Helimot moving out of state

[gixxerjeff]

I had a Nova, once. I still feel the shame.

I raced one for a few years as a dirt-track stock car at Petaluma Speedway.
That was some of the most fun you could have with your clothes on.
I miss it.

 

[Schnellbandit]

...and that's a problem because...? If the state is going to subsidize businesses, doesn't it make sense to subsidize those that are future-proof and sustainable, rather than obsolete and polluting?

Old-school businesses, like for example oil companies, car manufacturers, and so on, get many billions of dollars in subsidies. It's awesome that CA is a little more forward-looking than other states, and subsidizing modern companies.

BTW, I have a couple different companies (LLCs), in NY and in CA. CA isn't any worse than NY for small businesses. You pay an annual fee of $600, and you pay your taxes, nothing particularly anti-business about that.

There is no such thing as futureproof. In the way we approach it, fund it, tax others to support it, "Green" isn't any more future proof or sustainable than drilling for, refining and using oil.

There is far more to running a small business than the filing fee for a LLC.

Ca is small business averse and the only way they can heap incentives on certain types of businesses is by taxing the people to submission and extracting the profits made by small businesses and giving it away to the green business of the month until they also fail, only to be swept under the carpet.

Just wait for the hard lesson Tesla is about to teach everyone when it comes to green and sustainabilty.

Without businesses like Helimots there isn't too much left. We all seem to want businesses to be part of the community, to be involved in the things we treasure, to build their families alongside ours and yet the very companies California wants to attract are the direct opposite and it will push out those that are.

 

[Killroy1999]

The most valuable thing Tesla got for moving into NUMMI was a local population of skilled, trained, experienced, and unemployed auto workers.

Yes and from reports, it should sounds like Tesla is employing about the same (6000) that NUMMI did when they closed in 2010 despite the number of robots at the Tesla factory.

Its probably a done deal, but instead of a GoFundMe for Helimot (AKA Helmet), I wonder if there are any small business BARFers that could look at the Helimot books for any ideas.

The thread is not very specific about specific issues and I wonder if it is as simple as not enough revenue problem. Does a brick and mortor store try selling on Ebay?

I did see this cherry suit on Ebay that is in a Small size for me. Too bad I just scored a $60 leather 2-piece with no damage from Craigslist.

Yes, I am not doing anything about the large image size. Embrace it.

 

[Britny]

I stopped by yesterday and got hugs and gloves.

A little history:
Helmut came to the USA from Austria in the early 80's. He packed a van with Held gloves and drove around the Bay Area visiting locals shops. There were a lot more back then.

Being a hard working immigrant Helmut started a brick and mortar store and his second spot off 13th street became a destination for local motorcyclists. The leathers produced protected some of the fastest riders in the USA. If you dared walking in you could find yourself stuck there for a while. Looking chatting, seeing friends.

Barf Racing when we got serious chose Helimot Leather, because they were the shit! Simple.

The Future:
They will not open a brick and mortar location anymore from our discussion. 30 years of living the American dream, brought so many of us amazing products, which we wore during amazing experiences. A stamp in time has been placed for so many of us.

Our history:
I remember seeing the tall Austrian guy hanging at the AFM races in the middle 80's.
His smile and accent were very engaging. After a couple hello's I became Meeeeeeester Buuuuuuudmaaaan. Always cool to say hello to him.

My most special memory is when I ended up top AFM dude in the '89 AMA National 750 supersport beating Geep Teranova to the line by 5". Of course Dave Deveaux and Mark McDaniels had to fall down for me to challenge for the top spot.. and because the Superbike races were shut down because of noise our race got bumped to 35 laps. That allowed me to get by some guys that normally would beat me and my incredibly stock GXSR because they got tired.

After coming off the track Helmut flagged me down clapping... I flipped up my visor and stopped and he said "Meeeeeeeeeeeeeesterrrrrr Buuuuuuuuuuuuuudman! I did not know you had that in you. Incredible day my friend". From that point on we became solid friends. A special memory from a special day for me.

Him making leathers, for Bobby, Andy, Berto, Siggy, Kenny, Anthony.....and me was special for sure.

And:
I look forward sitting down for dinner with them and catching up.
Hell of a run for the Kluckner's.

So:
"Meeeeester Helmut.....incredible run my friend.
Congrats to you and Linda and all the best in what life brings you beyond your journey in California. Thank you."

