Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't so!

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mike996

mike996

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I just noticed a "can't afford to retire" sale on their site which makes me think it's the first step in leaving. They are advertising selling off a lot of new and used parts.

I will be a sad guy if Fred/Ella close up shop.

http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_main.html
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

....and a lot of us arent far behind. :-(
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

I retired in August so I could work on my bikes...then my back went out for a 3rd time 3 weeks later and I have been down. Had back fusion surgery on Sept 22nd. That's the main reason I retired...the last 3 years have been recovering from surgeries. Hopefully this is the last one for a while. It's hell to get old.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

That's what my Dad said. Then I said fine but what's the alternative ? Silence. :|
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

Hmmmm. I have a slight back problem from years of leaning over the engines in cars. Lumbar region. It reared it head again over the last 2 weeks, and I thought I might have to call off the4 hour ride to Hampton Downs. Funny though, the ride seemed to cure my problem. Never thought a ride would be therapeutic for me in that sense. Havnt quite reached retirement age yet but looking forward to many rides in the future.

Dereck
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

mike996 said:
I just noticed a "can't afford to retire" sale on their site which makes me think it's the first step in leaving. They are advertising selling off a lot of new and used parts.

I will be a sad guy if Fred/Ella close up shop.

http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_main.html
Click to expand...

+1

That will be a bummer when it happens. Fred and Ella are simply the best.
They are always my first choice when ordering Norton stuff (It must be 10 years for me).
Sounds like they are just simplifying their lives a bit for now.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

Actually if you read what they have said, they are NOT going to retire, simply carry on the business in a less hectic way. I suppose that if they can't find someone to take over by the time they are 90 they might pack it in, but I feel, based on what I read, that we will be able to enjoy their service and support for quite a few years yet.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

When I had Fred rebuild my MK III back in 06 I really found them to be honest and friendly, Not always a given these days. I for one don't blame them a bit, I bet Fred and Ella have been going full steam for a long time now and need to scale it back a bit. But Dave I understand it like yourself, They don't seem to be calling it quits just going to choose what the most important things are and do those. By the way the motor he rebuilt for me is still as strong as ever 8 years now and almost all those miles are two up. Places like, Hells Backbone, Million Dollar Highway, Death Valley, High Sierra many times. Great folks. :wink:
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

Hope you're right!
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

dave M said:
Actually if you read what they have said, they are NOT going to retire, simply carry on the business in a less hectic way. I suppose that if they can't find someone to take over by the time they are 90 they might pack it in, but I feel, based on what I read, that we will be able to enjoy their service and support for quite a few years yet.
Click to expand...

Yes looks like it will be a while before a full retirement shut down but at 70 Fred probably knows he's not immortal and may not plan on working even at a lower intensity until he drops.
So maybe five more years if we're lucky.
Definitely my first choice for parts and information and I will sorely miss them.
Is there someone out there younger than me (66) who loves Norton's who would be interested in working into a position to buy the business.
Super specialized small businesses are hardto actually sell but maybe this could be an exception.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

rx7171 said:
Is there someone out there younger than me (66) who loves Norton's who would be interested in working into a position to buy the business.
Super specialized small businesses are hardto actually sell but maybe this could be an exception.
Click to expand...

I'm sure someone has thought the same thing. The very same thing...
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

Sadly, I would think the old saying probably applies to this sort of business…

"Q: How do you make a small fortune in the [vintage motorcycle parts] business?"

A: "Start out with a large fortune."
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

It wouldn't be the same if anyone else bought the business. For me it's Fred and Ella who make the business what it is.
Face it, there's lots of places selling the very same parts from Andover Norton, Barnett, Hepolite, Leighton, FAG, etc.
Sometimes at lower prices. I've become so accustomed to their website and the confirmation e-mail from Ella.
2 days later there's the familiar little Priority Mail package in my mailbox. Fred's great "technical info" section (I.e. the gearbox rebuild "how-to").
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

It's hard for me to visualize any young folks being interested in such a business/old Brit bikes though one never knows…my 22 year old niece is currently going nuts over listening to music with her friends on vinyl (!) and there seems to be quite a market now for tube (valve) audio amps and preamps with quite a few recent entries into the market. And my 25 year old niece, although not into the vinyl thing just recently purchased all the Beatle albums… So who knows; vintage seems to be an "in" thing at the moment. How long it will last is another question.

As far as reading the statement on Old Britts and believing that it verifies they are NOT retiring…maybe I'm reading too much between the lines but it sounds like the first step toward saying Adios… :(
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

Does Andy Molnar make a very good living out of his replica manxes ? I cannot imagine anyone re-manufacturing commando parts oir a dwingling market. Businesses rely on turnover, not usually on having the last desirable items in captivity.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

There will always be a market for old bike parts albeit probably in boom and bust cycles as old motorcycles fall in and out of favor depending on the trends and fads of the moment.

At a local HD shop, the guys are pretty good at working on shovelheads and putting "Big Bore Kits" in late model HD's.
Unfortunately, they are going broke because shovelheads ain't cool anymore except with the bobber guys who don't have any money
and the bragging rights competition fad for who has spent the most money "Improving" their late model Harleys has came and went.

I foresee the day when technology is used even more in keeping the old bikes running. CNC machines and 3D printers producing parts as
needed.

Customer: "I need a head for a 1974 TRI T140.
Shop: "No problem.... let me chuck up a chunk of billet in the 5 axis CNC and I'll have it ready for you in a couple of days".
ETC....

No longer a requirement to have shelves and shelves of old parts and pieces setting around waiting for someone to need them.
 
Re: Old Britts first step toward fading away? Say it ain't

acotrel said:
Does Andy Molnar make a very good living out of his replica manxes ? I cannot imagine anyone re-manufacturing commando parts oir a dwingling market. Businesses rely on turnover, not usually on having the last desirable items in captivity.
Click to expand...

Andover and others seem to be making money with commando parts. But turnover is bullshit if you don't have the correct profit margin, if you ain't making money you may as well shut the doors. If stock levels are too high you've got your money tied up which is ok if you buy your stock cheap cos deposit interest is so low, but if you've not got customers spending you screwed as well. Best just down size and half your hassle and work four days like Mick H.

The current boom in commandos won't last much longer anyway it will move on to other marques, just like any other fad, I think you'll see plenty up for sale in three or four years.

J
 
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