We've been reporting about Erik Buell Racing, the motorcycle company, ever since Hero MotoCorp showed interest in it. However, what we didn't realise at the time was that Hero was only interested in the assets of the consulting business that the company had. When they removed said assets while financing was being got for the bidder, the banks withdrew the loans and the sale didn't go through.
Eventually, a company called Liquid Asset Partners bought it out last year and had a go at starting it up again - but didn't do much. The issue was more investment was required. Now, however, everything is up for auction: the assets as well as the brand. The sale begins on 7 June, with a live auction on 8 June. The live auction is for intellectual property and production equipment on the second of those dates, and the rest will go on sale on the previous day.
This is a sad end to what could have been a great motorcycling company - Erik Buell is one of the few who went against the grain with his motorcycle designs, opting for strange but wonderful ideas like rim-mounted brakes and even tubular frames that acted as oil reservoirs.
