Hoarders?

[marshg246]

I wish I could rummage through all the stuff you feel is worthless. I know plenty of people that can't afford new parts. I need lifters and rocker assemblies, any special bolts etc. I used to find at swap meets the filthy cardboard box with odds and ends for cheap. That kind of stuff saved me hours and day of time.

I remember going to a friend's house looking for something or other, there was 3 of us. His wife (everybody in their 40s) came through and very coldly said "I don't like motorcycles or the people connected with them". His life must have been hell.

The problem is that you live on the wrong coast! I have lots I would give you, but shipping is a PITA and Very expensive!

 

[Jdub]

Several members have provided me with used bits that were generously low in price and great quality. Can't thank this virtual marketplace enough.

 

[gatsby]

I am guilty of keeping parts that I will never use. When I tackle a rebuild, I want the end result to be modern and pretty. This is what gets me in the loop that results in parts hoarding.


I would also like to ask the collective membership a question --->Has anyone ever put their bike back to stock with parts that you, or a pervious owner, have saved to do so?

The answer is no.

Cheers,
Gatsby

 

[baz]

I am guilty of keeping parts that I will never use. When I tackle a rebuild, I want the end result to be modern and pretty. This is what gets me in the loop that results in parts hoarding.


I would also like to ask the collective membership a question --->Has anyone ever put their bike back to stock with parts that you, or a pervious owner, have saved to do so?

The answer is no.

Cheers,
Gatsby

I recently put the standard footrests back on my commando

 

[Interbak]

Many years ago I picked up a Commando to pass along to a friend who was in the market, it came with two pick-up truck loads of parts. I’m still using those parts for rebuilds. About 15 years ago I pulled the head and barrels off of my ‘72 and found the Norvil cam had very badly rounded off lobes. I rebuilt the engine, including an excellent condition Combat cam from this stash for a total sum of $5, I was only missing the oil pump outlet seal. Hoarding can pay off!

 

[baz]

Many years ago I picked up a Commando to pass along to a friend who was in the market, it came with two pick-up truck loads of parts. I’m still using those parts for rebuilds. About 15 years ago I pulled the head and barrels off of my ‘72 and found the Norvil cam had very badly rounded off lobes. I rebuilt the engine, including an excellent condition Combat cam from this stash for a total sum of $5, I was only missing the oil pump outlet seal. Hoarding can pay off!

Around 25 years ago I was at an automobile and near the end of the afternoon I saw a bloke put a sign on the stool saying "£5 the lot" I immediately bought it
There were trays and trays of stuff
Mainly A series BSA parts
I still dip into them to this day
There were several brand new fuel taps in there
And loads of magneto parts and gaskets etc etc

 

[MikeG]

The bikes I've modified and then sold I made a point to give them the stuff I took off. Dumbest thing I did was replace the Amal GP carb on an Enfield Constellation and give it away with the bike

 

[gatsby]

I recently put the standard footrests back on my commando

touché!

 

[baz]

touché!

I should add that hopefully it's temporary until I can bend my knee enough
Then the rear sets will be going back on and hopefully the electric start will coming off

 

[Thomasa]

All this hoarding really does pay off eventually. I'm finally going to use the rubber-band primary seal for my Atlas that I've had since Pokes went out of business and I bought some of the stock. That was 25 years ago IIRC. Then there is the garbage can lid filled with nuts and bolts into which I've drained the dregs of new oil cans. That has been supplanted with boxes of metric bolts and a drawer of CEI screws and nuts. This represents a large investment were one to replace them with new. Individual bolts are on the order of 75 cents and up at the hardware store. Then there are the things like Cummins 855 wrist pins and Mack king bolts that become press tools. Then, looking for a clutch-alignment tool for my truck, I find the broken clutch gear that matches perfectly.

These are items I point out to my wife from time to time when she wrinkles her nose at the oily garbage can lid filled with bolts. "Worth several hundred dollars," I never fail to point out.

 

[Richard Tool]

These are items I point out to my wife from time to time when she wrinkles her nose at the oily garbage can lid filled with bolts. "Worth several hundred dollars," I never fail to point out.

.. and enlightening Mrs , along with a bouquet of flowers gets you where ? … LOL

 

[gortnipper]

A scrap crankshaft would make a dandy little boat anchor. And I have seen these creative sculptures welded up using miscellaneous scrap parts. I have yet to see one which makes any sense though...

I think this is the same 7' Predator sculpture I saw in a electronics surplus store on Upper Queen St in Auckland in the early 2000s. The FBI ended up seizing it from Kim.com when they raided his mansion about 3ks from where we live.

 

[concours]

I wish I could rummage through all the stuff you feel is worthless. I know plenty of people that can't afford new parts. I need lifters and rocker assemblies, any special bolts etc. I used to find at swap meets the filthy cardboard box with odds and ends for cheap. That kind of stuff saved me hours and day of time.

I remember going to a friend's house looking for something or other, there was 3 of us. His wife (everybody in their 40s) came through and very coldly said "I don't like motorcycles or the people connected with them". His life must have been hell.

"The bikes probably don't like you either, ma'am."

 

[robs ss]

A riding friend (Mk3 850) has a less than friendly older female neighbour with some overhanging trees that drop substantial debris into his property.
During one discussion she accused "You don't like trees or me, do you?"
His calm reply was "I don't mind trees at all!"

 

[Danno]

<---------------------------------------------------------------<
Years ago, I replaced 90% of the fasteners on that---^ with stainless and I saved all the original hardware. Came in very handy when I restored
the Titanic, whose hardware was in piss-poor shape from being submerged. I have a basement under my garage full of stuff that most folks would toss, but I get giggle every time I walk down the stairs and find something I need that I already have and don't need to purchase.
Also had the original headlight to replace the Titanic's, whose reflector had turned black inside.

 

[daveforty]

I tend to hang on to old stuff on the basis that there may come a time when re-using slightly knackered parts is preferable to not being able to get replacement parts.

This would be a good time to say thanks to the manufacturers and suppliers that keep availability of Commando parts so good.

 

[Steve Highfield]

My stash mostly consists of 750/850 norton spares and triumph unit and preunit 650/750 spares plus a lot of nos parts for each. i got rid of all my bsa, MGB and 500 triumph spares over the past year or so. I don't like waiting for parts in the mail so i'm always looking for a box of parts to a truck full of parts when they come up for sale

 

[mean gene]

Had a 530 chain new in box, I thought, on the shelf. Went to install on project and found a rusted used chain that for some reason I needed to keep. Yes I'm a hoarder!!! Time to clean up and scrap out!

 

[trident sam]

Had a 530 chain new in box, I thought, on the shelf. Went to install on project and found a rusted used chain that for some reason I needed to keep. Yes I'm a hoarder!!! Time to clean up and scrap out!

A few years ago I bought a pair of Lester wheels from a T140D,----- a while later was looking through my pile and found a set that I'd bought earlier and had forgot about !

 

[ggryder]

My stash mostly consists of 750/850 norton spares and triumph unit and preunit 650/750 spares plus a lot of nos parts for each. i got rid of all my bsa, MGB and 500 triumph spares over the past year or so. I don't like waiting for parts in the mail so i'm always looking for a box of parts to a truck full of parts when they come up for sale

How did you get rid of the parts Steve? eBay? Local club contacts? I'm wondering what motivates people when they finally decide to let go. Is it just a matter of getting rid? Getting the parts to another enthusiast who can make good use of them? or trying to make a few bucks on eBay? Some people here have claimed that nobody wants these parts, but it doesn't seem to stop some people from asking crazy prices on eBay.