pictures. As a Buell rider and enthusiast I enjoyed learning about the history of this revolutionary motorcycle company. Money well spent.
A must have for the true Buell rider December 16, 2008
Joel G. Landau (Austin, TX)
What an interesting and motivating story the Buell story turned out to be.
Pros:
* Interesting story
* I learned a lot about the beginning of the company I never knew about, particularly about the bicycle (see what I mean?)
Cons:
* A little short, considering all there must be to know about the company, the bike, the man.
* Discussion about the individual bikes was far too shallow
* Not much about the new breed (25R and 25CR)
Better if:
* Would have loved deeper technological insight into the design decisions
* Plans for the future (at least a hint, guys) would have piqued the interest of every single Buell pilot out there.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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