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BMW is creating more unobtainium. First is was the main wiring harness--no longer available. Now it appears as though they are working on turning the front indicator lenses for the RT/RS into unobtainium. They've already turned the center parking light lens into unobtainium (unless you want to purchase the entire light fixture for $60). They are working on the left front indicator lens now. It costs $35 while it's twin on the right only costs $11. What's next, I don't know.

It's time to buy that spare RT you've been putting off, Jeff.

I'm actually encouraged, while at the same time glad I don't own an RT......

The $11 lens is probably old stock, and the $35 lens tells me that they've arranged for a new batch of left lenses. What I take from this is that they are still supporting their product, and hopefully with decent quality.

In other air-cooled German vehicle news, VW has pretty much left us behind and nearly everything I can get comes from the aftermarket. For the most part, I can still get crucial stuff from the same people who made the parts originally, but QC is up to the vendor, who is no longer VW.

I prefer BMW's approach.

melville wrote:The $11 lens is probably old stock, and the $35 lens tells me that they've arranged for a new batch of left lenses. What I take from this is that they are still supporting their product, and hopefully with decent quality.

I hadn't thought about it that way. My thinking was that they are running low on the left side, so they are charging more. A supply and demand thing. I kind of wish they would do that with the main wiring harness; however, the $320 would be about $1,000 at that increase. On the plus side I was able to locate a NOS center parking light lens on the shelf of dealer in WA. It should be on the way to me tomorrow.

Jeff in W.C. wrote:

melville wrote:The $11 lens is probably old stock, and the $35 lens tells me that they've arranged for a new batch of left lenses. What I take from this is that they are still supporting their product, and hopefully with decent quality.

I hadn't thought about it that way. My thinking was that they are running low on the left side, so they are charging more. A supply and demand thing. I kind of wish they would do that with the main wiring harness; however, the $320 would be about $1,000 at that increase. On the plus side I was able to locate a NOS center parking light lens on the shelf of dealer in WA. It should be on the way to me tomorrow.

Yeah, there's a chance of that, maybe to see if the demand would support the cost of a new batch of parts, but probably only for parts of consequence, like pistons and cylinders. Or /2 cranks.

Try owning an Aprilia-era Moto Guzzi... Things like blinkers, switchgear, gauges and other non-drivetrain bits for my '02 LeMans are nearly impossible to find, and if you do find it there's no guarantee it'll be any good. I've been pretty impressed with the parts availability for my /6.

To feel better about this, call the dealer for your car and find out how much a brake/turn signal lens costs. I'm 100% with Melvlle on this. I'm not buying everything new for my bikes but if I need it, I'm happy to be able to get OEM quality.

Chuey

I agree with you guys that BMW is better than most, if not all other MC companies. But, it seems as of late, these items have become unavailable. Part of it is my own frustration for not dealing with this sooner, because then I would be bitching about not being able to some of these parts. Can I blame my son, Jacob, for this? I wouldn't have had to put this aside for a few years if it wasn't for him. Besides, he's three now and can be a royal PITA at times--granted he's no different than most three year olds and he'll out grow it.

Jeff in W.C. wrote:But, it seems as of late, these items have become unavailable.

Time marches on, for both us and our things.

Buy a GPSr and take the kid out geocaching.

Jim Cray mentioned to m thathe has found that the parts on back order with BMW , do come through , but sometimes at much higher prices, but at least they are still supporting these bikes after 25-35 years. Not bad at all especially as the legal requirement is only 10