| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
We have a couple more years until the HD bastards cut us off from parts. I have read weeks and months of parts backorder already. What is the realistic lifespan of our bikes? Of course we have parted out bikes that might keep us going for a while longer. Are there any real-life examples of something similar from which we might be able to draw experience from? | ||
| Cataract2 |
Why do you think I have either a Super Tenere or GS1200 in my future? | ||
| Brokengq |
IMO, indefinitely. What's an 1190 engine but an 1125 punched and stroked out to 1190? And the gov't requires the manufacturer to produce parts for 10 years after the final production date. So we basically have 10 years from the final date of the 1190 series, which just started. As far as engine internals go. If your upper end goes, look into an 1190 big bore kit. It'll keep you running longer than the 1125 upper end, due to the parts being cut off in a few years. On another good note, the last date of the 1125 was 2010, which means Harley/Rotax are required to produce and sell parts until 2020. I can prove it if I can find the box from my sprag clutch. Manufacture date was May 2014. | ||
| Ljm |
Yes, well that being said, our 08's are now 6 years, almost 7 model years old. Whether they have to keep making parts, or if they want to, there are fewer and fewer out there, especially when you consider the RS, RX, SX don't share many frame, fork, other parts. Some will be adaptable, some with some work, some not at all by normal folks. I am not going to dump mine because of it, but as the years go by, I am more and more concerned. | ||
| Crowley |
The Hurley-Pugh owner and enthusiast club still have new spares available 70 years on  | ||
| Shawns |
If they want the money...They will make the parts. Possibly other aftermarket manufactures will pick up where they leave off. | ||
| Matteson |
The Z1's are still around and there are a few aftermarket options for them. I think we will be ok. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"e gov't requires the manufacturer to produce parts for 10 years after the final production date. " where is this information found? | ||
| Brokengq |
It's in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Part 49 IIRC. There is some dispute that it may have been reduced to 7 years, but I can't find any info on that. I learned it from my 11th grade shop teacher, so who knows if he was right or wrong, but he said its in the vehicle portion of the CFR's. I've had others tell me the same thing over the years, including a friend that owns a Harley shop (not dealership). (Message edited by brokenGQ on July 30, 2014) | ||
| Court |
>>>who knows if he was right or wrong I think he was wrong. I don't think there is ANY requirement. But, I've been asking to be proven wrong for over 4 years. I have a brand new 1952 American made 2-wheeler. It's showroom condition so it seldom needs anything . . . but parts are easy to get. | ||
| Jdugger |
I think keeping these bikes running for a while yet will be reasonably doable. The EBR 1190 has enough parts compatibility at least some of the problem there is solved. You might have to upgrade some whole systems -- for example migrate to the race chain drive set up if belts become unavailable -- but you will be able to keep the bike on the road. I'm somewhat concerned about the clusters. Easily broken, not so easily replaced with a 3rd party part. | ||
| Mikeymike |
Im pretty sure theres no 10 year requirement. I work in the automotive industry and routinely come across parts that's are discontinued on vehicles less than 10 years old, let alone the, being out of production for 10 years. Even if some of the parts are interchangeable from the 1190 to the 1125, as the bikes get older, how economically feasible is it to put thousands of dollars into an old bike? | ||
| Court |
>>>>Im pretty sure theres no 10 year requirement. That's the conundrum . . . .everybody is "pretty sure" and all the years I worked in the motorcycle industry folks told me "it's required by law". I'm pretty fluent in the federal regulations related to manufacturing and manufacturers of motorcycles in the USA. Since the date Harley-Davidson shuttered Buell this conversation has lingered on . . . I'm not doubting anybody . . . but have yet to have anybody show me anteing, as a manufacturer, that would prevent me from pulling the plug at anytime. Court | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Who buys parts from Harley anyway? I havent needed to. Rotor from EBR, relays from auto store, aftermarket regulator. The regulator from Harley is a Ducati part. Brake pads oil and air filters all aftermarket. I imagine if an engine needs a critical part I could get it from EBR, maybe even Rotax? | ||
