AN/RGM/Norvil Why?

marshg246

marshg246

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I buy the majority of my parts from AN. A few special parts from RGM. And nothing from Norvil.

INMO:
AN has almost everything and has the easiest web site of any motorcycle parts seller I've ever seen. On top of that, you can send them a spreadsheet or other list instead of using the cart. Important for me since I have an inventory system and it tells me which parts I'm out of. I've only ever had two order errors, and both were my fault. They usually cost a little more than RGM.

RGM often costs a little less and AN. If you have the part number, finding the part is not bad. They make a lot of order errors and their packaging stinks. Order 4 sizes of copper washers and you'll get a plastic bag, unmarked, containing (hopefully) the copper washers you ordered. For stainless lovers they do have some nice kits. Their kickstart and 520 rear hub are the only things I buy unless I have a customer wanting stainless cylinder base and head sets.

Norvil was a big deal long ago, but I never even look there today.

What are your reasons for where you buy Commando parts?
 
I have just this week bought two sump guard clips for my P11 from Norvil :)

Why? Because nobody else lists them, so thank you Les for that one...

In the past 35 years I have bought from AN, RGM, Norvil and a few others, and as for the first three none have had (in my experience) a 100% record. But we're all human (some maybe more than others!) so I do realise everyone has 'off' days, so none of the above has or will deter me from using any of them again.
 
EstuaryBoy said:
I have just this week bought two sump guard clips for my P11 from Norvil :)

Why? Because nobody else lists them, so thank you Les for that one...

In the past 35 years I have bought from AN, RGM, Norvil and a few others, and as for the first three none have had (in my experience) a 100% record. But we're all human (some maybe more than others!) so I do realise everyone has 'off' days, so none of the above has or will deter me from using any of them again.
Click to expand...
Understood. I'm more interested in recent and Commando. AN has changed hands and probably focus more than once since you started buying from them. Not sure about RGM. Norvil was a well-known after-market supplier long ago. How well someone handled their business 10, 20, 30 years ago is not nearly so important to me as how well they do today.

For instance, if you bought Lucas-like 5 years ago it probably came from Wassel and was crap. Wassel's "Genuine Lucas" today is in most cases better than original.
 
I wanted petrol taps too, so:
www.rgmnorton.co.uk

1/4" B.S.P. ON PETROL TAP LEVER OPERATED, WITHOUT PLATE

033155 WW73091 RGM NORTON 1/4 BSP PETROL TAP 83-2800
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

A fair price difference buying two (plus the 20% VAT) but.....

Did wonder if the AN offering was 'old school' internally, ie: tapered brass interference fit, but no.. It's the rubber (viton) seal type as well......

RGM 1 AN 0
 
I buy a few things from the NOC as their pricing is good, but I'd say the rest is split 60/40 - AN/RGM.

I'm not in the market for an Alton ES (yet!), but difficult to go with AN at £200 more)...

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

ALTON ELECTRIC STARTER MOTOR KIT, POSITIVE EARTH

19ASMK ALTON STARTER KIT
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
 
I find both AN and RGM both excellent in customer service with a slight nod to AN. However i’ve had fitment issues with several of RGM’s in-house stainless items
 
AN & RGM
Been burned by the "Friendly & Helpful" (NOT!!) at Norvil. Will never, ever buy there again.
Caveat Emptor

Edit - for clarity I am not talking about the Hemmings business.
 
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My local British bike shop deals with AN parts and have had good service and delivery from RGM it's very rare I buy parts and only use my local shop for the minor things I need but when I need bulk I been using RGM have never ordered from AN yet when my local dealer is close and always have what I need when I need.
I am not a fan of stainless steel products on my motorcycles but then my bikes aren't show ponies.
 
marshg246 said:
Understood. I'm more interested in recent and Commando. AN has changed hands and probably focus more than once since you started buying from them. Not sure about RGM. Norvil was a well-known after-market supplier long ago. How well someone handled their business 10, 20, 30 years ago is not nearly so important to me as how well they do today.

