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Ken, whilst your response to my 'contentious theory' does hold a lot of merit, I would argue that there is often a great gulf between a shortage of spares and the price climbing to a point where someone, with the necessary experience, actually sees a decent business opportunity and is prepared to do something about it.

It might only be that price rise that makes the business opportunity viable - so it will never reduce the price of these high value or complex items.

Wire wheel hubs - particular of the drum braked variety are another item that are getting thin on the ground as far a second hand spares are concerned. Someone has just started a thread...

Still the best and cheapest source of spares has to be a second bike - which you could of course break, but keep the high value items for yourself.......Thus reducing further the amount of airheads on the road....

There is no easy answer.

There is, for me, an unfortunate downside to having read this excellent thread.
When I began reading, I was the proud and grateful owner of a lovely airhead.
Now I am a poor benighted wretch with no spare transmission on my shelf ...

Sunbeem.

likewise

Sunbeem wrote:There is, for me, an unfortunate downside to having read this excellent thread.
When I began reading, I was the proud and grateful owner of a lovely airhead.
Now I am a poor benighted wretch with no spare transmission on my shelf ...

Sunbeem.

Alas, I am an even poorer soul - I have neither an airhead nor a spare transmission for one.

Steve in Golden wrote:

Sunbeem wrote:There is, for me, an unfortunate downside to having read this excellent thread.
When I began reading, I was the proud and grateful owner of a lovely airhead.
Now I am a poor benighted wretch with no spare transmission on my shelf ...

Sunbeem.

Alas, I am an even poorer soul - I have neither an airhead nor a spare transmission for one.

Have I got a deal for you!

Steve in Golden wrote: Alas, I am an even poorer soul - I have neither an airhead nor a spare transmission for one.

Get Right, Boy!

Chuey

4 trannies on the shelf and I'm so broke that I cannot pay attention ... ain't life fickle ?

If I had all the spares that have been recommended I would be broke. If I carried all the spare parts that some folks said I should take on road trips, I would have a wobble problem.

I just keep riding them until something breaks - and then I do something.

I would buy a good transmission (1975 R90/6) if I found one cheap - but that would probably involve actually looking.

So maybe here is a potential future thread. A Boxerworks Forum insurance pool of sorts that several folks participate in to buy commonly needed parts that might be scary from one of the mail order shops (drive shaft, gear box, etc) and we all pay to obtain them. Then under some sort of rules, if you need the part, you can buy it from the pool at its purchase price. The primum would be your share of the original purchase.

One rule might be - you have to be 100 miles or more from home when it breaks.

I am considering a trip to Alaska, and it would be very cool to know there were some spare parts shipable to me on short notice.

I have (3) 5 speeds and one 4 speed plus an '85 R80RT with complete drive line and smashed front end.

I have a spare gear box....sort of...