Looking for excellent, reputable trades?

I've been using a couple of absolutely excellent trade shops for my restorations, refurbs and custom builds for 15+ years, so I thought I'd share them for anyone needing stuff done.

Please tell them that Paul from Born Again Bikes referred you...

Polishing - H&H Polishing, Charlotte, NC 704-393-8728
Wheels & Spokes - Buchanan's, Azusa, CA 626-969-4655
Plating (cadmium) - Burbank Plating, Pacoima, CA 818-899-1157
Brake rotor skimming & drilling - Disc Brake Reconditioners, Caseyville, IL 618-344-7683
Paint - Don Hutchinson, Wakefield, MA 781-245-9663
Magneto rebuilding - Mainly Mags, Cross lake, ME 207-834-7309
Cam & Follower work - Megacycle, San Rafael, CA 415-472-3195
Chrome plating - Southwest Chrome, San Antonio, TX 210-658-8087
Upholstery - Ramirez Upholstery, Laredo, TX 956-220-2475 (SPANISH ONLY)

Sandblasting - Blast The Past, San Antonio, TX 830-625-5305
Powdercoating - Converse Tech Coatings, San Antonio, TX 210-661-0020
I send my stuff to Blast the Past, and they hand deliver it to Converse Tech Coatings; saves me a trip.

All of the above are absolute professionals that have never failed me, apart from one time I had to grind off some powdercoat, but have since sent them print-outs from Old Britts to mask accordingly and they've been 100% since then.

I hope this helps somebody.

Thank you.

Thanks for sharing.
Wish I lived closer to more of them

I send stuff to all the ones that are not in Texas, and even with shipping, the results are very cost-effective. I'm sure I get better rates due to regular/repeat/volume business, but you never know how it might compare to others that are local to some folks but come without recommendation.

As to the criticism I've received on this forum for some of my past client's projects, NONE of that relates in any way to the above businesses.

Now, for a list of all the parts suppliers I've used over the last 15+ years, also with excellent service & pricing (in rough alphabetical order):

Fiberglass bodywork - Airtech Streamlining 760-598-3366
Norton misc. parts - Parts - Baxter's, Marne, IA 712-781-2351
British Only, MI 713-946-4829
Clip-ons, rearsets, fairings, seats, etc. - Clubman Racing, Fairfield, CT 203-261-8719
High end retrofit parts - CNW, Dolores, CO 970-882-7163
OEM Norton parts - Carl Hokanson 508-742-7336 (racers receive a discount) <Best deal on stainless adjustable isolastics!
OEM Norton parts - Fair Spares America, Los Osos, CA 805-534-9248
OEM Norton parts - Klempf's, MN 507-374-2222
Performance parts - M.A.P., 727-381-1151
Performance Cams - Megacycle, San Rafael, CA 415-472-3195
OEM Norton parts - Old Britts (my most-used Commando source) 253-735-2375
OEM Norton parts - Raber's, San Jose, CA 408-998-4495
OEM pre-Commando parts - Walridge, Canada 519-227-4923

Also bears mentioning that NONE of the above have ever provided me with an inferior part (quality and fit). Also, none of the issues related to my past projects were attributable to inferior or failed parts (as far as I can recall having ever been informed).

Most (not all) of the OEM Norton parts suppliers have also provided me with high quality NON-Andover pattern parts over the years.

It was nice of you to take the time to make that list. Good suppliers should be recognized and recommended.

I've been building those lists for almost 30 years, it's taken a while for the cream to rise to the top.

I am currently looking for a Norton. This list will come in handy if/when I need something done. Thanks! BTW, could you point me in the direction of a bike or two, website or individual?

Sammytb said:

I am currently looking for a Norton. This list will come in handy if/when I need something done. Thanks! BTW, could you point me in the direction of a bike or two, website or individual?

Click to expand...

ebay, the "For Sale" section of this forum, "for sale" section of Britbike.com...

Between those three, you'll find something good.

BEWARE CRAIGSLIST - it is the safe haven of scammers and rip-offs. USE LOCAL ONLY, so you can see the bike in person. MANY scammers copy other people's listings and post them on craigslist to rip you off with moneygram and western union deposits. RUN AWAY!!!

grandpaul said:

ebay, the "For Sale" section of this forum, "for sale" section of Britbike.com...

Between those three, you'll find something good.

BEWARE CRAIGSLIST - it is the safe haven of scammers and rip-offs. USE LOCAL ONLY, so you can see the bike in person. MANY scammers copy other people's listings and post them on craigslist to rip you off with moneygram and western union deposits. RUN AWAY!!!

Click to expand...

Thanks!