Hoarders?

I seem to acquire spares for projects I am done with.
If in the past I struggled to find a kick start shaft with good splines, when I see one in decent shape, I pick it up. Primary covers are another example: every Norton I ever bought has a cracked primary. I now have a nice collection of good primaries, at the ready, just in case.
Is this hoarding? Thinking ahead? Locked in the past? OCD?
 
mean gene said:
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!
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Pull the chain links off, they are very handy with a woodscrew or other to use as a washer!!
 
I generally didn't hoard until later in life, I even went over 100 miles to a shop auction and came away with a van load of stuff I didn't need or want. Took me 10 years to sell a Italian 125cc engine without a crankshaft, but I made a profit on it.
I have accumulated a 500 domi Norton as a project, which I'm now starting to have doubts.
Still got quite a bit of Jap bike spares and one 1972 250 MZ which ive never rode, one dude offered me £350 for it, another £100 but I turned them down.
 
ggryder said:
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.
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I sold them as a lot on the local buy and sell. Practically gave them away.
That's how i get my spares so i pay it forward in hope someone else will make use of them :)
 
Stephen Hill said:
I seem to acquire spares for projects I am done with.
If in the past I struggled to find a kick start shaft with good splines, when I see one in decent shape, I pick it up. Primary covers are another example: every Norton I ever bought has a cracked primary. I now have a nice collection of good primaries, at the ready, just in case.
Is this hoarding? Thinking ahead? Locked in the past? OCD?
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Yup.. OCD :) The one who dies with the most spares wins!!!
 
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So far no one has mentioned Portland, Oregon's Sandy Bandit, Cliff Majors [sp]. Was that hoarding or was it investment? I tell my wife it's investment. I think he sold off most of his hoard before he died but I'd bet he'd still be in the running for dying with the most spares.
 
Some old parts like isolastic end collars are a great fit as a tool to un do primary case inspection screw plugs...and for the use in pressing stuff or as a drift in some instances etc and of course being helpful to fix ya mates bikes in a pinch.
Alot of people imho these days are just part of the throw away society we have and have gone away from repairing things to become new part fitters.... that includes alot of modern mechanics
 
Hoarding has benefits..... rode home 50 miles with no clutch, looked for the old one I had taken off, still good. Found that AND a new Venhill.
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The Venhill was shorter than the old one.... then I remembered the painfully long story. Wrong ferrule on the first one, sent it back. Second one was for euro bars, kept it. Third cable worked.
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Hoarders?
 
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concours said:
The Venhill was shorter than the old one.... then I remembered the painfully long story. Wrong ferrule on the first one, sent it back. Second one was for euro bars, kept it. Third cable worked.View attachment 101226
View attachment 101228
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I've had the same problem with them.
Cable failed like yours, 100 miles from home, had the old cable in the side cover. Completed the ride.

I have 3-4 failed or wrong size clutch/brake cables from venhill.
 
One local motorcycle empurium where I used to live had so much trouble with the various lengths of cables, the governor obtained lengths of inner and outer cables from Venhill and would make one to order, wish he was still there now.........
 
Every shop used to be able to make their own cables. They used to swage the ends on. What happened to these 'Machines'? I guess the supply of ends dried up.
 
mean gene said:
Every shop used to be able to make their own cables. They used to swage the ends on. What happened to these 'Machines'? I guess the supply of ends dried up.
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Probably with the mechanical fuel pump diaphragm kits.😜
 
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Bernhard said:
One local motorcycle empurium where I used to live had so much trouble with the various lengths of cables, the governor obtained lengths of inner and outer cables from Venhill and would make one to order, wish he was still there now.........
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I keep a collection now and do it myself. I got a set of throttle cables which were impossible to fit.
 
johnm said:
I keep a collection now and do it myself. I got a set of throttle cables which were impossible to fit.
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Yeah - I bought a Venhill's cable making toolbox. Good move price-wise and even better for cable availability!
www.venhill.co.uk

WORKSHOP CLUTCH/THROTTLE CABLE KIT

Box dimensions H 220mm W 240mm L 460mmWe recommend our VT13 Bird Caging tool to make the bonds with your nipple much stronger.Please note: The low friction PTFE Liner is now included inside the conduit to make it easier to make the cable
www.venhill.co.uk www.venhill.co.uk
Was cheaper 12 years ago.👍
 
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BTW the bird-caging tool isn't really necessary (can be done with basic tools) and is over-priced IMHO.
I believe in always using 60% tin solder - much stronger than the electrical stuff.
Cheers

EDIT - the kit doesn't come with a safety warning about the absolute necessity to birdcage (especially brake cables) - I have given Venhill this feedback but no response.
 
robs ss said:
BTW the bird-caging tool isn't really necessary (can be done with basic tools) and is over-priced IMHO.
I believe in always using 60% tin solder - much stronger than the electrical stuff.
Cheers

EDIT - the kit doesn't come with a safety warning about the absolute necessity to birdcage (especially brake cables) - I have given Venhill this feedback but no response.
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Yup, as a 10 year old kid, I used plumbing solder & acid paste flux to repair my minibike cables while Dad was away at work. It worked, a little, Dad explained later there was different kinds of solder...
 
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