Comparing prices engine parts, is this for real?

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fiatfan

fiatfan

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So I´ve started looking for parts for my -73 850 engine, to start with, gearbox and transmission will follow. Just a statement: I have no earlier experience from these two suppliers, so this is just a simple matter of comparing prices on their websites. This example is restoring the bottom end, so the parts I´ve looked for are: crankshaft superblend bearings, big end shells, bolts and nuts for the big end, bolts, nuts and locking plates for the crank it self. RGM Norton have a kit with these parts, priced at £ 145 +VAT. Andover Norton doesn´t have a kit, so all parts put together comes in at £ 265 + VAT...... :shock: Pretty close to twice the price of RGM! A simple question: Why?
Tommy
 
AN's conrod bolts are four times the price of RGM's so I don't know if AN has made a mistake with the price?

A lot of RGM's parts (and also those from other Norton parts suppliers, Norvil, etc.) will often be their 'own brand' and not necessarily 'genuine' Andover Norton parts.
That's not suggesting RGM's (or others) parts are inferior or substandard (although Joe Seifert of AN might disagree: https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/pirate-parts/) but 'You pays your money, you takes your choice' as the saying goes.
 
"You pay your money you take your chances" may be closer to the truth.

Im not saying AN is good others bad at all. Im not because I dont know.
 
Onder said:
Im not saying AN is good others bad at all. Im not because I dont know.
Click to expand...

Well, from previous discussions even AN appear to have the occasional quality control problem.
 
L.A.B. said:
AN's conrod bolts are four times the price of RGM's so I don't know if AN has made a mistake with the price?

A lot of RGM's parts (and also those from other Norton parts suppliers, Norvil, etc.) will often be their 'own brand' and not necessarily 'genuine' Andover Norton parts.
That's not suggesting RGM's (or others) parts are inferior or substandard (although Joe Seifert of AN might disagree: https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/pirate-parts/) but 'You pays your money, you takes your choice' as the saying goes.
Click to expand...

That would even the score a bit, but it still differs £50+, so there´s something else too.... :?
 
fiatfan said:
L.A.B. said:
AN's conrod bolts are four times the price of RGM's so I don't know if AN has made a mistake with the price?

A lot of RGM's parts (and also those from other Norton parts suppliers, Norvil, etc.) will often be their 'own brand' and not necessarily 'genuine' Andover Norton parts.
That's not suggesting RGM's (or others) parts are inferior or substandard (although Joe Seifert of AN might disagree: https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/pirate-parts/) but 'You pays your money, you takes your choice' as the saying goes.
Click to expand...

That would even the score a bit, but it still differs £50+, so there´s something else too.... :?
Click to expand...


Obviously trying to undercut AN as many of RGM's parts are cheaper.
 
you will spend a lot of money on kits containing parts which my not need. i only replaced the connecting rod big end bearing shells and the locking nuts, if its a 73 hand has had an oil filter since new you may not need to split the crank to clean the sludge trap which will save you time and money. I also reused the superblend bearings, but did have the cam followers reground to run with a new camshaft, the old cam had started to eat the tips off the lift.

the are way to many nice pieces to buy to build the perfect norton. have fun spending...
 
850commando said:
you will spend a lot of money on kits containing parts which my not need. i only replaced the connecting rod big end bearing shells and the locking nuts, if its a 73 hand has had an oil filter since new you may not need to split the crank to clean the sludge trap which will save you time and money. I also reused the superblend bearings, but did have the cam followers reground to run with a new camshaft, the old cam had started to eat the tips off the lift.

the are way to many nice pieces to buy to build the perfect norton. have fun spending...
Click to expand...

Well spending as much money as possible is not my primary goal.... :wink: But it sort of "comes with the job", and I have so far only looked at parts that I feel is necessary for having an engine that won't need a restoration again in the near future. There´s for example the standard main bearings still in there, so superblends seems like a good idea. Splitting the crank is also something I will do, since I don´t know the skills of the last person who was in there, and what was done, so....I want to know, because it costs money, that´s all.
 
