How Motorcycle Designer Erik Buell Got His Vroom Back, Post Harley-Davidson The trailblazing entrepreneur followed up a disastrous collaboration by launching a new company, a showcase for innovative racing bikes. But can it get the funding it needs?

Trailblazing motorcycle designer Erik Buell followed up a disastrous collaboration with Harley-Davidson by launching a new company, a showcase for innovative racing bikes.

Now his lightweight, high-style "crotch rockets" are riding away with international competitions and legions of global fans. But can a tiny American producer of a premium product get the funding it needs to survive in a mass-produced world?

A powerful sport bike is like a Ferrari on two wheels--a symbol of freedom, danger, beauty. For Erik Buell, it stands for something else, too: rebirth.