Need some parts for that old Buell in the garage? Now may be your last and best chance to stock up.

We've finally reached the final stage in the Eric Buell Racing saga. Liquid Asset Partners, which bought the Eric Buell Racing assets last year, has abandoned its optimistic talk of "finding new investors" and is now living up to its name and liquidating assets. Auctions and sales begin June 7.

The LAP web site shows everything from hand tools to machining equipment to office cubicle furniture up for sale. So for those interested in stocking their businesses, you may be able to pick up some stuff on the cheap. More likely to be of interest to Common Tread readers, however, is the liquidation of parts for Buell motorcycles.

LAP says the stock of parts will be sold off through the usual parts sale channel but at reduced prices. Parts availability has to be a significant concern for anyone who owns a Buell and plans or hopes to keep riding it for the long haul.

I am sorry to see the Buell brand disappear in liquidation. I've even pondered owning one of the bikes myself, and if I found a nice XB at a reduced price and had the garage space, I'd still be tempted, just for the uniqueness and history of it. If I couldn't get parts, I could probably get Lemmy to fabricate something for me, if I hauled enough beer up Lemmy Mountain.

But let's be real. In the current U.S. motorcycle environment, anyone who has been talking about the next comeback of Buell, the company, in the past year has been more hopeful than realistic.