Did you not have a look at the prices before this? The reason I'm asking is because it's always been like that and there is no way around it, this forum is chock a block with similar observations and everyone has their own take on it. I understand where you're coming from and it is a dilemma as you can only do what your budget allows , or so you think! That is why there are trailer queens and bikes that never get ridden , cos keeping old bikes up to snuff is not cheap ,and very time consuming .

Best of good fortune with the rebuild.

Jg
 
fiatfan said:
There´s for example the standard main bearings still in there, so superblends seems like a good idea.
Click to expand...

Actually, in a '73 850 the standard main bearings are already superblends.

Ken
 
auldblue said:
Did you not have a look at the prices before this? The reason I'm asking is because it's always been like that and there is no way around it, this forum is chock a block with similar observations and everyone has their own take on it. I understand where you're coming from and it is a dilemma as you can only do what your budget allows , or so you think! That is why there are trailer queens and bikes that never get ridden , cos keeping old bikes up to snuff is not cheap ,and very time consuming .

Best of good fortune with the rebuild.
Jg
Click to expand...

Hi, I know this isn´t a cheap hobby, but the thing I was reacting to was the big difference in price when comparing two well known suppliers. That´s all.
Tommy
 
I've been shopping those two sites along with a few others for parts and RGM very often seems to be cheaper. I've looked at that bottom end kit and it certainly seems to be the best price out there for new superblends and the other included bits. That said, I have no idea if there is a quality difference.
 
fiatfan said:
auldblue said:
Did you not have a look at the prices before this? The reason I'm asking is because it's always been like that and there is no way around it, this forum is chock a block with similar observations and everyone has their own take on it. I understand where you're coming from and it is a dilemma as you can only do what your budget allows , or so you think! That is why there are trailer queens and bikes that never get ridden , cos keeping old bikes up to snuff is not cheap ,and very time consuming .

Best of good fortune with the rebuild.
Jg
Click to expand...

Hi, I know this isn´t a cheap hobby, but the thing I was reacting to was the big difference in price when comparing two well known suppliers. That´s all.
Tommy
Click to expand...

Hi Tommy, sorry if I did not put my point over too well. I've moaned in the past about poor parts and poor attitude of suppliers , and Madnorton is right if it's no what you expect send it back and buy better quality but ultimately it's what you can afford to get your bike on the road to enjoy ridding , rather than sitting in the garage costing you nothing.

Jg
 
Well, the idea of buying from both of them could work if it wasn´t these parts I think. The question in my mind at least is the quality question, and that can´t be checked just by looking at the parts, they need to be put in the engine and being used for some time to determine if they was good or bad. So I guess one just have to go for one of them, and hope for the best. I´m not building a race engine, but it would be nice not to have to take it apart that often.... :wink:
 
Why not just ask RGM why there is a difference in price and if there is a quality difference? What have you got to loose?

Of course RGM are going to put a spin on their own products but it might help you in making a decision.

I'm now speaking WAY out of my comfort zone but, bolts have specifications you could ask AN & RGM what the specs are on their bolts to see if there is any technical differences between them.
 
click said:
Why not just ask RGM why there is a difference in price and if there is a quality difference? What have you got to loose?

Of course RGM are going to put a spin on their own products but it might help you in making a decision.

I'm now speaking WAY out of my comfort zone but, bolts have specifications you could ask AN & RGM what the specs are on their bolts to see if there is any technical differences between them.
Click to expand...

Absolutely a good idea, I have no problems with that. We´ll see when I get around to order, still checking what I need.
Tommy
 
I seem to recall some test results showing the bolts both RGM and Norvil sell being superior to the AN bolts
this was posted here on access Norton some time back

as for super blend bearings neither RGM or AN manufacture them just ask if they are a branded product cage material and bearing fit / tolerance is the
key information
 
The last time I bought Superblend bearings, I simply got them from my local bearing supplier. From memory there was a choice of cage material - I chose the bearings with the brass cages.
 
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