Is The Diving Aussie Dollar Affecting Your Resto?

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Old Scratcher

Old Scratcher

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Our poor old Aussie Dollar has fallen from being worth $1.10 USD just a few years ago, to languishing in the mid 70c US, with predictions it could fall to as low as 60c US by the end of next year. It's dive against the British Pound is just as bad, with it falling from around 70 pence to below 50 pence now, with further falls likely. The Euro hasn't been as cruel, but I don't own a Euro bike, I've got a Brit one. & most of it's parts suppliers are in the US or the UK. I've already seen the Alton Starter Kit fall off my must have mod list, as the price climbed from an already eye-watering $2200 (AUD) to a just affordable $2800, to a forget about it $3200, within the space of the two short months that I've owned my Cafe bike. So the only way I'm getting one of those is if I can find one on an Aussie shelf, or score one from an Aussie bike wrecker. & There's plenty of other things that are going to have to have the same supply restrictions, like the Corbin Smuggler I'd like. Oh well I guess I just got spoiled with all the cheap internet shopping I've been able to do, over the last few years. & I'm having a few withdrawals. It's not the lowest our dollars been either. It hit 47c US around the turn of the century. & I still managed to get an overseas trip in. So I guess I'll pull through this dive in our dollar, & still get my Nortons restored. It's just going to be a bit more challenging to keep costs reigned in. & it is actually good for our economy, with all exporters from Miners to Farmers making heaps, & our tourism sector picks up too, as we become a desirable & affordable destination again. I'm expecting the place to fill up with Pommy Backpackers as soon as it starts to cool down in the Old Dart (next Tuesday :P ). & anyone who's ever wanted a motorcycling holiday of Oz & NZ, couldn't pick a better time than now. Bring me an Alton Starter Kit & I'll loan you the Norton of your choice for your holiday (3 month time limit, no dirt tracks) :mrgreen:
 
I was lucky I brought all my bits that I needed when the aussie $$$ was high, so now I don't need to buy anything for my Norton and all i need to buy for my project bike is main bearings, I had them but went into my mate's Norton when I rebuilt the motor for him and now the bearings cost a bit more.

Ashley
 
Hope it's not affecting shipping times, as I'm still waiting on a pair of lube impregnated swingarm bushes
 
I bought a ton of parts not available locally when the NZD was high last year, approaching .88 USD and it has fallen to near .72 now. And I just bought some parts fro NorCom as well.

Of course, British Spares and British Motorcycle Parts get local dollars along the way as well, and will get most of my resto parts orders moving forward as the NZD stays "corrected".
 
My current race engine project could get pricier with the current USD-NZD exchange rates!!!
Regards Mike
 
Just bought gallons of Redline oil.
Damn you, AUD-USD exchange rate.
Ta.
 
That's bad news guys, I feel for ya.

But what intrigues me is: why isn't working the other way around... namely, why isn't a FA head correspondingly cheaper to a UK buyer??
 
Fast Eddie said:
That's bad news guys, I feel for ya.

But what intrigues me is: why isn't working the other way around... namely, why isn't a FA head correspondingly cheaper to a UK buyer??
Click to expand...

Aaah. That's one of the few value-adds that we have left. Mostly we dig it or chop it down and just flog it off for what we can get on the day. As much iron ore, bauxite and woodchips as you want for dirt cheap but mostly steel, aluminium and paper are imports these days. I guess FA Norton head sales will increase as the AUD plummets against the USD, GBP and EURO. Get ya wallets out.
Ta.
 
Fast Eddie said:
That's bad news guys, I feel for ya.

But what intrigues me is: why isn't working the other way around... namely, why isn't a FA head correspondingly cheaper to a UK buyer??
Click to expand...

Probably was bought before the rates tanked. But, might be the petrol effect - supply goes up, demand and/or wholesale prices go down, retail pricing remains the same....
 
I would love a FA head, but just cant justify the cost. I'm up to 4K on the engine rebuild already :). Shame though. Could sell the kids.
jug
 
The trouble lies primarily with the aimless idiots in Canberra - a lack of national competition policy or any sense of direction. Neither of the major parties has a plan to address our trade imbalance, and as we move towards recession the falling Australian dollar is the indicator. As usual our system runs on bullshit. Australia tries to lead the world on good things such as carbon pricing and removing tariffs - it all comes at a cost to the ordinary guy.
 
What you Aussies aren't realizing, is that your inflation relative to US $ or Chinese Yen or whatever is the new world
economic realignment. The traditional middle class is being dumbed down such that in the near future only the upper
middle class will be able to dabble in such intrinsic hobbies as vintage British motorcycles. It isn't just an Australian
trade balance problem, it's a world middle class problem. The 2nd and 3rd world is getting pissed off at sucking the
dirty end of the economic stick while we live the good life. Get used to the new order when you folks get invaded by
boat people like the USA and Europe have been experiencing for many years. Socialism isn't going to solve the problem
of world overpopulation.
 
acotrel said:
Australia tries to lead the world on good things such as carbon pricing and removing tariffs - it all comes at a cost to the ordinary guy.
Click to expand...

Thats a strange statement, when you look into it. ?
NZ is light years ahead, and they are by no means leaders either.

Tarrif reductions have been going on since before the days of the Commonwealth too,
and 'Free Trade Agreements' and 'Level Playing Fields' are carrots dangled in front of a gullible public ?

Not to get political or anything....
 
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