Some of you may have seen my thread on 16H speedo cables. which started an interesting potential debate. I didn't mean to start a separate debate, but as the topic has been raised it is an interesting one!
I had noticed that the NOC tend to be quite good at sourcing manufacturers to make parts that are not available elsewhere, from suppliers like RGM and Norvil or cheap imports etc. but, perhaps understandably will not set up in competition with them, which does make some suppliers seem very expensive!
Personally I like to hunt around bike jumbles, and of course ebay, for parts, I think it is part of the enjoyment of old bike ownership, but very specific and older bike parts are now becoming very difficult to source, even for once very common models.
The options seem to be 1) pay an engineer (if you can find a good one locally these days) to make you one, which is ok if you have a pattern to work from. 2) try to outbid every other needy enthusiast on ebay. 3) Hope you get lucky!
Maybe a database on the NOC which provides known suppliers from a supplied part number would be a good idea?
The problem would be finding someone willing to run it! I know Neil runs the spares as a sideline, he is basically a volunteer. Other owners clubs have spares departments run as a separate business. For example the AGS and Matchless club have an excellent spares department for their members. I believe the NOC is one of the cash richest clubs, so why not?
Views, positive and negative sought.
Paul