Silly thread.

You're a gifted writer, and I always enjoy reading your posts

 

[Archimedes]

Shame he's leaving right before we get free healthcare and free new roads. If he'd only held on for Calexit, also known as Caltopia, all his troubles would have been washed away.

 

[firstbuell]

I think I might to buy another pair of gloves. Tha last ones instigated new leathers... Like, he had them, and they fit.'

yeah, exactly the same thig happened to me -
Tuono Joice was shopping for digit condoms & I ended up with a traded-in Vanson that fit like a.....glove

of course, the very nice black-&-maroon suit didn't match the all-black Buell anywhere near as nicely as yer getup

 

[Archimedes]

I had a Nova, once. I still feel the shame.
.

I'm sure I'm alone in this, but I still love the Nova. Two door Nova hot rodded just right still holds a special weird place in my heart.

 

[Outta Control]

Shame he's leaving right before we get free healthcare and free new roads. If he'd only held on for Calexit, also known as Caltopia, all his troubles would have been washed away.

Don't forget the high-speed rail system for SoCal customers to pick up their order.

 

[Whammy]

How many third-world countries have you lived in or at least visited? California is probably the farthest away from third-world status among all the US states.

The problem is not the government taking middle-class money and giving it to poor people, it's the government taking middle-class money and giving it to rich people. Dumb trust in "trickle-down economics", and corporate control of government is what's gutting the middle class.

I have been throughout the continents Europe, Africa, the middle east, south east & south west Asia.
Is that enough for you?
I'm 99.9% sure I know what Third World is, having seen it up close.
This country of ours is headed in that direction now.
Just my opinion I know, but when you get that de ja vu feeling and you recognize where you have seen it...

Trickle down economics? is that the old school term you are rebranding it?
Don't preach about what you think you know about someone until you know where they have been.
Common sense, and maybe more dialogue with that person could save you some embarrassment.

 

[firstbuell]

I'm sure I'm alone in this, but I still love the Nova. Two door Nova hot rodded just right still holds a special weird place in my heart.

right you are, Sir !

3 weeks after my maiden AAMRR club road race, widowed Aunt Minnie drove her spankin'-new '71 307 [no smog!] Powerglide a/c Nova coupe [burnt orange with brown vinyl top] to my Ohio wedding - I immediately offered to buy it "whenever you decide to sell" [not such a brave move, as she'd traded in departed Uncle Nathan's '51 Chevy, so 20 yrs.....]

I was living in SJ when the phone rang 19 yrs later, "the stealership offered me $800 tradein on a new bowtie - you've 2 days to get that much cash to me in KY" - Mom walked the $$ over there that very day [I rewarded her with replacement $$ + an unforgettable, 2-week trans-continental bonding road trip back to Bay Area]

once I arrived at Minnie's to pick up my dream machine [only 30k-miles], its condition sure wasn't "spankin'-new" - rather, every body panel was dented/wrinkled; the paint resembled iron oxide primer; bumpers were bent, etc., yet it was ALL there [& the top in great shape]

as luck would have it, the early 90s were the heyday for late 60s/early 70s parts at Pik-&-Pull lots all over Cali, so I quickly became a dedicated junkyard hunter, tirelessly seeking straight [look - shiny!] bits to reclaim my steed - Pontiac/Oldsmobile/Buick had marketed their own Nova variants, so I also upgraded in/out/underhood well beyond OEM Chevy levels

eventually, flawless bumpers, a 10-disc CD player, & much wider tires on color-matched 15" IROC 5-spokes provided crowning glory, which lasted til the motor gave out @ 80k miles - a lo-cost, gimme-a-hand SJ engine rebuilder speced a torque cam/small 4bbl/modest Edelbrock manifold + my rebuilt heads atop a 350 big block = mo powah + better mileage to boot

both my kids were nearing driving age when I decided to off it in favor of a $1k '84 S-class Mercedes turbo-diesel, & each declined the Nova, so I sold it to a local 17-yr old & his dad for a project - their finished showpiece [paint, duals, interior, etc.] was too soon wrapped around a tree.....

years later, each kid independently informed me that they'd made a BIG mistake, turning down Great Aunt Minnie's hopped-up Nova

 

[clutchslip]

right you are, Sir !.......
which lasted til the motor gave out @ 80k miles - a lo-cost, gimme-a-hand SJ engine rebuilder speced a torque cam/small 4bbl/modest Edelbrock manifold + my rebuilt heads atop a 350 big block = mo powah + better mileage to boot
.......
years later, each kid independently informed me that they'd made a BIG mistake, turning down Great Aunt Minnie's hopped-up Nova

This is a good tale. Thank you for the story. Unfortunately, I must correct something in the telling. A 350 CI GM engine is a small block. The Nova actually was available with a big block 396 CI. Very few people actually had one of these beauties. It blew the socks off most other cars on the street. Dynos were typically above 425 hp and the two door was very light.