| Froggy |
I can't get the OEM fender flares for my 2012 Chevy pickup anymore either. | ||
| Sprintst |
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) will make the parts much easier to make in the future. If HD makes the parts, or releases the drawings, most parts should be reproducible without tooling | ||
| Cataract2 |
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) will make the parts much easier to make in the future. If HD makes the parts, or releases the drawings, most parts should be reproducible without tooling Yet, they won't. I expect IF the parts are available the price of them won't make it worthwhile. To get an idea of what I mean, just look at Twin Moto's prices for replacement items that they make. I'm keeping my Buells, but they are going to be regulated to very minimal use and a Super Tenere or GS1200 will take over main duty. A lot of over optimistic folks on here. I have a feeling many are in for a shock. If the major back orders don't make you step back and wonder already then you are in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later. (Message edited by cataract2 on July 30, 2014) | ||
| 1313 |
It's in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Part 49 IIRC. Here's the haystack, now someone just needs to find the needle. Be warned, there's MUCH MORE there than what there appears to be on the surface. Each link you click on will open to another page with many more links, and again, and again, and again... I've recently been researching a completely unrelated topic in CFR's, and I can tell you it is definitely NOT fun! Although it probably beats trying to remain awake while reading something from the Department of Energy... 1313 | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Guys, has anybody here ever tried to keep a mid-1990's Japanese bike running? Good luck finding parts for it, aftermarket or other. Body parts? Forget it! Maybe you'll find someone on the internet, maybe not. Even a bike that was so very popular 10+ years ago runs out of parts eventually. I know someone with a 1995 Honda VFR750. He can't find parts for it easily. Consumables like oil filters, break pads, plugs, air filter, no problem. Anything else is tough or non-existent. I suspect the R/CR parts scenario would not be any different 5-7 years from now. Nevertheless, I still see people riding around in 1990's (even '80's) vintage Japanese bikes. There are still people able to keep their 1990's Buell Tubers running. | ||
| Court |
I'll keep my 1952 Cushman and 1976 MG . . . parts are a breeze. :-) | ||
| Puddlepirate |
I never had a problem finding parts for my 81 Honda CB at almost 30 years old when I sold it. | ||
| 46champ |
The tubers will be the last Buells to die. | ||
| Buellhusker |
I have a 1967 Triumph Bonny T120R and I find that I can get parts for it better now than I could in 1968 and 69. Now I can choose between used, new old stock, or rep parts. Of course in 1967 Triumph produced and sold the most number of bikes ever for Triumph. I sure hope that the same will be true for my Buell's. | ||
| Ljm |
After having posted above, I have to reconsider. I have two 73 Honda Scramlers. I went into the dealer in Spokane to see if they could get me a carb rebuild kit. They pulled out a parts manual and said that Honda has gone back into production for most of the hard parts. Bought OEM parts, in stock at the warehouse, delivered in two days. Who would have thought. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm not worried because my CR has been trouble-free for nearly 10k miles. Lost a stator under warranty, replacement is doing great, and EBR makes a nice retrofit if it let's go. But zero other issues other than maintenance (oil changes, tires, fuel). If you're that paranoid...buy something still in production so you can break it without worrying. My CR though...doesn't seem to want to break. And I'm good with that. | ||
| Sprintst |
There's a guy with a brand new BMW 1200GS I think that is going to be down for 2 months. Recall 2 days after he bought it. No parts / no fix on a new bike... | ||
| S21125r |
I wont worry about it until the day I can't get a part that I need. At that point I will part it out and hopefully make someone else's day that needs a hard to find part. As stated, engines aren't a big concern while EBR is in business. Frames would be concern but chances are if I need a new frame then I probably need a whole new bike (because I wadded it...). Plastic and suspension are probably the biggest concerns but even then there are some aftermarket options out there. No worries | ||
| Buellrobot |
Now that EBR is in serious trouble, I wonder if folks still think 1125's will be maintainable over the long haul. What happens when something goes awry with your 1125, deep under the hood, in 2020? |
