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You're right, I apologize for misreading your statement.

I would avoid the hardware store for stuff like that, because I'm never sure the hardness is correct from what I need. There is a fair amount of pressure on those 4 bolts, and tolerance/hardness is important. Expensive bolts holding spinny things together are often worth every penny.

Are the screws different than the previous Team secondary? I have both, but it never actually occurred to me that they could be different. I'm in the Rochester area about every other month now and it'd be fun to stop in Cannon Falls to see the BDX guys. Or, maybe I need to put together an order... better go check out their web site...

Yeah, and every time I've driven by there it's unsettling. First of all, I remember Bob's Small Engine in PI and miss those small dealerships who didn't have to look on a parts diagram when you came in with a question. But, I was also in the floorplanning business and developed an involuntary reflex any time I saw way too much inventory for the size of the dealership - I don't see an asset, I see money owed to a finance company.

And, it was the dirt side that Textron actually wanted, right? Now that they ran the dirt side into the ground, I sincerely hope Textron sells the entire thing to someone who will appreciate it more and actually commit to the brand.

This doesn't feel like they're tightening up the financials to get ready for a sale. It feels more radical than that. Cutting technical people also makes it feel like they aren't planning to be around much longer. Maybe I'm wrong, because I can imagine that Textron is riffing people to make the sale more attractive to a prospective buyer, but it doesn't feel that way to me. Things aren't looking much better at Polaris, but at least they're committed to the industry, where Textron isn't.

On my bucket list is to be at Split Rock Lighthouse when they light it up.

Call Thunder Products Clutching. Everyone else was stuck at higher elevations last year and needs a good season to get their flatland kits right. But, Thunder Products have a setup that's pretty dialed in - they did a lot of work with the racers last year and are well ahead of the aftermarket. Before you decide to wait, give them a call and actually talk to them in person to see what they can do right now. I don't have a relationship with them and have nothing to gain by recommending them, other than just trying to help you. 906-484-1650 sales@thunderproductsclutching.com

Can everyone please go out and buy a new Polaris out of dealer inventory? The share price of my Polaris stock is slipping......

$3,000 rebate on a T-cat is really tempting! I still kick myself for not buying a 2020 during the Snowmageddon, they were practically giving them away.

True - might not be anything more than bad luck followed by more bad luck. One the other side of the coin, it could be an overall decline in business, maybe one business siphoning money from the other one (very common, even if businesses are separate LLC's but still owned by the same person). Then, a mystery fire started to get insurance money to cover the losses of the other business.... The Coen Brothers could make a great movie with that story. I wouldn't assume the worst, but don't be surprised. It's sad either way.

I spoke with Terry from Thunder Products Clutching at Hay Days and was very impressed. They did probably more flatland testing than anyone else. I would recommend giving them a call. Don’t even bother with their web site, calling them is much better. @EBEAR - I agree on your assessment of the other vendors. I have no doubt they will give customers their best effort, but all except TPC have been hurt by lack of snow for testing.

I'm kinda surprised that people like that don't realize bankruptcy protection might be an option. Seems like that dealership location has struggled to make a profit for a long time - nobody burns down a business when it's profitable (unless connected to organized crime). Small business owners are a unique bunch of people - willing to take risks and bet their lives, and probably for that reason also often unwilling to admit when the jig is up. I think it's a requirement for small business owners to face long odds and keep going, same with farmers. On the other hand, it's a weakness when they can't tell the difference between long odds and impossible odds. I have repossessed a lot of independent dealers, and saw this a lot.

Back in the day, when was in floorplanning, most dealers were mechanics that bought the business when the original owner retired. It never took too long to separate the ones who were good at working on machines and the ones who were good at running a business. I watched one guy dump a full days-worth of cash sales on strippers before going home to his wife and kids. That didn't last very long. 2019-21 was a great time to be in sales when they could sell everything they could get their hands on. With dealerships loaded with carryovers again, now we see who the smart ones are.

I missed them. Looks like they were at the Bikeman display and I didn't spend much time there.