Elsewhere on this Forum, (Tool Boxes, etc.,) the topic of supply of re-manufactured parts from sources within the GRA sphere is discussed.
As an overview, the 'raison d'etre' of the GRA in many ways was to keep bikes going by encouraging the dissemination of Information and Spares. When, in the mid 80s, both individual members and commercial concerns became involved, the task was made easier. However, some of the suppliers ideas of what was marketable was questionable at the very least. Similarly, parts made by one person for their machine, didn't neccesarily fit another. Some fitments, (Pete Smith's Sidestands for example), were brilliant and soon sold out. Others didn't and left suppliers, who had had big pre-orders with an embarrasment of riches!
The GRA bought up spares and had some made. Andrew King, having access to the Factory Drawings, helped by allowing members to copy/fabricate from these. Later these passed to the GRA and are in the Archive. Often, even though the supplier did a god job, they didn't take into account the many minor changes in similar items. I had many fraught 'phone calls from purchasers who were dissatisfied in some way, I managed to sort most of these out, but right from the Start, Phil, Pete, Don, etc., and myself always ran the disclaimer in the LL just in case.
We had hoped that some major manufacturer could be persuaded to take on parts manufacture. Sadly this didn't happen, but those like Nametab and Villiers Services do a grand job with what they've got.
As ever, its caveat emptor !
As an overview, the 'raison d'etre' of the GRA in many ways was to keep bikes going by encouraging the dissemination of Information and Spares. When, in the mid 80s, both individual members and commercial concerns became involved, the task was made easier. However, some of the suppliers ideas of what was marketable was questionable at the very least. Similarly, parts made by one person for their machine, didn't neccesarily fit another. Some fitments, (Pete Smith's Sidestands for example), were brilliant and soon sold out. Others didn't and left suppliers, who had had big pre-orders with an embarrasment of riches!
The GRA bought up spares and had some made. Andrew King, having access to the Factory Drawings, helped by allowing members to copy/fabricate from these. Later these passed to the GRA and are in the Archive. Often, even though the supplier did a god job, they didn't take into account the many minor changes in similar items. I had many fraught 'phone calls from purchasers who were dissatisfied in some way, I managed to sort most of these out, but right from the Start, Phil, Pete, Don, etc., and myself always ran the disclaimer in the LL just in case.
We had hoped that some major manufacturer could be persuaded to take on parts manufacture. Sadly this didn't happen, but those like Nametab and Villiers Services do a grand job with what they've got.
As ever, its caveat emptor !
There is already a wealth of information available on here (and freely given) to help Greeves enthusiasts and covering a wide variety of topics. But for more 'in depth' help, advice and information club membership is required, and rightly so. As a direct result of support received from GRA members on this forum, many fellow enthuiasts have happily decided to become full GRA (and forum) members and access the many benefits as outlined many times over. Many have also put something back into the club fot the greater benefit of all members. The cost of membership is small compared to the benefits, especially if someone is new to Greeves or classic motorcycles in general.
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