For instance, if you bought Lucas-like 5 years ago it probably came from Wassel and was crap. Wassel's "Genuine Lucas" today is in most cases better than original.
Click to expand...
For years there were two retailers using the 'Norvil' name.
One had a great reputation and everyone liked him, Mick Hemmings.
 
Building an engine for a guy. He bought everything he could find at RGM in stainless that would show on the engine. For the timing cover, they sent 12 PosiDriv screws with heads so big that they barely fit. The MK3 uses 1/4 UNC. RGM says they use 1/4 BSW. Fortunately, they sent UNC. Move on to the bolts that hold the spindle covers on. These are 1/4 BSW but they sent 1/4 BSC (26tpi rather than the correct 20tpi).

I do buy 520 rear hubs and their folder kickstarter but I would rather pay AN more than spend the time to find things on the RGM site.
 
I've never bought anything from Norvil directly myself (though I'm sure some parts have made their way to me from the NOC spares), but that isn't because I've personally had any issues with them, but that I've heard/read so many negative comments that I preferred to not take the risk.

But I wanted to revisit my comment above (#5) and add that despite mentioning the price difference on the Alton ES kits, AN would always be my first port of call and I've found their stock and service excellent. The care that goes into packing the parts is a thing to behold.
 
robs ss said:
AN & RGM
Been burned by the "Friendly & Helpful" (NOT!!) at Norvil. Will never, ever buy there again.
Caveat Emptor

Edit - for clarity I am not talking about the Hemmings business.
Click to expand...
The Hemmings business no longer exists. Quite a lot of stock was bought by AN.
 
I’d been involved in the purchase and supply of spare parts for cars, commercial and excavators for well over 40 years, and to me a clear and concise aid to obtaining the product is paramount.

I’ve not had much need to obtaining Classic bike parts until the past 4/5 years and I need to have my wits about me when it comes to getting exactly what I need.

AN I found to be excellent with their clear parts ‘books’ online, enabling me to know the part number to look for elsewhere. Their part supply was always excellent.

RGM I found to be a bit clunky in operation but useable. Norvil was too damned awkward and so I never actually bought anything.

On the other hand it’s useful having trade accounts with Wassells and LF Harris and LPWilliams for thing Triumph, again using a convenient parts book for numbers

Then there’s always evilbay when needs must
 
Bought quite a lot from AN and RGM for my 650SS project before Brexit (which made things more complicated and pricey).
Mostly satisfied with both. On very rare occasions any problems. Got wrong fork springs for the Manx. A single phone call to RGM solved it to my satisfaction.
Clutch springs for the Manx from AN way too hard. They insisted they was correct. Ended using some old springs I had.
I think that for pre Commando parts RGM has usually more parts.
Have good experience with both Molnar and McIntosh. Not so happy with TTI.
But compared to VOC spares Co Ltd, any of them falls short.
 
AN of that group is all I've used for stock parts. Mostly because of ease of use on the website. Almost used RGM, but couldn't find what I was looking for. Norvil website is too much of a PITA to navigate. My time is precious. lol

With AN delivery has gone from very quick and inexpensive to very expensive and not quick at all though. Fortunately, I'm about done with stock parts purchase. Only doing it for my use, and not for antsy customers. JSM, cNw, Molnar, CRS, ebay, and a bunch of others for performance related things. Also some guy named Greg. lol
 
Greg,

For parts quickly to Pennsylvania, Baxter Cycle. If I am not in a hurry, Andover Norton or Walridge.

There is a new player for Norvil parts in the USA called Fair Spares New England. I purchased some cush drive rubbers from him at the 2022 Rally that were actually rubbery unlike the bricks from AN. For the first time not a fight to install.

George
 
Bonzo said:
I buy a few things from the NOC as their pricing is good, but I'd say the rest is split 60/40 - AN/RGM.

I'm not in the market for an Alton ES (yet!), but difficult to go with AN at £200 more)...

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

ALTON ELECTRIC STARTER MOTOR KIT, POSITIVE EARTH

19ASMK ALTON STARTER KIT
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
Click to expand...

I notice that AN have since re-aligned the price on their starter kit (now about £40 more).
 
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