 

[WWWobble]

This is a good tale. Thank you for the story. Unfortunately, I must correct something in the telling. A 350 CI GM engine is a small block. The Nova actually was available with a big block 396 CI. Very few people actually had one of these beauties. It blew the socks off most other cars on the street. Dynos were typically above 425 hp and the two door was very light.

lol. right you are. i was running a 56 Chevy w a built 327 in B-gas back in the day, and my nemesis was some Pontiac station wagon with a big block. He had weight, but also torque and wheelbase. Damn, that thing FLEW off the line. Never beat him. Never even came close...

Great fun tho....

 

[firstbuell]

oops, that "big block" term was a brainfade - shouldda typed "long block"

youse sound like a classic pair of "I'm a drag racer" rowdies, steering 60s/70s lo-budget street racers sporting 'Tennessee Tilt' stance atop skinny front/wide rear tires - when pickin' @ the junkyard, I occasionally came across '327' fender emblems, which together with the more desireable '396' versions, were cheap engine 'upgrades' for the straight-6 & 307 wannabes I encountered

fellas, please note that 4' 10" Aunt Minnie wasn't The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.....
mine was a mundane [to most folks, anyway] solo exhaust daily driver, not a $$-up restomod with billet/chrome/paint & mega-HP

apart from the fresh, mild motor & being lowered 1-1/2 in., my most important mod was a Camaro front disc setup, sourced @ Pik-&-Pull - a Firebird rear disc setup + dual exhausts were the only 'performance' mods still under consideration before I sold it [paint was just too pricey]

I was commuting to Las Vagas [10 daze there, 10 daze back here], so key concerns were gas mileage, the 10-CD player, and thankfully, itz truly powerful GM a/c

1 final comment - I was also a keen mountain biker & the 'compact' Nova trunk would simply swallow my son's 24" Novara NORBA junior racer whole and my 26" Giant [Go Tomac!] MTB as well [with front wheel removed] - try that with most any 'full size' car from the '90s onward.....

 

[Junkie]

oops, that "big block" term was a brainfade - shouldda typed "long block"

you said you put your heads on it, so I think you mean short block.

 

[Killroy1999]

you said you put your heads on it, so I think you mean short block.

Off topic

 

[firstbuell]

Quote:firstbuell
oops, that "big block" term was a brainfade - shouldda typed "long block"

you said you put your heads on it, so I think you mean short block.

oops, again.....yes, shouldda typed "short block"

 

[Junkie]

Per Helmut on FB, the last day they'll be open is July 1, and they're moving to Oregon (didn't specify where).

 

[PetrieJ]

Stopped by the shop Saturday to get the lady some leather. Left with some warm feelings and a ton of awesome gear.

Surj stopped by and delivered some cookies. This community will really miss having him around.


He told me he will continue to make and sell the Buffalo Pro from Oregon.

 

[Surj]

Stopped by the shop Saturday to get the lady some leather. Left with some warm feelings and a ton of awesome gear.

Surj stopped by and delivered some cookies. This community will really miss having him around.


He told me he will continue to make and sell the Buffalo Pro from Oregon.

Good meeting you, Jared! For me, Helimot has always been the pinnacle of what's good about the motorcycling community here, and them leaving will leave a big hole behind.

By the way, here's a better shot of those cookies. My wife is a baker, and made those to say thanks to Helmut and Linda for their support and friendship. Those two really are the best.

 

[Outta Control]

Good meeting you, Jared! For me, Helimot has always been the pinnacle of what's good about the motorcycling community here, and them leaving will leave a big hole behind.

By the way, here's a better shot of those cookies. My wife is a baker, and made those to say thanks to Helmut and Linda for their support and friendship. Those two really are the best.

Surj can your wife make some that shows the BARF salute for the Jerry Brown?