Parts to assist restorations.

[mayfield]

I have restored five roadster plus one trials basket cases over a few years. My latest 25DB proved to be the most difficult through lack of available bits, I query if it because parts have dried up or being hoarded or the reluctance to manufacture replicate components because of cost and a limited market. Perhaps as members we can help each other by offering surplus parts for sale via. L/L a few items of new parts are being offered recently so hopefull signs. Regards, Les.

[Martin Howard]

I think that it is a very limited market for spare parts to be manufactured at a reasonable price. Also, as you suggest, I think that a lot of parts are lying in people's sheds, who will never use them, but also, will not sell them. Steel petrol tanks are a prime example. You can get alloy and fibre glass ones, but not steel. I have been after a pair of forks, but not had any response from the forum, or Facebook groups,so my bike is lying in the garden, while I decide what to do with it. It's a grim situation for sure, spares wise.

[Phil Hyde]

Les

i think that is a good idea. Not quite sure about the hoarding thing. More a case of too much stock for the average lifetime!

Hopefully the sales and wants section will flourish.

Phil

[John Wakefield]

I think the main issue re lack of spares is eBay. Those with parts that they used to sell via normal adverts in OBM, club magazines etc have seen the ridiculous prices being paid on eBay by a cash rich society . A classic example was a guy in Norfolk who inherited his fathers massive collection of Greeves (and other makes) bikes and parts. He put them up one by one on eBay to get maximum prices, when several GRA members approached him for parts he said he was not sure what they were worth and then put them on eBay. Where has the club spirit of 'mates rates gone'?

[Martin Howard]

John, I think if you want any parts,Ebay is the best option. Lots of things are a hotch potch of mismatched stuff, or junk, but there doesn't seem to be many parts available via the club,no leads where parts might be available it's dire. Tomorrow will be a year since there was the most users online, but it is dwindling. I log on at least 5 times every day, but, there is nothing new to read. Sad.

[mayfield]

My initial post was an aim to persuade members to offer surplus spares direct to fellow members via. the L/L sales & wanted page, Having disposed of my surplus bits to members by their contact with me via. my GRA roadster capacity. the most efficient way to circulate spares is member to member in my opinion. Thanks in advance, Les.

[johnrunnacles]

Appeals for particular parts on here do often work, Member to Member. I've responded to a few myself, always at "mates prices". Alas, my cupboard is becoming pretty bare as a consequence! Of course, GRA Members should not expect this level of service from non-Members ............. even if it does sometimes happen.

[Colin Sparrow]

Thirty years ago I had masses of Greeves spares including Challenger engines and gearboxes. Plus loads of Villiers bits. Over the years they have been used up, sold or handed on. All gone now I'm afraid. Just two Greeves machines left - 24TFS and 24SCS. So I don't respond to appeals for bits 'cos I don't have any. Just so's y'all know...

[rynner]

if anybody has an old but repairable silencer/system for my bike about their parts store i would be very interested as they seem to be so rare and unobtainable

[John macleod]

I was going to try and answer some of the question on spares but a big Tax bill arrived - OMG since when did the govt want half of next years tax bill 20/21 now ie with the current tax bill 19/20 -yikes

[350biker]

My brother specialises in unit construction BSA oif singles. He has been badly let down by people wanting parts either free or at mates rates. Where these have been provided they have often miraculously appear on EBay either as the part or on their "pride and joy" bike. So no more. Commercial rates apply or better still swap what we have for what we want/need. Sorry folks there are some nasty people out there.

[Martin Howard]

350 biker,I have seen you post that previously. I,personally am not interested in mates rates. All I am interested in is obtaining parts so that I can complete building a bike from a few parts. If I had parts that I am not going to use, as long as I got whatever price I wanted for them, I would be happy, not get bitter that they have been sold on for more money. I see it as another bike saved from being scrapped. I too have sold a bike and then seen it sold by the person I sold it to for 3 times as much, but that is the way things are. I have also been burnt by a few club members,but luckily I have also had great help from a few members.

[John Wakefield]

I think the real problem is the parts supply chain is drying up, its over 50 years since Greeves ceased motorcycle production and since then all dealer stock of spare parts of been sold on. Initially as I recall Terry Silvester bought up the majority of the factory stock,this got sold on to Villiers Services but as time goes on this new old stock (NOS) has diminished. As for second hand parts, again via the various auto jumbles etc the available stock held by others has also diminished. So what we have left now is the dross left over coming out of peoples sheds, knackered old parts that were thrown under the bench. Yes there are parts still out their with owners who have assembled a private stock, but these are the ones that are difficult to find, many with elderly owners who dont do eBay etc. Its only when someone dies that their relatives find the stuff and think they have struck gold. (like the guy in Norfolk a couple of years ago), which in some case they have. So unless parts are re manufactured the situation will get worse. The other problem is that owners today dont have the engineering skills to repair worn parts or make new ones, back in the 60's & 70's most lads leaving school would have gone into an engineering apprenticeship, as toolmakers, instrument makers, aircraft fitters etc. & gaining the skill necessary to maintain the old motor bike they had acquired for a few £'s to get to work. Nowadays apprenticeships are rare, and a University degree seems to be the normal progression after main stream schooling. Thus whilst today's classic bike owners may have the disposable income to pay for parts and or someone else to do the work, the ability to refurbish or make new parts themselves is not there.

[johnrunnacles]

Let's not overlook the sterling efforts of those who do re-manufacture vital parts, albeit a limited range, but those in particular who advertise their services in the LL magazine. Parts are available there which have been made to a very high standard and at reasonable prices.

[rynner]

i suspect that some british bike owners like to hoard spare parts that they realistically will never use,i know of one man that has 2 alloy barrels/heads and pistons but thinks he will one day use them,he is 86 years old and has not ridden his bike this century,he also has a shed full of austin 7 stuff,engines etc which is just rotting away,apparently most were driven to his barn but now completely knackered but he thinks he is sitting on a goldmine,i reckon its just a form of greed and the feeling of power that he has knowing he has something others need but he will not sell anything but will happily lead people up the garden path,